Abstract
We performed bilateral lower limbs lengthening in a 17-year-old boy with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SED tarda). The method of lengthening was callus distraction (callotasis) using Orthofix external fixators. His height was 139cm (-5.4 SD) and his arm span was 145cm before the operation. The lengthening in the tibias was 7.5cm after about 10 months. His height after treatment achieved 146.5cm. There were no major complications, such as pin tract infection or irreversible joint contracture.
The disadvantages of lengthening with SED tarda, compared with achondroplasia, were tight soft tissue, poor callus formation, and degenerative changes of the joints. To solve these problems, we changed the speed of lengthening and exercised stretching of the knee and ankle joints.
Lengthening with SED tarda is not contra-indication if these problems are solved. Observation of the degenerative changes of the joints is considered most important in future investigations.
