Limb corrections
Most fractures heal without problems, but sometimes the fragments are not aligned properly and the bone heals with a deformity (malunion). In those situations it might be necessary to re-break the bone (osteotomy) and realign the fragments. The fragments need to be stabilised with plates or nails until healing has occurred. Occasionally the corrections have to be done gradually over several weeks to months with the use of ring-frames or growing nails.
Sometimes patients are born with limb deformities or with a leg length discrepancy. If the difference in length and/or alignment is too much, a correction might be needed. This means breaking the bone and gradually lengthening / straightening it to the appropriate shape. There are many techniques to achieve this ranging from external circular frames to magnetic powered telescope nails.
Other reasons for using these techniques are: when a fracture hasn’t healed (nonunion), when there is a chronic infection (osteomyelitis) or rarely for cosmetic reasons.