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Distraction osteogenesis is a surgical technique that gradually lengthens a bone. A surgeon cuts the bone and attaches a device that slowly separates the two segments. New bone forms in the growing space between them. The technique can be used in the limbs, jaw, or other facial bones.
read more about distraction osteogenesis ...Surgeons may use it to treat a difference in limb length or certain bone deformities. In the jaw, it may help correct a bone that is too small. The condition, growth stage, and amount of lengthening needed guide the treatment plan. An orthopedic or craniofacial team assesses whether gradual lengthening is suitable.
The surgeon cuts the bone and places an internal device or external frame. After an initial healing period, the device is adjusted in small steps to move the bone segments apart. New bone develops between the segments as the surrounding tissues stretch. The new bone then needs time to harden.
Lengthening and bone hardening can take several months. Repeated examinations and imaging show whether new bone is forming at the intended rate. People undergoing limb lengthening may also need physical therapy to maintain strength and joint movement. The device is removed when the team determines that the bone has healed sufficiently.
Risks include infection, nerve problems, joint stiffness, and difficulty forming strong new bone. An external frame can also cause infection where its pins enter the skin. If the bone separates too quickly or heals too soon, the treatment plan may need to change. Additional surgery is sometimes necessary.
Yes. New bone forms in the space created by gradual separation, then hardens during a later healing phase.
No. Surgeons also use the technique for arms, jaws, and other facial bones.
The duration depends on the bone and the amount of lengthening needed. The gradual adjustments and later bone hardening can take months.
It is commonly part of limb lengthening treatment. Therapy helps maintain muscle strength and joint movement as the limb changes.
Distraction Osteogenesis. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. https://www.chop.edu/treatments/distraction-osteogenesis. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Distraction Osteogenesis: A Comprehensive Review. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0464/3/4/32. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Lengthening of short bones by distraction osteogenesis?results and complications. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2903121/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Limb Lengthening Surgery. Hospital for Special Surgery. https://www.hss.edu/health-library/conditions-and-treatments/list/limb-lengthening-surgery. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Risk factors for and complications of distraction osteogenesis. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23793730/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.