Limb shortening surgery

Limb shortening surgeries are relatively uncommon procedures at our facility. The technique follows several key steps: first, a bone cylinder is carefully removed, with the size determined by the extent of shortening required; next, an external frame is applied to gradually shorten the limb by 3 to 5mm per day; locking screws or nails are then inserted, the choice depending on whether nails were initially inserted during the first or second surgery; and finally, the frame is removed. This procedure can be called "shortening over the nail" or "shortening and then nailing."