Automatic bone lengthening with intramedullary nails provide good short-term outcome.
Ten patients with limb length discrepancy of lower extremity, treated with an Ellipse PRECICE® nail, were included in this retrospective follow-up study. The mean limb length discrepancy was 4.7 cm (range: 2.5–7.0 cm).
In all patients, limb lengthening goals were reached within a range of ± 0.5 cm after a mean time of 53 days. However, in 2 patients, mechanical failures with unintended shortening were observed. In a further patient nail breakage occurred. Overall, 7 patients presented with complications during the follow-up period.
The PRECICE® nail represents a new, fully implantable, magnetically driven device for limb lengthening. However, due to a high rate of complications, a close follow-up is necessary to identify early implant failures and to avoid severe adverse outcomes.
Retrospective follow-up study, case series, level IV.