The rate of minor complications in limb lengthening surgery is very high. Almost every patient will some problem, most commonly pin track infection.
General complications may include:
- infection around the pins or screws:
- the most common complication
- good pin hygiene and removal of affected pins and a short course of antibiotics are usually required
- neurovascular problems related to pin insertion are rare
- failure to achieve sufficient regeneration or consolidation may be due to underlying bone pathology or to an inappropriate distraction rate
- angular deformity - usually varus deformity in the femur and valgus deformity of the tibia - may result from non- axial stressing
- joint contracture from muscle imbalance during lengthening - such as an equinus deformity at the ankle