Diaphyseal Bone Deformities and Leg Length Discrepancy

Limb reconstruction surgery continues to affirm itself as a distinct subspecialty worldwide. Limb lengthening, particularly in combination with multiplanar deformity correction, can be an arduous endeavor. Wise judgment of the patient’s deformity, medical and biological situation, psychosocial environment, selection of the appropriate method and hardware, and meticulous operating technique by an experienced surgeon are the cornerstones of successful outcomes. Osteotomies require different strategies of treatment depending on the type: angulation-only osteotomies and angulation with translation osteotomies. Limb lengthening in the post-Ilizarov era has become more automated with the help of cell phone programing application. To understand deformities of the lower extremity, it is important to first understand and establish the parameters and limits of normal alignment. Knowledge of the exact anatomy of the femur, tibia, hip, knee, and ankle is of great importance to the clinician when examining the lower limb and to the surgeon when operating on the bones and joints.