Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction
The Stories Behind Discovery
"Limb Lengthening" by Christopher Iobst, MD, FAOA
Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction
The Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction treats children, adolescents and adults from across the country with all types of limb length discrepancies and limb deformities, including congenital, developmental and post-traumatic limb deformities that cause curvature, shortening or rotational issues to the bone.
Our center includes one of the nation’s premier limb surgeons coupled with the expertise and resources of a large pediatric research hospital. In addition to our surgical and non-surgical treatments, patients have access to our experts in physical therapy, psychology, adaptive sports medicine and more.
Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Orthopedics.
When children, teens and adults need limb lengthening or reconstructive surgery, they deserve the nation’s most skilled surgeons, the most advanced technology, the most sophisticated procedures and the most convenient multidisciplinary care from a team of experienced subspecialists.
At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we bring the best of everything together in one location for patients of all ages to receive treatment for limb length discrepancies, limb deformities, short stature and other congenital or traumatic limb conditions.
- We Offer Innovative Treatments for Limb Conditions in Children and Adults
We treat an extensive number of limb deformities and deficiencies. Our team develops individual treatment plans for each patient using a wide range of sophisticated surgical and non-surgical options. Many of our techniques are cutting-edge and have been introduced within the last five years. - We Bring the Experts Together, in One Visit
Rather than having multiple appointments at various locations on different days, the Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction offers convenient, single-visit care for the management of complex conditions. Our team offers coordinated treatment in a single location from multiple experts including orthopaedic surgeons, psychologists, and physical therapists. - We Offer More Than Just Clinical Care
One of the benefits of a center that focuses exclusively on limb correction is access to leading clinical research and a broad network of specialized resources. - We Make a Difference in Patient Lives
When everything matters to your clinical care team, it shows. The patient experience is paramount at Nationwide Children’s. We’re serious about achieving the best outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Christopher Iobst, MD, director of the Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction, will evaluate children, adolescents and adults with any limb or joint deformity.
Commonly treated conditions include:
- Knock knees (genu valgum)
- Blount disease (genu varum)
- Bone fractures and other traumatic injuries
- Congenital short femur
- Cubitus varus
- Femoral anteversion (miserable malalignment)
- Fibular hemimelia
- Foot deformities and recurrent foot deformity, including clubfoot and brachymetatarsia
- Growth plate damage
- Hemihyperplasia
- Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD)
- Madelung's deformity
- Radial clubhand
- Short stature
- Tibial pseudarthrosis
Our special focus on limb conditions and our location within a large academic hospital also enable us to offer patients access to an entire network of services and opportunities.
After an in-depth consultation with Center Director Christopher Iobst, MD, and his team, each patient receives a customized care plan. From watchful waiting to complex, multi-stage surgical procedures, our limb experts guide patients through treatments optimized for their long-term needs.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Limb Deformities
Our team develops individual treatment plans for each patient using a wide range of sophisticated surgical and non-surgical options. In some cases, a combination of techniques will be used to help patients gain maximum function and confidence.
Non-surgical treatment options depend on the limb problem and include:
- Watchful waiting
- Bracing
- Shoe lifts
- Orthotics
- Prosthetics
Surgical Treatment Options for Limb Deformities
By specializing in the newest procedures, we can provide the best improvements in function and appearance that the field of orthopedic surgery has to offer. Joint and limb reconstruction and plastic surgery are performed using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
Surgical treatment options for limb length discrepancies and limb deformities include:
- External fixators
- Circular external fixators, including hexapod and ring fixators
- Fixator-assisted plating and fixator-assisted nailing
- Intramedullary limb lengthening
- Guided growth
- Osteotomy and derotation osteotomy
It’s time for a new kind of orthopedic limb care.
Unlike many orthopedic offices that offer limb lengthening and deformity correction as a small part of their larger practice, the Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction at Nationwide Children’s Hospital specializes exclusively in this field. This focus has resulted in our extensive experience with a wide range of conditions and our leading expertise in the latest and most advanced treatment options.
To top it all off, patients at the Nationwide Children’s Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction have access to an entire team of subspecialists focused on the care of patients with limb and joint deformities — all in one place, at one time.
Multiple Specialties at Your Service
At the first consultation, patients will meet directly with Center Director Christopher Iobst, MD, to assess the affected limb and develop an individualized treatment plan. Depending on each patient’s needs, future visits may include time with experts from the following departments at Nationwide Children’s:
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Psychology
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Behavioral Therapy
- Social Work
- Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition
- Adaptive Sports Medicine Clinic
World-Class Resources and Research, in a Place That Feels Like Home
We offer more than just great care. Our location within one of the country’s leading children’s hospitals gives us access to an entire network of expert orthopedic and limb care resources. And our special focus exclusively on limb conditions and their correction has allowed us the unique opportunity to conduct game-changing research.
Christopher A. Iobst
Christopher Iobst, MD, is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in the fields of limb lengthening and reconstruction.
Craig A. Smith
Craig A Smith, MD, is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Nationwide Children's Hospital and an assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at The Ohio State University.
Inside the Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction
Conditions
- Blount Disease/Genu Varum
- Bone Fractures And Other Traumatic Injuries
- Congenital Short Femur
- Cubitus Varus
- Femoral Anteversion/Miserable Malalignment
- Fibular Hemimelia
- Foot Deformities And Recurrent Foot Deformity, Including Clubfoot And Brachymetatarsia
- Genu Valgum/Knock Knees
- Hemihyperplasia
- Infection that Causes Damage to the Growth Plates
- Limb Length Discrepancy (LLD)
- Madelung's Deformity
- Radial Clubhand
- Short Stature
- Tibial Pseudarthrosis
Camp HALO
Join us for a fun and educational day at Recreation Unlimited planned especially for children with limb differences and their families.