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    The content on this page is not current guidance and is only for the purposes of the consultation process.

    Intramedullary distraction for lower limb lengthening

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    1 Introduction – procedure description

    People can have different length legs from birth, or because of disease or injury. In this procedure, under general anaesthesia, a bone in the shorter leg is cut surgically and a metal lengthening device (distractor) is put inside the bone (intramedullary) across the cut bone. It may be done to a bone in the upper or lower leg. After the operation, the device is gradually lengthened while new bone forms across the cut, so increasing the length of the bone. There are different techniques used to lengthen the distractor depending on the device used. The process of lengthening and healing takes several months, during which partial weight bearing is possible. The main aim is to lengthen the leg and reduce disability.

    NICE is looking at intramedullary distraction for lower limb lengthening. This is a review of NICE's interventional procedures guidance on intramedullary distraction for lower limb lengthening.

    NICE's interventional procedures advisory committee met to consider the evidence and the opinions of professional experts, who are consultants with knowledge of the procedure.

    This document contains the draft guidance for consultation. Your views are welcome, particularly:

    • comments on the draft recommendations

    • information about factual inaccuracies

    • additional relevant evidence, with references if possible.

    NICE is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination and fostering good relations between people with particular protected characteristics and others.

    This is not NICE's final guidance on this procedure. The draft guidance may change after this consultation.

    After consultation ends, the committee will:

    • meet again to consider the consultation comments, review the evidence and make appropriate changes to the draft guidance

    • prepare a second draft, which will go through a resolution process before the final guidance is agreed.

    Please note that we reserve the right to summarise and edit comments received during consultation or not to publish them at all if, in the reasonable opinion of NICE, there are a lot of comments or if publishing the comments would be unlawful or otherwise inappropriate.

    Closing date for comments: 18 November 2021

    Target date for publication of guidance: February 2022