What is Skeletal Dysplasia?

Skeletal dysplasia is an umbrella term for a group of medical conditions that affect bone development, neurological function and cartilage growth. Some more recognized forms of skeletal dysplasia are dwarfisms, Achondroplasia, and osteogenesis imperfecta. There are many different forms of skeletal dysplasia which can be present from birth, or be caused by a spontaneous genetic mutation and manifest slowly as the child grows. When bone development is affected by these conditions, it can cause abnormally shaped, or short bones in the head, spine, and long bones of the body (arms and legs).

Causes

It is difficult to determine the exact genetic abnormalities that cause different types of skeletal dysplasia. For example, most children born with achondroplasia or other forms of dysplasia have parents who are not affected by the condition. In some cases, these conditions can result from a new mutation or defect, that spontaneously occurs in the fetus during early pregnancy (in the developing embryo).

Symptoms

  • A trunk of relatively normal length
  • Disproportionately short arms and legs
  • Bowed legs
  • Shortened hands and feet
  • A large head, or head of abnormal shape
  • A prominent forehead
  • Deformity of long bones (femurs, tibis, humerus)
  • Multiple fractures

Diagnostics

Understanding the underlying causes and properly diagnosing your condition is the first step to treatment. We then provide a holistic approach to helping patients and their families through their surgical journey. Properly supporting you and/or your child, while educating you on the details helps us ensure the most successful outcomes possible. Our hands on, team approach makes patients feel supported throughout the whole treatment process.

To learn more about your condition and receive a diagnosis, schedule a virtual consultation with one of our experienced orthopedic doctors. During this consultation, all your questions will be answered as our specialists guide you through the evaluation process.

Conservative treatment

  • Bracing
  • Medications
  • Physical therapy

Surgical treatment

Procedure

Acute Deformity Correction

Procedure

Epiphysiodesis and Hemiepiphysiodesis

Procedure

Extensive Limb Lengthening

Procedure

Gradual Deformity Correction with External Fixation

Procedure

Gradual Deformity Correction with Internal Fixation

Procedure

Gradual Lengthening with Internal Fixation

Procedure

Gradual Limb Lengthening with External Fixation

Case studies

13 year old girl with rickets (underlying bone problem)
17 year old girl with rickets

AM I A CANDIDATE?

Are you experiencing an orthopedic condition and would like to improve your physical capabilities?

Or you simply would like to achieve your long-lasting dream of improving your height?

Let us help you achieve your optimal health and wellness in a professional setting.

Let’s open up a discussion to help you achieve your goals.

Highly specialized expert care at CLLC

At the Canadian Limb Lengthening Centre we offer complex deformity correction and limb lengthening surgeries performed by experienced surgeons with the most up to date technologies. When it comes to your care, and treatment of deformity and limb length discrepancy, our surgeons have extensive training and experience.