Like any surgical procedure, limb lengthening carries certain risks; however, it must be strongly emphasized that complications are extremely rare. Their incidence is closely related to the chosen treatment method. Historically, when using traditional external fixators and the LON method (lengthening over an intramedullary nail), the risk of certain problems—such as frequent infections around the implants (so-called wires)—was noticeably higher.

However, the situation is completely different when using modern, fully internal magnetic nails, such as PRECICE. Because the entire device is located inside the bone, the rate of complications drops dramatically—for example, the risk of infection with the PRECICE system is very low, at less than 1%. Furthermore, intramedullary nails provide excellent mechanical control over the rate of lengthening, which minimizes the risk of dangerous stresses, muscle contractures, or nerve damage.

Despite the highest standards of prevention, medicine can never offer a 100% guarantee that a patient’s body will not react in an unforeseen way (e.g., by healing too slowly or too quickly). And it is precisely in such moments that our experience is crucial. As we emphasize: for a surgeon, it is not only extremely important to perform the surgery correctly, but above all to manage all potential complications efficiently and effectively.

We are prepared for any scenario, no matter how rare. Whether it requires adjusting the rate of limb lengthening, specialized medication, the use of bone growth stimulators, or a minor corrective procedure—we can handle any complication at the highest international standard, ensuring patients’ complete safety and the ultimate success of the entire treatment.

DVT can occur after any orthopedic surgery or fracture. Fortunately, we have a very low rate of this complication (1%). Prevention is key. We prescribe children’s aspirin (81 mg) twice daily after surgery, both in the hospital and on an outpatient basis, until the distraction phase is complete. Although we have seen very few cases of DVT, none have resulted in pulmonary embolism (PE). PE occurs when a blood clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs. This can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and even death. That is why we take great care to protect our patients from this. Taking oral contraceptives and smoking increase the risk of DVT. All our patients receive anticoagulant medication—either aspirin or Xarelto for high-risk patients.