The advent of a novel growth-promoting drug has sparked new possibilities and raised numerous questions about orthopedic treatment strategies for patients with achondroplasia.^1,2 As research into these questions and other potential therapies continues, approaches to treating this population are quickly evolving.

In limb lengthening, “Care has evolved from external fixator-only options to external fixation when patients are younger or shorter, followed by internal lengthening nails that last 10 to 15 years once patients are large enough to accommodate the implants,” said Jason Shih Hoellwarth, MD, limb lengthening surgeon at HSS. 

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