Patient Case History: Jack

A 23-year-old man injured his right femur growth plate as a child in a car accident. The femur grew slowly and crooked. His leg length discrepancy was 1 1/2 inches and the knee was in valgus (knock knee). He had knee pain and a limp.

The femur was corrected using a technique called "Lengthening and Plating." The femur was lengthened and the deformity straightened with the help of the external fixator. Then a plate was inserted to hold the femur and help with early knee motion. The plate made it possible to remove the external fixator several months ahead of schedule.

A year later, he is back to playing soccer, his knee has full range of motion, and he is having no pain.