Validation of Feedback Control Approach for an Implantable Limb Lengthening Device

摘要

Lower limb length discrepancy (LLD), defined by unequal length of paired lower limbs, contributes to lower back pain, osteoarthritis of the hip, and stress fractures [1-3]. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there were approximately 700 children born with LLD each year in US [4]. Patients may receive distraction osteogenesis treatment, in which an osteotomy is performed on the shorter limb, and mechanical force is applied to gradually distract the two halves of the bone during the healing process. This stretches the bone callus during healing to achieve desired limb length upon callus consolidation [5].