What are the risks of a leg lengthening procedure?

Risks associated with leg lengthening procedures:

* Infection: The surgical site is at risk of infection, which can lead to complications such as sepsis and even death.

* Bleeding: Excessive bleeding can occur during or after surgery, and can lead to complications such as anemia, blood transfusions, and even death.

* Blood clots: Leg lengthening procedures can increase the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. DVT can be life-threatening if the blood clot travels to the lungs and causes a pulmonary embolism.

* Nerve damage: Leg lengthening procedures can damage the nerves that supply the leg, leading to pain, numbness, and paralysis.

* Malunion: The bone segments may not heal properly, leading to a malunion (abnormal healing) of the bone. This can cause pain, deformity, and difficulty walking.

* Nonunion: The bone segments may not heal together at all, leading to a nonunion (failure of the bone to heal). This can require additional surgery and may result in permanent disability.

* Compartment syndrome: This is a condition in which the pressure within the leg muscles increases, causing pain, numbness, and paralysis. Compartment syndrome can be a serious complication of leg lengthening procedures and may require emergency surgery.

* Death: Leg lengthening procedures are complex surgeries, and there is always a risk of death associated with any surgery.