Limb Lengthening Library

Post-Operative Escalation Guide

Use your discharge instructions first; do not wait on email for urgent symptoms
🚨 URGENT
Call local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department now, then notify the surgical team
Sudden Weakness or Loss of Sensation
New inability to move the foot or toes, rapidly spreading numbness, or a cold, pale, or blue foot
Severe Progressive Limb Pain or Swelling
Rapidly worsening pain, a tense swollen limb, pain with passive movement, or uncontrolled bleeding
Collapse, Confusion, or Severe Illness
Fainting, new confusion, extreme weakness, or a rapidly worsening overall condition
Sudden Chest Pain / Breathing Difficulty
New chest pain, shortness of breath, blue lips, coughing blood, or inability to speak comfortably
Sudden Deformity or Loss of Stability
A new visible bend, a pop followed by severe pain, or sudden inability to support the limb as instructed
⚡ IMPORTANT
Contact the surgical team the same day using the route in your written plan
Distraction Device Not Working
Controller, magnet, strut, or frame adjustment does not behave as instructed. Do not force or improvise an adjustment.
Fever, Chills, or Wound Changes
New feverishness, chills, spreading redness, warmth, opening, odor, or drainage at an incision or pin site
Rapidly Decreasing Motion or Function
A new or accelerating loss of joint motion, inability to complete prescribed therapy, or a change in foot position
Pain Not Controlled
Pain is escalating, different from the expected pattern, or not controlled by the prescribed plan
New Alignment or Loading Change
The limb looks or feels newly angled, a frame component changes position, or previously permitted loading becomes difficult
✅ Follow the Written Recovery Plan
Record pain, swelling, wounds, temperature, motion, and device use as instructed
Use only the medications and wound or pin care in the current plan
Keep scheduled imaging, therapy, and clinical reviews
Do not change distraction, frame settings, or loading without instruction
Report a new trend even when one measurement seems acceptable
When uncertain, contact the treating team rather than labeling a symptom normal
Keep local emergency numbers and the surgical team's daytime and after-hours contacts in your written plan.
General safety framework only. Your discharge instructions may set different or more specific thresholds.
Educational reference only. Not medical advice or an emergency service. For possible emergencies, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department.