Glossary term
Joint stiffness
Reduced range of motion in a joint, commonly occurring in the knee or ankle during limb lengthening.
Updated 2026-03-010 aliases3 sourcesUsed across articles and safety pages
Definition
A reduction in the normal range of motion of a joint, most commonly affecting the knee or ankle during limb lengthening. Caused by increasing tension in muscles and tendons as the bone is distracted, joint stiffness is managed through physical therapy and, if necessary, adjustment of the distraction rate.
Updated 2026-03-01
Sources
- Giorgino R, Cornacchini J, Sillmann YM, et al. Aesthetic lower limb lengthening techniques: a systematic review of efficacy, complications, and patient satisfaction. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025;20:415.other_publicAccessed 2026-03-01
- Erverdi N, Motro M. Brief History of Distraction Osteogenesis. Springer, 2015.other_publicAccessed 2026-02-19
- Ilizarov GA. The tension-stress effect on the genesis and growth of tissues: Part II. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989;239:263-285. PMID: 2912628other_publicAccessed 2026-02-19
Informational only. Not medical advice.