In brief
Did daily activity and strenuous sport recover equally in the tibial study?
No. In 125 bilateral cosmetic tibial-lengthening patients, two-year mean self-reported scores out of 100 were 94.6 for daily living, 89.9 for light sport and 68.1 for moderate-to-strenuous sport. These are scores, not percentages of normal function; the retrospective cohort does not predict recovery with other segments or current devices.
Limits: This summary explains evidence context and limitations; it is not medical advice.
- Evidence
- Peer-reviewed evidence
- Source set
- Peer-reviewed sources
- Updated
- References
- 1 listed
Editorial responsibility: Limb Lengthening Library editorial team. Independent medical review is not claimed unless a named reviewer is listed. How sources are reviewed.
What this study covers
Published in International Orthopaedics, this study by Park, Lee (Dong Hoon Lee, Yonsei University), and colleagues followed 125 healthy individuals who had undergone bilateral cosmetic tibial lengthening. Three different techniques were used across the group: lengthening and then nailing (LATN), lengthening over an intramedullary nail (LON), and the intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor (ISKD). Recovery was measured using the Sports Activity Rating Scale and International Knee Documentation Committee forms.
Recovery timeline
Scroll horizontally to view every column.
| Activity level | Score at 2 years (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| Daily living activities | 94.6 |
| Light sports (walking, swimming) | 89.9 |
| Moderate to strenuous sports (running, team sports) | 68.1 |
At two years, mean self-reported ability scores were 94.6 for daily living, 89.9 for light sports, and 68.1 for moderate-to-strenuous sports. These are scores on the study's 0-to-100 self-report scale, not percentages of normal function. Thirty-nine of 125 patients had a below-average moderate-to-strenuous sport score.
What this means in plain terms
The cohort shows that daily-living and light-sport scores can approach pre-operative levels by two years while higher-intensity activity remains more limited for some patients. It does not guarantee return to a particular job or sport. The retrospective design, self-reported measures, tibial procedures, and older LATN, LON, and ISKD methods limit application to other segments and current devices.
This page evaluates the study, not the authors or their clinical services. Author reputation and early device-adoption claims are not evidence for the reported functional outcomes.
Sources
Verification policyInformational only. Not medical advice.