Radiographic classification of osteogenesis during bone distraction.

Successful limb lengthening requires serial radiological evaluation of the progression of healing of the regenerate bone. However, there is no radiographic classification system that shows how the regenerate should progress during treatment in adults. The study aimed to address this need.A series of radiographs were studied from 92 patients (125 segments) who had undergone bone lengthening. A radiographic classification of osteogenesis was developed based on callus shape and radiographic features that occur between osteotomy and fixator removal. This classification system used both shape and type of feature to condense and record the radiographic information, but type of feature alone was sufficient to predict outcome. The concurrence and reproducibility of the classification system was tested by inter- and intra-observer studies. The degree of consistent repetition and agreement between observers suggests that the classification system is reliable, reproducible, and therefore should be robust in use. This classification system provides an insight into osteogenesis; it allows the progress of the bone healing to be assessed against a successful pattern of healing. Hence, potential problems can be predicted and clinical changes made to improve outcome. The classification can be simplified to make it more appropriate for clinical use. Copyright 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society.