Rehabilitation of patients after lower limb replantations by the bone distraction method.

The length of the lower extremities was equalized by the bone distraction method in four patients after replantation of lower legs. A Volkov-Oganesian or Ilizarov distraction apparatus was applied on the replanted lower leg after corticotomy of the tibia and osteotomy of the fibula, and distraction was carried out over 6 to 11 months in small, measured doses. The lower extremities were lengthened from 4 to 8 cm. The lengths of the lower extremities were fully equalized in two patients; they were partially equalized in the other two patients. This made it possible to achieve successful rehabilitation of the patients after lower limb replantation.