There may be some pain and stiffness at first, due to stretching of the nerves and other soft tissues, but this is temporary. The procedure cannot be done in adults as growth is complete and the joints and other tissues would not adapt. The procedure can be done at any age up to 11, this limit allowing time for the joints to adjust before the end of growth. It is not carried out unless the forearm is getting progressively worse and the risks and benefits have to be weighed up. Helen reported that her son had had it done aged 5 and she would recommend it to anybody with doubts about their child having it done.
Children can write with the device in place.
Forearm lengthening is done in many centres world wide. Six cases have been done in Oxford and experience is still being gained. In the United Kingdom the procedure is available in most large teaching hospitals, for example in Oxford, Southampton, Birmingham and London. If a particular hospital does not do it they will know the nearest centre that does and will be able to make a referral or else monitor the patient and refer at a later date. The inability to touch the shoulder indicates stiffness in the elbow.