Limb Lengthening – Changing Lives, One Limb at a Time

Dr. Taylor Reif

Dr. Jason Hoellwarth

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Hospital for Special Surgery ranked #1 in US for orthopedics 14 years in a row by US News & World Report.

Our surgeons offer surgical treatments for the correction of upper and lower limb deformities, length discrepancies, and injuries in adults and children. We help individuals with orthopaedic problems due to trauma, birth defects, infections or bone tumors. We use the best tools available today including Precice® motorized magnetic lengthening and compression nails, automated hexapod external fixation, osseointegration limb reconstruction, patient specific anatomic plating, and more. These tools are combined with our surgeons’ expert surgical techniques to achieve the optimal results patients desire.

We perform arm and leg lengthening, limb malalignment correction, repair of bone non-unions, and treat hip, knee and ankle arthritis with distraction, fusion, or replacement. Along with limb length discrepancy, we correct genu valgum, commonly known as knock knee, and genu varum, or bowleg. We are experts at both limb salvage and amputation reconstruction. Whether patients are suffering from arthritis, genetic deformity, bone tumors, or the effects of a traumatic accident, the Limb Lengthening & Complex Reconstruction Service of Hospital for Special Surgery is ready to get them on the road to recovery and an improved quality of life.

Osseointegration Replacement Center

Improved Mobility
Better Proprioception
Reduced Nerve Pain

Knock Knee Condition

More Stability
Reduced Pain
Correcting Deformity

“Two years ago, before I came to you, I could never have imagined being in the position I am in now. What you and your team have done for me is truly priceless.”

Jaqueline

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

I’m so proud that you are my physician, not only for your superb surgical skills, but also your charisma and compassion. You are honestly one of the most respectable and endearing persons in my life.

Jake

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I feel incredibly straighter and moving like I’ve never moved before. I’m running finally and trying to get stronger. … Thank you so much and I am so glad I got to do this with you! You’ve changed my life.”

Kavi

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

It was not the collagen that helped Zachary.
It was you.
And it was him.
And somewhere in that whole powerful mix of skin and bones and skill and science, there was the heart.
And the hope.
And the will.
And I believe, there will never be the “won’t” or “can’t.”
With deepest gratitude from,
Just a mother who loves her son

Aviva,

Mother of Patient, Zachary

“I’m in Sedona this week and have done 30+ miles of hikes and climbs with hundreds of feet of elevation. I couldn’t have done this 1-2 years ago. Thank you for helping get me to this place!”

Sara

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I know how much you love what you do. It is evident in the way that you have cared for Zachary. The way Zachary has improved under your care. Improved is certainly an understatement! You have performed miracles with him. And everyone around you has been part of the process.”

Zacharyt

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I think of you everyday and I am so thankful to you. Because of you, Mark’s life has been changed forever. Again thank you so much for all you have done.”

Susan

Wife of Dr. Rozbruch Patient

“I just did a 10mile walk in support of the jimmy fund. I was worried about using my legs for such a long distance. But they were completely fine, and they exceeded my expectations! I can’t believe I’m almost back to normal (90-95% there). Overall, I wish I did this 20 years ago. Thanks again.”

Nadia

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I just really want to thank you for providing information about the [genu valgum] condition and motivating people towards proper treatment. … thank you for making the videos on youtube and posting articles for patients to better understand the procedures. I really respect you and wish you the best for the future.”

Hrithik

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“We can’t thank you enough for the great care and treatment you gave Beck. You totally changed his life. What you do is so great.”

William

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“You all came together to help turn this situation from one of tragedy into one of an incredible and unlikely recovery. Words are wholly inadequate to describe the gratitude I feel. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do. You are a team of miracle workers.”

Jessica

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“My ankle is feeling pretty great (like total absence of pain most days, what!!?) and I’m chasing my 7 y.o around our little ski hill. I am still working on my ROM and strength, but things are going really well. I’ll send some evidence of me skiing soon.. as long we don’t run out of snow!”

Julie

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

Our most heartfelt words will never be enough to express [our thanks}. You made Mordechai mobile; he is just full of happiness and a huge smile! Thanks for going out of your way an extra mile.

Mordechai

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“It amazes me that my knees don’t even creak and crack, let alone grind. But even more amazing to me is that my knees no longer knock! … After living with knock knees for 62 years, I am still adjusting to this new sensation.”

Karen

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“…you changed my life two and a half years ago with your tremendous gift and magic hands. You gave me back my life and the self-esteem I was born with. It’s incredible what the surgery has done for my life…You are indeed an angel and an asset to the medical profession.”

Denise

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

We are always grateful for helping us so much in our son’s recovery and so grateful that he will, thank G-d, be able to dance at his wedding!

Miriam

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

Good morning and Happy Fathers Day Gentlemen,
I just wanted to let you all know that we will be forever grateful. Wishing you a wonderful day from just one of the countless families that you have helped over the years. Thank you!

Ray

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

Thank you for making it possible to walk my daughter down the aisle !!! Was awesome! I am truly grateful!!! Bless all of you!

Steve

Patient of Dr. Rozbrucnh

Thank you for all your care, thoughtfulness and skill. Truly amazing to finally be able to say the L leg deformity I have lived with all my life has been addressed and is fixed. You have made a difference in my life!

Andy

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

I am beyond grateful! Staying on my own 2 feet and having my legs now be reliable means so much to me! Thank you for making surgery possible.

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

“I am SO GRATEFUL for the attention, the expertise, the HOURS that you all cleared for me to get me back to vertical. You are “The A Team.”

Russell

Patient of Dr. Rozbruch

You have given me my life back, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to find the words to fully say how much that means to me, but thank you so much. After 20 years of pain every single day, I now feel the best I have ever felt.

Neel

Patient of Dr. Reif

“Dr. Reif, you are a ROCK STAR. We are SO grateful for you! what a fortuitous thing that I had a leg lengthening and you came into my life.”

Naomi

Patient of Dr. Reif

Watch, Read, Learn

Osteotomy to Repair Bowleg

Dr. Rozbruch discusses osteotomy to correct bowleg and medial compartment knee arthritis.

Dr. Reif with Bilateral Femur Protection Patient

“He was turned away by multiple other surgeons who said there was nothing wrong! See how much better his gait becomes after correction ??.”

Dr. Hoellwarth Helps Limb Trauma Patient

“I proposed compressing the fracture, and we were able to remove the frame five months later with the bone healed!”

Dr. Fragomen Presents at BLRS Conference

“My keynote talks at the British Limb Reconstruction Society Conference on nonu-union repair, rotation, knock knee, and bowlegs created lively discussions.”

We are on Instagram

Rashi from Boston after #bowlegcorrection #bowlegs and #leglengthdiscrepancy related to #hypophosphatemicrickets #hypophosphatemia #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening #bowlegcorrection

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Training for #bikehss #bikehss2024 Thanks to all of you that supported my ride this year and over the last several years!! #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening

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Juan and his wife from California only 6 weeks after he got his new leg post single stage Osseointegration Limb Replacement Surgery. He has a custom made porous coated titanium implant. Check out the fit on the lateral Xray!! #osseointegrationlimbreplacement https://www.hss.edu/osseointegration-limb-replacement.asp #osseointegration #amputationsurgery #amputee #cyborgsworld @cyborgsworld #amputeelife #amputeestrong #amputation #osseointegrationUSA www.osseointegrationUSA.com #prostheticlimb #prostheticleg #prostheticsandorthotics #limbreplacementsurgery #limbreplacement #osseointegrationaustralia #osseointegrationswholift #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening

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Matthew had femur #limblengthening for #limblengthdiscrepancy related to #russellsilversyndrome Now at 16 he has achieved his full height. #precicenail #hsskids #pediatricorthopedics #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening

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This is a basic #knockknee correction that so many people would benefit from. Look around and you’ll start to notice this everywhere. If it’s your friend, tell them something can be done, they probably don’t know!

#hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening #knockkneecorrection #orthopedics #orthopedicsurgery @bodycad_ #deformity #deformitysurgery

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Today’s feature is a very dramatic #limbtrauma story. Mr S had an accident overseas where he lost part of his tibia. He convinced the doctors not to perform #amputation and was flown for care with me by @vitalone_air_medical and #refuahhelpline . He arrived in the temporary fixator which I converted to a circular frame for cable bone transport. Look at the upper green arrow showing the growing bone, and the red arrow showing the empty gap being filled. He made good progress initially, but after another overseas vacation resulted in additional infection, a temporary nail was needed to let the skin recover. Eventually, a second frame could be applied to complete the healing process by providing compression and aligning the bone position. As his bone became more stable he could also walk on it to further improve his bone healing. Finally, a CT scan showed the bone was healing enough to remove the frame for good and stabilize him with a nail. This is him walking today. We succeeded! We saved his leg from amputation and got him to walk this well!
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#all4ortho #hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening #hspecialsurgery

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With Anthony and LLRS traveling fellows and my new clinical fellow Sarah. Anthony is post Osseointegration Limb Replacement Surgery. No more socket and better control and stability. #osseointegrationlimbreplacement https://www.hss.edu/osseointegration-limb-replacement.asp #osseointegration #amputationsurgery #amputee #cyborgsworld @cyborgsworld #amputeelife #amputeestrong #amputation #osseointegrationUSA www.osseointegrationUSA.com #prostheticlimb #prostheticleg #prostheticsandorthotics #limbreplacementsurgery #limbreplacement #osseointegrationaustralia #osseointegrationswholift #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening

Open

This patient came to me after an initial attempt at reconstructing a femoral defect, but her leg was deformed and short so she knew there was a problem. We addressed her problem in several steps to reconstruct the femur, and now she is walking unassisted and back to being a Mom (and a model!) #limbsalvage #hsslimblengthening #hssllcrs #precice #orthopedics #orthopedicsurgery

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Viktoria @viktoriamodesta starts loading phase after single stage Osseointegration Limb Replacement Surgery. Exciting next phase in recovery! #osseointegrationlimbreplacement https://www.hss.edu/osseointegration-limb-replacement.asp #osseointegration #amputationsurgery #amputee #cyborgsworld @cyborgsworld #amputeelife #amputeestrong #amputation #osseointegrationUSA www.osseointegrationUSA.com #prostheticlimb #prostheticleg #prostheticsandorthotics #limbreplacementsurgery #limbreplacement #osseointegrationaustralia #osseointegrationswholift #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening

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Today is an example of relatively common #limbtrauma . This woman had a refrigerator fall on her and sustained a tibial plateau #fracture . Initially she was nervous when I informed her that surgical care was recommended. But as her CT shows, there was a big step off and she would not recover well without surgery. I performed a typical lateral exposure and leveled her tibial plateau and placed a plate and screws. At three weeks her motion was excellent and we started light weight bearing. Now at three months, she remains pain free and walks excellently!
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#all4ortho #hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening #hspecialsurgery

Open

$Today is an example of relatively common #limbtrauma . This woman had a refrigerator fall on her and sustained a tibial plateau #fracture . Initially she was nervous when I informed her that surgical care was recommended. But as her CT shows, there was a big step off and she would not recover well without surgery. I performed a typical lateral exposure and leveled her tibial plateau and placed a plate and screws. At three weeks her motion was excellent and we started light weight bearing. Now at three months, she remains pain free and walks excellently! . . . #all4ortho #hssllcrs #hsslimblengthening #hspecialsurgery$

Cathleen after tibia #limblengthening with #precicenail for #limblengthdiscrepancy #leglengthdiscrepancy in consolidation phase and making great progress #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening

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Stacie from Michigan 10 weeks post single stage Osseointegration Limb Replacement Surgery taking her first steps. No more socket now with a direct skeletal connection. With a short residual tibia, she had difficulty with socket wear such as sweating, pinching, instability and abrasions. Dan Malach her prosthetist at @mfbrehab is awesome and has great experience with #osseointegrationlimbreplacement https://www.hss.edu/osseointegration-limb-replacement.asp #osseointegration #amputationsurgery #amputee #cyborgsworld @cyborgsworld #amputeelife #amputeestrong #amputation #osseointegrationUSA www.osseointegrationUSA.com #prostheticlimb #prostheticleg #prostheticsandorthotics #limbreplacementsurgery #limbreplacement #osseointegrationaustralia #osseointegrationswholift #Rozbruch #aaos #llrs #orthopedicsurgery #liveyourbestlife @all4ortho #orthopedicsurgeon #hospitalforspecialsurgery #limblengthening @hspecialsurgery @limbdeformity @reifmd #SRobertRozbruchMD www.limblengthening.com www.hss.edu/limblengthening www.hss.edu/LSARC #hssLLCRS #HSSlimbLengthening

Open

Osseointegration Replacement Center

Knock Knee Condition

“Two years ago, before I came to you, I could never have imagined being in the position I am in now. What you and your team have done for me is truly priceless.”

I’m so proud that you are my physician, not only for your superb surgical skills, but also your charisma and compassion. You are honestly one of the most respectable and endearing persons in my life.

“I feel incredibly straighter and moving like I’ve never moved before. I’m running finally and trying to get stronger. … Thank you so much and I am so glad I got to do this with you! You’ve changed my life.”

It was not the collagen that helped Zachary.
It was you.
And it was him.

And somewhere in that whole powerful mix of skin and bones and skill and science, there was the heart.
And the hope.
And the will.
And I believe, there will never be the “won’t” or “can’t.”

With deepest gratitude from,

Just a mother who loves her son

“I’m in Sedona this week and have done 30+ miles of hikes and climbs with hundreds of feet of elevation. I couldn’t have done this 1-2 years ago. Thank you for helping get me to this place!”

“I know how much you love what you do. It is evident in the way that you have cared for Zachary. The way Zachary has improved under your care. Improved is certainly an understatement! You have performed miracles with him. And everyone around you has been part of the process.”

“I think of you everyday and I am so thankful to you. Because of you, Mark’s life has been changed forever. Again thank you so much for all you have done.”

“We can’t thank you enough for the great care and treatment you gave Beck. You totally changed his life. What you do is so great.”

“You all came together to help turn this situation from one of tragedy into one of an incredible and unlikely recovery. Words are wholly inadequate to describe the gratitude I feel. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do. You are a team of miracle workers.”

“My ankle is feeling pretty great (like total absence of pain most days, what!!?) and I’m chasing my 7 y.o around our little ski hill. I am still working on my ROM and strength, but things are going really well. I’ll send some evidence of me skiing soon.. as long we don’t run out of snow!”

Our most heartfelt words will never be enough to express [our thanks}. You made Mordechai mobile; he is just full of happiness and a huge smile! Thanks for going out of your way an extra mile.

“It amazes me that my knees don’t even creak and crack, let alone grind. But even more amazing to me is that my knees no longer knock! … After living with knock knees for 62 years, I am still adjusting to this new sensation.”

“…you changed my life two and a half years ago with your tremendous gift and magic hands. You gave me back my life and the self-esteem I was born with. It’s incredible what the surgery has done for my life…You are indeed an angel and an asset to the medical profession.”

We are always grateful for helping us so much in our son’s recovery and so grateful that he will, thank G-d, be able to dance at his wedding!

Good morning and Happy Fathers Day Gentlemen,
I just wanted to let you all know that we will be forever grateful. Wishing you a wonderful day from just one of the countless families that you have helped over the years. Thank you!

Thank you for making it possible to walk my daughter down the aisle !!! Was awesome! I am truly grateful!!! Bless all of you!

Thank you for all your care, thoughtfulness and skill. Truly amazing to finally be able to say the L leg deformity I have lived with all my life has been addressed and is fixed. You have made a difference in my life!

I am beyond grateful! Staying on my own 2 feet and having my legs now be reliable means so much to me! Thank you for making surgery possible.

“I am SO GRATEFUL for the attention, the expertise, the HOURS that you all cleared for me to get me back to vertical. You are “The A Team.”

You have given me my life back, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to find the words to fully say how much that means to me, but thank you so much. After 20 years of pain every single day, I now feel the best I have ever felt.

“Dr. Reif, you are a ROCK STAR. We are SO grateful for you! what a fortuitous thing that I had a leg lengthening and you came into my life.”