At the Top Ihilov Clinic, experienced orthopedic doctors successfully perform corrections of various congenital limb pathologies in children. Surgeons annually carry out hundreds of operations, correcting complex defects and healing severe injuries to the arms and legs. Modern diagnostic equipment in the department allows for thorough investigation of the ailment, and innovative operating room equipment enables minimally invasive surgeries according to current international protocols.
The support of an international department staff member allows you to focus solely on your child's treatment – they will handle all domestic and organizational issues for you.
How Top Ihilov Corrects Nature's Mistakes
All congenital limb pathologies can be divided into two groups:
- Hand Developmental Anomalies – joint deformities, hypoplasia of the thumb, clubhand, polydactyly (presence of extra fingers), adactyly (absence of fingers), brachydactyly (short fingers), syndactyly (fusion of fingers), absence of the hand or its cleft, etc.
- Leg Developmental Anomalies – hip joint dysplasia (a developmental defect of the acetabulum, where it is thickened, and the femoral head is underdeveloped), congenital dislocation (of the hip, clavicle, hip joint), clubfoot, etc.
Doctors have not yet precisely established the exact causes of congenital limb defects in children in Israel. However, among the possible factors are hereditary predisposition, intrauterine developmental pathologies, exposure to negative factors on the fetus, injuries sustained during childbirth, and others.
Any symptoms of congenital limb defects in children in Israel are detected by doctors early in pregnancy and are professionally and quickly addressed using all available modern medical methods.
- Therapeutic Exercise is effective in the comprehensive therapy for treating joint deformities, hypoplasia of the thumb, clubfoot, and other pathologies. Doctors select an individual exercise program to achieve maximum effectiveness.
- Massages are also used in the comprehensive treatment of thumb hypoplasia, congenital clubfoot, joint deformities, etc. They help increase the functional activity of the muscles and are part of the rehabilitation period after surgery.
- Foot Positioning Devices. In cases of hip joint dysplasia, doctors prescribe the use of special devices. The Frejka pillow is a soft orthopedic device that is minimally uncomfortable to use and completely safe. Pavlik harnesses are a system of straps that hold the legs in an abducted and flexed position. A splint is a metal device that spreads and holds the child's legs in the desired position, promoting proper formation of the hip joint.
- Ponseti Method is used to treat one of the most complex congenital diseases – clubfoot. Treatment begins at 7-14 days of age while the tendons and ligaments are still elastic. It consists of three stages: fixation using casting to achieve the correct position of the foot; if the expected effect is not achieved, an achillotomy is performed – cutting the Achilles tendon to restore plantar flexion of the foot, and finally, the last stage is to secure the effect using braces (a splint-fixer with a boot).
If the pathology cannot be corrected using conservative therapy methods, surgical intervention is resorted to. Surgical treatment of congenital limb anomalies in children can be performed using traditional or microsurgical methods. Minimally invasive interventions allow for reduced operation time, decreased volume of medications used, and less tissue trauma. The risk of complications is also reduced, and the rehabilitation period is shortened.
- Transplantation of adjacent muscles or fixation of underdeveloped phalanges with a bone graft in cases of complex hypoplasia of the thumb to restore its functionality.
- Bone approximation of the hand in the presence of a cleft. During the operation, they are fixed using special synthetic threads. This method is effective if the functionality of the thumb is preserved.
- Removal of extra fingers. After the operation, tissue reconstruction (skin, ligaments, and tendons) is performed.
- Separation of fused fingers is performed using a minimally traumatic method – tissues are cut at the site of fusion, after which plastic surgery is performed.
- Transplantation of fingers or joints from the foot to the hand is usually performed by several doctors to reduce risks and shorten the duration of the operation.
- Use of the Ilizarov apparatus. Regarding congenital defects of the upper limbs, this external device allows for effective treatment of clubhand, stretching the tendons and muscles of the forearm, as well as lengthening its underdeveloped bones. It is also used for treating congenital anomalies of the legs (performing traction) in cases of bone deformities and limb shortening. The installation occurs as follows: pins are inserted into specially made holes in the bone, which are secured to an external ring. If necessary, bone osteotomy is performed. The separation of the rings allows for increasing the length of the limb.
An alternative to the Ilizarov apparatus in cases of deformity may be the implantation of special metal rods into the bone or fixation using metal plates secured with screws and bolts.
- For limb lengthening, the innovative PreciсeNail method is used, which involves inserting a telescopic intramedullary rod into the medullary canal followed by osteotomy. A magnetic field is generated using a computer, affecting the magnetic poles of the rod, causing it to twist. The rotational movements of the rod promote the stretching of soft and bony tissues of the limb.
- Tendotomy – cutting a tendon to eliminate spasticity (tightness) of the muscles or to straighten the limb, for example, in clubfoot. It is performed using a special scalpel called a tenotome. No skin incisions are needed for this procedure; it is performed through a puncture. It is used in cases of hip joint dysplasia, varus, and valgus deformity of the foot.
- Reduction is performed in cases of hip joint dysplasia. Its goal is to return the femoral head to the acetabulum. It can be closed or open. In the latter case, a tendotomy is also performed. After the operation, a plaster cast is applied to the patient.
- Femoral osteotomy is performed in two stages. First, the upper part of the femur is cut, then its central part is rotated in the desired direction to place the bone in the correct position. The next stage is fixation using metal plates.
- Joint replacement is used in cases of hip joint dysplasia. It is performed in cases of significant underdevelopment. Prostheses are made from modern and biocompatible materials. They closely mimic the natural function of the joint and allow for the preservation of mobility and full functioning of the limb.
- Prosthetics are performed in cases of absence of the hand (aplasia), seal-like upper limbs (phocomelia), to increase the length of finger phalanges, etc. Modern prostheses are selected according to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the patient.
The best argument for the effectiveness of treating congenital limb defects in children in Israel is the feedback from the parents of the clinic's young patients.
Diagnosis in 72 Hours – Accuracy, Speed, Quality
Treatment of congenital limb defects in children in Israel begins with a comprehensive examination of the child to select the most suitable method from all possible methods for the specific clinical case.
First Day. Orthopedic Consultation
The purpose of the consultation is to gather the medical history, review previous examination results, conduct a visual inspection, and develop a diagnostic program.
Second Day. Diagnostic Procedures
- Laboratory tests of urine and blood.
- MRI, CT, PET-CT.
- Joint ultrasound.
- Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels.
- Scintigraphy.
- Electromyography, etc.
Third Day. Treatment Plan
Treatment of congenital limb defects in children in Israel involves a comprehensive approach to achieve maximum effectiveness. Therefore, the therapy strategy is developed by a council of doctors from different specialties – orthopedic surgeons, traumatologists, surgeons, and anesthesiologists.
How diagnostic examinations are performed, as well as the treatment of congenital limb defects in children in Israel, patient reviews, and other useful information can be found on the Top Ihilov website or learned from our consultants after filling out an application.
Treatment of Congenital Limb Defects in Children in Israel: Prices
As is known, treatment in European and American clinics is very expensive and unaffordable for many. In Israel, prices are more accessible while maintaining high quality of medical care – the difference reaches 30-50%.
You can find out the prices at our clinic from our medical managers – just call or request an online consultation. But remember, the final price will be determined only after the examination and the development of a therapeutic strategy.
Top Ihilov – We Have the Best Orthopedic Surgeons in the Country
- The orthopedic surgeons at our clinic are highly skilled in modern surgical techniques.
- Advanced methods and medical technologies are used for diagnosis and treatment.
- A council of highly qualified specialists selects treatment individually for each young patient.
- A loyal pricing policy makes quality medical care accessible.
- A representative from the international department will allow you not to worry about current organizational issues of treatment, as they will plan your stay in the clinic and the entire treatment and diagnostic process in advance.