Meaghan, REPIPHYSIS® Expandable Implant
Meaghan is an adventurous 14-year-old girl. However, in December of 2003, her active lifestyle was threatened when she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer that predominantly affects children in the growth plates of their leg bones. Dr. Joseph Benevenia, orthopedic surgeon and interim chair of the department of orthopedics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, has been treating Meaghan since her diagnosis.

Because Ewing’s Sarcoma requires immediate treatment, Meaghan began chemotherapy in January of 2004. She underwent 14 regimens over the next 10 months, both at home and at the clinic. Her doctor knew that the chemotherapy alone wouldn’t be enough, however, and anticipated that he would have to remove at least part of Meaghan’s femur to reduce the chance of the disease returning. In April, after finding a tumor streak that ran along the length of her femur, Dr. Benevenia advised that the whole femur be removed in order to avoid unnecessary risk.

Dr. Benevenia recommended the REPIPHYSIS® Expandable Implant by Wright, an endoprosthetic device for skeletally immature patients, which allows for a noninvasive limb-lengthening procedure.  Overall, the product provides a proven solution for maintaining equal limb-length without the complications of multiple surgeries.  Instead of undergoing repeated surgeries to extend the bone, as is the case with non-expandable implants, the REPIPHYSIS® system uses an electromagnetic field to slowly lengthen the implant internally. Meaghan visits the doctor for a lengthening session every three months or so as she continues to grow, and is due for her fifth session in the middle of March. After a lengthening session, she temporarily loses some range of motion in her leg joints.  However, Meaghan never complains, and she works hard at her physical therapy to regain her muscle strength.
                                                                                                                        
Meaghan’s father is thrilled with the REPIPHYSIS® implant. He doesn’t think anyone can even tell that she has had this surgery. What is even more impressive is that Meaghan understands how the implant works and is focusing her 8th grade science project on the lengthening procedure. Meaghan continues to live a very active life because of her REPIPHYSIS® implant. Meaghan’s father is also enthusiastic about Meaghan re-learning to ride a bike, and he hopes to find a tandem bike they can soon ride together! “Meaghan is an energetic teenager who never complains and wants to do everything,” says her father.

Above all, Meaghan’s father is very thankful for the surgery because it has allowed his daughter to regain the ability to do many of the things she was able to do before she was diagnosed with Ewing’s. He doesn’t think there is a better option than the REPIPHYSIS® implant, and only wishes he had done extra research on the device when his daughter received the implant, because “it would’ve eased many of my worries.”

The REPIPHYSIS® Expandable Implant from Wright is the first bone replacement that does not require additional surgeries to lengthen the implant as the child’s healthy limb grows.  Instead, when the healthy limb grows, a 20-minute noninvasive procedure is performed to lengthen the prosthetic.  The doctor places a magnetic field around the patient’s limb to initiate the lengthening process and soften the plastic inside the REPIPHYSIS® implant, allowing the spring inside the device to expand.

These results are specific to this individual only.  Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery. 

Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.  

These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level.
There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.
Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible outcomes.