Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Fellowship

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Austin T. Fragomen, MD, Fellowship Director, Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service
S. Robert Rozbruch, MD, Chair, Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service

Duration: 1 year (August 1–July 31)
Stipend: $103,880.85 per annum/benefits (subsidized housing also available)
Positions: 2 Non-accredited
Location: Hospital for Special Surgery
Contact: Jennifer Johnson, 212.606.1594, johnsonj@hss.edu

During the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Fellowship, fellows become proficient in the diagnosis and management of conditions requiring limb lengthening and reconstruction surgery. The fellow will gain clinical expertise in decision making and surgical techniques, and will advance their research experience. The Ilizarov method is extensively used in addition to more conventional approaches. The apprenticeship model used will instill in the learner a profound skill set in preoperative planning, surgical precision, and postoperative care. The research opportunities focus on clinical investigations but can include basic science research projects as well.

Curriculum and Expectations

Fellows will gain experience with the following procedures:

• Adult and pediatric limb lengthening and deformity correction
• Lower extremity limb reconstruction: hip, femur, knee, tibia, ankle and foot
• Congenital conditions including fibular hemimelia, hemiatrophy dwarfism, short stature
• Developmental conditions: growth disturbance from trauma or infection in pediatric and adult patients
• The Ilizarov method
• Deformity analysis and detailed pre operative planning
• Trauma: Post-traumatic reconstruction: malunions, nonunions (septic and aseptic), bone defects, osteomyelitis, fracture related infection, Complex circular fixation methods
• Knee reconstruction: osteotomy for realignment, arthrodesis
• Foot and ankle reconstruction: complex ankle fusions, multiplanar, deformity correction, ankle distraction arthroplasty, complex Foot and Ankle circular fixator reconstruction surgery
• Upper extremity: humeral lengthening, forearm and wrist deformity correction
• Technical Skills used include: Hexapod circular external fixation, Cable transport, Bone Transport IM nail, intramedullary nail and plate assisted deformity correction, PRECICE/STRYDE magnetic internal lengthening nail, Blocking screw mastery, RadLink system training, Orthospin strut center.
• Complication management: soft-tissue releases, nerve decompression, residual deformity management

Fellows are expected to participate in a research project with the objective of a poster presentation at the HSS fellow research competition and abstract presentation at the Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction Society (LLRS) in July of the graduation year.

Application Process

The next available positions are for the 2023–2024 academic year. Fill out the application form to apply.
Application Deadline: We use a rolling admissions approach. Interviews and acceptances occur constantly.

Learn about the application process.

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