As many as 350 Orthopaedic researchers and scientists attending 2nd Saudi Orthopaedic Association International Meeting organized by Saudi Orthopaedic Association (SAO) in cooperation with the King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah witnessed Saturday morning a live webcast of surgical operations, in which the latest modern medical techniques have been used in the field of bone lengthening mechanism known as Fitbone from KAU university hospital, which is the only approved medical center in the Middle East to use Fitbone device. The operation was conducted by Dr. Mohammad Jalal AlSayyad, professor of orthopeadics and spinal cord surgery, Department of Orthopedics KAU. The Fitbone device is being used by Prof. Augustin Betz in Germany and appears to be the only device that uses a powered system to lengthen the legs. The bones of the leg (Tibia and/or Femur) are cut and the intramedullary telescoping nail is implanted in the bone marrow of each bone. Each end of the telescope nail is attached to each end of the cut bone. The nail is connected to an induction receiver that is placed just under the skin. An external control unit powers the telescope nail though the induction plate. --More
