ABSTRACT
Objective To observe if subclinical lesion exists during and after tibia lengthening and investigate the repair mechanism of the nerve. MethodsTwenty-three cases(with 42 tibia) were lengthened by traction with the velocity of 1mm/d. The somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) induced by stimulation of tibial nerve were recorded before operation and 2,3 months and 2 years after operation. The tibia was lengthened for a total of 4～10cm. ResultsAll cases had no significant symptoms except for 1 case with mild symptoms of nerve lesion when his tibia was lengthened for 9.5cm. However, the subclinical lesion was found by SEP record in all the cases, and this lesion could be repaired mostly in 3 months and completely recovered in 2 years. ConclusionThe peripheral nerves have good adaptability to tibia lengthening with a velocity of 1mm/d and the tibia could be lengthened to a great extend as long as there were no clinical symptoms manifestated.