Tibial shortening for correction of leg length discrepancy and deformity: a new technique.

Where length discrepancy occurs in the skeletally mature lower leg, there may be a benefit in using the technique of tibial shortening. Existing techniques have not been widely adopted and are associated with a high incidence of soft tissue complications. We describe a technique of progressive shortening, which we believe is a safe method, having adapted this from techniques for dealing with traumatic bone loss.