Kyle Kipfer had lived his entire life with a congenital leg length discrepancy. His right leg was always shorter than his left.
At age 10, he underwent surgery to slow the growth of his longer leg by placing plates on the growth plates. The goal was to allow his shorter leg time to “catch up.” While the procedure helped, his legs never fully evened out. As an adult, his right leg remained one inch shorter.
For years, Kyle adapted. But in 2020, he began experiencing hip pain, and he suspected his condition was catching up to him.
“It was something I’d managed my whole life,” says Kyle, “but this felt like a sign that I needed to pursue treatment.”
Searching for a Modern Solution
Kyle began researching providers in Indiana who specialized in complex deformity surgery, specifically limb lengthening using internal magnetic nail technology.
That search led him to Dr. Stephen Greenfield, a dual-fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who developed expertise in the procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York before joining OrthoIndy.
“In my research, I kept hearing that Dr. Greenfield was one of the best in the business, especially in the Midwest, for this type of surgery,” says Kyle.
It didn’t hurt that both patient and doctor shared a background in engineering.
“When I met him, he explained my condition and treatment plan in a way that made sense to me,” says Kyle. “I understood exactly how and why it would work.”
A Two-Stage Limb Lengthening Plan
Kyle’s treatment plan involved two surgeries spaced about a year apart.
In early 2022, Dr. Greenfield performed the first surgery, implanting a telescoping rod with a magnetic nail into Kyle’s right femur. After a brief hospital stay, Kyle continued his recovery at home.
“I used a remote control each day to activate the motor inside the implant,” says Kyle.
The magnetic nail “unscrewed” by 1 millimeter per day, gradually separating Kyle’s bone ends and stimulating new bone growth. Over time, he lengthened his femur by 25 millimeters, or one inch, until both legs were even.
After allowing time for the bone to heal, Dr. Greenfield performed the second surgery to remove the rod and nail.
Life After Limb Lengthening
Several years after his surgeries, Kyle says he’s feeling great.
“My goal from the start was to even out my legs and stop the hip pain,” says Kyle. “Dr. Greenfield helped me accomplish both.”
Today, he reports no long-term issues and says he’s grateful he decided to address the leg length discrepancy that he had lived with since birth.
“I can’t describe my experience as anything but excellent,” he says.
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Stories like Kyle’s highlight what’s possible with expert orthopedic care and modern technology. At OrthoIndy, Dr. Greenfield and the team continue to push what’s possible as limb-lengthening technology advances, including the development of fully weight-bearing nails that will further expand treatment options in the future.
As these innovations evolve, patients can expect more efficient procedures, smoother recoveries and outcomes that better support long-term mobility and quality of life.
You don’t have to live with imbalance or pain. If you’ve been diagnosed with a leg length discrepancy, our team can help you explore your options. Schedule an appointment today.
