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Orthopedics at
St. Christopher’s
Hospital for Children
Aaliyah’s Story
Aaliyah’s Story as told by Joseph Rosenblatt, DO
“In 2007, Aaliyah was hit by a car when she
was four-years-old. Her injuries included a fractured
growth plate in her right femur just above her knee,
which stopped her leg from growing.
When she was referred to St. Christopher’s
last spring, her right leg was 8cm shorter than
her left. We determined she was an excellent
candidate for the Ellipse PRECICE® Intramedullary
Joseph Rosenblatt, DO
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
Limb Lengthening System, which involved placing
a titanium nail containing a magnet into Aaliyah’s
femur. This internal system allows us to avoid an
external fixator, which can be painful and unsightly.
Over the next two months, an external magnet was held over that area
three to four times each day. This caused the magnet in the titanium nail to rotate,
spurring new bone growth and lengthening the femur about 1mm per day.
Aaliyah successfully gained about 7cm in leg length and will need a
second surgery in another year or two to complete the process. While she is
still using crutches and doing physical therapy, she plans to pursue her love
of singing, dancing and drama by trying out for the school play this fall.”
Actual outcomes may vary.
The Orthopedic Center at
St. Christopher’s Hospital for
Children provides specialized
care for infants, children and
adolescents who have problems
of the bones and joints. It offers
care at the hospital and at a
network of satellite offices
throughout the Delaware Valley.
To make or discuss a referral
with an orthopedic surgeon
at St. Christopher’s Hospital for
Children, call 215-427-3131.
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