Limb Lengthening Archives

Bodhi Walks His Own Path Despite His Limb Difference

by Taheera Washington | Mar 7, 2025 | Limb Lengthening

Bodhi, of Garland, Texas, has a resilient spirit that is almost as bright as his smile. Described as a happy, cheerful and loving son, Bodhi’s limb difference was discovered at his 18-week ultrasound. He was born with fibular hemimelia of his right leg, meaning his fibula, or calf bone, was missing.

“When something like this happens to your child, your whole world is flipped upside down,” says Camrin, Bodhi’s mother. “You want your child to be like everyone else. We were told you will never make the wrong decision for your child, so we made decisions by trusting our intuition.”

Bodhi and his family came to Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco to receive care from pediatric orthopedic surgeon Corey S. Gill, M.D., M.A. After discussing their options, Bodhi’s family decided to proceed with a Syme’s amputation to remove his right foot and be fit for a prosthesis.

“We decided to go forward with the amputation to give Bodhi a better chance at being just like everyone else when he grows up,” Camrin says. “Scottish Rite has not only taught him but also us as parents so much about his condition. I’ve never met a kinder and more willing staff. They are truly a gift from God.”

When Bodhi received his prosthesis, he began physical therapy to start learning how to move around comfortably. His physical therapists taught him exercises to help him get adjusted to his prosthesis. Some of Bodhi’s exercises included walking while pushing a stool and learning how to stand and move around without support.

“Our favorite part about coming to Scottish Rite is the staff because they all genuinely care,” Camrin says. “Bodhi’s physical therapists always gave so much advice and resources. We formed such a fun relationship with them.”

After several months of physical therapy, Bodhi is walking, running and even climbing confidently. His favorite activities include climbing on furniture at home and throwing or kicking toy balls. As he approaches his second birthday, Bodhi’s family continues to connect with community groups to keep him engaged with other kids his age.

“Scottish Rite knew Bodhi’s disability wouldn’t slow him down,” Camrin says. “As a family, we have so much confidence in his care knowing that. Bodhi may be different, but that is what makes him special. We are so blessed that God put Scottish Rite in our path.”

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Aurora’s Energy Shines Bright with Her Limb Difference

by Taheera Washington | Feb 24, 2025 | Limb Lengthening, Prosthetics & Orthotics

Aurora, age 2, is bursting with energy and enjoys playing with dolls and having tea parties with her family. She was born with fibular hemimelia, a rare condition that caused her fibula, or calf bone, to be missing in her right leg.

Aurora and her family came to Scottish Rite for Children to determine whether they should keep or amputate Aurora’s foot. After discussions with pediatric orthopedic surgeon Corey S. Gill, M.D., M.A., they decided amputation was the best option, which prepared Aurora for a prosthesis. Since receiving her custom-made prosthesis, Aurora is unstoppable and is enjoying the ability to walk, run and play with her siblings.

Watch Aurora’s full care journey down below!

One Setback, One Comeback: How Ta’Liyah Overcame Her Knee Injury

by Taheera Washington | Feb 4, 2025 | Limb Lengthening

Ta’Liyah is a basketball star in the making! While playing on the court, Ta’Liyah experienced multiple dislocations in her left kneecap over the years. She and her family came to Scottish Rite for Children where they found solutions through the Center for Excellence in Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction (CELLR).

“This was a new journey for our family,” says Shondre’a, Ta’Liyah’s mother. “Scottish Rite was always patient with us by answering questions, respecting Ta’Liyah’s thoughts and how she processed the entire treatment plan. We are thankful for all the care they surrounded Ta’Liyah with.”

Pediatric orthopedic surgeon and CELLR Clinical Director David A. Podeszwa, M.D., discovered that Ta’Liyah’s leg was not aligned properly, causing the frequent dislocations. After many discussions with Dr. Podeszwa, Ta’Liyah and her family decided to move forward with surgery. Dr. Podeszwa performed surgery to correct the alignment of her shin bone to her thigh bone. To hold her shin bone in the correct position, he applied an external fixator, or frame.

Young girl in external fixator or frame.

During her time in the frame, Ta’Liyah stayed positive thanks to guidance and encouragement from the CELLR team, which included pediatric psychologist Whitney Herge, Ph.D., nurse educator and coordinator Emily Elerson, R.N., and physical therapists.

“Being in a frame can be daunting at first, making it easy to lose sight of the end of your care journey,” says Shraddha Bista, Ta’Liyah’s physical therapist. “A positive mindset, guidance from your care team and effort from the patient makes anything possible.”

When Ta’Liyah’s frame was removed, she required additional physical therapy. Her sessions with Shraddha initially focused on improving the mobility in her knee and ankle. Once Ta’Liyah demonstrated more strength and confidence in her abilities, she practiced exercises that mimicked basketball-specific motions, like jump shots, pivoting and stutter stepping.

“With her compliance to doing at-home exercises and our drills, working with Ta’Liyah has been a rewarding experience,” Shraddha says. “She came into every therapy session with a motivated, optimistic outlook. To watch her go from being in her frame to running and jumping makes my physical therapy heart very happy!”

In January, Ta’Liyah officially completed all of her physical therapy sessions. She made her grand return to the court at her school’s Eighth Grade Night, finally reuniting with her teammates. Now, Ta’Liyah says that surgery was the best decision she has ever made.

“Scottish Rite has been a blessing to us,” Shondre’a says. “We never expected this journey with Ta’Liyah’s health, but we thank God for Scottish Rite. We are very grateful to everyone for taking care of Ta’Liyah and keeping her safe.”

Do you have a story? We want to hear it! Share your story with us.

Santiago Braves Limb Reconstruction Like a Comic Book Hero

by rona@revdojo.com | Apr 23, 2024 | Limb Lengthening

Cover story previously published in Rite Up, 2024 – Issue 1.

by Kristi Shewmaker

Santiago is an artist, creator and prop maker. An eighth grader from Josephine, he became an artist at a young age when his older brother Esteban inspired him to draw. Later, his parents, Alejandro and Maricela, surprised him with a desk and art supplies, which he fashioned into an art studio in his room. Over time, Santiago’s work has evolved from creating 2D to 3D art forms beginning with origami, which he used to begin making props based on movies.

“Drawing a character is fun, but being that character is really special,” Santiago says. A fan of Marvel Comics® and various movies, Santiago has created wearable props including the Batman® Cowl, Iron Man® Arc Reactor and Daredevil® helmet, which was signed by Daredevil film actor Charlie Cox. Santiago’s prop making mediums have advanced from using paper to cardboard to foam to 3D printing, and now, he is trying his hand at metal.

Through his school, Santiago has received multiple accolades for his art. In seventh grade, he won the regional University Interscholastic League (UIL) visual arts competition for his 3D miniature theme park based on Ant-Man®. The year before, at his sixth grade end-of-the-year awards ceremony, his school named him Artist of the Year. It was a significant award to the whole family because just a few months before, they had experienced the unimaginable.

On a usually empty road near Santiago’s home, it was dusk when a car took a wide turn and veered into the wrong lane toward him. Riding his dirt bike, Santiago swerved, but a mailbox was in the way, and the car struck him causing a severe traumatic injury to his left side.

“I was shocked,” Santiago says. “I didn’t feel anything, but I had an idea of what happened, and I didn’t want to look down.” The neighbor called 9-1-1. Then, Esteban arrived. “I felt bad for my brother,” Santiago says. “He saw everything.” While lying on the driveway, Santiago asked Esteban if his dirt bike was OK. “I tried to make a joke to brighten the mood, to bring a little light into this dark situation,” he says.

Santiago was taken by helicopter to Children’s Medical Center Dallas, where he underwent numerous surgeries. “We couldn’t believe this was happening,” Maricela says. “We have never had anybody in our family go through an accident like this.” After receiving initial treatment for his injury, Santiago was referred to Scottish Rite for Children under the care of pediatric orthopedic surgeon David A. Podeszwa, M.D.

“Santiago sustained a very severe leg injury — as bad as they come,” Dr. Podeszwa says. “His femur was shattered. We call it comminuted, meaning it was broken into dozens of pieces. He also had a segmental loss, a large portion of bone in his femur was missing.” The break in his femur also disrupted his knee joint, and his tibia was fractured. Santiago’s leg would need complete reconstruction.

In surgery, Dr. Podeszwa inserted a spacer with antibiotics into Santiago’s femur where the bone was missing. Then, he secured an external fixator onto Santiago’s leg that spanned from the femur across the knee to the tibia to hold everything in place. “With an injury to the bone, there is always a huge soft tissue injury associated with it,” Dr. Podeszwa says. “We needed his soft tissues to heal before we could reconstruct the bone in his leg.”

Santiago would continue to receive specialized care through Scottish Rite’s Center for Excellence in Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction (CELLR). Led by CELLR Clinical Director Dr. Podeszwa and CELLR Research Director Mikhail Samchukov, M.D.*, Santiago’s multidisciplinary team of experts also includes CELLR Director of Clinical Implementation and Outcome Studies Alexander Cherkashin, M.D.**, Emily Elerson, R.N., and pediatric psychologist Whitney Herge, Ph.D.

For more than 30 years, Drs. Samchukov and Cherkashin have pioneered research and development for limb lengthening and reconstruction techniques at Scottish Rite. Having studied under Gavril Ilizarov, M.D., in Russia, Drs. Samchukov and Cherkashin along with Scottish Rite researchers modified Ilizarov’s original external fixator and developed and patented the TRUE/LOK™ External Fixation System. Scottish Rite’s innovation and continual advancement, in collaboration with Orthofix® Medical Inc., has revolutionized limb lengthening and reconstruction methods through this system that is implemented by surgeons around the world. Santiago was the first patient at Scottish Rite to receive the TrueLok™ EVO, the latest generation in the series of circular external fixators.

After four months of healing, Santiago underwent femur reconstruction surgery in which Dr. Podeszwa initiated a technique called bone transport, a procedure that encourages new bone to grow. Because Santiago had lost 3 inches of bone and bone cannot regrow in a gap that large, Dr. Podeszwa cut his femur creating a segment of bone above the gap and a new space where bone could regenerate. Over many months, Santiago turned pins on the outside of his external fixator. The pins were connected to wires inside his leg that pulled the segment of bone down to fill in the gap caused by the injury. As the bone was transported into the gap, new bone grew in the space created above

“Of the 8-centimeter gap that he lost initially, we reconstructed a solid 7 centimeters of it,” Dr. Podeszwa says. “He basically grew himself a new 3 inches of thigh bone.”

“It was absolutely amazing to us,” Maricela says. “We cannot believe Santiago was able to do that.”

Bone transport is an uncommon procedure. “Fortunately, at Scottish Rite for Children, we not only have the support of the institution to manage very complex, labor-intensive treatment but also a team that is highly specialized and can help kids who suffer from complicated injuries or conditions,” Dr. Podeszwa says.

After a few more surgeries and a lot of healing, Dr. Podeszwa removed Santiago’s external fixator in August of 2023. Now, Santiago wears a knee-anklefoot-orthosis, a brace designed to improve mobility, increase bone and muscle strength, and enhance independence.

“Because of the magnitude of his injury and the damage to his knee and thigh muscle, Santiago will require rehabilitation to recover his knee motion and strengthen his quad,” Dr. Podeszwa says.

At Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco, Santiago undergoes weekly physical therapy, rotating between land and aquatic therapy. He works on endurance in the AlterG® AntiGravity Treadmill,™ which uses technology originally developed for NASA astronauts. It allows him to walk with less weight on his muscles, joints and bones as he builds strength. In the HydroWorx® therapy pool, Santiago works on mobility, knee range of motion and strengthening. “Santiago has exceeded our early expectations regarding rehab,” Dr. Podeszwa says, “and we look forward to seeing continued improvement over the next six to 12 months.”

Santiago has endured a long, difficult journey since the injury, but he says that now, he feels more relaxed, more free. “In my opinion, the hard part is over,” he says.

Maricela is happy to see Santiago progress. “I think God specifically put Dr. Podeszwa in our lives and now, slowly, we can see that Santiago is going to be OK. He has the best doctors working with him, and that’s a blessing. We’ve learned to accept what’s going on and enjoy the fact that he’s here.”

According to Dr. Podeszwa, Santiago is a role model for kids who go through this type of complex treatment after a traumatic injury. “It’s amazing what adversity can do,” Dr. Podeszwa says. “Some people champion it. Others are wrecked by it. Fortunately, Santiago has championed it. He has an incredible artistic mind and has put his energy into maintaining his academic and personal growth in spite of all that he’s been through. It’s been impressive to see.”

“Scottish Rite is a symbol of hope,” Santiago says. “I’ve learned that I can be strong when it comes to most things going on around me and with me, and I can find light in every dark place.”

Read the full issue.

Why I Run: Family Support

by rona@revdojo.com | Dec 7, 2022 | Limb Lengthening

Meet Preston, a patient who was seen by our team of experts. Learn more about his journey below.BMW Dallas Marathon

Blog written by Preston’s dad, Preston.

Our son Preston lives with a condition known as Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome (KTWS). In short, it is a

vascular disorder that can cause vascular malformations and affect skin and bone development. The effects vary dramatically between patients. Preston is affected throughout the entire lower half of his body. He has abnormal vein development (an abnormally large number of veins) throughout his abdomen and legs, which can cause internal bleeding, pain, fatigue, etc. As it relates to Scottish Rite for Children, however, is the abnormal development of his right leg. He was born with a significantly small right leg that also has some joint misalignment in the ankle and knee. This leg length discrepancy caused significant issues with walking or climbing stairs, and it virtually eliminated his ability to run or play like other children.

Our journey to Scottish Rite was not immediate. After diagnosis, our initial concern from our doctors here in Houston were the immediate vascular issues. Once we addressed this, we were referred to an orthopedist locally who was the “best” per our referrals. This doctor did not, however, prove to be the best for us and left us desperate to find someone to help. We tried several locally, but none were equipped to manage his orthopedic needs and grasp his KTWS. One of his vascular team doctors recommended Scottish Rite. Up to that point, we were unfamiliar with the hospital.

As you can imagine, our family has visited many hospitals over the years, and I don’t have to tell you how emotionally challenging it could be for us. I can tell you that the moment we drove into the parking lot at Scottish Rite, we knew it was different. My wife and I were initially confused when we could not locate where to pay for parking, never thinking that we might not have to pay to park. Our whole family was blown away by the difference that can be felt when you are at Scottish Rite. It is the only hospital where we are not anxious or confused. From the moment you walk through the doors, everyone is helpful and happy, also something we rarely see at other hospitals. Preston’s experience with Dr. Podeszwa and his team of doctors at Scottish Rite has been exceptional, and he looks forward to each trip to Dallas for his appointments. We always stop for lunch at his favorite restaurant, Half Shells in Snyder Plaza, while there.

After several years of monitoring his legs and getting by with orthotics and knee braces, he underwent an epiphysiodesis surgical procedure to help even out the length of his legs. Dr. Podeszwa and his team performed the surgery in November of 2020. We have seen a significant decrease in the leg discrepancy over the last year and a half. This has allowed him to participate in sports, with baseball being his favorite. While he may not set any records as the fastest on his team or be the most graceful, he can now run the bases on his own without the need of assistance or a pinch runner. This has had a dramatic effect on his self-confidence and our peace of mind. While he will live with KTWS his entire life, the reduction of his limb discrepancy will help him get closer to a typical lifestyle.

Preston and I have discussed, at length, getting further involved with Scottish Rite. We decided this year would be a good time to get involved. I would typically run the NYC Marathon in November or the Houston Marathon in January, but we thought running in Dallas would be a great experience for the whole family and help him give back to Scottish Rite. Preston has been joining me as I train for the marathon – he bikes while I run. While he isn’t ready to run a marathon yet, Preston is excited to serve as one of the Junior Race Directors for the 2022 BMW Dallas Marathon. Our whole family is excited to give back, and we are thankful to have the opportunity to play a small part in helping Scottish Rite continue its ability to help all children.

Since 1997, Scottish Rite for Children has been the primary beneficiary of the BMW Dallas Marathon. This weekend, spectators will line the streets and neighborhoods of Dallas to cheer on participants. Learn more about registering for the BMW Dallas Marathon and how to the support runners.

Learn more about our Center for Excellence in Limb Lengthening

Overcoming Hardship with Humor and Hope

by rona@revdojo.com | Nov 14, 2022 | Limb Lengthening

Article previously published in Rite Up, 2022 – Issue 3.

“Why do nurses like red crayons?” says 17-year-old Mikaylin, of Forney. She pauses. “Sometimes, they have to draw blood.”

Exchanging dad jokes, eye rolls and laughs with pediatric orthopedic surgeon David A. Podeszwa, M.D., became a tradition after Mikaylin came to Scottish Rite for Children in the spring of 2021. She has looked forward to every appointment since.

Before finding Scottish Rite, Mikaylin endured years of extensive treatments and setbacks that left her and her mother, Laneesha, feeling despondent. What began as pain in her legs while playing basketball turned out to be stress fractures. A doctor surgically implanted rods into her legs, but the bone in her right leg became infected. They tried to fight the infection through multiple surgeries without success. Finally, the doctor said that she needed to consider amputation.

“I was at a point where I was like, ‘I just want to get this over with. Just take the leg away from me,’” Mikaylin says. Laneesha researched other options and consulted with another physician who referred Mikaylin to Scottish Rite. “When we arrived, Mikaylin was really down,” Laneesha says. “But after our first visit, her outlook completely changed because they gave her hope.”

Experts from Scottish Rite’s Center for Excellence in Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction (CELLR) designed a customized treatment plan to save Mikaylin’s leg. Dr. Podeszwa and a team of specialists surgically removed more than four inches of infected bone from her leg and attached the TRUE/LOK™ External Fixation System, a device that would support the reconstruction of her bone throughout the next year.

“The day after surgery, Mikaylin got out of bed and put weight on her leg for the first time in 18 months,” says Emily Elerson, R.N. “When I saw the look in her eyes, I knew that was the turning point for her.”

Next, the team conducted a bone transport — a procedure to grow new bone where the infected bone was removed. To facilitate this surgery for Mikaylin’s specific case, new equipment was invented and attached to the fixator. “Mikaylin will be remembered long after we’re gone,” Dr. Podeszwa says, “because of the complexity of her treatment and how resilient she was with postoperative rehabilitation.”

In August, Dr. Podeszwa removed the fixator from Mikaylin’s leg. For a month, Mikaylin was on crutches, but at her next appointment, she received the big news — she could finally walk on her own. “We talk about how sad we’ll be when we don’t get to come to Scottish Rite anymore,” Laneesha says. “Mikaylin loves everybody there. They’ve become a huge part of her life.”

“I’m going to miss them a lot,” Mikaylin says. She hopes to keep in touch and possibly volunteer one day. When asked what she most looks forward to doing after recovery, Mikaylin says — without missing a beat — “shave my legs!” Laneesha laughs and says, “And, she can’t wait to wear pants.”

Read the full issue.

Patient Care

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About Scottish Rite

Patient Care

Resources

About Scottish Rite

Aurora’s Energy Shines Bright with Her Limb Difference

Do you have a story? We want to hear it! Share your story with us.

Santiago Braves Limb Reconstruction Like a Comic Book Hero

Overcoming Hardship with Humor and Hope

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