Doctor information about Dr Janet Conway of the International Center for Limb Lengthening, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics, located in Baltimore, USA. Contact for specific information and latest updates.
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ProfileDr Janet D. Conway, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who serves at the
International Center for Limb Lengthening, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics. She attended medical school at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and completed her orthopedic residency training at Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received subspecialty training in limb lengthening and reconstruction with Dr John Herzenberg and Dr Dror Paley at the Maryland Center for Limb Lengthening & Reconstruction and in orthopedic trauma at Cooper Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. She came to Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in January 2001 to join the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics and the ICLL.
Dr. Conway is interested in the diagnosis and treatment of malunions, nonunions, osteomyelitis (i.e., bone infections), and joint infections. She has pioneered numerous innovative treatments for osteomyelitis, including antibiotic-coated rods. Dr. Conway is married to Dr. Jim Conway, who is a neurosurgeon on staff at Sinai Hospital. Together they have three children. Dr. Conway is an avid runner.
EducationForeign Language Spoken - French (Canadian)
Fellowship - Cooper University Hospital
Residency - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Internship - Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Medical School - Georgetown University School of Medicine
SpecialtiesOrthopedic Surgery (Bone Doctor), Board Certified
Special Interest - Bone Deformity
Cosmetic Height Surgery at the International Center for Limb LengtheningThe International Center for Limb Lengthening performs cosmetic height surgery, also called stature lengthening, for healthy individuals who are unhappy with their height and want to be taller. For those interested in height enhancement, we offer bilateral simultaneous leg elongation—where both legs are lengthened at the same time using Precice or Precice Stryde (NuVasive) internal nail technology. Candidates for cosmetic stature lengthening must be fully informed, highly motivated and financially able.
Who is a candidate for cosmetic height surgery?To be considered, a candidate must be a healthy, non-smoker who has reached complete skeletal maturity. All candidates should be psychologically stable and have the support of their family. We do not set specific initial height requirements, because we assess individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Is elective stature lengthening covered by medical insurance?The initial consultation, hospitalization, surgery, physiotherapy and follow-up care are not covered by insurance. Please note that while unlikely, should complications arise that require additional surgery or treatment, the patient would also be responsible for those expenses.
How much taller can patients get?The total recommended lengthening is 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) in the thigh bone (femur). Lengthening more than 3 inches in one bone is associated with higher complication rates. If desired, another entirely separate lengthening procedure can be performed one year later in the shin bones (tibiae) to gain up to an additional 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of height.
What happens during the initial consultation?The first step is to make an appointment for a thorough evaluation. At this visit, the doctor will examine the patient and have a frank and detailed discussion about stature lengthening. Proper X-rays will be taken to enable our doctors to plan carefully for the procedure. If it is determined that a patient is a good candidate for cosmetic height surgery, s/he will be given information to schedule the surgery.
Which bones will be lengthened?We recommend simultaneous lengthening of both femur (thigh) bones. Two femoral Precice or Precice Stryde internal devices are inserted during one surgery. For an overview of the limb lengthening process, please visit:
http://www.limblength.org/treatments/limb-lengthening-the-process/How do you lengthen the bones and soft tissues?The bone is cut through a 1-cm (<0.5-inch) incision. The Precice or the Precice Stryde telescopic internal weight-bearing lengthening nail, (the latter being our current preferred device for bilateral stature lengthening), is inserted into the marrow of the bone and is fixed to the upper and lower part of the bone with screws. Unlike previous devices, such as the ISKD, the Precice and Precice Stryde are accurate and controllable. They can even be programmed to go in reverse to compress the bone, if needed, to help speed healing. Some of our surgeons at the International Center for Limb Lengthening were on the original surgeon design team of the Precice device. We have implanted over 400 Precice nails as of July 2019, making us one of the most experienced institutions in the world performing limb lengthening with Precice internal magnetic lengthening nail technology.
Additional procedures may also be performed to prevent nerve problems and to help the patient gain full range of motion during physical therapy. These procedures include peroneal nerve decompression, injection of Botox into the thigh muscles and fascia lata release. The need for adjunct procedures will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Five to seven days after surgery, you will begin the lengthening process. The Precice and Precice Stryde are telescopic rods that contain a miniature magnetic motor. The magnetic motor is activated by applying a magnetic field generator to your thigh, called an External Remote Controller (ERC). When the motor is activated, the telescopic rod lengthens, which lengthens the bone and soft tissues. The magnetic field generator is applied two to four times per day, as recommended by your surgeon, to lengthen a total amount of up to 1 mm per day. Most people do not experience any pain when the magnetic field generator is applied.
What happens after the initial surgery?Expect to be in the hospital for three days after surgery. Patients will start physical therapy while they are in the hospital and continue physical therapy throughout the entire lengthening process. Physical therapy is critical to a successful lengthening.
While in the hospital, patients will be trained how to use the ERC to lengthen the Precice or Precice Stryde internal rod. After training, patients will bring the ERC home and use it to lengthen the rod as prescribed by their surgeon.
During the lengthening process, patients will need to be seen by their surgeon in the clinic every 10-14 days for X-rays and a physical examination. The Precice Stryde nail allows for nearly full weight bearing, even in the early phases of treatment; to be on the safe side, we recommend using crutches as well. Patients will be prescribed a wheelchair to make it easier to traverse long distances. During the post-operative visits, X-rays are made to monitor the bone healing. Based on the X-rays, as well as joint flexibility, we may speed up or slow down the rate of distraction.
Where can patients stay during the lengthening process?Inexpensive ($15.00 per night) comfortable housing is available right on the campus of Sinai Hospital at the Hackerman-Patz House to make this easier for our patients. Patients are required to have an adult caregiver (relative, friend, significant other) stay with them at the Hackerman-Patz House. If family or friends are not available to help, this type of service can be hired. Visit
http://www.thehackermanpatzhouse.com for more information about the Hackerman-Patz House.
What happens after completing the lengthening process?After the lengthening process is completed, patients will need to see our doctors monthly until full bone healing is achieved (typically 6-8 months). In some cases, X-ray follow up can be done remotely. In rare cases where the bone does not fully heal, bone grafting (additional surgery) may be required. Approximately one year after lengthening, the patient can undergo surgery to remove the Precice or Precice Stryde nail. Removal is recommended, as the nails contain a magnet inside which would otherwise preclude getting an MRI scan in the future.
What are the potential complications?Many potential complications are associated with limb lengthening. These will be discussed during the patient’s initial consultation and again during the pre-surgical visit. They include nonunion, leg length discrepancy, nerve stretch injury, muscle/tendon contracture leading to stiff joints and joint arthritis. Medical complications can include deep vein thrombosis and fat embolism. In rare cases, the bone might fail to heal completely and bone graft surgery might be required. A nerve may become too stretched, which occasionally requires surgery to decompress the nerve. Tight muscles and tendons might require tendon-lengthening surgery. These problems are unlikely in most cases, but, should they occur, they can be corrected by surgery. Lengthening that occurs too slowly or failure to place the magnetic field generator directly over the internal magnet in the Precice or Precice Stryde can lead to premature bone healing. If this happens, additional surgery is needed to re-cut the bone to allow the lengthening process to continue. Please note that if additional surgeries are required, they also will not be covered by insurance, so they must be paid out of pocket.
What results have been seen after limb lengthening?The majority of our patients achieve excellent results without significant complications. Those who do experience complications usually achieve good outcomes as long as complications are recognized and treated promptly. It is a lengthy rehabilitation process, and it can take up to one or even two years until full recovery and return to normal function is achieved, including sports activities.
Why come to the International Center for Limb Lengthening for cosmetic height surgery?Limb lengthening should always be performed by experienced surgeons. The International Center for Limb Lengthening is one of the most experienced centers for limb lengthening in the world. Our patients have come from over 60 countries and six continents to receive comprehensive orthopedic treatment by our world-renowned team. Our doctors will take the time to make sure their patients understand all of their options and then will customize treatment to meet their specific needs. Our patients benefit from our team-centered approach with expert orthopedic surgeons and specialized physician assistants, nurses and physical therapists. We help patients who undergo cosmetic height surgery achieve their best possible result.
Contact Information:Janet Conway, MD
International Center for Limb Lengthening, Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics
2401 W. Belvedere Avenue
Schoeneman Building, 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410-601-BONE (2663)
Fax: 410-601-9576
Email: jconway@lifebridgehealth.org
Web: www.limblength.orgFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/limblength
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Topic: Dr Janet Conway (Baltimore, USA) ICLL 2019 Update (Read 3002 times)