Using microwave technology to correct limb length differences in children
Official title: Developing microwave epiphysiodesis to correct limb length discrepancies
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10934379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help kids with limb length differences by using microwave energy instead of traditional surgery, aiming to make recovery easier and safer for young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $610,056 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR082375-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10934379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with limb length discrepancies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve limb length discrepancies or those who are not within the pediatric age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new method to treat limb length discrepancies in children by using microwave ablation instead of traditional surgical drilling of growth plates. The approach aims to reduce recovery time and complications associated with surgery, which can be particularly taxing for pediatric patients. By developing specialized devices that deliver microwave energy precisely to the growth plate, the researchers hope to achieve effective growth arrest with fewer side effects. The study will compare the safety and effectiveness of this microwave technique against the conventional surgical method.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a less invasive treatment option for children with limb length discrepancies, resulting in quicker recovery and fewer complications.
How similar studies have gone: While microwave ablation has been successfully used in other medical applications, this specific approach for treating limb length discrepancies is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brace, Christopher L — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Brace, Christopher L
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.