✓Reduces scarring, pain and infection risk

✓Faster recovery – athlete will be able to bear weight on both legs immediately after surgery. The lengthening device that will be used can withstand 250lbs immediately after surgery.

✓Replaces external brace – removes likelihood of infections from pin site

❌ Range of motion of joints are limited – as their bones are distracted, the muscles become tighter

❌  Long recovery time – 2 months to achieve 5 cm length, addition 2-3 months for new bone to solidify, lengthening device would stay in place for a minimum of 4-5 months)

❌ Process is slow and painful – The pins go through skin and muscle and tugs with every bend of the knee. Furthermore, the ankle and foot are immobilised in a brace.

❌ Pin sites were prone to infection 

❌ Removal of fixator – fixator requires four additional surgeries to remove

❌ Medication – athletes will be placed on a medication (Lovenox) for two weeks after surgery, an injection that will need to be administered every day.

From the above diagrams and table, we analysed different methods for bone growth, taking into consideration healing and recovery. We can significantly limit the risks of infection and recovery time with the magnetic-powered bone lengthening device. This further minimises the recovery time to ensure rowers do not experience muscle waste and can return back to training ASAPas soon as possible.

While there are other methods such as generating artificial bones that will further reduce recovery time, it is unlikely that the technology will be available in 2028.

Therefore, we decided that the best method for bone lengthening to limit the impact on the rower’s daily schedule and training was through the magnetic-powered bone lengthening device.