The Bone Growth Foundation began in 1991, with interest to find better, less painful ways to help straighten and lengthen children's limbs.
The Bone Growth Foundation began in 1991, when a doctor involved in straightening and lengthening children’s limbs realised that very little was being done to find better, less painful ways to help these children.
The Bone Growth Foundation’s work is already providing better, less painful treatments for children with crippling growth problems. But we still have a long way to go. Straightening and lengthening the limbs of children with crippling growth problems aims to help those children to grow up and live a normal life. But the process is very long and very painful – many would say ‘barbaric’.
The Bone Growth Foundation was established to provide infrastructure and support for new research into bone growth – research that aims to find better, less painful, treatments for the children affected by crippling growth problems.
The Foundation is a self-funded, not-for-profit organisation operating solely on donations, sponsorships and the proceeds of our own fundraising efforts.
We are already making a difference
In a first for Australia and for the Southern Hemisphere, we’ve recently trialled an innovative internal limb lengthening procedure. ‘Fitbone’ is a fully implantable distraction system, which gradually increases distance between two bone segments through a telescope-like device. The marrow is removed from the bone and the Fitbone inserted in its place. The device is operated via remote control.
Several patients have already benefited from the Fitbone, which has been less invasive, less painful, less prone to infection and scarring, easier for the children and their families to look after – and easier for the children to cope with, physically, emotionally and socially.
This is a big step forward, but we have a long way yet to go. You can be part of our success. You can help us to help children grow up straight and strong.
In life, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by a feeling of powerlessness. There are too many problems, too many worthy causes and it’s too hard to decide if and how to help.
But every small step we make contributes to a greater journey.
Take a step towards helping us to help children with crippling growth
problems.
Contact us on 08 8161 8055 and a member of the Bone Growth Foundation Board will discuss with you the possibilities of how you can help us on this journey.
