HOUSTON—
Nine-year-old Morgan LaRue is the first cancer patient in Texas to benefit from a groundbreaking procedure that will magnetically lengthen her leg, sparing her the possibility of up to 10 future surgeries as her body grows. The implant and extension took place at Texas Children's Cancer Center in Houston.On March 29, 2010, Morgan lost a portion of the bone in her upper leg to osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and was facing the potential of numerous surgeries in order to keep her left leg even with her right, as she grows.
LaRue will likely never look at a magnet the same way again. That's because the device adjusts and grows when it comes close to a magnetized "donut."
Doctors said it works like a jack used to fix a flat tire. You may notice a jack expands as you turn a screw. In Morgan's case, the magnet turns small screws inside the device. It can be reversed as well, depending on her condition.
The implanted prosthesis means less time in the hospital, but the biggest benefit is that she can avoid the possibility of the leg getting amputated.
"So I really think it's going to be revolutionary for those younger patients that have room to grow," said Dr. Lisa Wang, Pediatric Oncologist.
While the device has been approved and is regularly being used in Europe, it is still pending U. S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Morgan's doctors received a "compassionate use" exception from the FDA.
15 other people around the country have also received the same permission.
The cost for the entire procedure was nearly $40,000. Friends and family were able to raise the money during a fundraiser in the LaRue's hometown of Lovelady, near Huntsville.
"That was a miracle in itself, we live in a town of 600 people," said Morgan's father, Jeremy LaRue.
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