ObjectiveTo summarize the research and clinical application progress of foot lengthening surgery. Methods Relevant research literature on foot lengthening surgery in recent years at home and abroad was reviewed, and a summary was made from aspects such as the types of lengthening surgery, the types of foot diseases treated by clinical application, effectiveness, and complications. ResultsBone defects and shortening deformities of the foot are relatively common clinically. As an innovative treatment method, foot lengthening surgery has gradually attracted attention, mainly including the Ilizarov technique and one-stage bone grafting lengthening surgery. The former promotes bone regeneration based on the tension-stress principle and is widely used in the treatment of calcaneal defects and congenital metatarsal brachymetatarsia, achieving good curative effects. However, there are also complications such as pin-tract infection, joint stiffness and contracture, non-union and delayed union of bone, re-fracture, and alignment deviation. The latter has a short treatment cycle, but the lengthening length is limited. Bone graft resorption and soft - tissue complications are its main complications. ConclusionFoot lengthening surgery will develop towards the direction of personalization, intelligence, and precision. With the help of multi-center research, biological materials, and intelligent technologies, the effectiveness and safety will be further improved to better restore the function and appearance of the foot.