#precice

With recent development in the area of limb lengthening surgery, more and more people are considering this cosmetic procedure. However, there is still a lack of sufficient information about operation techniques, prices, post-operational period etc. This shortage of information causes wrong impressions and stereotypes about limb lengthening operation. In this article we have tried to focus on some of them and to tell the truth behind these claims.

“There are non-operational methods for increasing height”

Of course there is a variety of all types of methods, from exercises to medicaments, which are thought to be effective. One thing to note:

Even if they are really effective, they will be worthless after a certain age, when growth plates of bones are ossified and closed.

Growth plates are made of cartilage. They are responsible for height increase in children, teenagers and young adults. After they are closed, there is no way to increase the length of bones without surgical procedures. At this point, we do not recommend our patients to waste their precious time and money on alternative methods.

Many patients wish to lengthen their limbs by 10 or more centimeters in single procedure.

In our limb lengthening procedures, the average maximum of leg lengthening is 8 cm for one bone section (either tibia or femur). Lengthening more than 8 cm in single procedure is not recommended and discouraged because at this much increase in bone length, the surrounding tissues: muscles, nerves, tendons and blood vessels are exposed to excessive stress. This can result in feeling of tension in legs, pain and difficulties in mobility. Instead, limb lengthening operation can be performed on one bone section (e.g. tibia) to increase it by 6-8 cm, then after several months, with another operation the other bone section (for example, femur) the bone can be lengthened by another 6-7 cm, which will make a 12-15 cm increase in height.

It is worth noting that most patients are satisfied even after 6-7 cm lengthening and do not wish to continue lengthening beyond that. The reason for this tendency is that before limb lengthening, a patient whose height is, let’s say 1.58 m, is not often fully able to imagine how does it feel and look to be, for example, 1.65 m. However, after seeing the world from 6,7 or 8 cm higher, they acquire a feeling of satisfaction. Taking this factor into account, we would like to say that those who wish to become taller should not hurry to be disappointed that “with limb lengthening surgery, it is possible to increase height by only 6-8 cm” and think “it is not worth all the pain and money for a “slight” increase in height”.

“There is a very high probability of losing the ability to move, have deformed legs or other permanent complications as a result of limb lengthening surgery”.

This is probably one of the most popular stereotypes about height increase surgery.  The first thing to consider: There is a factor of risk present in all surgical procedures. Limb lengthening surgery has its own risks just as any other operation. However, the risk of having complications is much lower than it is said to be, even less than in many other types of surgical procedures. Even if the operation and post-operation procedures is a really serious one, can be painful and takes several months, up to this date we have not had any patients with complications after limb lengthening surgery.

Another thing that scares people who think about limb lengthening surgery is the pictures of older versions of Ilizarov device, which look scary and cumbersome.

The modification of Ilizarov device frequently used nowadays is not much similar to this massive and cumbersome device.

These images create an impression of a very difficult, painful surgical procedure in which patients are bound to bed for a long period of time.

In reality, these large devices are largely abandoned in favour of more modern methods and devices. For external fixation method, we apply more modern and compact modifications of Ilizarov devices or a different apparatus called Holyfix. Another popular method applied is LON (Lengthening Over Nails) method, which involves a device of similar size. All these devices can be hidden under oversized dresses or trousers. Regarding PRECICE 2 and STRYDE methods, it involves an internal device which is inserted into the bone and has the lowest discomfort level among limb lengthening surgery methods.

As it can be seen from this article, most of the popular beliefs about limb lengthening surgery which scare people are wrong. Our purpose with this blog is to provide correct and in-depth information about this surgical procedure above all. It is all up to you to make the best decision about which doctor and method to choose, which procedure suits you the best etc.

Web site: wannabetaller.com

Facebook: Wanna Be Taller

Instragram: wannabetaller

Limb Lengthening Surgery: History, Reasons, and MoreContents:

Why does a person’s height matter?

Biological limitations & diseases affecting height

Reasons to undergo limb lengthening surgeries

History of Limb Lengthening

Why does a person’s height matter?

It is intriguing to explore the reasons why would someone want an increase in their natural height. Ethically and morally, the height of a person should not matter; however, it does interfere in their daily lives; be it financial gains or romantic concerns or any other concern. We must admit the fact of reality, is that owing to Darwin’s evolutionary theory; people look for partners with physically similar features and that those people who are naturally taller, actually do get a head start in life in all aspects, careers, sports, financial and romantic.

A study conducted by researchers at Rice University (USA) and the University of North Texas (USA) found that women looked to date men who were taller than them for 'protection and femininity' reasons attached to social expectations or gender stereotypes, despite an “increasing equality in belief and practice between the sexes".

Furthermore, the study stated that stereotypically in a patriarchal society, a taller height is considered to be a personal asset for men. “The masculine ability to offer physical protection is connected to the gender stereotype of men as protectors,” it added. “And in a society that encourages men to be dominant and women to be submissive, having the image of tall men hovering over short women reinforces this value.”

Biological Limitations

Biologically, height increase is realized when bone formation happens at the growth plates on our bones; especially on the Femur or Tibia bones. These growth plates are located at the tips of our arms and legs, a biological physiological elongation process, which naturally ceases growth upon attaining the age of puberty around 18 years; as the growth plates tend to close. Hence, the only possible choice after puberty is limb lengthening surgery. Such surgeries can be performed for both arms and legs correction and elongation. Moreover, the actual height lengthening process comprises of surgically cutting the same bones of both legs and distracting them simultaneously.

Reasons to Undergo Limb Lengthening Surgeries

Limb Lengthening is determined by surgical intervention applied to the bones in the legs of the patients; either the Femur or Tibia bones. There may be many reasons why such a surgical procedure is adopted for patients, spanning from natural disorders affecting growth in childhood or infancy such as dwarfism to cosmetic purposes. Furthermore, nutritional disorders, hormonal imbalance, and genetic disorder could also adversely affect the development of bones, in the body. Besides, dwarfism, a disease whose cause is still unknown today medical science can also cause limited stature. Apart from all these medical reasons, people may even opt for lengthening surgical procedure for cosmetic purposes as well.

Dwarfism

Generally, Dwarfism is caused by a genetic change in the womb, even if it is not genetically transmitted in the family. It is possible to discover this disorder in infancy by having a careful ultrasound during pregnancy, but it is usually noticeable at about 2 or 3 years of age of the patient. Dwarfism is just not limited to short stature, it can also cause spinal problems during the teenage life of the patient, especially, after their 20s. Sadly, presently, there is no drug treatment for dwarfism.

However, surgical limb lengthening is the only alternative available and the treatment of dwarfism starts at a very early age of five when the bone structure of the patient becomes suitable for the lengthening surgical procedures. Generally, the first surgical extension session is completed before the child starts school with an average extension of spanning around 10 to 15 cm of total limb extension in the first session. The next surgical limb extension session is between the ages 10-12, with 8 to 12 cm limb lengthening. The last surgical intervention for limb extension is carried out at the age of 14 to 16 years, with another 8 to 10 cm limb extension. Usually, at this age, cartilages that allow growth are biologically closed; thus there may be a need to extend the arms of the patient suffering from dwarfism as well; as sleeve length in dwarfism can also cause problems after a certain age. Thus, at the last surgical session, the arms are also extended with an average of 10 to 12 cm, arm limb gains. The overall surgical intervention aims to provide patients suffering from dwarfism, a better outlook at life; hence the overall aim is to eliminate the daily difficulties of patients, at work or life, in general.

Cosmetic Purposes

Apart from diseases and medical disabilities, patients suffering from naturally short stature may opt for height increase surgery, plainly for cosmetic reasons; and overall demand for such surgical procedure has dramatically arisen in recent times; as the cost for such procedure has drastically decreased. However, the expectation from such a surgical procedure should always be kept within realistic bounds; e.g. a normal singular Femur or Tibia extension may at maximum gain a patient, anywhere around 6 to 8 cm of overall height gains. Also, bone structure, integrity, and density are key important aspects that may determine the overall success and appropriateness of the surgical procedure. Despite having said that, an average of 10 to 15 cm overall bone elongation can be achieved if both the Femur & Tibia bones are extended. Furthermore, it must be borne in mind that any limb lengthening surgery requires an extended period of recovery time, hence the patients need to realize and adjust their work and other life matter accordingly. It is important to note that for the best results and gains, any lengthening procedure best suits patients aged between 20 and 40; as with the progression of age, the healing process is affected negatively and as a general rule, for patients above the age of 50, bones tend to become more brittle and may require extended period of recovery times, in comparisons to patients undergoing such a surgical procedure in their adulthood, the 20s till 40s. Therefore, such a surgical intervention is not recommended at advanced ages.

History of Height Increase (Leg Lengthening) Surgery

A Russian orthopedic surgeon, Gavriil Ilizarov, was the first medical orthopedic specialist to be credited with inventing a limb lengthening device “the external fixator”, in 1954. He accidentally stumbled upon the discovery, when treating soldiers with broken bones during WW2. His studies concluded that bones tend to grow back naturally between the gaps created, either by accident or artificially, by surgery. Thus with the help of his external fixator, he could lengthen the gaps between the bones, gradually over some time, and achieve bone lengthening in the progress. This device manually pulled bones apart to increase the patient’s height and it proved as a cure sent by God for patients suffering from polio, congenital limb defects, and dwarfism.

Having said that, adding centimeters isn't a stress-free task with this methodology. Ilizarov's (1954) “fixator” mechanism, which is still in use today; patients have to undergo general anesthesia and the surgeon makes a small incision in the leg, either the tibia or femur bone, whichever bone is opted to be lengthened, is separated, thus fragmenting the bone into two. Furthermore, the surgeon drills screws into the top and bottom of the bones and 1.5-2 mm steel wires are attached to the bone separations, inserted from one side of the bone and extracted from the other side. At least, 8 wires are attached in this way; which are made of aluminum, steel or carbon; and fastened with 4 rings at minimum. The wires and screws are fastened into a metal frame that stabilizes the leg during and after the procedure. The body's natural healing process does the rest, by filling the gaps within bone tissue, thus lengthening the limb.

For more information regarding Limb Lengthening surgeries, please contact us at [email protected]

Or

For direct consultation, please contact our expert patient consultants via phone or WhatsApp: +90 531 988 3090 Web site:  https://bulmd.com/Web site: limblengtheninginturkey.com

Facebook: Bulmd

Instagram: bulmdcom

Youtube: Bul MD

tearible

precice

rivae

untall

rowth

lucinate

sinhk