Limb Lengthening Surgery

Limb Lengthening Surgery for Enhancing Height and Mobility

Bones are the supportive structure of your body. But some people have one leg shorter than the other. It can happen because of birth defects, medical conditions, or certain injuries. 

Walking with uneven legs can put pressure on various joints and cause arthritis. You will walk abnormally, which causes strain on multiple muscles of the body. It can even lead to severe back pain and hip pain. 

Doctors recommend limb-lengthening surgery in such cases. It is a surgical procedure to correct limb length discrepancies either on your arm or leg. Today, people even do limb-lengthening surgery to increase their height.

The surgery costs more in many developed countries. Hence, patients staying in those countries opt for medical tourism options like India. The patients can get high-quality medical care and limb-lengthening surgery at an affordable cost.

Who Needs Limb Lengthening?

Some people have limb length discrepancies. This can happen because of numerous factors, like trauma, accidents, or being born with one leg shorter than the other.

The person may have some diseases, like bone dysplasia or polio. Walking with a leg length difference can cause mobility problems or severe joint and muscle pain. In such cases, the doctor recommends limb-lengthening surgery.

The surgery will improve mobility and can enhance the quality of life. The surgery enables the patient to walk properly and reduces arthritic or back pain problems.

Secondly, today, people are more conscious of their height. People with shorter heights are unhappy with their looks and opt for limb-lengthening surgery. The surgery improves not only their height but also boosts their self-confidence.

So, in short, the limb lengthening surgery improves mobility, and the patient can achieve a more balanced body.

How Does Limb Lengthening Work?

First Method:

Limb lengthening surgery takes advantage of the natural body's ability to create new bone. There are three stages of the surgery listed below:

Stage 1

The process starts with an osteotomy. Here, the surgeon carefully cuts the affected bone into two segments. The surgeon then inserts an orthopaedic lengthening device, such as a PRECICE nail, into the bone. These devices are also called internal devices. Sometimes, the surgeon can insert orthopaedic lengthening devices like Taylor's spatial frame outside of your body. These devices are known as external devices.

The surgeon will then recommend rest to your bones for seven to ten days, which is known as the latency period.

Stage 2

Once the latency period is over, the patient has to adjust the lengthening device either by himself or with the assistance of the healthcare provider. This process is known as distraction. 

The adjustment will separate the bone segments apart, and new bone starts to form between the spaces, increasing the overall bone length. The muscles, skin, and blood vessels will even grow along with the affected bone.

The patient has to adjust the orthopaedic device inserted in the limbs every day. Daily adjustment can lead to bone separation by 1 mm. However, it can differ based on the type of bone. Daily adjustment can lead to bone separation of the tibia by 0.75 mm, and for the femur, it is 1 mm per day. 

The distraction phase will continue until your affected bone reaches up to a certain length. Your affected bone will lengthen approximately one inch every month. You need to visit the doctor several times during this phase to ensure that your affected bone is not growing much faster or much slower. 

The doctor will do an X-ray various times to check the overall condition of the affected limb. You need to go to physical therapy sessions at least 5-6 times a week.

Stage 3

The consolidation phase starts after the distraction phase. In this phase, the new bone or regenerated bone starts to get hard and solidify.

For example, if the affected bone needs to grow 5 cm, then it will take almost two to three months for the growth to occur. You have to consider another two to three months for the regenerated bone to solidify.

The orthopaedic lengthening device will stay in place for almost six months. The doctor will advise you to gain some weight on the affected limb by following a protein diet.

Your doctor will remove the device once the regenerated bone has hardened through a surgical procedure. The doctor may advise you to wear a brace for 3-4 weeks.

Second Method:

Another method utilized to make the bones in the legs longer is known as lengthening over nails (LON), which combines an external fixator with an internal nail.

The surgeon first makes a small cut on the affected bone and attaches an external fixator to the leg. The external fixator pulls the bone segments apart, allowing the natural formation of new bone.

The surgeon will even insert a nail inside the bone marrow, which will remain attached to the external fixator throughout the lengthening phase. Once the affected bone grows up to a particular length, the external fixators are removed by minor surgery. 

The internal nails will be there inside till the regenerated bone fully becomes hardened. This method has a quick recovery process. The patient can resume daily activities after 3-4 months of surgery. This method is safe, and the patient has fewer scar marks compared to fully external methods. The patient can walk during the lengthening phase, which results in a speedy recovery.

You can gain 10 cm in the femur and 7 cm in the tibia through this surgery.

This method is applicable both for medical reasons and for increasing the height of an individual. LON is available in most medical tourism destinations, like India, but the precise LON is limited only to certain countries.

Types of limb-lengthening techniques:

External Fixator

Devices like the Ilizarov or Taylor spatial frame are attached outside of the affected limb. These devices attach to the bone through pins or wires and are usually attached parallel to the affected limb. Patients feel uncomfortable wearing dresses because they are bulky, so they prefer to wear loose dresses like shorts in such situations. 

These devices can be adjusted manually to lengthen the bone. The recovery process is usually long. The external fixators are attached until the bone heals completely.

Internal devices

Your doctor will use modern techniques like the PRECISE system for implanting inside the affected limb. It consists of a magnetic rod lengthened by a remote control device that can be operated externally. The magnetic rod is removed 8 months to one year after it is implanted inside the patient's body. 

The patient is given anaesthesia during the removal of the magnetic rod. The patient usually returns to the home after a few hours of removing the implanted magnetic rod.

External fixators usually cause discomfort to the patient. They even have high infection rates, and the recovery time is even longer.

However, internal fixators are more comfortable for the patient because no external hardware is used on the limbs. The infection risk is even lower in this case. The patient recovers soon with the use of internal fixators.

Pre-surgery Preparation:

Pre-surgery preparation for limb lengthening surgery ensures the best outcome. The doctor will do a thorough medical evaluation that includes a C.T. scan and X-ray to properly evaluate the affected bone and the degree of lengthening required. 

Your doctor will even do certain physical tests to ensure that you are completely ready for the surgery. If you are taking any medications, then inform your doctor.

Again, your doctor will discuss the complete procedure of the limb-lengthening surgery, along with the risks and recovery time with you.

The potential risks include infection, nerve damage during the surgery, stiffness of the joints or muscles, joint dislocation, and many more. Your doctor will even explain the pain management strategies because you will feel discomfort during the recovery period.

Your doctor will give general anaesthesia during the surgical procedure. You will fall asleep during the entire surgery period. You may be required to stay 3-4 days in the hospital after the surgery. You will need a friend or family member to take you back to your home.

Setting patient expectations is an important component of pre-surgery preparation. The patient should clearly understand the procedure and the recovery time. The patient should also understand the importance of physical therapy and post-surgery care. 

Most patients will require assistance in their daily activities, like walking or using the bathroom. Again, you cannot walk immediately after the surgical procedure. Take a wheelchair or crutches for assistance.

Recovery and Rehabilitation:

The initial lengthening period will take 3-6 months. Your affected bone will lengthen by 1 mm each day. The new bone starts to form in the gap left by the surgical cut. In this phase, patients need to visit the doctor at various times for adjustments and monitoring. This process continues until the new bone becomes hardened and calcified.

Once the lengthening phase is over, rehabilitation is the main focus. It includes physical therapy, home exercises, and a particular diet. Frequent physical therapy prevents muscle stiffness, nerve injury, and joint dislocation. Physical therapy is customized for every patient according to their health condition. 

In certain cases, the physical therapist will train you just the day after the surgery. He will instruct you on the correct positioning of the leg and arm when sleeping, sitting, driving, or using the restroom.

The lengthening procedure affects your muscles and joints. The physical therapy sessions will help improve muscle and joint strength.

Managing post-surgery pain is even more important in the recovery process. Patients usually have discomfort, pain, or swelling at the affected site. Your doctor will prescribe certain pain medications to relieve pain. Physical therapy or certain home exercises can alleviate pain. 

You can elevate your legs by using an ice pack to get some relief.

Follow-up care is even essential after the surgery to prevent infections or nerve issues at the affected site. The surgeon will do an X-ray many times to check the affected bone and its lengthening.

Most patients return to normal activities after 9 to 12 months of the surgery. At the end of the healing process, the patient can do almost all normal activities, like walking. But strenuous activities like running need to be avoided. You should do them only after consulting with your doctor.

Benefits of Medical Tourism for Limb Lengthening:

Medical tourism means travelling to another country to receive health care services. The limb lengthening surgery cost is quite high in developed countries, and you might have to wait a long time to get the medical procedure done. That is why some patients opt for medical tourism destinations like India, South Korea, Turkey, and Russia. 

These destinations have world-class hospitals equipped with advanced technologies. The doctors in these hospitals are renowned and internationally trained. They have years of experience performing limb-lengthening surgery. The doctors use techniques like the PRECICE orthopaedic internal lengthening device for the surgery. Hence, patients have less discomfort and fewer risks of complications compared to external fixators.

The cost of limb lengthening surgery is even lower in medical tourism destinations compared to the developed countries. So, patients can save 25 per cent to 80 per cent of their medical bills depending on the medical procedure, and the country then chooses limb lengthening surgery. 

Patients do not have to wait even for several weeks or months for limb-lengthening surgery when they opt for medical tourism destinations.

Racure Healthcare is a well-known medical tourism company. The company offers travel, treatment, and logistics services.

The company connects you with the top medical experts and premier companies. You can discuss your limb lengthening surgery with the medical expert virtually and confirm it before travelling abroad.

Racure Healthcare provides visa assistance and does all the flight arrangements so that you can reach your destination without any hassle. You will receive recommendations from various hotels and guest houses and finally choose the one you like most. You can connect with the local experts through interpretation services provided by the company.

The patient needs to stay three to four months in limb lengthening surgery. Racure Health Care Company arranges the hotel in your medical tourism destination like India so that you will not face any issues before and after the surgery.

Racure Healthcare assigns a relationship manager to every patient. You can ask any queries and receive assistance related to treatment, travel, or logistical assistance. Visit Racure Healthcare today to learn more about its services.

Cost Comparison and Insurance:

The cost of limb lengthening surgery differs from one country to another. If we talk about developed countries like the U.S. or the U.K., then it is between $70,000 and $100,000. 

But if we talk about India, then you can have the same medical procedure with high-quality care at $6500 to $12500.However, the final cost will depend on the hospital you choose, the time of the recovery process, the city in which you will have surgery, the type of orthopaedic lengthening device used by the doctor, and many more. 

Again, if we talk about Turkey, then you can have the same limb-lengthening surgery for $15500 to $35000.

So, choosing medical tourism destinations like India, Russia, Turkey, and South Korea will save you money by 60 to 70 per cent.

In some countries, insurance partially covers the cost of limb-lengthening surgery. However, insurance rarely covers cosmetic height enhancement.

Some hospitals, even abroad, offer medical tourism packages. These packages include surgery, accommodation, rehabilitation, and follow-up care for international patients. Patients should carefully research the hospitals and choose the one that suits them best.

Patient Testimonials and Case Studies:

Mary from the United States has had one leg shorter than the other since childhood. The hospital expenses in the United States are quite high, which she cannot afford. Hence, she took the help of medical tourism destinations. She had limb-lengthening surgery in India. Well, after 12 months of surgery, she gained mobility and can do all her normal activities. She gained full mobility after the surgical procedure.

Sana from Germany underwent limb lengthening surgery in India to increase her height. She had a successful surgery. Her height increased by 6 cm after 12 months of surgery, which boosted her confidence and personal appearance.

Conclusion:

The doctor recommends limb lengthening surgery either for leg discrepancies or to increase height. The surgery has several benefits, such as improving body posture, reducing joint and muscle pain, and boosting confidence. The surgery has become more effective with the use of advanced technologies, such as internal orthopaedic devices.

Developed countries charge quite high for this surgery, which cannot be afforded by every patient. In such cases, you can choose medical tourism destinations like India, Turkey, and South Korea. You can have surgery at a very low cost compared to developed countries like the USA and the UK.

Racure Healthcare medical tourism company can help with travelling to the surgery and follow-up care for an international patient. Get in touch with the company today to learn more about it.