If you ask a group of men what they would like to change about themselves, a majority of them would indicate they would like to be taller. Sadly, many of them would also scoff at the idea and consider it wishful thinking. Well, what if we told you that this is not a distant dream. What if we told you that we can make this goal actually happen.
Over the years, we have seen a significant increase in people, especially men pursuing limb-lengthening procedures to become taller. Yet, even though this surgery may be the solution that many individuals have always been dreaming about. We have also noticed that potential patients are hesitant to consider this life-changing treatment because they are concerned about this lengthening process. That is why, in this blog post, we want to put your mind at ease. We will go into detail about this limb lengthening surgery and discuss the critical information you want to know, including how long does this limb lengthening surgery take.
The Basics
Height lengthening is a surgical procedure that increases the length of the leg's long bones. In the past, this surgery was reserved for those with genetic anomalies causing them to have abnormally short stature. Today, this procedure has become quite common for those that are unhappy with their height and are looking for a change. Even better, with the new technological advancements, individuals can grow taller by as much as six inches!
The Timeline
As each patient is unique, limb lengthening surgery timelines can differ. There are also numerous factors that can impact a patient's overall timeline, including their overall desired results, how they are progressing, and their healing. In general, the lengthening process is broken up into two parts.
Part One - Cutting the Bones
The first step of the limb lengthening process involves the surgeon making a small incision by the hip or into the front of the knee. From there, the surgeon will cut through the bone to lengthen the tibia or the femur. Once this bone has been cut, a nail is fitted inside its center and secured with locking screws. Once everything is secure, the incision is closed up. This surgery portion can take up to two hours. Yet, this time will also depend on the extent of the surgery. Following the procedure, the patient will normally be in the hospital for three days.
Part Two- The Lengthening Process
The next phase of the procedure is the lengthening portion, which can take anywhere from several weeks to months to complete. However, for many patients, it can take two to three months to achieve the desired results.
This lengthening phase will usually start a few days or weeks after the initial surgical procedure and will involve the cut bone being gently pulled apart by a fraction of a millimeter at a time. Depending on the device used, this lengthening can happen multiple times a day. As your bone is pulled apart, the body will slowly regenerate and create new bone tissue to fill in the gap between the bone's ends. Yet, even though the intended results can be seen as quickly as a few weeks, full healing can take up to eight months.
How Long is the Recovery Process?
It will take most patients three to four months, following the lengthening surgery, before they can walk without any assistance and six to eight months before getting back into their normal daily activities. Patients can often move around without crutches after a few weeks, which can help make recovery that much easier. However, most individuals should not expect to get back to physical activity such as running, full weight training, and dancing until at least the six-month mark. Additionally, these patients also need to understand that it can take up to a year for them to get back into doing any competitive sports such as basketball, soccer, or tennis.
How Many Limb Lengthening Procedures Can You Have?
Most patients can increase their height up to 8 cm with just one lengthening procedure, usually in the femur. However, additional lengthening of the tibia can also be performed to increase the height by another 6.5 cm. If you are looking to obtain this maximum height, it is necessary to have surgery on both the femur and the tibia. Yet, even though these two procedures can provide an individual their desired results. It is not advised to have these surgeries done at once because of the numerous complications that can arise. Rather, it is recommended that you schedule these procedures three to four weeks apart to help you reduce contracture in the joint, nerve damage, and fat embolisms.
Does the Entire Lengthening Process Happen in the Doctor's Office?
Actually, the lengthening portion of the procedure is performed at the comfort of your own home or hotel that you are temporarily residing. At a minimum, though, you need to follow up with the surgeon for two to three weeks following the surgery so that they can ensure that the procedure and the lengthening phase began well and are continuing as expected. Once the surgeon checks everything over, you can continue the lengthening at home. You will just need to follow up with the surgeon regularly or send them your x-rays every two to three weeks to ensure that everything is progressing smoothly.
You Are Only A Few Months Away From The Life You Have Always Wanted
For many people, their height has been a sense of sadness, worry, and frustration for their whole life. Fortunately, this stressful time does not need to continue. With this life-changing limb lengthening surgery, you are only a few months away from the life you have always wanted. If you need any additional information about this lengthening procedure or want to schedule a consultation with a qualified lengthening expert, do not wait any longer. Contact an experienced orthopedic surgeon today and start living the life you always dreamed about.