Cosmetic Limb Lengthening in India | Best Limb Lengthening Surgeon in India-Height Increase Info
How does limb lengthening work?
During surgery, the doctor will cut the bone to create two separate bone segments. The surgical procedure to cut a bone is called an osteotomy. Additional soft-tissue procedures may be done at the same time to prepare the muscles and nerves for lengthening. For example, surgically lengthening the Achilles tendon may be done to make a tibial (shin bone) lengthening go easier. The doctor will also apply an orthopedic lengthening device to the bone. Orthopedic lengthening devices that are inserted into the bone are called internal devices, such as the Precice nail. Orthopedic lengthening devices that remain outside of the body are called external fixators, such as the Taylor Spatial Frame or the Ilizarov device.
After surgery, the bones are allowed to rest for five to seven days to begin the healing process. This period of time is called the latency period. After the latency period, the patient will adjust the orthopedic device so that it slowly pulls apart the two bone segments. This gradual process of slowly separating the two bone segments is called distraction, which means “pulling apart.” As the two bone segments are slowly pulled apart, new bone forms in the space between them. This new bone increases the overall length of the bone. The new bone is called regenerate bone.
During the distraction phase, the patient (or family member) adjusts the orthopedic device every day so that the bone segments are pulled apart at a slow rate of approximately 1 mm (0.04 inches) per day. This rate may differ slightly for different bones. For example, the treatment plan may be to distract 0.75 mm per day in the tibia, but 1.0 mm per day in the femur or humerus. This gradual distraction forces the body to constantly grow new bone and soft tissues such as skin, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. The distraction phase lasts until the bone has reached the desired length. Approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) of length can be gained per month. The patient will need to see the doctor several times a month during the distraction phase to make sure that the bone is not lengthening too fast or too slow. Based on the appearance of the regenerate bone on an X-ray, the doctor may speed up or slow down the rate of distraction. Throughout the distraction process, the patient will need to attend physical therapy two to five times per week.
The distraction phase is followed by the consolidation phase, where the regenerate bone slowly hardens. In a typical case of a 5-cm (2-inch) lengthening, it will take about 2 months to achieve the length but an additional 2 to 3 months for the new bone to solidify. In this example, the lengthening device would stay in place for at least 4 to 5 months. The new bone will not be “healed” until the regenerate bone has hardened and calcified. To help the bone heal, patients should avoid nicotine in any form, eat a healthy diet with lots of protein and take vitamin and mineral supplements. During the consolidation phase, the doctor will advise the patient to start putting some weight on the arm/leg (with the aid of crutches or a walker), which will also encourage the bone to harden and heal. Towards the end of treatment, the patient can stop using crutches.
After the regenerate bone has fully consolidated, the orthopedic lengthening device can be removed during an outpatient surgical procedure (typically the patient does not need to stay in the hospital overnight after surgery). To provide additional protection to the new bone, the doctor may apply a cast or have the patient wear a brace for 3 to 4 weeks after an external fixator is removed. In contrast, when an internal device is removed after lengthening a bone, no cast or splint is applied.
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