What is Limb Lengthening-Limb Lengthening | Cosmetic Limb Lengthening
What Is Limb Lengthening-What Is the Process of Limb Lengthening
What is limb lengthening?
Limb lengthening refers to the procedure of extending the legs or arms by lengthening the bones. This gradual process is used to lengthen the bones and soft tissue (skin, muscle, nerves, etc.) The length of the bones and soft tissues (skin, muscles, nerves, etc.) gradually increase in length. The process can take several months. The limb lengthening process can be combined with a gradual or severe deformity correction. The International Center for Limb Lengthening routinely lengthens the hummers (upper arm bone), radius/ulna, femur(thigh bone), and tibias (shin bones).
What is the process of limb lengthening?
The doctor will remove the bone and create two distinct bone segments during surgery. An osteotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting a bone. Other soft-tissue procedures can be performed simultaneously to prepare the muscles for lengthening. To make the tibia (shinbone) lengthening process easier, it may be possible to lengthen the Achilles tendon surgically. A doctor may also use an orthopedic lengthening device on the bone. The Precice nail is an example of an internal device that can be used to lengthen the bone. External fixators are orthopedic lengthening tools that are not inserted into the bone. These include the Taylor Spatial Frame and the Ilizarov device.
The bones should be allowed to rest for between five and seven days after surgery to allow them to heal. The latency period is the time between surgery and healing. The patient will adjust the device to gradually pull apart the bone segments after the latency period. Distraction, which is a gradual process of gradually separating the bone segments, is known as "pulling apart". This new bone increases bone's overall length. This new bone is known as regenerate bone.
The patient or a family member adjusts the device each day during the distraction phase so that the bone fragments are being pulled apart at an average rate of 1 mm (0.04 inches) per day. Different bones may have a slightly different rate. The treatment plan might be to distract 0.75mm per day from the tibia and 1.0mm per day from the femur and hummers. The body is forced to grow new bone, soft tissues, skin, nerves, and blood vessels by this gradual distraction. This distraction phase continues until the bone reaches the desired length. A month can bring about 1 inch (22.5 cm) in length. To ensure that the bone does not grow too fast or slow, the patient will need to visit the doctor multiple times per month. The doctor will adjust the pace of distraction based on how the regenerate bone looks on an X-ray. The patient will need physical therapy 2-5 times per week during the distraction process.
After the distraction phase, the consolidation phase occurs where the new bone gradually hardens. A typical 5-cm (2-inch), lengthening will take approximately 2 months. It will then take 2 to 3 months for new bone to form. The lengthening device would remain in place for approximately 4 to 5 months. Once the regenerate bone is calcified and hardened, the new bone won't be "healed". Patients should abstain from smoking and eat a balanced diet rich in protein, as well as taking vitamin and mineral supplements to help their bone heal. The doctor may advise patients to begin putting weight on their arm/leg during the consolidation phase. This will encourage the bone to heal and harden. The patient may stop using crutches at the end of the treatment.
The orthopedic lengthening device may be removed after the bone has consolidated. Typically, the patient doesn't need to remain in the hospital overnight following surgery. The doctor might place a brace or cast on the patient to provide extra protection. An internal device that is removed after lengthening the bone is not covered by a cast or splint.
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