Understanding Limb Lengthening Surgery: A Path to New Heights
In many cases, the need for limb lengthening surgery is not solely driven by vanity, but more so by the need for improved self-esteem, body symmetry, and rectifying physical imbalances. This complex medical procedure has come a long way since its inception a few decades ago.
What is Stature Increase Surgery?
Essentially, bone elongation involves a technique referred to as distraction osteogenesis. While it might appear as a difficult term to comprehend, distraction osteogenesis basically describes the incredible healing capacity of the human body when a bone is cut surgically and gradually stretched apart.
In case of leg lengthening surgery, the surgeon would start by cutting the bone (osteotomy), after which he or she fits either an external frame or an internal frame that is motorized. For the next several days, the surgical equipment will be incrementally tightened, resulting in the body growing new bone in the newly created space.
Stages of the Procedure
The decision to have oneself operated on to increase one’s height is an important one. There are usually three stages involved in the whole procedure:
- Surgical Phase: This is the first stage wherein the bone is readied for surgery and the device for stretching is attached.
- Distraction Phase: This is the growth phase. One is supposed to grow 1mm daily during this phase. It is critical that physical therapy be done during this period as it is the muscles that need to adjust to the increased bone length.
- Consolidation Phase: At this point, once the height desired is achieved, no more stretching will take place. The newly-formed bone, in soft tissue form (called callus), needs to ossify.

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