Limb lengthening in Turkey

How is Height Boost Surgery carried out?

What is height boostingsurgery? What techniques are used? Which Method Is More Advantageous? How is the method to be used determined? How is height boosting surgery done? How long does the healing process take?

Limb lengthening in Turkey Height boosting surgery is an orthopedic surgical practice performed to treat short stature caused by genetic, hormonal or environmental factors. Height boosting surgery can be applied to treat health problems or eliminate aesthetic concerns. People who want to have cosmetic surgery must undergo psychiatric evaluation. In order to diagnose short stature before the operation, the patient’s history is taken and a physical examination and laboratory measurements are made.

What Height boosting methods are available?

Limb Lengthening Surgery Turkey Different methods can be used for height boosting surgery depending on the condition of the patient. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The technique to be used in height boosting surgery is determined according to the factors that have caused the short stature, patient history, economic and psychological factors. The most advantageous method is the method recommended by the doctor according to the patient’s bone structure and health status.

Ilizarov Circular Fixator Height Extension Technique

Limb lengthening in Turkey The length of the wires, which are passed through the bone cut with a surgical procedure, are stretched to the fixator consisting of rings, and the lengthening process is performed. In the Ilizarov technique, which is a limb lengthening procedure, bone and soft tissues are separated from each other at a maximum rate of 1 mm per day. In addition to lengthening, it can also be used in the treatment of closed, open and non-healing fractures.

Combined Height Boosting Technique (LON: Lengthening Over Nails)

A device is placed both inside the bone and outside the leg, and an extension process is performed for an average of 2-3 months. After 3 months, the part outside the leg is removed. The intramedullary nail inside the bone can be removed, if desired, by an additional operation after the bone is fully healed. An average of 6 – 7 cm lengthening is achieved in a single session. If both the upper and lower legs are treated,  an extension of 10 – 14 cm is possible at one time.

Precice Intramedullary Lengthening Technique

Limb Lengthening Surgery is carried out by remote control method by placing motorized nails in the bone. After the newly formed bone is completely healed, the nail inside can be removed with an additional operation. When applied to the lower and upper legs at the same time, 12 to 15 cm elongation is achieved. An average of 6 – 8 cm elongation occurs in one session.

Precice Stryde Lengthening Technique

It is a more successful technique as it is the upper version of the Precice 2.2 nail. Lengthening is achieved by placing the titanium nail inside the leg (internal) just like in the Precice technique.

Holyfix Lengthening Technique

Limb Lengthening Surgery Turkey In this the technique, which is an improved version of the Wagner and De Bastiani methods, lengthening is achieved by connecting the nails that are attached monolaterally to the bone to the Holyfix device. Elongation of up to 5 cm in each limb can be achieved for the arms and legs.

How are Height Boosting Operations done?

Lengthening surgery can be done in different ways, either inside the bone, outside the bone or both at the same time. The surgery is not done on both legs or both arms at the same time. Extension is applied to one of the same limb and then to the other. Extension surgery can be performed on the leg and arm, lower and upper areas simultaneously or at different times. Likewise, the right arm and right leg or the left arm and left leg can be extended simultaneously with surgery.

In lengthening surgery, the wire and nails placed in the bone are fixed with a device attached to the arm or leg from the outside. After a short convalescence period in the hospital, the bones are distanced from each other with the help of pins on the device at a rate of a quarter of a mm 4 times per day. Thanks to the new tissue filling the space between bones, a 1 mm extension is achieved daily. With such methods, it is possible to gain 7 – 10 cm of stature in 2 months.

The most preferred method today is the magnetic rod technology. In this technique, which is accepted as the treatment method of the new millennium, 1 mm extension is achieved with remote control per day by using only elongated nails placed in the bone. In the second stage, elongation is interrupted for 45 – 90 days to allow the soft tissue forming between the bones to harden and strengthen.

How Many Days Will it take to recover  After Height Extension Surgery?

Limb Lengthening Surgery Turkey is performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, epidural anesthesia can also be administered for adults. Depending on the technique used, the duration of surgery can take between 1.5 and 3 hours. While the average length of stay in the hospital is 2 – 7 days, the time to return to normal life and work is 15 – 20 days. Surgery and recovery time can vary  from person to person.

Although the healing process of surgeries with permanent lengthening is troublesome, its high success rate satisfies patients. In order not to experience complications during and after surgery, patients need to stop using alcohol, smoking, antibiotics and anticoagulants. In addition, steroids, diuretics and tranquilizers should also be stopped before surgery. If medication is used for diabetes or blood pressure, the doctor must be consulted. Doctors should also explain all the processes to the patient and people should prepare themselves psychologically.

People with lengthening surgery can feel pain when the effect of the anesthetic passes on the day of surgery. This can be relieved by giving administering pain medication to the patient under the control of the doctor. The patient should ambulate shortly after regaining consciousness, it accelerates the blood circulation and eliminates risks. During the healing process, it is necessary to avoid lifting heavy loads and standing too much. However, immobility also negatively affects the healing process.  Exercise should be started after the recovery period with support from physical therapy. If surgery was carried out using devices outside the body, it is also important to regularly dress the incision and screw sites. Implementing a healthy nutrition program that will strengthen muscle and bone tissue, taking calcium supplements will speed up recovery time after surgery. Psychological support is also very important for the patient’s motivation in lengthening procedures that sometimes last for years.