Aesthetic limb lengthening

Aesthetic limb lengthening : what does it mean?

Aesthetic limb lengthening is a surgical procedure performed primarily to increase a patient’s height by increasing the overall length of their lower limbs or to improve the aesthetic proportion between their upper and lower limbs.

Increasing height (or improving limb proportions) can improve a patient’s aesthetics and help address issues such as low self-esteem, difficulty integrating into society or work, body image issues, and psychological issues, which are quite common among the patients we treat and who find relief once the results are achieved.

The positive psychological impact on the patient is in fact notable.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: what is it?

Usually the lower limbs are lengthened (at the thigh level, i.e. the femur, and/or at the level of the part below the knee, i.e. the tibia).

Through a surgical procedure, the planned bone is sectioned and lengthened by approximately 1mm per day, in a controlled manner, for the desired number of days.

This allows you to reach 3 cm in a month and 6 cm in just 60 days.

The procedure is closely monitored by the medical team through regular check-ups and ongoing physiotherapy assessments, especially in the initial phase and subsequently through remote monitoring from home, which is essential in these cases. All this is done to minimize complications.

This is a well-established protocol that minimizes post-operative complications.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: how is it performed ?

Going into specifics: the surgical procedure involves:

– the section of the bone: called osteotomy, which separates the bone into two parts, above and below the osteotomy

– the application of an internal device (magnetic nail) or external device (external fixator) depending on the case, which keeps the two parts of the bone above and below the osteotomy under control.

In the following days it comes:

• The gradual lengthening of the treated anatomical part is started, which occurs in a controlled manner thanks to the applied internal or external systems, which are lengthened thanks to mechanical or magnetic systems.
• The progressive lengthening of the area of bone that has been sectioned (i.e. the separation between the two parts of bone above and below the osteotomy) stimulates the body to produce newly formed bone to fill that sectioned area and lead to consolidation.
• Physiotherapy is performed to allow all other structures (muscles, tendons, vessels, nerves) to gradually adapt to the lengthening of the bones.

Limb lengthening: which parts are lengthened?

The procedure can be applied to various parts of the body.

The most sought part is the lower limbs and specifically the FEMUR (i.e. the thigh) and the TIBIA (i.e. the legs).

Lengthening can also be applied to the HUMERUS (arms) in certain cases.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: what are the phases involved?

• Phase 1: Preparatory assessment. Study of the patient’s type, radiographic images, choice of lengthening type, goals, and achievement strategies .
• 2nd phase: Surgery . Within a few hours, the bone is sectioned and the lengthening device is applied.
• Phase 3: Lengthening. This phase marks the beginning of the actual lengthening of the anatomical segments. This phase is monitored both in the inpatient setting and on an outpatient basis through serial check-ups. Physiotherapy is also performed during this phase to maintain muscle tone and length.
• Phase 4: Bone consolidation phase . This is the time during which the “new bone” must consolidate and become like a normal bone segment. At this point, the external or internal device is removed.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: does it hurt ?

There is an initial period of discomfort and annoyance, especially during the lengthening phase, but through modern pharmacological pain management, combined with physical and manual therapy, it is possible to contain and reduce these symptoms.

In the second consolidation phase there are no disturbances.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: why do it?

Because aesthetic lengthening, when requested, has a significant impact on the patient’s life and because medical advances have made this type of procedure safe and risk-reducing than in the past.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: is it a safe procedure ?

In expert hands and with professional teams the answer is YES.

The patient is monitored closely throughout the various phases, and the most modern procedures are applied in each of them to minimize complications and manage them effectively.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: how much can it be lengthened ?

It is possible to reach an average of approximately 8 cm at the level of the femur and 5 cm at the level of the leg.

If you perform both segments you will therefore reach a total of approximately 12-14 cm per lower limb, therefore an increase in height of approximately 12-14 cm.

If necessary, the procedure can be repeated over time.

At arm level, approximately 5 cm of stretch is achieved.

Aesthetic limb lengthening: where to do it ?

It is essential for this type of procedure to work with surgical teams who are familiar with this procedure.

Our team regularly carries out this procedure (responsible Dr Giovanni Lucchesi).

In addition to the actual surgery itself, it is essential that the patient is monitored step by step to avoid any complications.

Have questions or concerns? Contact us now to get answers from our expert team.

FIND OUT NOW HOW TO INCREASE YOUR HEIGHT

Patients from abroad: can OrthoChildren Center treat foreign patients?

Yes, many patients come from all countries (Europe and USA):

• the surgical equipe has a good experience with these procedures
• an intensive rehabilitation program can be included
• the procedure is less expensive than in USA and other countries
• Families take advantage of this opportunity to combine a trip to the beauties of Italy