What is Leg Lengthening Surgery
Posted: Friday, May 08, 2009
by Jami Wright
I was born the shortest one in the bunch. At 5'1 1/2" (that half means a lot) my brothers and sisters all towered over me in 5'9" to 6'2" range. I took it in stride. I could have faced different challenges such as; two legs of different sizes, been born as a little person (dwarfism), or been even shorter than the average person which would be closer to 4' something. I was captain of the varsity football cheerleading squad and married a man who was 6'2" and worked my way up the corporate ladder to senior management.
This is not a surgery for the faint of heart and you will most likely not want to take this option unless you have considered all options, can't live with your height, or you enjoy pain. This is a painful and costly surgery and the recovery time can be from 6 months to a year. Because of the severity of this surgery many hospitals will have you undergo a psychiatric evaluation to insure you are ready for what you will be facing during recovery. I am not telling you this to scare you. This surgery has a good track record, I just want you to be informed.
There are four phases to leg lengthening surgery: preparation, surgery, lengthening, and strengthening.
Preparation:
Make sure the hospital you go with is reputable. Ask many questions don't settle for the easy answer. This is your body. Now that you have settled on this surgery you will have multiple consultations where you will learn about every aspect of the surgery. Use this time to ask questions, do your own research at home and bring a notebook and pen with questions you wrote down to make sure you know everything you need to know to help prepare yourself mentally. During this time X Rays are taken of your legs so that the extender piece also called the external fixator can be built specifically to fit your bones.
Surgery:
Here is where the doctor will break both the fibula and tibia bones in your leg and attach the external fixator to each end usually using wires that go through small holes put through the patients skin.
Lengthening:
This takes place over the next 3-4 months where the external fixator is lengthened about 1 millimeter per day (this can be automated or by turning a screw). As the bone is separated it is forced to grown new bone to repair itself. At the end of this process a person can achieve 2-3 inches. During this time you will be in a wheelchair and attending daily therapy sessions. This stage is painful and managing this pain in important. Some doctor's will prescribe mild pain killers because it can interfere with bone growth. Alternatives to managing your pain can help aid in bone growth as well. A good alternative to pain killers is strong meditation skills.
Strengthening:
The lengthening is complete, there is still pain but less. You will still be restricted to a wheelchair and have your physical therapy appointments reduced to about three times a week. This lasts from 3-6 months. During this time the bone continues to grow but in strengthening capacity not necessarily length. The bone will need to eventually be able to withstand all your weight. The external fixators will stay in your body until the end of the strengthening phase only to keep the bones aligned. At the end the fixator will be removed.
You may need to continue physical therapy after the strengthening phase and you might need a cast for a short time to help adjust to the weight on your bones but you will have grown 2-3 inches in 6 months to a year.
Leg lengthening surgery is not for everyone and new advances are being made in this field all the time. If you choose to undergo this procedure it is important to be positive and find good in every day things. If you choose not to undergo this surgery remember wonderful things come in all sizes.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Hi Jami.Like you, I am 5'1 1/2" in height. I think, I would rather be short and not suffer the painful process of leg lengthening.Very interesting article. Well done.Best regards,Nenita
Well, you totally convinced me--if I were short (actually I'm 5'7"--tall enough for a woman), I would definitely stay short! No way would I put myself through all that pain just to be a few inches taller. But, as you say it isn't for everyone, so if there are those out there who really feel they need it; good luck to them.Great article and if I haven't already told you, Jami, welcome to Searchwarp.Sandra
Great article. Well done.I had not heard of leg lengthenin surgery. I am not the no.1 advocate of cosmetic surgery. But everyone to their own.
Wow, this sounds long and painful. You must have a great pain threshhold and an even great willpower!
I have seen tv shows about this procedure. Brave folks, taking on such a painful task.
Geez, I find it hard to believe that anyone would want to put themselves through this!At five foot, I am shorter than you are Jami, and I'll tell you what my great uncle always told me, when you are short, you don't have as far to fall!!Thanks for the article, it was interesting although a little shocking!N
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