Limb Lengthening Surgery Turkey Procedure, Prices and Aftercare

Limb lengthening

Long legs are an ideal of beauty that not everyone is born with. But limb lengthening is not only useful for aesthetic reasons in many cases. Medical reasons are also a common requirement for leg lengthening. Bone defects, bone diseases, incorrectly healed fractures or congenital deformities of the leg are reasons for limb lengthening. But regardless of the reason for the procedure: after the treatment, those affected are usually more mobile and feel much more comfortable in their own skin.

What is a limb lenghtening surgery?

A limb lengthening has different goals:

• Healthy legs are lengthened for aesthetic reasons
• Correction of malpositions or shortening of the leg

If a purely cosmetic limb lengthening fulfills an exclusively aesthetic purpose, the lengthening of one or both legs with medical indication has completely different tasks. The purpose of these treatment approaches is to minimize or even completely avoid consequential damage to joints. Malpositions of the feet or legs should be reduced. Furthermore, leg extensions relieve the position of the spine for health reasons.

By how many centimeters can legs be lengthened

Thanks to today's modern techniques, cosmetic surgeons are able to compensate for leg length differences of 14 to 20 centimeters. A rule of thumb says: the longer the difference in limb length to be corrected, the more extensive the treatment time.

The intramedullary nailing technique: the most commonly used lengthening method

For a long time it was customary to use a metal framework to lengthen the legs. Today, this method has largely been superseded by the intramedullary nail technique. Medullary nailing is originally a surgical procedure to treat long bone fractures. In the meantime, this technique has been developed to such an extent that leg bones can also be lengthened with the method.

In the intramedullary nail technique, an implantable intramedullary nail made of stainless steel is used. The purpose of this nail is to compensate for different leg lengths. The intramedullary nail technology is increasingly replacing the so-called external fixator. This metallic rod embedded the leg like a cage. In this way, the linkage formed a framework that promotes bone formation. Due to the intramedullary nail technique, however, patients can do without the metal framework.



Editor's tip: In contrast to an external fixator, an intramedullary nail can handle significantly higher loads. Due to the higher load, the bone becomes more stable. Another advantage of the intramedullary nail is the reduced risk of infection. This is because bacteria can get into the body relatively quickly via the wires of the metal framework.

Treatment Steps For Limb Lenghtening Surgery

The lengthening of the legs takes place in the following steps:

• Sectioning of the shorter upper or lower leg bone
• Insertion of the 25 centimeter long titanium intramedullary nail by the surgeon in the bone parts
• Merging treated bone so that new bone can form

After a surgeon inserts the nail into the leg, the rod-equipped tube is connected to the lower part of the leg. The lower leg is now moved slightly back and forth 15 times a day, so that the distance between the two bone parts increases by a millimeter. The logical consequence of this treatment: the bone forms over time. Those affected continue to make these rotary movements until the desired leg length is reached. After about three months, a limb lengthening of five to ten centimeters is achieved.

In order to lengthen the bone, we insert an intramedullary nail into the bone via a 1.5 centimeter long incision at the hip or knee. The nail is around 25 centimeters long and is fixed to the bone with screws. Before doing this, we cut through the femur or lower leg bone. The nail can later be lengthened magnetically or mechanically. This pulls the bone apart, usually by half a millimeter to one millimeter a day. New bone mass forms in the space between them. This ossifies over time. Muscles and tendons automatically grow with you.

Editor's tip: At this stage of the procedure, the treated bone is still very soft. In order for the bones to be sufficiently stabilized, the intramedullary nail must remain in the body for one and a half to two years. Callus forms and stabilizes the bones.

Risks of lengthening the legs

As is usual with most surgical procedures, the operations carry certain risks. For example, the following complications can occur:

• thrombosis
• infections
• Wound healing disorders
• movement restrictions
• damage to the blood vessels
• damage to the nerves

Another complication could be that the lengthening of the leg is occurring too quickly. To limit this risk, specialists check the development of the leg via magnetic sensor monitoring. Other unpleasant side effects of the operation are pain or sensory disturbances.

Postoperative care measures after treatment

After the procedure, patients have to stay in the hospital for up to ten days. Immediately after the operation, many of those affected are quickly able to move around with walking aids. If the pain during the movements is too great, a wheelchair is a sensible option. After about six to eight weeks, operated legs can usually walk again without walking assistance. In addition to follow-up appointments with the treating surgeon, physiotherapeutic measures are necessary. These treatments aim to balance the musculoskeletal system.

Limb lengthening surgery cost in Turkey

Limb lengthening is a very expensive procedure. In the case of a bilateral extension, patients must expect financial expenses of up to 50,000 euros. In the case of a purely cosmetic operation, those affected have to bear these expenses themselves. If the procedure is based on a medical indication, private or statutory health insurance companies will reimburse part or all of the costs. This is the case, for example, with short stature caused by illness.Limb lengthening surgery prices in Turkey are %70 cehaper compared to limb lengthening surgery prices in EU.

Limb lengthening: which doctors are suitable?

The right doctor for this treatment is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Alternatively, orthopedic specialists can assist with the procedure. Patients are well advised to contact a renowned leg lengthening specialist. When choosing a doctor, the practical experience of the doctor about the procedure plays a decisive role.



Editor's tip: In this country, leg lengthening is only offered by a few surgeons for purely aesthetic reasons. A basic requirement for an operation for this reason is the obtaining of a psychiatric report. This document was intended to attest to the severe mental stress on the affected persons due to the length of their legs.

Pros and cons of limb lengthening surgery

Leg lengthening is a controversial topic in aesthetic medicine. Most German specialists are skeptical about leg lengthening for purely cosmetic reasons. Another case is when the intervention is medically indicated.

Advantages

• The result of the operation is permanent
• relatively low risks (with intramedullary nailing technique)
• in the case of medical necessity, health insurance companies bear part or all of the costs

Disadvantages

• very high costs (in the case of surgeries for cosmetic reasons)
• relatively long recovery time
• Intensive follow-up measures are necessary
• low selection of doctors (for leg lengthening without medical indication)

How long does the rehabilitation last and when can you move freely again?

When the patient can do everything again depends on how many centimeters the legs have been lengthened. For example, if you extend for 1.5 months, it will take you three months for the bone to be firm. It is also important how well the stretching has been done and how the bone is developing. After that you can start exercising again at home, for example on the exercise bike. You should then increase the loads step by step. If the nail is removed after a year or 1.5 years, you should be a little more careful for a few more weeks, preferably not jumping from a great height, for example. In up to one percent of cases, the bone breaks during this phase. But that also depends on the choice of nail and the diameter of the nail.

How painful is a leg lengthening?



Depending on how they feel, the patients take painkillers in the first few days after the operation; they perceive the lengthening itself as painful in very different ways. If you stretch a lot, you avoid that waxing hurts. If it still hurts, you can reduce the daily extension a bit. Incidentally, before the operation, we check carefully whether a patient can stretch. This is an absolute prerequisite.