An Overview Of The Best Leg Lengthening Techniques

In recent years, technological breakthroughs, modern scientific techniques and surgical innovations have revolutionised the medical industry. Doctors and surgeons alike now perform operations that were thought to be unimaginable as little as ten years ago.

Leg lengthening procedures are on the rise and becoming a lot more popular, especially with men aged 25 and over. This signifies a psychological change in behaviour that can be directly correlated to the practice and innovation of modern medicine. The stigma attached to such surgeries is significantly waning and more people than ever before are electing to have leg lengthening surgery.

What Is Leg Lengthening?

Leg lengthening procedures use the body's own capacity to produce new bone, soft tissues, ligaments and nerves to extend the limb by up to six inches.

Patients will first need to undergo an operation called an osteotomy, where an orthopaedic surgeon cuts through the bone in the upper or lower leg. Internal or external fixation devices are then used to stabilise the leg and provide support throughout the healing process.

Phases of Recovery

Two phases of recovery follow an osteotomy:

Phase One

The first step of the recovery process is known as the distraction phase. The bone that has been cut is gradually pulled apart to produce new bone growth in a process called distraction osteogenesis. The patient will generally have the bone distracted four times a day, which works to ensure new growth. The limb is typically adjusted by one millimetre per day in quarter millimetre increments.

Phase Two

Phase two of the treatment process promotes bone consolidation and healing. During this time, the patient adds much-needed weight and muscle to the affected limb. Walking without assistance is also gradually attempted at this stage but it's worth pointing out that phase two requires a lot of patience and commitment.

Leg Lengthening Nails (ILN)

Internal leg-lengthening nails are used to gradually pull the bone apart to promote new bone growth. These ingenious devices are motorised intramedullary nails that are telescopic in size. ILNs are placed into the bone marrow cavity and are operated remotely by rotating the magnet inside the nail. This allows the bone to extend gradually whilst simultaneously healing.

It can take several weeks after surgery to achieve the desired results, but once the bone has been lengthened it's as strong as any other bone in your body and won't weaken or deteriorate over time according to S. Robert Rozbruch, MD, Chief of the Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service (LLCRS) at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

The Best Leg Lengthening Methods In A Nutshell

The best leg lengthening methods are as follows:

Gradual Distraction

This approach delivers a much lower level of damage to neuromuscular structures. It allows for a good degree of bone separation whilst giving the body time to heal.

Hybrid Approach

The hybrid approach uses an external fixator as well as a nail or plate. This approach is used to decrease the amount of time the patient has to wear an external fixator.

Internal Lengthening Nails (ILNs)

ILNs are a technological marvel and heavily decrease the morbidity and infection rate amongst patients. But their efficacy rates need to be further determined by medical researchers and scientists.