Limb-Lengthening. Interesting enough.

• Monday October 2, 2006 | Posted in: Plastic Surgery Procedures

  Limb-lengthening surgery has been in the roundabouts of a few, highly equipped plastic surgery clinics since the late 1980s, yet we do not hear this procedure often like expansion-espousing procedures such as breast augmentation or rhinoplasty (nose surgery).  

  Interestingly enough, the term “limb-lengthening” sounds odd.  One would imagine that the legs are the last of the bone extremities to get major cosmetic repair by way of, what, extensions?  Even, it’s hard figuring out how ‘lengthening’ is possibly carried out without virtually maiming an abled person– or so.   

  Limb-lengthening surgery is mainly performed to correct differences in length between limbs. However, albeit with some controversy, the surgery has also been used to radically change the height of people born with dwarfism.   Some people though believe that the surgery should not be performed, as dwarfism is genetic, not a medical problem.

  We are yet to hear a vertically challenged person, just for the kicks and fix of it, who has expressed his or her readiness for the cut.

  The procedure, called Osteotomy requires, precisely that -- the cutting of the bone (usually on the lower or upper leg), that requires lengthening.  To promote new growth where the cutting was performed, the bone that has been cut will then be slowly pulled apart.  

  To stabilize the limb, devices are fixed internally or externally. Adjusting the stabilizing devices in length -- up to four times a day, up to a total of 1 millimeter per day in length, will cause new bone tissue to continue growing increasingly achieving ‘lengthening’.  The pins are continually adjusted until the desired length has been achieved.

  The bones then are allowed to bond and heal.  During this period, the patient will be able to start walking on the limbs with the aid of crutches while the surgeon regularly checks and confirms – using x-rays, whether the bones shall have set properly.  Gradually, the patient is expected to put more weight on the treated areas, and walk unaided.

  And as would any major surgical procedure, anesthesia is administered. Limb- lengthening surgery usually requires a hospital stay of around two days or longer as necessary.       

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