Limb Lengthening Journey
First contact
Your limb lengthening journey starts with first contact with our agency. In this conversation some basic questions will be asked you to understand your eligibility for this complex procedure. After first conversation a free of charge consultation will be arranged with our doctors to answer whole questions in your mind about cosmetic limb lengthening process.
Arrival
When you arrived to our clinic, after a detailed physical examination (height measurement, wing span measurement, lower extremity measurements, range of joint movements, muscle strength measurements, rotational profile and gait analysis) your blood tests and radiological measurements will be recorded. In this step every single detail will be discussed and you will be informed about the whole process by our surgeonts. Physiotheraphy team will evaluate and educate about your stretching and strengthening exercises preoperatively. After detailed radiological examination, appropriate orthopedic implants will be ordered according to your bone length and width of the medullary canal.
Surgery
The most appropriate time for surgery is after 2-3 days from your arrival to decrease any complications related to your flight. The day before the surgery anesthesiology team will examine you for technique and necessary nerve blocks. We use peripheral nerve blocks and patient controlled analgesia (PCA) techniques for your painless comfort and early physiotheraphy. This postoperative painless period provides many advantages for your fast healing.
For the lengthening of both femurs the whole operation will take 2.5-4 hours. For lengthening of both tibias the operation will take 2-3 hours. We prefer minimally invasive techniques to decrease blood loss and to reduce scar formation.
Lengthening
You will stay 4-5 days postoperatively in the hospital. Intense physiotheraphy will start postoperative first day. You will walk with a walker 1-2 days after the surgery. Nerve blocks and pain killers provide necessary comfort for your movement and physiotheraphy. After discharging you will stay in a health concept hotel for your physiotheraphy and follow-ups. You will start lengthening 1 week after the surgery as 0.75-1 mm per day depending on your health status and bony anatomy. Every two weeks a radiological examination is necessary to control the lengthening process and to evaluate your newly formed bone. Every day our physiotherapy team will visit you and provide your adaptation to the lengthening process. Our doctors will visit you during your hotel stay and examine your status in the hotel. Necessary vitamins and supplements will be given to you to increase your bone strength and healing.
Consolidation
When you reach your goal lengthening process will be stopped and we will wait for hardening of your bone (=consolidation). This period will take 2-6 months depending on your lengthening amount. During consolidation you can walk, swim or do your strengthening exercises.
Nail Removal
Nail will be removed 1-2 years later after the operation. After nail removal contact sports (football, basketball, etc.) are not allowed for 3-4 months to eliminate risks and for remodelling of your newly formed bone.