Leg-lengthening surgery is becoming a popular choice for height enhancement among many individuals. With the advancements in medical science today, this type of height-increasing surgery is not overly complex. However, questions about complications, recovery potential, and the effectiveness of height improvement remain significant concerns for many, requiring precise answers.
As the demand for height enhancement grows, various methods have emerged, including leg-lengthening surgery. Although this is not the top-priority solution, it is considered a viable option for adults looking to increase their height. The following article from Increase Height Blog aims to provide you with a better understanding of this surgical procedure, helping you make an informed decision.
What Is Leg-Lengthening Surgery?
Leg-lengthening surgery is a procedure that involves cutting the bone and using fixation devices to gradually lengthen the leg without affecting the bone membrane. In the past, pins were inserted through the bone to attach an external frame, and the bone expansion rate was approximately 1mm per day, requiring the wearer to endure the frame for about 10 months. Modern techniques now allow for the fixation pins to be placed within the bone marrow cavity, along with an additional four pins at the bone’s end. The recovery process is only a quarter of the previous duration, and the pins can be removed once the desired height is achieved.
In practice, leg-lengthening surgery is typically recommended for individuals with foot deformities such as leg length discrepancies, bowlegs, and other similar conditions. However, with the increasing demand for height enhancement, many individuals turn to leg-lengthening surgery in hopes of reaching their ideal height. According to doctors, the ideal age for this surgery is between 20 and 30 years old, as the bones are fully developed at this stage. After the age of 35, the aging process of bones begins, making surgery less optimal and more prone to complications.
How Much Can Leg-Lengthening Surgery Increase Height?
According to doctors, leg-lengthening surgery can be performed on both the lower leg and the thigh. In the lower leg, the stretching process can add approximately 3.15 to 3.35 inches, while thigh surgery can provide an increase of up to 3.15 inches. Therefore, leg-lengthening surgery, when performed on both lower legs and thighs, can potentially result in a maximum height increase of about 6.5 inches. In reality, this is a considerable figure, as even a 3.15-inch increase represents a significant improvement. Most of the current surgical procedures for height enhancement focus on the lower leg.
Typically, doctors will provide specific recommendations to patients regarding the extent of height increase. Depending on individual factors and bone elongation potential, the advice on how many inches to aim for may vary. Doctors will advise patients on how much lengthening is safe to avoid complications and minimize recovery time.
Does Leg-Lengthening Surgery Have Complications?
When lengthening the bones, muscles, tendons, skin, and blood vessels also stretch. After the surgery, in the initial days, doctors administer pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and anti-infection medications. The recovery period following the surgery can be quite painful, and prolonged use of painkillers can have adverse effects on the body. Although complications are not severe, they can leave long-term symptoms.
As a result, the complete recovery time for the joint and bones after lengthening surgery can extend to several months to a year. During this time, patients must undergo physical therapy, maintain joint health, avoid strenuous activities that may lead to serious complications. After the recovery period, patients may appear to be able to engage in normal activities, but in reality, the joints and bones may have weakened.
According to medical experts, the post-surgery care process for height-enhancing procedures is meticulous and requires patients to follow the procedure precisely. Possible complications during this period may include:
- Deformity in adjacent joints or dislocation due to the stretching process if the patient does not perform proper exercises.
- Fractures due to accidents before the joints and bones have fully healed.
- Infections at the pin insertion sites.
- The possibility of misalignment that can lead to the legs not being straight as initially desired. This may include the lower leg shifting backward, the thigh shifting inward or outward, or the upper/lower thigh bones shifting forward/backward.
- Allergic reactions to medications are the most noticeable complication. In some individuals, the body reacts to pain relievers, antibiotics, etc., resulting in damage to other related organs and potentially causing severe health problems.
- In some cases where individuals aim to lengthen their legs beyond the normal range, the nerves and blood vessels may not recover in time, leading to paralysis in the feet, or in severe cases, the inability to walk normally.
These are dangerous complications that can hinder the recovery process and cause serious harm.
Is the Leg-Lengthening Surgery Followed by Weakness?
Leg-lengthening surgery does not significantly affect lifespan, as many people mistakenly believe. However, soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments require time to recover, so initially, there may be weakness compared to normal, making it challenging to adapt to new situations.
This is a risky surgical procedure that directly impacts the body’s essential organs. Joints and bones need time to return to their normal mechanisms and functions. Consequently, patients must be prepared to face certain difficulties in their daily activities due to reduced flexibility in the joints and bones.
After surgery, strict adherence to various exercise and daily activity guidelines is essential. The extent of recovery depends on the care method and the individual’s physical condition.
Is Leg-Lengthening Surgery Worth Considering?
The surgical intervention to lengthen one’s legs is only recommended for cases where natural height increase is not possible. The surgery comes with a substantial cost, and the post-operative expenses can also be significant. Therefore, it’s essential to evaluate your current financial situation and avoid potentially compromising your financial well-being for future gains.
Furthermore, leg-lengthening surgery undoubtedly entails both physical and psychological pain. Prolonged discomfort can last for several months, and the overall recovery time might extend to several years, demanding your patience and dedicated commitment to rehabilitation.
The pain can affect your nerves, appetite, sleep patterns, leading to weight loss, and potentially causing depression or a loss of motivation. After the surgery, you’ll be immobilized for a period and will have restricted mobility, necessitating assistance in daily activities.
Additionally, for women, the scars on the legs can impact aesthetic appeal, potentially leading to self-consciousness about one’s appearance. Therefore, before making a decision, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand the entire journey, from the procedure to complete recovery. Alternatively, you can enhance your height through everyday clothing without resorting to complex surgical methods.
Read more: How Does Bone Density Affect Height?
Choosing a Safer Route to Increase Height
While surgical methods may yield significant height improvements, they also come with unpredictable complications and potential long-term risks to the body. Therefore, from an early age, it’s essential to make precise investments in your body to promote healthy height development as follows:
Nutrition accounts for 32% of an individual’s height potential. Especially during adolescence, a balanced daily diet is crucial for overall growth. Ensure you eat the right amount and variety of meals, and supplement your diet with calcium, vitamin D, K, magnesium, collagen, zinc, iron, and other essential nutrients.
Regular Exercise
20% of height results come from exercise habits and daily physical activity. Maintain a regular exercise routine, engage in sports activities for 45-60 minutes each day. Swimming, badminton, basketball, volleyball, cycling, jumping rope, running, yoga, among others, are effective sports that promote height increase, strengthen the body, and improve bone and joint health.
Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep is a time for the body to detoxify and energy conversion. During deep sleep, the pituitary gland produces an abundance of growth hormone, which stimulates bone growth. Ensure you go to bed early and get a full 8 hours of sleep every day.
Utilize Height-Boosting Foods
During the adolescence phase, supplementing your diet with height-enhancing products can expedite the height growth process. This is a highly effective method for height improvement. Nutrition experts recommend choosing products that meet the following criteria: rich in essential nutrients, combined with gentle herbs, certified for safety and quality by reputable organizations.
The journey to height improvement is a long path that requires determination and the right approach. For adults, leg-lengthening surgery may be effective, but it’s not the preferred solution. If you are contemplating this method, seek professional advice, prepare mentally and financially, and maintain the commitment needed for positive results.
Hi everyone, I’m Tony Scotti, an expert in the field of height increase with many years of experience researching and applying height increase methods, and have achieved promising results. I have created increase height blog as a personal blog to share knowledge and experience about what I have learned during the process of improving my own height.