Getting Limb Lengthening Surgery Twice is Possible

Blog | 2022-09-23 | 7 min read

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Some patients worry that even after having surgery, they would still be too short to find happiness.

It's reasonable for them to wonder, "Can I receive limb lengthening surgery twice?" The answer is "yes," but the costs and hazards associated with repeated surgeries quickly add up.

Is it safe to have both the tibia and the femur operated on at the same time?

Although it is technically possible to undergo both tibia and femur surgery at the same time, it is not favored because it is uncomfortable. It is not healthful or sensible to double or triple the risks of lengthening surgery by performing two surgeries at the same time. Doctors who do it prefer the Precice method for the upper leg and the LON method for the lower leg.

However, because all muscle groups are interrelated, great pain and psychological issues emerge while elongation progresses on both sides.

Is having tibia and femur surgery at the same time safe? What are the difficulties?

Clotting of the blood towards the lungs, vascular occlusion

Embolism risk,

Blood flow slowing caused by edema and edema, blood buildup, nerve injury

Extreme agony

Is it possible to lengthen both the femur and the tibia while simultaneously perioding?

Yes, but proceed with caution. Pioneers in limb lengthening explored heroic lengthening of both the femur and the tibia at the same time and discovered that in some instances, the knee joint was harmed.

A second leg lengthening operation often begins with femur surgery. Tibial surgery can be brought up if the patient is unhappy with their height or proportions.

In contrast to the maximum 3 inches (10.2 centimeters) of height gain that may be achieved with a single operation, the maximum 5 inches (13.1 centimeters) that can be achieved with two operations is far more reasonable. These two operations are typically scheduled one year apart.

If you're short on time, you can also opt for simultaneous tibial and femoral elongation (quadrilateral limb lengthening). The operation is performed in two separate sessions. In order to speed up the recovery process, surgeons often recommend operating on the tibias first. The femur surgery is scheduled for three weeks after the initial operation to let the body heal.

Factors and Considerations for double limb lengthening

When contemplating or preparing for several surgeries, it is vital to evaluate the total cost, the length of time it will take to recuperate, and the possibility of complications. When faced with the option of having several surgeries, many people choose to have only one at first because of how taxing it can be. Whether you're looking to lengthen your tibias and femurs separately or have just one segment lengthened twice, the following should be kept in mind.

💸 Higher Cost
🏥 Longer Recovery

Risks and Possible Complications for double limb lengthening

A year between procedures increases the likelihood of muscle stiffness, which is already present with quadrilateral lengthening. When you stretch your back muscles, you also stretch all the muscles at the back of your legs.

Various Methods of Heightening

According to the preceding, patients can stretch either one leg at a time (unilateral), both legs in one section (bilateral), or both legs in both segments (quadrilateral).

Below, we'll go over various potential next steps, including bilateral and unilateral alternatives.

Lengthening of the Lower Extremities

Most people who have cosmetic leg lengthening choose a bilateral procedure, in which both legs are broken at the same point. When both legs need to be lengthened, it is more typical to do it at once because it is less risky and less expensive than lengthening the tibiae individually.

One-Sided Extremity Lengthening

Unilateral lengthening is typically performed due to trauma or congenital conditions, but only a small percentage of patients seek it out for cosmetic reasons. Commonly used to address differences in leg length, the procedure involves the patient manipulating screws or a controller to stretch the bone.

In the case of a single operation, how is it determined whether the patient will be operated on from the femur or the tibia?

Some patients may desire to undergo surgery on the tibia or the femur during this phase, which is decided in consultation between the patient and the doctor. This is frequently owing to the patient's dissatisfaction with his or her body size.

During the face-to-face consultation, our doctor determines which operation would be more appropriate for a more proportionate body based on the X-ray results. Based on the findings of this test, the doctor informs the patient of the maximum lengthening that should be achieved in order to maintain the proportion.

To avoid disrupting the proportion, femur surgery is recommended if the tibias are too long from the femurs, and tibia surgery is preferred if the femurs are too long from the tibias.

Is it safe to have two procedures at various times, and what are the risks?

Two procedures at distinct periods are both safe and possible. After the swelling and edema have subsided and the patient has recovered both mentally and physically, the second procedure can be conducted after at least one month. It may take 7-8 months for the patient to walk without assistance in this situation.

It is best to have the second surgery after the initial lengthening has been done.

Because the patient grows for 2-3 months, performing the second surgery immediately afterward will prohibit the patient from walking.

The interview with our patient, who has had two lengthening procedures, can be seen here. And our patient has a YouTube channel too. You can check his jumping after limb lengthening surgery.

Is it possible for everyone to undergo two procedures at different times?

What should someone's health be if they desire to have two surgeries? Smoking is a significant impediment to lengthening surgery. Of course, after 4-5 months, it is possible to quit smoking and have surgery. Smoking is harmful because it slows bone union.

Aside from that, being active in sports, being flexible, not having chronic ailments, and paying attention to diet are all health characteristics essential for lengthening operations.

If I have two surgeries, will it be the femur or tibia first?

Because there is no external device used in the Precice method, it is a less painful method, therefore it is preferable to have femur surgery beforehand.

LON surgery, on the other hand, is more difficult for the patient than the Precice approach because nails are employed and there are processes such as tissue injury and rehealing.

How many inches can you get from leg lengthening surgery?

Although everybody commonly says that you can grow a maximum of 8 cm in the upper leg and 7 cm in the lower leg, we value both our patients' psychological and physical well-being. The preparation that our patient will make prior to surgery (healthy lifestyle, healthy nutrition, stretching) has a significant impact on these results. A 4-5 cm tibia and 5-6 cm femur lengthening are achievable and practical to provide a healthy amount.

What could stop me from reaching my goal of getting taller?

Patients' muscular strength and range of motion may suffer if they don't participate in physical therapy sessions or complete exercises at home, and their doctors may advise them to discontinue stretching if this happens. A muscle contracture can cause a joint to become immobile or perhaps dislocate entirely. The lengthening process may be halted by the clinician, either temporarily to allow for functional recovery or permanently.

It's important to remember that reaching ambitious lengthening targets may necessitate more than one lengthening session. Rather than undergoing a 4-inch lengthening all at once, you may find it more manageable to undergo a 2-inch lengthening and then another 2-inch lengthening a few years later. There are cases where extra orthopedic surgery is required before or after limb lengthening to fix other problems.

How Much Does Limb Lengthening Surgery Cost in Turkey?

Cosmetic procedures are typically not covered by health insurance. To learn prices and methods for femur lengthening and tibial lengthening, please click here and contact us.

Why select Wanna Be Taller for Limb Lengthening?

Wanna Be Taller for Limb Lengthening is world-renowned for all of its expertise in limb lengthening. At Wanna Be Taller for Limb Lengthening, your doctor will listen carefully to your concerns and carefully weigh all of your options before designing a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique goals.

We have renowned pediatric and adult orthopedic surgeons, as well as expert physician assistants, nurses, and physical therapists, who work together as a team for the benefit of our patients. If a patient needs their limbs lengthened, we can help them get the best results possible.