FITBONE Method: Fully Internal Limb Lengthening Surgery
Limb lengthening surgery has come a long way in recent years. What was once a demanding process built around bulky external frames is now, with modern internal systems, a far more comfortable and predictable experience, whether your goal is cosmetic height increase or correcting a leg length discrepancy.
FITBONE is one of the most advanced of these systems: a fully internal, motorized lengthening nail that stays hidden inside the bone for the entire treatment. In this guide, you will learn how the FITBONE nail works, what makes it different, how it compares to other methods, what it costs, and what recovery really looks like.
What is the FITBONE?
FITBONE is a fully implantable, motorized intramedullary nail. Once placed inside the femur or tibia, it lengthens the bone gradually and precisely, usually 1 mm per day. Because everything sits inside the leg, there are no external frames, no pins through the skin, and nothing visible from the outside. That means a lower infection risk, minimal scarring, and a treatment period that fits far more easily into daily life.
The system was developed with Prof. Rainer Baumgart, a pioneer of internal lengthening who has performed over 2,000 procedures. Since its launch in 1997, the FITBONE implant has been used worldwide for both femur and tibia lengthening. Combined with detailed preoperative planning and specialized instruments, it can do more than add length: when needed, the surgeon can also correct the alignment and rotation of the bone during the same operation.
FITBONE is used both for cosmetic height increase and for medical conditions such as leg length differences caused by trauma, congenital factors or bone disease.
Technical Features
After the surgery, the bone is gradually lengthened in a safe and controlled way:
Motorized Nail: lengthens the bone at a controlled pace, typically 1 mm per day.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: the nail sits entirely inside the bone, which keeps scars small and infection risk low. With no visible device on the leg, most patients continue their social life comfortably during treatment.
Digital Planning: OrthoNext software supports the surgeon in planning the operation and tracking progress.
Load-Bearing: the implant tolerates partial weight, so assisted walking can start early in the process.
What Makes FITBONE Different?
The short answer: it is fully internal, precisely controlled, and versatile.
With no external frame, day-to-day life is simply easier. You can wear normal clothes, sleep more comfortably, and move around without a visible device on your leg. The motorized mechanism lengthens the bone in small, controlled steps, which protects the healing tissue and keeps the process predictable. Digital planning tools let the surgeon tailor the treatment to your anatomy, and unlike many other techniques, FITBONE can also correct bone alignment at the same time.
Because the system works in both the femur and the tibia, it covers a wide range of needs, from cosmetic lengthening to complex reconstructive cases.
FITBONE vs Other Limb Lengthening Methods
Most patients researching the Fitbone method end up comparing it with two alternatives: the LON method and Precice 2. Here is how they differ.
FITBONE vs LON: The LON method (Lengthening Over Nail) pairs an internal nail with a temporary external fixator. It costs significantly less, allows partial weight bearing during lengthening, and remains the most popular choice for budget-conscious patients. FITBONE, on the other hand, is fully internal, so the process is more comfortable and nothing is visible on the leg. You can read the full details on our LON method page.
FITBONE vs Precice 2: Both are fully internal nails and offer a similar level of comfort. The core difference is the mechanism: FITBONE is motorized and electronically controlled, while Precice 2 is driven by an external magnetic remote. Pricing also differs between the two. See our Precice 2 limb lengthening page for a closer look.
How much can you gain? With fully internal nails like FITBONE and Precice 2, the maximum lengthening in a single segment is 8.5 cm. Your personal safe limit depends on your bone quality, current height, muscle flexibility and the surgeon’s evaluation.
Want more than one segment can offer? Some patients lengthen both the femur and the tibia in a combined plan to reach a greater total height increase. Our detailed guide on quadrilateral surgery explains how this works.
Advantages of FITBONE
Comfort & Convenience
No visible hardware, small incisions, minimal scarring and preserved muscle tissue. For most patients this is the most comfortable way to go through limb lengthening.
Safety
Infection risk is lower than with external fixators, and complications are less frequent
Predictability
Slow, controlled lengthening gives new bone the best conditions to form. FITBONE is also the only lengthening nail designed to combine bone transport and lengthening in a single surgery.
Faster Recovery
Partial weight bearing allows rehabilitation to start earlier, and overall treatment time is shorter than with external fixators and monorail systems.
Bone Defect Treatment
Defects up to 80 mm can be treated without revising the interlocking fixation; larger defects are handled with a staged, controlled approach. treatment.
How Much Does FITBONE Surgery Cost?
At Wanna Be Taller, the FITBONE method is priced at 54,000 USD. This is an all-inclusive package covering the surgery, the imported motorized FITBONE implant, hospital stay, physiotherapy program and patient support throughout the treatment.
For comparison, our other methods are priced as follows: the LON method at 26,400 USD and Precice 2 at 58,000 USD. FITBONE sits in the premium segment because of its fully internal, motorized implant, while LON remains the most budget-friendly option.
If you are considering lengthening both the femur and tibia, quadrilateral package prices are listed on our surgery cost page, where you can compare all methods side by side.
Clinical Outcomes: Patient Experience and Results
Clinical studies consistently show that FITBONE delivers reliable results in both cosmetic and reconstructive lengthening. Most patients gain between 5 and 8.5 cm in a single femur or tibia procedure.
Recovery unfolds over several months. With daily physiotherapy and the exercise routine set by your doctor, mobility comes back step by step, and because the hardware is hidden and scars are minimal, most patients feel socially comfortable well before the bone has fully healed.
At our center in Istanbul, Fitbone surgery is performed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yunus Öç and his team, with a structured physiotherapy program and 24/7 patient support built into every treatment plan. You can see real recovery journeys in our patient gallery.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is where good results are made. Physiotherapy starts shortly after the operation to keep your joints flexible and your muscles strong, which prevents stiffness as the bone lengthens.
Walking and daily movement increase gradually under medical supervision. How long recovery takes depends mainly on how much length you gain, but most patients are back to normal daily activities within 3 to 6 months. Full bone consolidation usually takes 9 to 12 months; after that, you can return to sports with your doctor’s approval.
Regular check-ups, commitment to your physiotherapy program, and a healthy diet all speed up bone healing and make the whole journey smoother.
Who is a Good Candidate for FITBONE?
Adults between 18 and 55 whose growth plates have closed and who want a cosmetic height increase.
Patients with leg length differences caused by trauma or congenital conditions.
Anyone who wants a fully internal, more comfortable alternative to external fixators.
Before any decision, our medical team reviews your measurements and health history to confirm that you are a suitable candidate. This evaluation is free and carries no obligation.
Risks and Complications
In experienced hands, FITBONE is a safe procedure, but it is still major surgery, and you should understand the risks before deciding. Joint stiffness and muscle tightness: common during the lengthening phase; regular physiotherapy keeps it manageable. Technical issues with the nail: uncommon, but the implant can occasionally need adjustment, monitoring or, rarely, revision.
– Loss of achieved length: rare with modern motorized control.
– Slow bone healing: some patients consolidate more slowly than expected; regular X-ray follow-ups catch this early.
– Infection:less frequent than with external fixators thanks to the fully internal design, but still possible; proper wound care and follow-up keep the risk low.
– The best protection against all of these is simple: choose an experienced surgical team, attend every follow-up, and stick to your physiotherapy program.
The Future of FITBONE
The newest generation, FITBONE TLN (Transport and Lengthening Nail), combines lengthening and bone transport in one implant for patients with segmental bone defects. It brings shorter recovery times, less surgical trauma and more comfort, and represents the current cutting edge of limb reconstruction technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 5 to 8.5 cm in a single segment, depending on your bone structure and medical evaluation. If you are aiming higher, a combined femur and tibia plan may be an option; see our quadrilateral surgery guide.
Most patients describe the pain as manageable, with the most sensitive period during active lengthening. Standard pain medication and physiotherapy keep it under control.
✅ Airport pick-up ✅ Istanbul tour ✅ 2 nights of accommodation in a 4-star hotel ✅ For our international patients, complication insurance is provided (valid for 6 months), covering up to €30,000 for medical treatment, €1,000 for accommodation, €1,000 for transportation, €350 for baggage, €500 for legal support, and €200 for treatment expenses in the patient’s home country ✅ VIP transfers throughout your journey ✅ An experienced companion who speaks your language to support you during your hospital stay ✅ Pre-operative consultation and tests with the doctor (blood test, ECG, height X-ray, anesthesia) ✅ 3-4 day hospital stay ✅ Support from a physiotherapist and necessary medications during your hospital stay ✅ Provision of walker, crutches, and wheelchair ✅ Patient kit ✅ Free consultations with doctors and patient coordinators whenever needed ✅ All hospital expenses related to the operating room and recovery room ✅ Surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgical assistant fees
Our team ensures your personal care and support with the utmost diligence from the pre-surgery phase until the end of your full recovery. This way, we aim to make every step of your treatment journey a comfortable, safe, and successful experience.
⚠️ Post-hospital recovery process and accommodation are not included. If you wish, our team can arrange post-hospital accommodation options for you at special rates; see our accommodation page for details
Most patients return to daily activities within 5 to 6 months. Complete bone healing usually takes 9 to 12 months.
No, candidacy is assessed individually. Age, bone quality and overall health all matter, and the final decision is made by the surgeon after a medical evaluation.
Get a Free Evaluation
Considering the FITBONE method? Send us your height, weight and goals, and our medical team will assess your suitability and prepare a personalized treatment plan. The evaluation is free, and there is no obligation.
📱 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/905319883090
📧 E-mail: support@wannabetaller.com
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leg_lengthening_surgery/