Lengthening Surgery

What is lengthening surgery?

Lengthening surgery is an orthopedic surgery performed to lengthen the bones of the arms and legs, usually for therapeutic purposes and sometimes for aesthetic reasons, in individuals with closed growth plates. Lengthening is done by surgically cutting the bone and separating the cut bone pieces in a long process, around 1 millimeter each day. Thus, new bone tissue is formed in the opened space and bone elongation is provided. If the lengthening is planned to be up to 8 cm, surgery can only be applied to the thigh or shinbone. If a lengthening of more than 10 cm is desired, both bones will need to be lengthened. Lengthening is done for bones only. Muscles, ligaments, nerves, vessels, and other soft tissues automatically adapt to lengthening as they are attached to the bones and the process is done gradually. For this purpose, the process is made easier by applying physiotherapy to the relevant area.

How much elongation is possible?

Although it varies from patient to patient, the safe extension limit; upper leg (femur) 6-8 cm, lower leg (tibia) 5-7 cm.

What are the methods of lengthening surgery?

COMBINED Method

By placing the device both inside the bone and outside the leg, the extension process is performed with the help of a metal key for an average of 2-3 months. After the desired amount of elongation is achieved, the fixator on the outside of the leg is removed.

The PRECICE 2 Method

Is a method that has been used in lengthening recently and contains a self-extendable magnetic nail. The bone is lengthened by the remote control interacting with the magnets inside the nail.

The Precice Stryde Method

Is a closed-method system and the extension process is performed with a remote control. It is the most comfortable and high technology system in leg extension. Nothing is obvious from the outside and the patient can walk normally by putting his body weight on him immediately after the surgery. It is a high-cost method because the nails are produced individually.

What are the Advantages of the Precice Stryde Method?

Nails are custom made and have high technology
Since the method is applied closed, skin problems are few and aesthetic results are close to perfect.
Nothing is obvious from the outside.
You can wear the clothes you want.
Activities such as showering or swimming can be done.
The risk of infection is negligible.
Does not require dressing.
It is comfortable both during the day and during sleep.
The most comfortable method.
Blood thinners are not needed in the Stryde Method.
It can carry 400% more payload.
It gives the patient more mobility due to the load bearing.
Being able to walk unassisted.

What are the Disadvantages of the Precice Stryde Method?

It is very costly compared to Precice II.
When there is a problem with Intramedullary Nails, there is no outside intervention.
Have the extension remote with you.
The ordering process of the nail.

Is It Difficult to Remove the Precice Stryde Device?

After the patient’s treatment process is over and the bones are 100% fused, the nails are easily removed with a small operation and you can walk normally with your full load. Our patient can be discharged from the hospital the next day.

How long is the recovery period for lengthening surgery?

Recovery time for lengthening surgery varies from patient to patient. The consolidation process, which is the second stage of the treatment, can sometimes take a very long time, especially in adults. As a general rule, children recover twice as fast as adult patients. For example, if the desired target new bone growth is 4 centimeters, it will be enough for a child to use the fixation device for three months, while for an adult it will take 6 months to complete the process.

Physical therapy during recovery plays an important role in keeping the patient’s joints flexible and maintaining muscle strength. Patients should be fed a nutritious diet and take calcium supplements to increase the speed of recovery.

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Lengthening Surgery