Limb Lengthening
Surgery in India
What is
Limb Lengthening?
The process of limb lengthening involves the slow formation of new bone. It is a surgical procedure that tackles cosmetic problems, balances the patient’s gait, and adjusts the patient’s height proportion. The procedure stretches the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the affected bones in the patient’s arm or leg. It takes time, accuracy, and patience to complete this surgical procedure. Limb lengthening may also be performed in conjunction with immediate or delayed deformity repair.
Purpose of Limb Lengthening Surgery
Many candidates for limb lengthening surgery have two legs or arms with different lengths as a result of many conditions, such as
- An inherited condition at birth
- Having a bone growth plate damaged as a child
- A prior fracture that has not been fixed properly results in the bone growing out of place.
- In cases of nonunion following a prior fracture, the leg bone does not mend at all.
The following medical problems can result in a substantial leg length disparity and necessitate leg lengthening surgery
- Poliomyelitis
- Hemihypertrophy
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Cerebral palsy
- Skeletal dysplasia
Which Orthopedic Tools can
be used for Limb Lengthening?
One of the following options will serve as the limb lengthening device for limb lengthening operation
External fixator – With pins or wires, the surgeon joins the bones to a thin, light metal frame. Most of the gadget, including the frame, is external to the body. Certain clothing might be difficult to wear since these devices typically protrude several inches from the body.
Internal rod – The surgeon inserts a screw-like device, which is a more recent alternative, within the bone. There is no external indication of this device.
How is Limb Lengthening Surgery Performed
Prepare for the Surgery
A physical evaluation by an orthopedic healthcare professional is recommended for anybody who suspects they may have a leg or arm bone length disparity. X-rays will be used to validate the difference in bone length if the doctor thinks there is a limb length disparity. The patient will receive more thorough instructions from the surgical team before the limb lengthening surgery. In order to promote maximum healing and quick recovery after the procedure at Wockhardt Hospitals, our world-class surgeons advise patients to maintain an active lifestyle, consume a balanced diet, and give up smoking.
To avoid excessive bleeding or adverse reactions to drugs with anesthesia during the Limb lengthening procedure, the patient might need to cease taking some medications in the days before surgery. After surgery, most patients stay in the hospital for roughly three days. They will then require a friend or relative to drive them home.
During the Surgery
There are two key processes in limb lengthening surgery. The limb bone that has to be extended is cut during an osteotomy, which is the initial stage of the procedure. The lengthening device will then be implanted using a bone drill and screws, metal pins, plates, and wires after the limb has been stabilized using metal external, internal, or a mix of external and internal fixation devices.
After the Surgery
After this surgical procedure, the patient will spend a couple of hours in a recovery area before being sent to a hospital room. After surgery, most patients spend two to three days in the hospital. The patient will receive inpatient rehabilitation the day after this surgery, where a physical therapist will help them do daily tasks. On the day following surgery, the patient will have inpatient rehabilitation, during which a physical therapist will help them do daily tasks. The healthcare expert explains how to use the limb lengthening device to the patient before they leave the hospital.
The pin sites must be cleansed daily if the patient has an external device to prevent infections after limb lengthening surgery. If there is an inside device, it is important to keep the surgical cuts clean until they have healed. The patient won’t be able to walk for a few weeks if they are lengthening a leg bone. They could make use of a wheelchair, crutches, or other assistance. They won’t be able to lift anything for a couple of weeks if they get an arm-lengthening treatment.
Recovery After the Surgery
In the majority of cases, the patient must wear the device for around three months for every inch of bone development. They would wear this device for around six months to achieve a 2-inch bone growth. The physician performs a short surgical operation to remove the limb lengthening device when the new bone has fully solidified. After removing the device, some patients continue to wear a cast/brace for a few weeks.
One may recover effectively and achieve the greatest results by following these steps
- Exercise only as much as the healthcare professional advises to avoid harm.
- Eat a balanced diet, including whole grains, protein, fruits, and vegetables.
- Follow the instructions for the home workouts and physical therapy appointments.
- For routine bone examinations, visit your doctor.
Who is a Good Candidate
for Limb Lengthening Surgery?
When determining whether or not limb lengthening is a good option for the patient, a surgeon should take into account a number of considerations:
- Stability of the limb - The lengthening of the bone requires solid joints at both ends. If not, lengthening could result in joint problems.
- Tissue health - Lengthening the limb might endanger more tissue damage if the surrounding tissues have already been damaged.
- Age of the patients - While limb lengthening is sometimes done on older people, it is best done during childhood and the early stages of adulthood when the body is most likely to produce new bone.
- Length discrepancy between limbs - A centimeter or less of limb length discrepancy, whether in the arms or legs, usually has little effect on posture or function. The only time limb lengthening is advised is when the individual's daily activities and function are hampered by the limb-length difference.
- Having the capacity to satisfy limb lengthening requirements - The patient must be diligent every day during the lengthy and complex procedure of limb lengthening. Even after the lengthening phase, the patient must continue to cover the limb for several months to allow the bone and soft tissues to heal.
Risks Associated with
Limb-Lengthening Surgery
Risks associated with limb lengthening surgery include anesthetic responses, bleeding, and infections, particularly at the locations where the pins are inserted. Additionally, there is a chance that the limb lengthening operation won’t work because the bones won’t mend properly. Some patients can also recover such that their bones no longer line up straight.
Why Choose Wockhardt Hospitals
for Limb Lengthening Surgery?
Wockhardt Hospitals is the most renowned hospital chain providing the best limb lengthening surgery in India. At our medical facility, where we promote a patient-centric mindset and treatment approach, the likelihood of experiencing risks associated with the limb lengthening procedure is close to zero. We believe in providing comprehensive and reasonable treatment to all patients in the safest and most friendly setting for the best results.
Life Wins Stories
Paresh Vyas
Excellent facility with renowned Cardiologists like Dr Dharmesh R Solanki. Very humble doctors, and good staff. Value for money.
Meena Kothari
Excellent facility with renowned Cardiologists like Dr Dharmesh R Solanki. Very humble doctors, and good staff. Value for money.
Life Wins Stories
Paresh Vyas
Excellent facility with renowned Cardiologists like Dr Dharmesh R Solanki. Very humble doctors, and good staff. Value for money.
Meena Kothari
Excellent facility with renowned Cardiologists like Dr Dharmesh R Solanki. Very humble doctors, and good staff. Value for money.
Learning Wins
Life Wins
FAQs
Q. Can I run after having limb lengthening surgery?
After leg lengthening surgery, one can indeed run. The new bone develops the same strength as all other bones in the body once the developing bone has healed. It will be feasible to engage in all physical activities, including running.
Q. Is there a certain age when lengthening surgery is advised?
Limb lengthening surgery in India is typically regarded as safe for people aged 18 to 50. Plastic surgeons usually advise limb lengthening surgery between the ages of 25 and 40, not that other age groups are automatically excluded, but taking health and bone quality into consideration.
Q. How long does the procedure of limb lengthening surgery take?
From administering anesthesia for the surgery to recovering in the post-surgery care unit, the entire surgical operation takes around 5 hours. Following the surgery, one may anticipate spending three days in the hospital.
