How to Get Taller With Surgery
People with reduced height due to limb deformities can have their limbs lengthened, resulting in more height. Other people who are short, including those who have dwarfism, can get taller with the same surgery. Doctors at the Hospital for Special Surgery report being able to lengthen the legs of dwarf patients as much as 12 inches. The procedure is based on a theory called distraction osteogenesis in which bones are forced to grow longer.Things You'll Need
- Fixator device
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine if you're a proper candidate. The orthopedic Hospital for Special Surgery defines candidates as adults or children who have differences in leg length, joint or bone deformities, birth defects such as short femur, fibular hemimelia (a deformity of the outer bone between the ankle and knee) or hemiatrophy (atrophy on one side of the body). Other candidates are those who suffered trauma from an accident such as growth plate fractures or a malunion, a faulty union of bone fragments after a fracture. A bone infection called osteomyelitis or a tumor can also affect the bones and height. And either dwarfism or constitutional short stature (people in the bottom fifth percentile of normal height) also qualifies a person as a potential candidate.
-
2
Understand how distraction osteogenesis works. Bones are constantly changing and researchers have found that they decrease when compressed and increase when stretched. Distraction osteogenesis works when there's new bone formation caused by a pulling pressure, such as traction.
-
3
Limb-lengthening procedures can vary a bit, depending on the patient and the orthopedic surgeons. But typically, the first step is to perform a minimally invasive procedure called an osteotomy. The bone that will be lengthened is cut and a fixator device is attached around the leg with pins or wires. This step requires a one- or two-day stay at the hospital.
-
4
After a week to 10 days at home, the patient or a caretaker begins the lengthening process by moving a small wheel on the fixator at certain times each day. It gradually pulls the bone apart, usually at a rate of 1mm per day or one inch per month. Bone will grow within the gap.
-
5
Participation in prescribed physical therapy during this lengthening process is key because it helps the patient stay mobile and strong.
-
6
The fixator device is removed when the bone has grown to a sufficient length and is considered mature. After device removal, a patient must wear a cast for approximately one month.
-
1