Cosmetic Limb Lengthening Surgery in India: A Complete Guide
Cosmetic limb lengthening surgery (in India) is a procedure innovated to increase the length of the bones in a person’s limbs, especially the legs to enhance their physical outlook or for gaining height. It is an orthopaedic surgery involving cutting the bone in the thigh or shin and gradually lengthening the bone using an external or internal device.
The growing trend of cosmetic limb lengthening for height enhancement:
The growing trend of cosmetic limb lengthening surgery for enhancement of height has gained significant attention in the last few years due to the societal beauty standards of appearance preferring taller stature.
Various factors contributing to this growing trend are:
- Cultural and Social Influence: : Taller individuals are considered more attractive, self-aware, have higher self-esteem, and are successful in many cultures. This cultural and social norm motivates individuals to go for cosmetic limb lengthening procedure to negate their self-consciousness.
- Advances in Medical Technology:Advancements made in technology like the innovation of external and internal devices have contributed towards making the procedure more safe, reliable and effective. With the advent of technology, the surgery has become less invasive along with fewer complications and a quicker recovery period.
- Psychological Impact: HHeight enhancement helps individuals to regain their self-esteem and confidence. People who are short and feel disadvantageous in their lives due to their short height see this surgery to overcome their barriers.
India is a Popular Destination for Cosmetic Limb Lengthening Surgery because of the following reasons:
- High-Quality Medical Care at Affordable Prices: : the cost of cosmetic limb lengthening surgery in India is mainly lower as compared to Western countries. This attracts many international patients, especially from regions where the procedure is considered very expensive. Hence India has become a popular hub for medical tourism.
- Experienced Surgeons and Advanced Medical Technology: India has a bucket full of trained and experienced surgeons who hold expertise in using advanced medical technology for limb lengthening procedures. These surgeons deliver top-notch medical service to the patients. Many hospitals have earned a reputation around the globe due to their expertise in orthopaedic surgeries like limb lengthening surgery.
- Attractive Medical Tourism Opportunities: India’s medical tourism industry is well-groomed and developed and provides medical tourists with comprehensive services including travel, accommodation, lingual support, and assistance with visas. This makes it very easy for international patients to travel and receive care.
A step-by-step breakdown of the surgery process
Pre-surgery preparation:
- Consultation: Limb lengthening surgery is a process that requires consultations with a specialized orthopaedic. Before the surgery, the surgeon assesses your medical history, and physical exams to find out whether you are an eligible candidate for the surgery.
- Familiarising with the surgery details: The surgeon likes to discuss the objectives, risks involved, recovery time required, and final results. The orthopaedic explains the surgical process in detail to the candidate along with expected lengthening, risks involved, and post-surgery planning like rehabilitation and physiotherapy
- Pre-Operative Tests:Before surgery, various tests like blood tests, ECGs, and other medical assessments are done to ensure you are fit and healthy for surgery.
- Surgery Planning: The surgeon prepares a plan for the surgery based on the assessment done like how much lengthening is possible, the surgical method to be used, and a proper timeline for the process.
The surgery steps:
- Anesthesia: Limb lengthening surgery is performed under the influence of local anesthesia to ensure you’re fully asleep and pain-free during the operation.
- Bone Cutting: The surgeon makes a cut on the limb and precisely cuts the bone which is to be lengthened. Both the femur and tibia can be operated.
- Fixators: Internal and external fixators are two methods for limb lengthening surgery. Depending on the method chosen, the surgeons will install a device to lengthen the bone.
Post-surgery recovery:
- Initial Recovery: The patient needs to spend several days admitted to the hospital for observation. Pain management medications and antibiotics are provided as per requirement.
- Mobilization:: In the initial phase after the surgery, patients may require crutches or walkers to bear their weight and they will require more time for full recovery.
- Distraction Phase: This is the process where the bone is stretched over weeks. After 5-7 days, the distraction phase begins and involves rotating the fixators to lengthen the bone. The lengthening process can take months and is dependent on the lengthening required and the healing process..
- Monitoring Rate: Regular check-ups are required to monitor the bone healing and alignment and to adjust the lengthening process when required.
Healing phase:
- Bone Healing: Once the desired length is achieved, the focus shifts to proper healing and consolidation. This phase requires several months to complete. In this process, bone strengthens and hardens.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy starts when the distraction phase begins. It helps in maintaining joint mobility, and muscle strength and for preventing stiffness. Lots of stretching and weight-bearing exercises are important.
- Radiological Monitoring: X-rays and other imaging tests are required to monitor the bone’s healing process. The surgeon will modify the treatment plan according to the healing rate.
Removal of fixators:
- External Fixator Removal: External fixators are removed once the bone healing is done. This is done under local anesthesia or sedation.
- Internal Device Removal: Internal fixators may be removed after full bone consolidation. Internal devices are removed after a year or more after the lengthening process.
Final recovery and rehabilitation:
- Rehabilitation: The rehabilitation phase continues along with physical therapy to improve the strength, mobility, and functionality of the limb, once the fixators are removed.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Follow-up appointments are required to monitor recovery, take note of any complications, and ensure that the limb is healing properly.
Types of procedures used in limb lengthening
- Intramedullary Lengthening Nails: Surgeons and patients prefer this technique of limb lengthening because it has fewer complications associated with it and enhances patient satisfaction. Intramedullary nails are metal devices helpful in lengthening bones and are used to correct bone deformities. They are the perfect preference for implants in lower limbs. Intramedullary nails have fewer complications, better patient comfort, better joint movement, and better alignment.
- Precise Nail System: Precise Nail System allows surgeons to lengthen the bones without external fixators. The nail used is adjustable and can be controlled by a remote control. The precise nail system is controlled magnetically and implanted internally to treat discrepancies in bones and short stature.
- MCILN: Magnetically controlled intramedullary lengthening nails are used to cure a wide range of deformities. They are used to correct discrepancies in limbs and bones. MCILN is an alternative to external fixators and is a major advancement in limb-lengthening techniques. MCILN is accurate, guarantees patient satisfaction, and comfort, and has minimum complications. Patients can recover within two to three months and walk without crutches.
- Hybrid Techniques: The hybrid technique uses internal and external fixation devices to lengthen the bones. External fixators are fixed on the outside of the limbs and connected with the help of pins to the bone. Internal fixators are fixed inside of the bone and are adjusted externally.
- Ilizarov Technique: was developed by Dr. Gavril Ilizarov in the 1950s. It is a revolutionary orthopaedic method used for limb lengthening surgery and for correcting deformity. It makes use of a specialized external fixator to gradually lengthen the bones through a process of distraction osteogenesis.
Duration of Treatment and Recovery:
The duration of treatment and recovery for cosmetic limb lengthening surgery is dependent on various factors like the health of an individual, the amount of lengthening required, and the device and technique used.
The real surgery requires 2 to 4 hours and is dependent on complexities and number of bones being lengthened. The stay required after the surgery is for 3 to 7 days to pave the way for initial recovery. The patient is being monitored for identification of complications like infection, bleeding, and management of pain.
Physiotherapy is very essential after the surgery along with proper rehabilitation. After the surgery, physical therapy involves gentle exercises to develop mobility and muscle strength. Physio includes exercises to enhance flexibility, cure joint stiffness, and helps in strengthening the muscles.
Cosmetic benefits of height increase surgery:
- Improved confidence: Cosmetic lengthening improves the self-esteem and confidence of the individuals essential for a happy life.
- Happy social life: Height increase surgery for cosmetic reasons helps the individual to lead a happy social life with confidence.
- Height gain: Cosmetic limb lengthening surgery helps the individual to get taller and increase his/her height to lead a happy and healthy life.
- Better performance of day-to-day activities: Cosmetic limb lengthening surgery enables the individual to perform day-to-day activities with ease and enhances their performance and quality.
- Better mobility: Height increase surgery or limb lengthening surgery ensures improved movement and mobility of the bones and limbs after removing any discrepancy between them. Better mobility means more efficiency in the performance of work and daily activities.
- Improvement in body movements: Height gain surgery renders better movements and improvements in gait, flexibility, motions, and strength.
- Less Complications: Cosmetic lengthening or limb lengthening surgery has fewer risks or complications associated with it.
Risks related limb lengthening surgery:
- Infection: There’s always a risk of infection associated with surgery, especially around the surgical site at the spot of external fixators devices used for limb lengthening.
- Pain and Discomfort: The lengthening process is very painful, particularly during the period when bone stretches. This period lasts for months and patients experience discomfort during this phase.
- Fractures and Bone Problems: In the limb lengthening surgery, there’s always a risk of fractures and other bone problems. The bone needs to heal properly which results in problems like bone deformity or incomplete healing.
- Nerve and Blood Vessel Damage: The surgery has an associated risk of nerve damage and injuries to blood vessels which causes complications like sensation loss, weakness, or problems of blood circulation.
- Prolonged Recovery: Recovery after limb lengthening surgery takes time and almost requires a year or more. Rehabilitation is important for regaining full control, strength, and functionality which is physically and mentally challenging.
- Psychological Impact: Many patients suffer from psychological, emotional, and mental challenges due to prolonged recovery time, limitations involved, pain, and stress related to surgery.
- Requires time and money: Limb lengthening surgery is an expensive process and involves an extended recovery process, long-term follow-up sessions, and rehabilitation.
- Complications with fixators:There’s always a risk of infections, and skin irritation associated with external fixator devices and it becomes uncomfortable for patients.
Importance of post-operative care and rehabilitation
The recovery time for limb lengthening surgery varies and requires several months for effective gradual lengthening and after that, it requires time for new bones to get hardened and gain strength. The patient requires extensive physiotherapy to ensure mobility in muscles, tendons, and joints and to ensure that they adapt to the increased bone length.
Final thoughts on whether cosmetic limb lengthening surgery in India is the right option
Cosmetic limb lengthening surgery in India is an excellent way to seek an affordable, top-notch procedure performed by skilled surgeons with advanced technology. India’s reputation for medical tourism has gained widespread popularity due to its advanced quality and cost-effectiveness and it makes India an appealing destination for medical purposes. Cosmetic limb lengthening in India is the right option due to the following factors:
- Cost-effective.
- High and top-quality care.
- Better medical tourism infrastructure