Leg Lengthening treatments are among the curiosities of today. This process is lengthening of a person by lengthening femur or tibia of a person for medical-cosmetic reasons. Medical reasons generally include different leg sizes caused by congenital or hereditary reasons and short stature. Cosmetic reasons mean the person feeling short for various reasons despite not having any medical problems.

Age is important in deciding leg lengthening process. Leg lengthening for medical reasons can be applied at every age group starting from preschool age. However, for cosmetic leg lengthening, bone structure shall be investigated and lengthening related bone healing risks shall be considered. Because bone healing slows as age progresses and treatment process is extended.

Deciding on the treatment

Initially person shall talk to the doctor and clearly identify his expectations from leg lengthening. This is an introductory appointment. In the second stage patients are asked to bring up all their questions. These questions are answered, whether demands of the patient can be met is checked and the risks of the process are explained. In case the patient is in a suitable patient group, x-rays are taken and the surgical method and treatment period is determined. In case the lengthening is for cosmetic purposes, it is important for the person to consult a psychologist or a psychiatrist beforehand. This is also a legal procedure.

In medical lengthening treatments, the lengthening rate is determined by the doctor. Unless there’s high risk, the lengthening up to one fifth of the bone lengths can be easily done. This means; if the femur of the patient is 50 cm long, it can be lengthened by 10 cm. However, lengthening a 20 centimetre femur of a child by 10 centimetres is an ambitious aim.

Therefore, by the rule of one fifth, lengthening will be 4 centimetres.

In leg lengthening for cosmetic purposes, bone thickness, bone quality and general health of the patient is checked and the length that can be achieved with minimum risk and the method is explained. Excessive lengthening may lead to a wide range or problems such as muscle rigidity, nerve injuries, vein rupture and bone infections. Briefly, leg lengthening is determined by bone length, structure, quality and doctor’s decision rather that the expectation of the doctor. Therefore, the person’s requests are important in leg lengthening process but the rate that will not put the person at risk shall be recommended by the doctor.