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What are the Lengthening Methods, and How Are They Selected?
Lengthening Surgery With Two Techniques
It is a subject with less knowledge compared to the awareness of treatments for other health problems that shortness can be eliminated by applying surgical treatments in society. Thanks to high technology and developing surgical techniques, the problem of shortness can be resolved both for the treatment of existing health problems and for aesthetic purposes. There are two main methods used in lengthening surgeries, internal and external.
When we talk about short shortness, we are talking about the shortness of all limbs in a person. Dwarfism, as it is widely known among the people, can be given as an example of this situation. However, it is not just dwarfism that causes shortness. Shortness can also be seen in cases such as various traumas, hereditary diseases, growth cartilage damage, and congenital disorders. These problems lead to negativities in terms of both orthopaedics and aesthetics. Due to shortness, problems occur in the mobility of daily life, and psychological problems also arise. Thanks to the developing technology and the opportunities provided by modern medicine, it is possible to lengthen the neck or a short limb. In the lengthening process, both shinbones and both thighbones in the legs can be extended, as well as both the shinbone and thighbone can be lengthened together. In lengthening methods, bones are cut with techniques that can be applied to the legs and arms, and the bone is lengthened using devices called fixators. Contrary to popular belief and belief, this procedure is not performed by taking bone from any part of the body. Existing bones are lengthened. In fact, this lengthening process allows the body to produce new bone, soft tissue, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. Apart from this, aesthetic surgery can be performed for people who have a height difference between their limbs due to congenital reasons or various traumas, for the treatment of diseases such as dwarfism and for patients who want to increase their height.
It is also used for Shortness caused by dwarfism and congenital diseases.
Lengthening operations are primarily performed in patients with shortness due to genetic reasons and those with short limbs due to congenital reasons. Lengthening surgeries are popularly known as surgeries performed for aesthetic reasons. It is not known that it is a frequently applied treatment method in cases such as dwarfism and congenital diseases. These surgical methods can also be used in the treatment of diseases that cause shortness such as kidney diseases that develop in childhood, hormonal disorders, nutritional disorders, childhood diseases that affect growth, and shortness caused by bone and joint diseases. Thanks to the use of surgical techniques developed with the influence of high technology today, reducing the risks that will occur during and after the surgeries have made these surgeries preferred by more patients. However, it should not be forgotten that healing problems such as clotting and infection, which are valid for other surgical operations, are also present in these surgeries. Since performing these surgeries requires a high level of surgical experience and focused specialization in this field, the choice of a physician is very important. When lengthening surgeries are performed by specialists in the field, when the right treatments are applied and regularly followed, post-operative care and treatments become the operations that can reduce the risk to the lowest levels when applied correctly.
The age range of 19-20 should wait for aesthetic lengthening.
Lengthening surgeries are performed both for aesthetic reasons and for the treatment of diseases that cause congenital shortness. If lengthening surgery is to be performed for aesthetic reasons, it is very important to wait until the age of 19-20 when bone development is complete. But in general terms, the appropriate age range for aesthetic lengthening procedures is the age range of 18-50 years. Since bone formation slows down in people over 50 years old and the recovery period after surgery is prolonged, these operations are not appropriate. Operations for the treatment of shortness due to problems such as dwarfism, congenital diseases and childhood diseases can be performed at an earlier age or in childhood, before the age of 18. The correct technique, timing and the most accurate lengthening goal for lengthening surgeries performed for aesthetic reasons and for the treatment of diseases that cause limb shortening to differ in each patient.
How to increase height with internal and external methods?
Lengthening surgeries can be performed with the help of the externally applied Ilizarov technique or with the help of nails that can extend from the inside, by regularly lengthening the bones every day. However, in some patients, these two methods should be used together. In the Illuzarov technique, which is known as the most preferred external fixation method in lengthening surgeries in the past, fixation devices placed on the bone from the outside are used. With the development of modern technology, devices that can be placed inside the body, commonly known as internal fixation, are used today. It is possible to control them with external remote control. These devices are called motor nails. Thanks to the internal or external fixation devices placed on the bone with the operations performed, the bones are gradually moved away from each other by approximately 1 mm every day. The space in between is filled with the help of the body’s newly formed bone, tissue, blood vessel, nerve and ligament production. In this way, the bone is extended by approximately 1 mm every day. Bone-implanted devices remain in the body for at least 6 months, depending on the targeted length. By calculating the length of the trunk of the person, the proportions of the trunk with the legs, and how short the limbs are, and using appropriate techniques, an elongation of 8-15 cm can be achieved. Another issue that should be emphasized here is that the patient should not be prolonged more than necessary. Because, when viewed anatomically, creating an aesthetically pleasing image in a patient with a long body and short legs, not disrupting the anatomical balance, not exposing the patient to unnecessary surgical risks, and not continuing these procedures for longer than necessary are of great importance for patient comfort and health.