We turn our patients’ dreams into reality by improving not only the length and shape, but also the function of their arms and legs.
Lengthening programs of DALRI
Dong Hoon Lee
Lengthening Programs of DALRI
At our limb lengthening center, safety is first. We have several stature lengthening programs that are safe and patient-customized.
Dr. Donghoon’s vast experience and emphasis on safety are embedded within these programs. During consultation, we suggest treatment plans based on individual characteristics, circumstances and needs.
Lengthening is done on either tibia or femur, and which bone and how much to lengthen is decided through consultation by considering factors like body proportion, recovery time, scars, goal height. The most general method is to lengthen only one part of the legs (tibia or femur), so the plan should be carefully be made, considering the body proportions.
Basic Lengthening [Tibia]
Basic Lengthening [Femur]
6-7cm of Tibia or Femur Lengthening – It usually takes 5-7 months to return to normal daily activities, according to the lengthening area and the rehabilitation progress
One segment of bilateral tibia or bilateral femur is lengthened first, and then as the lengthening ends, the lengthening of the other segment of bones begins. As the tibia and femur are lengthened one after another, it’s possible to achieve lengthening with a good body proportion in a relatively short time, but there is a limit to total lengthening amount. The treatment period varies by total lengthening goal and current body proportion, and it’s decided during the consultation.
Original Legs > Sequential Lengthening [Tibia] > Sequential Lengthening [Femur]
4cm of Tibial Lengthening – 4cm of Femur Lengthening >>> It normally takes 5-7 months to return to normal daily activities after the first surgery
This is a program where tibia and femur are simultaneously lengthened. Because both of the bones are simultaneously lengthened, the goal length and body proportion, etc. needs to be decided very carefully, and a systematic rehabilitation program is more important in this method. This is a method that can grow the height into good body proportion with the shortest time period. Even if the lengthening is done simultaneously, the surgery is not done at one time, but it’s divided into two procedures.
Original Legs > Simultaneous Lengthening [Tibia] > Simultaneous Lengthening [Femur]
Tibia 3cm – Femur 3cm >>> It normally takes 3-5 months to return to normal daily activities after the surgery
It’s a method to consider when it’s difficult to invest long period of 3 months or more at one time. It’s a method where you finish short amount within 2 months (e.g: 3cm lengthening for 2 months) and return to daily routine, and then lengthening again after several months. It’s physically less burdening for the second lengthening, as the internal fixation stays, and only the bone is cut (re-osteotomy). There’s also an advantage that as the lengthening is divided into small lengthening amounts, it’s easier on the body.
Original Legs > Short-Term Lengthening 1 [Femur] > Short-Term Lengthening 2 [Femur]
Finishing 3cm Femur in 2 months >> Returning to Daily Routine >> Additional 3cm lengthening after 6 months
This is a method to consider when one desires to get taller as much as possible. One of the femur and tibia is maximally lengthening within the safe range, and after a sufficient recovery period, the other bone is additionally lengthened. The total period is long considering the time gap for sufficient recovery, but this is needed for safely lengthening large amount of lengthening. In this case, the arm lengths need to be considered as well, and additional arm lengthening may need to be considered according to the total lengthening amount and body proportion.
Original Legs > Maximum Lengthening 1 [Tibia] > Maximum Lengthening 2 [Femur]
Tibial Lengthening of 6-7cm >> After a sufficient recovery period >> Femur lengthening of 6-7cm >> Large amount of lengthening is possible
[Note]
The above recovery time is an average time period on the assumption of dedicated rehabilitation exercises, and there may be individual differences depending on one’s condition.
