Limb Lengthening: How Does It Work?
Discover a unique possibility to increase your height by cosmetic limb lengthening treatment. Traditionally, cosmetic limb lengthening was performed by medical grounds to correct disproportional leg lengths or to repair bones after an accident.
It has also been an option for treating dwarfism, upper and lower limb length discrepancies, short stature, limb deformities, non-unions, bone defects, bone infections, joint contractures, and arthritis. Today you can have cosmetic limb lengthening for aesthetic reasons.
For limb lengthening we use minimally-invasive techniques and Ilizarov-Veklich device, the external fixator unique to Ladisten that patient wears right after the limb lengthening surgery. This device initially was based on Ilizarov's fixator but years later was improved to the next grade. Surgery at Ladisten Clinic, combined with Ilizarov-Veklich device is the best choice for lengthening and deformities correction treatment. Veklich device should be seen differently comparing to other fixators, as it differs not only visually, it achieves amazing results: no/low risk of pin infection, no scarring, no muscle tension by the pins, less pain, and better comfort for the patient. Ilizarov-Veklich device shows unmatchable results and assures importance of using the apparatus for dealing with orthopedic trauma, birth defects, limb lengthening and deformities correction.
The limb lengthening process works by gradually growing new bone and soft tissues (skin, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, etc). This new growth is called tissue regeneration. Bone and soft tissue regenerate when they are distracted (pulled apart) at a very slow rate of approximately 1 mm per day. If the rate of distraction is faster than this, bone may fail to form between the two ends of the bone that are being pulled apart and soft tissues, such as muscle, may experience contracture (get too tight) or nerves may become paralyzed. If the rate of distraction is too slow, premature consolidation may occur (the bone may consolidate too soon), preventing the lengthening device from further pulling it apart. There are many different lengthening devices used. The most common are external fixators, which are devices that attach to the bone by means of thin wires or thicker pins that have a screw threading at their attachment to the bone. There are also lengthening devices that are fully implanted inside the bone. These devices do not require external pins. The different devices are described separately.
There are two phases of lengthening until the bone is fully healed: the distraction phase and the consolidation phase. The distraction phase is the lengthening phase. After the desired length is obtained, the newly regenerated bone is still very weak because of lack of calcium within it. The hardening and calcification of this new bone is called the consolidation phase.
Methods of Lengthening
At the Ladisten Clinic we use unique Ilizarov-Veklich device for treatment, we do not use a variety of orthopedic devices to distract the bone and soft tissues.
Here we describe some other devices and the most effective solution that you may find only in Ladisten Clinic.
There are two general types of devices orthopedic surgeons use for limb lengthening and deformities correction: external devices and internal devices. The external devices attach to the bone from outside the body by means of wires and threaded pins. The internal devices are implanted inside the body and lie on the bone or inside the marrow cavity of the bone. There is also a fully implantable self-lengthening nail and a self-lengthening prosthesis.
The Ilizarov-Veklich device is an external fixator that limits the risk of infections and post-surgery complications. It proved its effectiveness, you can visit our Photo Gallery to see results.
Bowlegs and knock-knee correction: how does it work?
Bowlegs is a condition when the legs are bowed outwards in the standing position. In knock knees case, the lower legs are at an outward angle(such that when the knees are touching), and the ankles are separated. For correcting a bio-mechanical axes of legs we use the simplified Ilizarov-Veklich 's device, unique to Ladisten Clinic only.
The operation lasts 25 - 40 minutes. The operation is carried out bloodlessly, no skin cuts are required. The whole treatment takes two and a half - three months depending on age and the level of deformation. Then patient has small procedure of taking fixators away, the procedure takes 15 minutes and does not require the general anesthesia to be performed.
The correcting of knee joints deformation plays great role as a preventive treatment of a arthritis in the future. Please contact us to get more details.
Treatment of open and closed fractures
We apply Ilizarov-Veklich's fixators in the place where the bone was broken. The operation takes thirty minutes - two hours depending of complexity and occurrence of fracture. The full accreting of bones occures after two weeks (in children - six months). Then patient have small operation for taking away fixators. It lasts 20 - 30 minutes.
What are the pro's of Ladisten's treatment?
The solution we offer for the patient is minimally invasive technique we use for limb lengthening, deformities corrections, followed-up by Ilizarov-Veklich external device. Why we suggest you choose our solutions for your treatment?
- The very low possibility of bone infection (osteomyelitis) that is caused by bacteria that enters the body through a wound, as comparing to other external devices (Ilizarov i.e.) there are less puncture wounds.
- There is nearly NO nerve injury possibility that could cause the patient to loose feelings in the lower leg or in extreme cases the loss of use of the leg.
- Minimally invasive surgery allows bloodless operation - that means that there is no blood vessels injured and blood transfusion is not required. This mean patients do NOT need to donate their blood, or get it from Blood Bank, and they do NOT need to worry about having multiple blood tests to verify the compatibility of the blood.There is nearly NO blood involved.
- The minimally invasive, the least traumatic surgery we perform allows NO injury to blood vessels that could impair circulation and prevent proper bone growth.
- Minimally invasive operation does not require soft tissue cuts, a small hole or micro-wound, as if puncture one, heals very quickly and does not leave the scars that make so many people worry about.
telephone: +380.44.222.8054
fax: +380.44.270.1418
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