If you want to increase the length of your arm or leg bone and think it is possible, then here you will know about this. Limb lengthening surgery that helps to increase the length of the bone. In the procedure, the surgery may help manage limb discrepancies associated with skeletal dysplasia. Limb lengthening surgery is an orthopedic procedure that helps those people who have one arm or leg shorter than the other. The UAE is a leading country for limb lengthening surgery and they provide advanced technology. Let’s begin our blog with the limb lengthening surgery, its types, the cost of limb lengthening surgery in the UAE and many things.
What is Limb Lengthening Surgery?
A procedure that can make the arm or leg bone larger and increase height after the surgery is limb lengthening surgery. It is the procedure in which the height is increased and the walk is improved. Limb lengthening corrects the posture and the difference between the two leg lengths. These differences can be due to birth, had any traumatic injuries, bone cancer or any other conditions. This surgery uses the body’s capacity to grow new bone, tissues, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves which surround and support them. The recovery process can involve significant discomfort and requires pain management, physiotherapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Surgeons can perform the surgery on the:
- Humerus, which is an upper arm bone
- The radius or ulna, which is a forearm bone
- The femur, which is a thigh bone
- The tibia, which is a shin bone
Types of Limb Lengthening Surgery
For the limb lengthening surgery, they have two options:
- External Fixator: In this, the surgeon will attach a thin, light metal frame to the bones with bone via pins, screws and wires. It can be used to lengthen and straighten the short and misaligned limb. The frame and most of the device show outside of the body. Basically, it is a device which is placed outside several inches from the body. This device makes it difficult for people to wear clothes. So in certain situations, they just wear loose clothes or those which do not cover the device.
- Internal Fixator: This is the new technique option in which the surgeon places the screw like device inside your bone. This device will not be visible outside the body. It is a rod which placed inside the hollow part of the bone. It can be opened and stretched out like a telescope. There is a magnet inside the rod which rotates with the help of a remote control. When it rotates, it helps make the rod and the bone longer slowly.
Complications of Limb Lengthening Surgery
There are a lot of complications of limb lengthening surgery, such as:
- Severe Bone Pain & Discomfort: A serious pain can occur in the surgical area of the bone. The pain in the nerves is common as they stretch, which can make it tingling, burning or sharp shooting pain.
- Muscular and Joint Issues: In this, muscles can become tight and restricted, which requires physical therapy or additional surgeries to release them. Joint pain is very common in the knees, hips and ankles as they increase the stretch.
- Physical Limitations: Patients usually experience that they can’t walk properly for some days. So, they need walkers or wheelchairs.
- Reduced Range of Motion: They reduce the flexibility of the joints, which is common. So, they are not able to walk properly and want daily rehabilitation to feel less pain.
- Nerve and Vascular Issues: The nerves are very sensitive, so they can reduce the sensation.
Who needs Limb Lengthening Surgery?
There are a lot of problems in which you need limb lengthening surgery. So, let’s find out what the needs are:
Congenital Disorders and Defects
Those who are born with conditions that can cause limbs to grow unevenly, such as
- Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency: It is a rare abnormality of the hip and femur.
- Fibula Hemimelia: In this, there is a partial or complete absence of the fibula bone.
- Congenital Short Femur: In this, the growth of the femur is not normal.
- Hemihypertrophy: The growth of one side of the body is faster than the other.
Acquired Conditions
It is also known as acquired limb length discrepancies, in which the individuals have limbs shortened because of previous traumatic fractures, injuries, or infections like osteomyelitis.
- Growth Plate Damage: The growth plate in children can be halted due to fractures or injuries in one limb. It can cause a difference in length.
- Malunion of Fractures: When the previously broken leg bone has healed in a shortened or not straight position.
- Bone Infections, Defects or Misshapen: When the bone is infected, especially in children, it can stop the growth plates and affect the development. Those who are suffering from a bone that fails to heal or heals in a bad position like fractures.
Developmental or Medical Conditions
In this, we explain the development conditions, medical conditions and also functional reasons.
- Skeletal Dysplasias: People who have any genetic conditions can cause abnormal bone growth such as achondroplasia or Turner syndrome. It can cause unbalanced short limbs or short overall height.
- Poliomyelitis: It is a disease which can cause paralysis and reduce the growth in limbs.
- Cerebral Palsy: It is an abnormal muscles or weak muscles that prevent it to normal limb growth.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy for cancer treatment that may affect the normal growth of the bone.
- Cosmetic Lengthening: Cosmetic surgery is a procedure which is done to have a desire to increase height for non-medical reasons. They undergo bilateral leg elongation.
Limb Lengthening Surgery Cost in the UAE
The cost of the limb lengthening surgery in the UAE, according to the USD, is approx 25,000 to 50,000 and according to the AED is approx 90,000 to 200,000. The cost depends on many factors, like
- Which type of surgery is taking place
- Condition of the patients
- Techniques that have been chosen for treatment.
- Location of the hospital and its reputation
- Experience professionals
- The duration of the treatment
- Uses of advanced technology
- Specialised treatment
Cost Breakdown of the Limb Lengthening Surgery in the UAE
Here is the breakdown of the cost of the Limb Lengthening Surgery in the UAE
| Cost Component | Approx cost according to the UAE (AED) | Approx cost according to the USD |
| Implants (Internal Fixation) | 40,000-150,000 | 10,000-43,000 |
| Implants (External Fixation) | 20,000 to 60,000 | 5,000-15,000 |
| Physical Therapy | 200-1,000 | 50-300 |
| Follow-up Consultations | 2,000- 7,500 per visit | 500-2,000 |
Factors Affecting Limb Lengthening Surgery Cost in the UAE
There are a lot of factors which affect the cost of the limb lengthening surgery in the UAE:
- Type of Procedure: There are many types and techniques that are used in limb lengthening surgery and some surgeries are complicated so the expense of the surgery will increase.
- Hospital: The expenses depend on the location of the hospital. Like, if you are in an urban area then the expenses will be higher than in rural area hospitals.
- Pre-Treatment Tests: Preoperative consultation and imaging like MRI, CT scan and X-ray charges.
- Post-Treatment Care: After the surgery, they take care of you which includes wound care, physical therapy and other rehabilitation procedures.
- Hospital Stay: Because of complicated surgeries and complications during the surgeries can make you stay in the hospital longer.
Cost Comparison of Limb Lengthening Surgery in Other Countries
Now, you must be thinking which country is best for limb lengthening surgery, then here we will get to know that only:
- India: Limb lengthening surgery cost in India is approx from INR 5,00,000 to 15,00,000 and according to USD is approx from 6,000 to 16,000
- Qatar: Cost of limb lengthening surgery in Qatar is approx from QAR 90,000-200,000 and according to USD is approx from 25,000-55,000.
- Saudi Arabia: Limb lengthening surgery cost in Saudi Arabia is approx from SAR 50,000-115,000 and according to USD 15,000-35,000.
- Thailand: The cost of limb lengthening surgery in Thailand is approx from THB 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 and according to USD is approx from 30,000 to 60,000.
- Turkey: Limb lengthening surgery cost in Turkey is approx from TRY 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 and according to USD is approx from 20,000 to 70,000.
Procedure of Limb Lengthening Surgery in the UAE
There are a lot of things which happen before, after and during the procedure of limb lengthening surgery.
Before Limb Lengthening Surgery
Before doing the surgery, you will go for an X-ray. It can help the surgeon to measure your bone length and decide how long the bone should be. Before the surgery, your provider or surgeon will tell you about the medications, when to stop eating and drinking. When you go for the surgery, the surgeon will give you anesthesia which helps you to sleep and not feel pain.
Before going through the surgery, you should prepare someone who can stay with you 24/7. Because you will not be able to do anything by yourself. If you are going with the lengthening of a leg bone surgery, then you will not be able to walk properly. So, you need to use a wheelchair, crutches or other aids.
During Limb Lengthening Surgery
Limb lengthening surgery has 2 main steps. First, the surgeon will do an osteotomy, that is cutting the affected bone into two segments. Second, they attach a limb lengthening device to the two segments of bone.
In the operating room, the surgeons cut your leg in a small amount till the bone which needs to be lengthened. They cut it with a lot of care so that the surrounding tissue doesn’t get damaged. After the cut, they insert a telescoping rod in the bone marrow and secure it with screws. This rod helps to extend the length of the bone. When the rod is fixed in the proper position then the surgeon closes the cut with staples or stitches.
After Limb Lengthening Surgery
After the surgery, you have to stay in the hospital for around 3 to 4 days for recovery. Before leaving the hospital, your surgeon will tell you how to use your limb lengthening device. If you have an external device then you have to clean the pin sites each and every day so that you don’t face infections. If you have an internal device then you have to keep the surgical wound clean till they heal properly.
Distraction Phase
After the surgery, the bone starts to lengthen in a few days or weeks. The patients with external fixators do the small twists or apply pressure on the leg. When the pieces of bone are pulled apart, the gap between them starts to grow the bone slowly grows. It grows 1mm per day and you will do the X-rays during the distraction phase. So that you can check the new bone growth, nerves, and muscles function and to avoid any complications.
Consolidation Phase
When you achieve the length that you want, all the adjustments of the device are stopped. The bone which recently grown is so weak and it can break if they didn’t get the internal or external support device. Lengthening over nails (LON) is used as an external device; it remains in the bone until the distraction phase. When it is removed, an internal rod is placed to support the end of the bone. This rod makes the newly formed hard, and it automatically stops when it reaches the desired length. You have to do X-rays every month to see if there is calcium present in the bone. When the bone is completely healed, the rods are removed.
Removal Phase
To remove the external fixator device, the patients go through under anesthesia or the patient can be awake. After removing it, a cast which is made of plaster of paris (POP) is placed for a month so that it can protect the bone. But a cast is not placed for patients who have an internal fixator device because it already protects the bone.
Recovery after the Limb Lengthening Surgery
For hospital recovery, it takes 3-4 days but it will take many months for full recovery. During that time you should do an activity and gain more strength. You should follow these steps that will help you to achieve a successful recovery.
- Do the exercise which your surgeon told you, but in a limited way. More than exercise can create problems.
- Should eat healthy food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein.
- Take all the physical therapy sessions and do some basic home exercises.
- Go for regular checkups for the bones.
But apart from these things, there are also two phases for the recovery:
- The Lengthening Phase (Distraction): In this recovery phase, patients can easily move and walk with the help of crutches. They also do regular exercises so that they can maintain the movement of the joints and keep the muscles strong.
- The Bone Healing Phase: This surgery is done in certain people, as it can heal children more as compared to adults, because they can recover faster. But still adults patients who are more than 60 years old have successful limb lengthening surgery.
Risk and Complications of Limb Lengthening Surgery
Limb lengthening surgery can have a lot of risks, side effects and complications that include:
- Infection: It can occur at the cut sites or around the inserted hardware. It requires antibiotic or surgical treatment.
- Nerve and Blood Vessel Damage: Injury can happen in the surgical area and the lengthening process can lead to numbness or weakness.
- Bone Healing Issues: When a new bone doesn’t heal properly, it leads to the delayed healing and improper alignment.
- Joint and Muscle Tightness: When bones start to increase, it can cause nearby joints, muscles and ligaments to become tight. So, it can cause discomfort or reduce the motion. You need physical therapy because it helps to prevent these issues.
- Device Complications: If you had done the internal lengthening, then the rod can fail to function properly or it can be shifted from its position. So, they require the correct surgery.
Why Choose the UAE for Limb Lengthening Surgery?
There are a lot of benefits of choosing the UAE for limb lengthening surgery like:
- They offer cost-effective treatment as compared to Western countries.
- The hospital is world-class and JCI accredited.
- They provide advanced technology and methods like PRECICE 2.2 internal lengthening nails.
- The hospitals follow strict protocols like daily physical therapy and surgeon check-ups that reduce the risk of complications.
- Some hospitals provide a full package for patients in which they cover the cost of procedure, care and accommodation.
Conclusion
At the end of this blog, we get to know a lot of things about limb lengthening surgery. This surgery can increase the length of your arm and leg with the help of two methods: external and internal fixators. It can happen because of cancer treatment, bone defects, hemihypertrophy, etc. In this blog, we also get to know the cost of limb lengthening surgery in the UAE and other countries. There is also the procedure of before, during and after surgery, which helps you to get aware of what will happen.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. Before taking any step, you should consult with a healthcare provider.
