Stature Lengthening Surgery

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Limb Lengthening Service of the Hospital for Special Surgery

There is a solution for people with short stature who are deeply dissatisfied with their height. Limb lengthening surgery to increase height can help individuals improve their confidence, body image, and overall happiness.

The Precice Nail is an internal lengthening nail manufactured by Nuvasive inc. and is FDA approved. The lengthening nail is telescopic and lengthens the bone in a very controlled fashion. An external magnet actuates the device and results in about 0.6 to 0.8mm of length per day. This translates into an inch per month. No external fixator is needed.

The usual goal for most patients is about 3 inches or 8 cm of femur lengthening, which is the full lengthening capacity of the nail. More than that amount cannot be achieved safely during one lengthening. For more lengthening the process is repeated in the tibia. Lengthening of the femurs (thigh bones) is the best first approach because the bone healing and recovery is faster and the entire experience is easier than the tibias (leg bones). Lengthening begins one week after surgery and takes about 3.5 months.

The nails have weight bearing restrictions of 30-70lbs per leg, so there is limited walking during the lengthening phase. A wheelchair is usually needed to protect the nails. After about 5 months patients can start to walk without assistance again as the bone heals and gets stronger. Removal of rods is necessary about one year after the procedure, and is an outpatient ambulatory surgery with a quick recovery. No limitations on weight bearing are necessary at that time.

Lengthening for stature may be reimbursable by insurance in some cases, especially if there is evidence of a hormonal origin of short stature, or if there is associated deformity in the legs.