How long does it take to fully recover from leg lengthening surgery?
After the Procedure
It is common to spend up to a week in the hospital. Sometimes, a cast is placed on the leg for 3 to 4 weeks. Healing is complete in 8 to 12 weeks. The person can go back to regular activities at this time.
Conclusions: This study suggests that there is a small residual decrease in muscle strength and power after limb-lengthening surgery but that these do not adversely impact on a patients' ability to perform everyday functional activities.
You will be able to bear weight on both of your legs immediately after surgery, but you may require the use of crutches or a walker for stability. The lengthening device that will be used can withstand 250lbs immediately after surgery, allowing you to bear weight right away.
Can you run after leg lengthening surgery? When the new bone which forms is fully 'consolidated' you can return to any activities you were enjoying prior to limb lengthening surgery. Initially you will need to adjust to the new length of your muscles but it shouldn't take you long.
After the lengthened bones are fully consolidated and with the doctor's approval (6 to 12 months after the surgery), patients can start performance-requiring physical activities such as running, jumping, and weight-lifting.
Typically, a bone can be lengthened two inches (5 centimeters) during a single lengthening cycle. If your child has a limb length difference greater than two inches, they may need to go through the procedure more than once over a period of years.
Limb lengthening procedures consist of stages that require surgery and post-operative exercise and care. For example, normal walking takes 4-5 months (with Precice Stryde a few weeks), the Bone union takes 5-6 months, and full recovery takes 9-12 months.
Conclusion. While it is a good solution for people who are very short and insecure about their height, it should be avoided for people of average height because the more they do it, the more height they'll crave, causing them to never accept themselves as who they are.
Are there risks associated with limb lengthening? Dr. Kasser: There are some serious risks. Limb lengthening puts patients at risk of nerve damage, muscle damage, joint contracture, dislocations, and arthritis.
Your Recovery
You can expect some pain and swelling around the cut (incision) the doctor made. This should get better within a few days after your surgery. But it is normal to have some pain for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and mild pain for up to 6 weeks after surgery.
How long does it take to recover from toe lengthening surgery?
Toe lengthening surgery generally takes 60 minutes to perform as an Outpatient procedure. Patients are placed into a walking cast for 2 weeks. It takes at least 6 weeks for the bone to heal, and a little longer with a graft. Recovery is usually complete within 12 weeks.
Limb-lengthening surgery is more common in young adults ages 18 to 25, near the end of bone growth. However, in rare cases the procedure may be performed in older adults. If a person's bones aren't growing anymore, a doctor will usually recommend leg-shortening or leg-restriction surgery.
