One of the biggest misconceptions in the minds of patients considering limb lengthening surgery is the fear that they will be bedridden for months. However, in modern orthopaedic surgery, "early mobilization" is the golden rule of recovery.
At the Time to be Taller clinic, Op. Dr. Sedat Duman and our expert physiotherapy team help our patients stand up the very day after the surgery. So, how does the timeline of transitioning from a walker to crutches, and finally to independent walking, work? Here are the stages of your limb lengthening journey:
You will spend the first 3 to 5 days after the surgery under medical supervision in the comfortable rooms of our hospital. The day after your operation, you will take your first steps with the help of a walker, accompanied by our physiotherapist. This early walking is critical for accelerating blood circulation and keeping your muscles active.
The real process begins after you are discharged from the hospital. This phase, where you will grow an average of 1 mm per day, continues until you reach your target height (e.g., 6-8 cm). Your mobility during this period is shaped by your chosen surgical method:
When you reach your target height, the lengthening process is stopped, and the "consolidation" phase begins. In this phase, the new bone tissue (regenerate) in the lengthened gap is expected to harden and strengthen.
In our clinic, we analyze your bone quality with X-rays taken routinely every 3 weeks. As sufficient bone hardening is seen on the X-rays, you will begin to get rid of your crutches one by one with your doctor's approval. Generally, within 1 to 2 months after the end of lengthening, our patients transition to unassisted, independent walking.
Starting to walk independently does not mean the process is completely over. It takes an average of 1 year for the new bone to reach a cortical structure as solid as your original bone. During this time, light jogging and swimming are allowed, but a return to contact or high-impact sports like football, basketball, or heavy running should wait until the bone has regained its full cortical strength.
No. You will be helped to stand up with the support of a walker on the day after the surgery. Being mobile throughout the process is mandatory for blood circulation, muscle flexibility, and bone development.
The transition to independent and normal walking occurs after the lengthening process is finished and the bone consolidation reaches sufficient hardness. This process generally takes an average of 1 to 2 months after the end of lengthening.
This depends on the surgical method chosen. While full weight-bearing is allowed in the LON method, only partial weight-bearing (at a rate determined by your doctor) is permitted in internal nail systems like Precice and Fitbone to protect the biomechanics of the implant.
Sedat Duman, MD
With years of experience, Time To Be Taller serves its patients in its clinic located in Mall of Istanbul.
