LIMB LENGHTENING (LEG LENGHTENING SURGERY) WITH THE FITBONE® METHOD. DOCTOR ALEJANDRO MONEGAL

Fitbone consists of a self-expanding device (an intramedullary nail) manufactured by the German company Wittenstein. The nail is inserted into the bone (tibia and / or femur).

After programming the intramedullary nail, it is able to gradually lengthen the bone, improving the patients’ quality of life.

The skin, tissues and nerves grow in proportion to the length of the bone.

After the nail placement procedure, the patient is hospitalised for 5-7 days.

The Fitbone mechanism is programmed to regulate limb lengthening, which should be very slow but constant. Legs can be lengthened thanks to the great regenerative capacity of bone tissue.

Thanks to this technology, limb lengthening of 1 millimeter per day are achieved. Therefore, for 40mm limb lengthening, about 40 days are needed.

With the conventional system of external fixators, it would take 5 more months to be able to lead a normal life after limb lengthening.

The intramedullary nail achieves a limb lengthening of up to 60 mm in the tibia and up to 80 mm in the femur.

In cases where lengthening both legs is recommended, a limb lengthening of 140mm per leg can be achieved.

During limb lengthening, it is important that the patient accompanies the treatment with a program of physical therapy and muscle stretching.

After bone healing is complete (approximately one and a half years after implantation), the Fitbone intramedullary nail is removed.

Limb lenghtening surgery has no negative effects at long term. The lengthened bone is a healing tissue at the beginning, but after full consolidation is achieved it has all properties as physiological bone.

In fact, the lengthened bone has a harder consistency than the physiological bone, so it is no weaker.

The aim of this treatment is to allow the patient to return to his previous physical state and to recover his sports activities.

Several categories of patients are interested in the Fitbone method for limb lengthening (leg lengthening surgery).

First of all, we find patients with congenital dysmetria, traumatic dysmetria. Other patients have femorotibial disproportions (asymmetries, asymmetries of the lower limbs).

When dysmetria is mild, elevator shoes or heels are usually used. However, when the dysmetry is greater than 3 cm, limb lengthening is recommended.

Leg lengthening surgery with the Fitbone method is also used in patients with dwarfism, mainly patients with achondroplasia.

There are also patients who want to stretch their legs for cosmetic reasons. In these cases, there is always a medical and psychological assessment. It is very important to achieve a proportionate result. Obviously, lengthening the 4 bones costs more, but the result is more aesthetically pleasing.

If you want to know the price of limb lengthening with the Fitbone method, you can fill out the online form. If you wish, you can schedule an appointment with Doctor Monegal to analyse your case. It is also possible to schedule this first appointment remotely (by video-call).

Unlike the traditional external fixation method, the Fitbone limb lengthening technique allows the patient to perform low impact activities. During the treatment he can carry out activities such as going for a walk without any problem.

It is a painless treatment. The patient does not experience pain during the limb lengthening.

In addition, compared to the traditional technique, the Fitbone limb lengthening technique decreases the risk of infection. Scar formation and hospital stay are also reduced. Patients can resume their routine activity in a short time.

Fitbone limb lengthening is a more comfortable method for the patient because they do not use traditional external fixators. The intramedullary nail is a highly reliable and technologically tested mechanism.

Limb lengthening with the Fitbone Method is not recommended for children under 10 years old. For cases between 11 and 14 years old, doctors should study the specific characteristics of the patient (difference in length, remaining growth, deformity).

From the age of 16, once the growth cartilages have been closed, the patient can consider a leg lengthening surgery.

In patients who need to lengthen both legs, Dr. Monegal recommends performing limb lengthening in two stages.

When the first limb is recovered, after about 6 to 8 weeks, the second limb can be operated on.

This creates temporary dysmetria during this first stage, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Performing the two-step operation improves postoperative recovery as the patient can walk on crutches immediately after the operation. During these first weeks, the patient can even load up to 18-20 kg on the operated limb. Second limb lengthening will be achieved after 6 to 8 weeks.

Lengthening both legs at the same time has its drawbacks. The patient has to stay in a wheelchair and recovery is more complicated.

Implants should be removed 2 years after the end of limb lengthening treatment.

We have qualified staff who will advise you in your language and accompany you throughout the hospital process. In addition, Doctor Alejandro Monegal speaks fluent English.