Limb lengthening
Arm lengthening (humerus) before & after — Dr. Donghoon (DALRI)
Once surgery and the full recovery period are complete, what changes is: The external route reaches 8-10 cm and the arm stays usable during lengthening · The internal PRECICE route means small scars, less pain and no pin marks
Before: what is recorded
Before surgery the team documents the starting point of everyone considering arm lengthening (humerus) — Arm-length discrepancy from trauma, infection or congenital causes · Achondroplasia, where extra arm reach is needed · Patients rebalancing arm proportion after leg lengthening — together with radiographs, alignment measurements and the patient's own goal, so there is a fixed baseline to compare against.
How the change is measured
Progress is measured on low-dose full-body EOS radiographs taken before surgery and at every follow-up: femur and tibia length in centimetres, mechanical axis in degrees, and leg-to-torso proportion. The headline figure is the total height gained per lengthening round.
Timeline from surgery to normal life
- 01Day of surgery: osteotomy and lengthening hardware are placed, with an X-ray confirming position before leaving theatre.
- 02In many cases the arm can be used for light daily activity during lengthening.
- 03Shoulder physiotherapy is critical to prevent stiffness.
Limits and what cannot be guaranteed
- 01Bone lengthening is major surgery. Outcome and recovery time depend on bone quality, age, weight and how disciplined the patient is with rehabilitation, so identical results cannot be guaranteed.
- 02Results differ from person to person: bone-forming speed, age, weight, medical history and rehabilitation discipline all change both the timeline and the numbers achieved.
- 03The figures on this page are the general ranges the hospital publishes — not a guarantee and not an individual diagnosis. Only your own imaging can set your expected range.
- 04This site does not publish individual patient photographs. Ask the hospital directly at your consultation if you want to see comparison images or case radiographs.
Frequently asked questions
How much arm length can be gained?
The external mono-fixator can achieve 8-10 cm; with the internal PRECICE nail the limit depends on bone length and soft-tissue safety, and the team confirms a safe figure at consultation.
When are the results of arm lengthening (humerus) visible?
Day of surgery: osteotomy and lengthening hardware are placed, with an X-ray confirming position before leaving theatre. In many cases the arm can be used for light daily activity during lengthening. Shoulder physiotherapy is critical to prevent stiffness.
How is the before and after of arm lengthening (humerus) measured?
Progress is measured on low-dose full-body EOS radiographs taken before surgery and at every follow-up: femur and tibia length in centimetres, mechanical axis in degrees, and leg-to-torso proportion. The headline figure is the total height gained per lengthening round.
Is the result of arm lengthening (humerus) permanent, and what cannot be guaranteed?
Bone lengthening is major surgery. Outcome and recovery time depend on bone quality, age, weight and how disciplined the patient is with rehabilitation, so identical results cannot be guaranteed. Results differ from person to person: bone-forming speed, age, weight, medical history and rehabilitation discipline all change both the timeline and the numbers achieved. The figures on this page are the general ranges the hospital publishes — not a guarantee and not an individual diagnosis. Only your own imaging can set your expected range. This site does not publish individual patient photographs. Ask the hospital directly at your consultation if you want to see comparison images or case radiographs.