Limb lengthening
Brachydactyly & brachymetatarsia before & after — Dr. Donghoon (DALRI)
Once surgery and the full recovery period are complete, what changes is: Method 1 — gradual external-fixator lengthening: stable and suited to large differences · Method 2 — acute one-stage lengthening: no external device, smaller scars, more comfortable
Before: what is recorded
Before surgery the team documents the starting point of everyone considering brachydactyly & brachymetatarsia — Short toes or fingers affecting confidence or shoe fit · Large length differences needing gradual external 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.
- 02The acute method needs no external device, so daily life is easier.
- 03The gradual method requires pin-site care until the device comes off.
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
Will I walk normally after toe lengthening?
Generally yes — most brachydactyly does not impair function, so surgery targets appearance and forefoot load balance, with prescribed post-operative physiotherapy.
When are the results of brachydactyly & brachymetatarsia visible?
Day of surgery: osteotomy and lengthening hardware are placed, with an X-ray confirming position before leaving theatre. The acute method needs no external device, so daily life is easier. The gradual method requires pin-site care until the device comes off.
How is the before and after of brachydactyly & brachymetatarsia 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 brachydactyly & brachymetatarsia 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.