Lengthening methods
LON (Lengthening Over Nail) before & after — Dr. Donghoon (DALRI)
Once surgery and the full recovery period are complete, what changes is: About half the external-fixation time of the Ilizarov method · The internal nail carries load after frame removal, so walking is retrained sooner · Dr. Lee's most-used route for general stature lengthening: simpler and less expensive than LATN
Before: what is recorded
Before surgery the team documents the starting point of everyone considering lon (lengthening over nail) — General stature lengthening where external-fixator time should be minimised · Patients wanting a lower-cost route than the motorised PRECICE nail — 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
Each method is tracked with serial X-rays showing how fast new bone fills the distraction gap, how dense the regenerate is, and where the nail or fixator sits. The daily distraction rate is adjusted from those films rather than a fixed schedule.
Timeline from surgery to normal life
- 01Day of surgery: the agreed lengthening system is installed and a baseline radiograph is recorded.
- 02The external fixator stays on only for the lengthening phase, then comes off at the second operation.
- 03Comfort improves markedly after frame removal — showering and sleeping return to normal.
- 04You must stay in Korea for the whole lengthening and follow-up period; the international team arranges accommodation, interpretation and the physiotherapy schedule.
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 does LON differ from PRECICE?
LON uses an external frame during the lengthening phase, so there are pin scars and two operations, but it costs far less. PRECICE lengthens purely with an internal nail and no frame, at a much higher price because the FDA-cleared implant is imported.
When are the results of lon (lengthening over nail) visible?
Day of surgery: the agreed lengthening system is installed and a baseline radiograph is recorded. The external fixator stays on only for the lengthening phase, then comes off at the second operation. Comfort improves markedly after frame removal — showering and sleeping return to normal. You must stay in Korea for the whole lengthening and follow-up period; the international team arranges accommodation, interpretation and the physiotherapy schedule.
How is the before and after of lon (lengthening over nail) measured?
Each method is tracked with serial X-rays showing how fast new bone fills the distraction gap, how dense the regenerate is, and where the nail or fixator sits. The daily distraction rate is adjusted from those films rather than a fixed schedule.
Is the result of lon (lengthening over nail) 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.