Limb lengthening
Stature lengthening (leg lengthening) before & after — Dr. Donghoon (DALRI)
Once surgery and the full recovery period are complete, what changes is: Tibia or femur chosen according to body proportion and the recovery time you can accept · Deformity (bowlegs, knock-knees, torsion) can be corrected in the same operation · The hospital reports 0% medical accidents, 0% deep infection and 0% nonunion since it opened in 2009
Before: what is recorded
Before surgery the team documents the starting point of everyone considering stature lengthening (leg lengthening) — Adults with closed growth plates who want a permanent height increase · People whose legs are short relative to their torso · Patients with bowlegs, knock-knees or rotational deformity who want it corrected at the same time — 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.
- 02For 6-7 cm, expect about 5-7 months to normal daily life, depending on the segment and rehabilitation.
- 03A simultaneous 3 cm femur + 3 cm tibia program takes roughly 3-5 months.
- 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 many centimetres can I gain?
One safe round is about 6-7 cm. Beyond that the hospital uses sequential or simultaneous femur + tibia programs; published cases range from 8 cm up to 12.5 cm, split across two operations.
Tibia or femur — what is the difference?
The femur usually heals faster and hides scars better; the tibia can give better proportion for some body types and the LON route is less expensive. The team measures your torso-to-leg ratio and recommends in consultation.
How long must I stay in Korea?
You must stay in Korea for the whole lengthening and follow-up period; the international team arranges accommodation, interpretation and the physiotherapy schedule.
When are the results of stature lengthening (leg lengthening) visible?
Day of surgery: osteotomy and lengthening hardware are placed, with an X-ray confirming position before leaving theatre. For 6-7 cm, expect about 5-7 months to normal daily life, depending on the segment and rehabilitation. A simultaneous 3 cm femur + 3 cm tibia program takes roughly 3-5 months. 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 stature lengthening (leg lengthening) 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 stature lengthening (leg lengthening) 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.