As pioneers and a Center of Excellence in Reconstructive Orthopedic Surgery of Limbs, we performed the first surgery with this modern device in Colombia. In September 2017, the first 2 Intramedullary Lengthening devices (PRECICE Nail) were successfully applied, complying with all the requirements for a safe application, without complications at the Clínica El Rosario, El Tesoro branch, in Medellín.

Our CORA Group expert team defined the progressive lengthening of the patient’s 2 femurs with short stature and Turner Syndrome as the safest, most modern, and most efficient method to achieve a lengthening of 8 cm. The intramedullary lengthening method is the one that offers greater safety in bone distraction, which is performed with an external magnetic device, allowing a daily lengthening of 1mm. This means that in 80 days the patient will have a height increase of 8 cm, with the benefits of not having external fixators or skin tearing from distraction with other devices. It is a safe method because it allows exact monitoring of the lengthening and has all the safety qualities to obtain a perfect result, without angular deviations or damage to sensitive neurovascular structures.

We participated in this important advance in orthopedic surgery as a totally modern, innovative alternative with the latest technology in bone lengthening. This is a first step in our country towards what will be the future of most bone lengthening and bone transport with internal devices, in patients with length discrepancy, traumatic shortening of the limbs or constitutional short stature, who do not have a bone infection. It is also presented as the best alternative for a real and effective height increase in people with short stature. Achieving a height increase from 5cm to 20cm progressively, without the complications presented by external fixation.

These treatments require correct application, training in the technique, and must be managed by a group of experts in bone lengthening and reconstructive limb surgery, since being a surgery implies some risks like any other high-complexity surgical procedure. We are the first center in Latin America to have this device and all the complete instrumentation ready for its application; we are a reference center in the world to apply this innovative technique (Precice Nail) for having the most modern infrastructure in health services in the Medellín health cluster, with the support of CORA Group and Clínica El Rosario, offering cutting-edge technology with the most competitive prices worldwide in medical services. We participate in this great advance in reconstructive limb surgery, offering the most modern and safest options in bone lengthening (Limb Lengthening) and distraction osteogenesis for our patients.

LEÓN MORA H. MD.            

General Director CORA Group.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COSMETIC LENGTHENING – STATURE INCREASE

It can be performed with different devices, internal with an Intramedullary Nail (PRECICE® Nail) or with monolateral or circular External Fixators. The best treatment option is defined based on the individual analysis of the cases⁰.

Requirements for a bone lengthening?

Be healthy, have no active infection, have no active metabolic diseases, and it can be performed at any age.

What is the recovery time when lengthening with the Precice® Nail?

The lengthening normally takes 3 months to lengthen up to 8cm. It is recommended to lengthen both sides simultaneously, either the femurs or the tibias. It requires daily physical therapy and proper management of the lengthening. There is an 80% weight-bearing restriction during the elongation period, and then progressive weight-bearing is increased according to the maturation of the bone. After the lengthening is finished, it takes about 3 more months for the bone to be fully consolidated and for safe exercise to be performed. It is estimated that at the end of the year, after the limb is lengthened, any type of high-impact physical exercise can be performed.

If I live outside of Medellín or outside of Colombia, what would the logistics of the treatment be like?

The budget and cost calculation can include accommodation, food, nursing care, personalized physical therapy sessions, and everything related to the patient’s postoperative care. You must remain in the city of Medellín for 3 months, then you can return to your city of origin under virtual supervision and with check-ups every 3 months. The surgery is performed in recognized clinics that are qualified for this type of high-complexity treatment^. They are internationally qualified, complying with all international standards of safety and technology.

Is the treatment painful and does it have complications?

Like all surgical treatments, it can have complications. The important thing is to avoid preventable ones and have management by groups of experts in bone lengthening to detect and treat any complication early. The most common are contractures due to lack of physical therapy, delayed bone maturation, and pain if there is no adequate pain management. In general, if the lengthening is managed effectively and carefully, the percentage of complications is very low.

What are the approximate costs of the treatment? ¹

In general, bone lengthening devices are of a high cost due to the technology they use, especially the technology with intramedullary nails (Precice® Nail). Each nail can cost US$18,000. The external fixators vary in cost according to their origin and quality. Additionally, hospitalization costs, 3 months of physical therapy, and the medical team’s fees must be added. What makes the difference are the hospital costs and medical fees according to the global location of the hospital and the city where it is performed. Logically, a very important factor is the experience in lengthening of the specialist and their rehabilitation team. In the USA, there are centers where the comprehensive treatment exceeds US$200,000, with an average of US$120,000. In Europe, the average is 100,000 Euros. In Medellín, Colombia, the complete treatment ranges from US$30,000 to US$60,000 depending on the device chosen, with over 20 years of experience in bone lengthening treatments.

Additional recommendations?

It is very important to be convinced of the treatment, to be properly informed about the center that offers the lengthening, and the experience of the specialist. You must dedicate full time to physical therapy and care during the lengthening. It is NOT recommended to perform work activities that involve walking or long-distance movements during this period. A personalized and in-person consultation should always be carried out before undergoing surgery for an individual clinical examination and analysis of the limb to be lengthened. The best method is also analyzed in a personal way and doubts are clarified by delving into each particular case. It is considered a highly specialized treatment.

We are a specialized center in Reconstructive Surgery and Bone Lengthening, based on more than 20 years of experience recognized worldwide and with the best technology in the world. We hope this information is useful to you in your search to increase your height or require bone lengthening.

Contact us through our website

www.doctorleonmora.com, @doctorleonmora.