Individuals in good health with no presence of an active infection or metabolic diseases. It can be done at any age.

Normally it takes 3 months to elongate up to 8cms. It is recommended to simultaneously lengthen both sides, be it the femurs or the tibias. Daily physical therapy and adequate management of the elongation is required. There is an 80% load-bearing restriction during the elongation period, which is gradually decreased according to the maturation of the bone;  after completion of the elongation period, another 3 months are required for complete bone consolidatation that allows the patient to exercise safely. Approximately one year after limb lengthening has been completed, any type of high-impact physical exercise can be performed.

The surgery is performed in recognized hospitals that are internationally certified to perform   this type of highly complex treatment and comply with all international safety and technology standards.  The treatment plan and costs include, lodging, food, nursing care, personalized physical therapy sessions and everything related post-surgical care. Patients must plan and are required to stay in Medellín during a 3-month period, after which they may return home and will be followed and monitored on-line during another 3-month period.

As with any surgical procedure, complications may occur, but the most important thing is to avoid preventable ones and that the patient be supervised by a group of experts in bone lengthening to detect and treat any adverse situation early. The most common situations that may occur are muscle contractures due to lack of physical therapy, delayed bone maturation and pain and discomfort due to inadequate pharmacological management and analgesia. Overall, if lengthening is managed efficiently and carefully, the percentage of complications is very low.

In general, bone elongation devices are expensive due to the highly sophisticated and advanced technology used such as that of intramedullary Precice® Nail.  The cost of each nail is approximately US$18,000. External tutors vary in cost depending on their origin and quality. Additionally, hospitalization, a 3- month physical therapy plan and medical team fees must also be covered. Costs vary depending on the city and location of the hospital and medical fees where it is performed. In the US there are centers where comprehensive treatment exceeds US $200,000 US with an average of US$120,000. In Europe the average is US$100,000 euros. In Medellín-Colombia with the Cora Group, the complete treatment ranges between US$ 55,000 and 90,000 dollars depending on the device used.  Most importantly however when taking the decision where to carry out the procedure, is to consider the experience and expertise of the rehabilitation team, which in our case is backed by more than 20 years of experience in bone lengthening treatments.

It is very important to be convinced of the treatment, to be properly informed about the center that offers the lengthening procedure, and the experience of the specialist. Full time commitment and  dedication to physical therapy and care during post-surgical lengthening process,  activities that involve walking or distance movements are not recommended during this period, a personalized and face-to-face consultation should always be carried out before undergoing surgery for to perform a thorough clinical exam and analysis of the limb to be lengthened, as well as to personally answer, explain clarify specific doubts  with the patient and his family , given that  highly specialized and complex nature of the treatment.