It can be said that both limb-lengthening operation methods provide close results in terms of healing duration. As their basis for bone consolidation principle is the same and the amount of height gain you can achieve from both are almost identical to one another.
Duration of a complete healing and bone consolidation process is almost the same for both methods, which is going to be approximately 1-1.5 years, especially when the patient’s goal is to reach 7 centimeters and above.

Limb lengthening procedures should be performed only by experiences specialists. Limb Lengthening İstanbul ranks high among centers with the most extensive experience in limb lengthening worldwide. Our previous patients have come to us from many countries in order to take advantage of the comprehensive orthopedic therapies offered by our renowned team. At our Institute, the treating physician provides a detailed explanation of all available treatment options and then adjusts the course of treatment to a person’s specific needs. Our patients are under the comprehensive care of an entire team of experienced orthopedic surgeons and specialized assistants, nurses and physical therapists. We enable the patients to achieve the best possible cosmetic limb lengthening outcomes.

The Precice is equipped with rare-earth magnet. It is shielded from the body inside a waterproof chamber. There is a risk that over the years, its tightness would be compromised and the rare-earth magnet would come into contact with body fluids. Removal of the device is indicated before this happens.

Limb lengthening procedures should be performed only by experiences specialists. Limb Lengthening İstanbul ranks high among centers with the most extensive experience in limb lengthening worldwide. Our previous patients have come to us from many countries in order to take advantage of the comprehensive orthopedic therapies offered by our renowned team. At our Institute, the treating physician provides a detailed explanation of all available treatment options and then adjusts the course of treatment to a person’s specific needs. Our patients are under the comprehensive care of an entire team of experienced orthopedic surgeons and specialized assistants, nurses and physical therapists. We enable the patients to achieve the best possible cosmetic limb lengthening outcomes.

The Precice is equipped with rare-earth magnet. It is shielded from the body inside a waterproof chamber. There is a risk that over the years, its tightness would be compromised and the rare-earth magnet would come into contact with body fluids. Removal of the device is indicated before this happens.

Some patients lose so much blood that they require a transfusion even before the procedure. Depositing blood for your own use is possible but not required. If required, we use blood from a blood bank. Blood loss occurs not only during the operation but also during the next several days. If a need for a transfusion arises, this usually happens during the first or second day post-procedure. The associated risk is minimal. Fewer than 10% of our patients require a blood transfusion.

As a physical preparation, stretching techniques could be beneficial.
For extending the femur limb:

1) Iliotibial band: flex your knee while lying on your side and extend your hip so that your thigh is parallel to your torso. Try to bring the flexed knee closer to the floor while in that position. Additionally, you can perform hip-straight cross-leg stretches. The IT band is stretched by them.

2) The quadriceps, particularly the rectus femoris muscle, which simultaneously bends the knee and straightens the hip. It can be performed standing, leaning back, and pulling the foot behind the butt, or kneeling and reclining back.

3) Hamstrings: flexing the hip while straightening the knee.

Achilles tendon: heel cord; maximum dorsiflexion (foot up) with complete knee extension (straight) for tibial limb lengthening.

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No, we don't require a deposit to schedule surgery; however, we do need to see your purchased airline ticket as proof.

Please email info@limblengtheningistanbul.com or call from: +905441129112 (doctor assistant) who will help you find a date for surgery. You must email your airplane ticket information to confirm your arrival in order to reserve a surgical date.

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There are three crucial steps in limb lengthening surgery. Preparation, operation, and recovery. These three processes are extremely important and interconnected. Without the other, one cannot be finished. The procedure is made easier with careful and thorough planning. A careful surgical approach lowers risks and improves success rates. The surgeon is kept vigilant against complications before it's too late by routine follow-up intervals. For lengthening to be successful, everything is required.

The lengthening of the bone requires the soft tissues to extend. They may have extreme tightness, pain, and limited mobility if they are unable to adjust. The prevention of these problems is greatly aided by physical therapy. But each person's soft tissue capacity is unique, which is why it's crucial to monitor gradually while lengthening.

Excessive lengthening can result in nerve injury, joint instability, muscle and tendon tightness, non-union of the bone, and irreversible loss of mobility. Always stay within safe bounds to prevent permanent issues.

To achieve the best results, cosmetic limb lengthening surgery is carefully performed within acceptable and safe bounds. For the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), the maximum length growth is usually about 8 cm and 6 cm, respectively. Particularly for people with normal leg proportions, these limitations are intended to avoid disproportion. Our surgeon uses X-rays to assess bone segments and compute the femur to tibia ratio in order to estimate the proper lengthening potential. This ratio analysis informs suggestions for height increase during surgery and aids in evaluating present body proportions. In addition, your height, wingspan, and leg length in relation to your torso length are assessed. Our top goal is to give each patient having cosmetic limb lengthening surgery individualized advice in order to ensure a fair and fulfilling result.

For limb lengthening surgery; ilizarov, LON (lengthening Over Nail) and Precice methods are used. LON method is the most preferred method by our patients due to its short recovery period and low price. Precice methods provides more comfortable and less risky lengthening. Our doctor Prof Dr Halil İbrahim Balcı does limb lengthening surgeries using Precice methods and LON method.

Indeed, your decision regarding the technique you will choose for the limb-lengthening procedure may be crucial in most cases. The doctor must, however, speak with you before deciding which approach to use, and their thorough assessment of your health, bone condition, and proportionate examination should serve as the basis for this decision. Your physician can assist you in selecting the approach that is most appropriate for you.

The sophisticated technology employed in the operation and legthening procedure is the primary cause of the Precice Method's higher cost. Costs for the clinics that do this procedure go up since it only requires internal magnetic nails, which allow patients to do lengthening with a specific remote control. More advanced pins should be utilized in the procedure. Additionally, the pins and magnetic nails must be imported because their operation necessitates a more complex design, which adds to the expense of the situation. Compared to the Combined (LON) Method, this approach is less cost-effective even if it offers a more comfortable lengthening and healing process and a more aesthetically pleasing outcome in the end.

The Precice Method is the most sophisticated and technologically superior technique for limb-lengthening procedures. The Precice Method, which uses magnetic nails that are placed inside, allows patients to extend their nails using a specialized remote control. This eliminates the need for manual intervention after surgery and lessens the restrictions on their movement in their daily activities.
Highlights of this approach include its sophisticated technological features, which include a sensitive control in lengthening that will provide a millimetric precision between two legs' growing accuracy, less scars, and a lengthening process that is more comfortable and bearable. However, the aforementioned factors make this procedure more costly, and because there is no external apparatus to support the patients' body weight, the maximum height increase allowed by this method is limited to 8 to 8.5 cm.

For a very long time, the Combined (LON) Method has been a safe technique for limb-lengthening procedures. When surgically performed by a qualified practitioner, this technique—which calls for the unification of both an external fixator and an intermedullary nail—produces the best outcomes for patients in terms of safety and success for more than ten years.
Important elements such as appropriate surgical quality, a routinely scheduled doctor's consultation, and a regular physical therapy procedure can contribute to the excellent outcomes of this treatment. Using an external fixator improves bone healing quality and facilitates the doctor's ability to perform surgery when necessary. Like any medical procedures, the Combined Method has some hazards, but these can be effectively minimized with careful planning, doctor supervision, and rehabilitation.

Starting from the surgery day, the patient is required to give us X-rays for follow-up every 15 days. To take your X-rays, a mobile X-ray technician and equipment will be delivered to your room. We will evaluate your progress and healing based on these X-rays, and based on how quickly your healing is progressing, we may instruct you to modify the pace at which you stretch your limbs in order to avoid early or nonunion of your bones.

People who has Blood Clotting Disorders,​ HIV/AIDS, Active Infections and BDD. Also people who can not fulfill its responsibility during lengthening period can not have this surgery, because success of Limb Lengthening surgery, also depends on the patient's determination of doing his/her exercise.

LON means Lengthening Over Nail. You will carry 2 devices on each leg. One of these devices is internal and other is external.

Advantages:

• Highly reliable Limb Lengthening method in the world currently.
• İt has very reasonable cost.

Disadvantage;

• LON Method needs a second surgery for the removal of external fixators and locking the internal nails.

PRECICE 2.2 is the last tech intramedullary motorized rod method.

Advantages compare to LON:

• İt does not cause any discomfort and significantly minimizes risk of infection
• More comfortable
• No visible sign or device around your legs
• 3 Months Lesser recovery time compare to LON (After limb lengthening period)

Limb lengthening surgeries have similar risks with other orthopedical surgeries. The most common complications can be infection, and it mostly is seen on the surface or around the pin sites. The risks which have lower possibilities are non-union, slow union of bones, and/or fast bone union. Slow union and non-union maybe requires extra therapy or surgery revision. Precice methods have lower risks and complications compare to LON methods.

With lengthening surgery, the bone is surgically cut (osteotomy) and expected to elongate from day to day. Therefore, it should be preferred foods that are beneficial for muscles and bones. Healthy planning with fruit and vegetable-based foods helps in recovery. It is also important to get enough protein.

Scars that are formed on the legs after surgery depend on operation method. Surgeries performed with the LON method have more scars than the surgeries performed with Precice method. However, these scars can be reduced by using more aesthetic technics.

For femur bones, you can gain up to 8 centimeters limit. Trying to gain more than 8 centimeters is dangerous and risky. This limit is 7 cm for tibia bones. If a patient desires to gain 10-15 cm with limb lengthening surgery, it is more reasonable to get 5-8 cm on femur, then later 5-7 cm on tibia. İf you have more flexible leg muscles, you can gain more centimeters and you will experience more comfortable lengthening progress.

Limb Lengthening Istanbul gives you free consultation service before you travel to Turkey. Please get in touch with us via mail, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and Viber. We offer a free consultation for our patient candidates to obtain comprehensive details regarding limb-lengthening techniques, pre- and post-surgery procedures, and services.

Our patient consultation expert will give all the facts you need to know about the limb-lengthening operation. You can schedule a video consultation session if you would like more in-depth, technical information regarding surgical techniques as well as an online chat with our surgeon. 

Limb Lengthening Istanbul is devoted to giving our patients the maximum assistance and assets in their limb-lengthening procedure. We constantly work to make you feel at home so that you may enjoy a fantastic experience from the time you arrive in Istanbul until you reach your ideal height. We are always aware of your requirements in every stage of limb lengthening, and we provide a loving and supportive atmosphere for you to feel at home with our limb lengthening team in Istanbul.

Our Hospital

With its professional team, Medicana Health Group has been offering health services for more than 30 years. Medicana Atakoy's comprehension and patient happiness improve the health sector. Medicana Ataköy Hospital is the highest achievement on Medicana Health Group's journey to become a global health reference center, not just in Turkey. With its cutting-edge and contemporary hospital architecture, Medicana Ataköy Hospital, which is situated where green and blue meet, provides Istanbul and international patients with top-notch medical care in all specialties.

We are with you; we support…

Patient-Focused Service Approach

The Medicana Ataköy Hospital represents a completely new service approach in the healthcare business and aims to be one of the most comprehensive healthcare facilities in Istanbul and Europe. Medicana's services are more accessible due to the hospital's central placement in one of the city's most visible neighborhoods. Medicana Ataköy distinguishes itself with a team of experienced, current, and creative specialists; high levels of comfort for patients and their families; and the seamless integration of specialized treatments with modern technology. Offering modern medical care while also bringing advantages from the future to the present is Medicana Atakoy Hospital's goal.

An Improving Hospital Approach

While every detail was considered for the comfort of patients, their relatives, and employees in the design of Medicana Ataköy Hospital, patient waiting rooms, polyclinics, and doctor and patient rooms stand out to meet everyone's needs. Everything in every hospital unit, from color schemes to interior design elements and from lighting to accessories, has been planned and executed to maximize patient care and patient family comfort.

A Multidisciplinary, Comfortable, and Modern Hospital Approach

In Medicana Ataköy Hospital, which was designed with the basic quality approach of Medicana Health Group, multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment methods, patient safety, maximum comfort, and quality are offered. In Medicana Ataköy, the latest hospital architecture combines with hotel comfort; the expectations of patients and their relatives are taken as a basis in patient rooms, waiting and polyclinic areas, diagnosis and diagnostic units, parking lots, emergency access, and transportation facilities. The hospital, which was positioned considering the effects of blue and green on human health, is located in Ataköy, one of the most beautiful districts of the European Side.

Main features of Medicana Ataköy Hospital:

• Making the most of technology in situations that require particular treatment,

• Digital health opportunities and home health services,

• The potential for robotic therapy and rehabilitation in the fields of physical therapy and surgery

• The "Diagnosis and Treatment Center" in Turkey serves as a benchmark for personnel and technology outside of branch hospitals.

• A service that is entirely focused on the patient and their family,

• Mostly academic personnel, including professors and associate professors,

• Opportunities for special care in surgical specialties,

• Comfortable hotel waiting rooms and patient rooms,

• Clinical branches and infrastructure that can satisfy the European Side's high standards for health services,

• architectural layout that lessens our visitors' stress levels when they are in the hospital,

• The pediatric service was created. Therefore, kids could enjoy themselves in between exams and treatments.

• Generous spaces that improve the comfort of operating rooms for patients and surgical units,

• Natural materials and color schemes inspired by nature for patient comfort and recuperation in hospital interior design

• Hospital spaces that are sterile and cleaned, as well as technology that circulates fresh air,

• Contemporary intensive care, coronary, and neonatal units,

• Operation rooms include advanced technical infrastructure to ensure comfort for both the patient and the physician.

• Patient rooms constructed with modern lines where the patient's comfort and safety are maintained at the highest level: king, suite, regular, and accessible rooms.

• Advanced radiological imaging machines that are capable of performing all diagnoses and diagnostics.

MEDICANA ATAKÖY Rooms

Standard Room

Medicana Ataköy has standard rooms designed to meet the needs of patients and their relatives. Designed with the concept of a hotel but with the comfort of home in mind, the rooms that fully meet the basic needs of patients and their relatives also include services such as a minibar, television, internet, and newspaper service.

Suite Room

In addition to basic needs, our suite rooms also include a waiting room where patients' relatives can rest. Our rooms have private bathrooms for patients and their companions. Suite rooms offer many services, from minibars to televisions and newspaper service.

King Suite Room

Our King Suite rooms have a spacious and airy environment where the patient's relatives can be comfortable along with the basic needs. King rooms, which have private bathrooms for both the patient and the patient's relatives, also include many special services. The mini bars in the rooms, which are specially designed to have the warmth of a home and the comfort of a hotel, contain the basic needs of the patient and relatives.

health, medicana. “ataköy hospital.” medicanainternational.com. Medicana International, 16 Jan. 2025. Web. 25 Jun. 2025.
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Surgery

General checkups and pre-surgery tests will be done for your limb-lengthening operation. If there is no obstacle, you will be taken into the operation room. You will take this surgery under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.

Surgery using internal procedures takes about two hours. However, exterior procedures often take three to four hours to complete.

Hospitalization After Surgery

In both methods, you will stay between 3 and 5 days in the hospital. Our hospital has three meals a day. During hospitalization, you will be accompanied by the Limb Lengthening Istanbul team. Hospital nurses will apply serum vitamins and blood thinners.

Our doctor will provide you with the essential instructions when you are ready to leave the hospital, including how to lessen pain and enhance your walking, how to clean pin sites and change bandages, and how to create daily distractions (lengthening). We will confirm that you are capable of finishing these duties independently.

The lengthening procedure usually starts after hospitalization. After hospitalization, the Limb Lengthening Istanbul Team will transfer you to your accommodation hotel. Our limb-lengthening hotel includes our caretakers, physical therapists, and nurses who have special education about limb lengthening.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the most important thing during limb lengthening phase. And, you need to take physical therapy in almost every day during limb lengthening phase.

If you have done some research about limb-lengthening surgeries, you probably know that the bones are able to lengthen by distracting them, which is called osteotomy (surgical breaking). As the bones get longer and longer, all the surrounding soft tissues; which are blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and tendons are being stretched. These tissues can tolerate this tension until some point but because most patients want at least 5-7 of height lengthening in this process, this causes tension and results in pain, and limits the mobility of the feet and legs.

It is well recognized that we may educate our muscles to become more flexible, stronger, and more pronounced through physical activity. Leg lengthening is likewise covered by this. We can train our legs to be more flexible and adjust to the longer bones with the use of stretching exercises and physical therapy.

However, our patients perform some exercises independently, it has been shown that this is insufficient for a good limb-lengthening operation without outside assistance. Without expert knowledge, patients may not be pushing their muscles to the limit even if they are dedicated and consistent with their own training regimen. A skilled and knowledgeable physiotherapist will push the patient to the maximum in order to assist them go out of their comfort zones and broaden their range of motion.

Our team established with professional physical therapists who are skilled on limb lengthening procedure. Your physical therapy will be provided by our professional physical therapists. Our skilled limb lengthening physical therapists will provide maximum strength and flexibility and prevent issues.

Hydro Therapy

Hydrotherapy is a safe and efficient treatment during the post-limb lengthening phase because the buoyant force of water greatly lessens the strain on joints and muscles. Complications from limb lengthening surgery can include edema, gait abnormalities, discomfort, loss of balance, restricted range of motion, and strain in soft tissues (muscles, nerves, fascia, tendons). By using the buoyant force of water to alleviate the weight on internal nails, hydrotherapy can prevent and lessen these issues. This enables patients to carry out exercises and motions that could be challenging or impossible on land.

Our skilled physiotherapists lead our extensive hydrotherapy programs. To provide convenience and continuity of treatment, these sessions are held at your lodging. Patients usually attend hydrotherapy treatments two to three times per week, taking advantage of the healing properties of water to speed up healing and enhance results. This expert approach demonstrates our dedication to patient comfort, safety, and successful recovery.

X Rays

The full range of limb lengthening services includes X-rays. In order to evaluate bone length, anatomical angles, and detect any abnormalities, orthorontgenogram X-rays are obtained both prior to and following the lengthening procedure. Regular X-rays are essential for tracking your development and making sure the operation is going well during the lengthening phase.

The surgeon can assess bone alignment, the state of the new bone tissue (callus), and other important aspects with the use of these X-rays. The surgeon can identify and treat possible issues early thanks to this careful observation. You won't have to travel because X-rays will be taken at your lodging twice a month to guarantee your comfort and convenience. Throughout your limb lengthening journey, this patient-centered and professional approach guarantees ongoing and efficient monitoring.

Regular Check Up

To ensure successful results, the patient must be closely monitored during the lengthening period. The quality of the lengthening process, the growth of callus (new bone) tissue, the state of the pin and wire sites, and the patient's general physical condition are all aspects that require routine evaluation. Furthermore, it's critical to recognize and resolve any potential issues as soon as possible.

Every week, our committed surgeon performs assessments to carefully monitor each patient's development. This include analyzing x-rays to determine bone alignment and growth, looking for infection or other problems at the pin and wire sites, and assessing the patient's physical state to make sure they are developing as anticipated. As part of our dedication to offering complete treatment, the surgeon visits our center on a regular basis. This allows us to swiftly address any issues and optimize the lengthening process for our patients.

Surgery to Remove Fixators

A major turning point in your limb lengthening experience is reaching your lengthening goal and getting your fixator removed. A thorough assessment is carried out following the achievement of the desired length prior to the fixator removal procedure. To evaluate bone length, osteotomy length, total leg length, and the condition of the callus (new bone tissue), an X-ray of the complete leg is taken. If a difference in leg length is found, more time could be needed to equalize the legs.

The date of the fixator removal procedure is set after the amount of callus tissue is judged adequate. Under general anesthesia, the process usually takes two hours to complete. Patients typically remain in the hospital for observation for one day after surgery. Our surgeon and his staff will perform a comprehensive physical examination and gait analysis during this time.

Before the patient is released from the hospital, a final X-ray is taken. The greatest results and a seamless transition to the following stage of recuperation are ensured by this methodical approach, which makes sure the removal procedure is safe, efficient, and customized to each patient's unique needs.

Visa Application

Before visiting Turkey, patients are need to apply for a visa or electronic visa. Typically, applications are sent through embassies or online. Turkey does not require a visa for entry for people of a few chosen nations, who can enter the nation with ease. From the initial day of their arrival, they are allowed to stay for a total of 90 days. For some, however, the visa application process can be a little difficult. Furthermore, the collection of documents and procedures could take some time. In this situation, the Limb Lengthening İstanbul team can send you a medical invitation letter from here to speed up your visa procedures. Because we are members of the Turkish Service Exporters Association, we are permitted to send formal invitation letters to patients who are from other countries. Please get in touch with our patient consultant for additional details.

Turkey Visa Assistance

Starting on April 17, 2013, an electronic Turkish visa (e-Visa) replaces the “sticker visa” which was issued at the border crossings.

The following nationals are qualified to apply for an e-Visa:

Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Greek Cypriot Administration, Grenada Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Kuwait, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, U.S.A, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

as long as they are traveling for work or pleasure.

They have to show that they have a reservation for a hotel, a return ticket, and at least $50 extra for each day they want to stay. They must prove that they hold a return ticket, hotel reservation, and at least 50$ extra per each day of their stay. Their passport covers the period of their stay in Turkey.

All E-Visas are valid to be used within 180 days from the date of issue.Depending on your citizenship and passport, the cost of an E-Visa can range from $50 to $150 USD.

Please be aware that each nation may have a varied maximum length for an e-visa, ranging from 30 to 90 days. For example, US citizens are allowed a 90-day stay, whereas Indonesian people are only allowed 30 days.

Documents & Information needed for the Turkey E-Visa:

• Given/First Name(s)
• Surname(s)
• Passport
• Copy (Scanned) Birth Certificate or Date of Birth
• Place of Birth
• Passport Number
• Passport Issue Date
• Passport Expiry Date
• Father’s Complete Name
• Mother’s Complete Name
• Home Country
• Residential Address
• Home Country Telephone/ Mobile Number
• Email Address

Please Note: Limb Lengthening Istanbul will not be responsible for where a client provides incorrect information and the visa gets issued.

After the applicant provides this information, the entire process takes less than 24 hours, and we provide your visa to you within this time limit, providing we have all the required paperwork.

Citizens of these countries are also eligible to apply for an e-Visa under certain conditions:

Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iraq, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Republic of Congo, Republic of Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sao Torne and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

The conditions are:

A valid supporting document (a valid visa OR a valid resident permit from the United States, the United Kingdom, or Ireland) is required. They have to show that they have a reservation for a hotel, a return ticket, and at least $50 extra for each day they want to stay. For the duration of their visit, their passport is valid.

All other nationalities must file for a normal “Sticker Visa” at their Turkish Embassies in their Home Countries.