What is limb lengthening, the cosmetic procedure going viral on social media?

Many of us would like to be a couple of inches taller, given all the advantages that seem to come with being tall. We feel like we might have a better love life or be perceived as more powerful for example. But there’s not really anything we can do about our height. Or is there?

Going back to the 1940s, Soviet doctor Gavril Ilizarov realised that following a fracture, bones like the femur tend to gradually expand to fill the void left behind. He pioneered certain techniques to treat mutilated soldiers returning from World War II. And still to this day, techniques inspired by the work of Ilizarov are still being used. In most cases, this surgery is performed for reconstructive purposes, but bone lengthening is increasingly requested for cosmetic reasons.

How does limb lengthening work? Why is this surgery increasingly requested? Are there any risks to this procedure? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !

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