Home · Treatments · Leg lengthening
Limb lengthening surgery
Leg lengthening
Gradual leg lengthening with an orthopaedic team, followed by a long, supported recovery.
- In IstanbulSeveral weeks, set by your surgeon
- RecoveryMonths, with physiotherapy
- DecisionYour surgeon
About the treatment
General information to help you prepare your questions. It is not medical advice.
What it is
Leg lengthening is an orthopaedic operation. The surgeon cuts the bone and places a device, usually a nail inside the bone, that lengthens it very gradually over the following weeks. New bone forms in the gap as it slowly widens.
It is a long process, not a single operation. Daily lengthening is followed by months of physiotherapy and bone healing. It asks a lot of you physically and emotionally, and it is not right for everyone.
Who decides
Only an orthopaedic surgeon can decide whether leg lengthening suits you, after looking at your health history, imaging and expectations.
We send your details to the surgeon and pass the answer back to you, including when the answer is no. The surgeon also sets how much lengthening, if any, is safe for you.
How lengthening works
A simplified illustration, not to scale. Your surgeon explains your own operation, which may differ.
- I
The bone is prepared
The surgeon makes a controlled cut in the bone and places a lengthening nail inside it.
- II
A little each day
Over the following weeks, the nail lengthens very gradually, at the pace your surgeon sets.
- III
New bone forms
As the gap slowly widens, your body fills it with new bone.
- IV
Healing and physiotherapy
Over months, the new bone hardens. Physiotherapy keeps your joints and muscles moving.
Your questions reach your surgeon through your coordinator, before you book anything.
Confirmed after your assessment.
For each treatment we work with a hospital and a surgeon chosen for that speciality. Once a surgeon has reviewed your case, we share their name and the hospital with you, before you book anything.
- Chosen for this treatment specifically
- Named before you book anything
- Your questions reach your surgeon through your coordinator
Your stay, in messages
A typical plan, told the way your coordinator would write to you. Your surgeon sets every phase and its length, and may change them for medical reasons.
Illustration · example messages from your coordinator
Before you travel · Preparing
At home · With you: your coordinator, on WhatsApp
HospitalTR
Your surgeon has reviewed your details. Before you book, send me every question you have about the whole process, including how long you will stay, and I will bring the surgeon's answers back to you.10:30
Many people find it helps to travel with someone. Tell me early and I will plan the accommodation for two.10:34
Arrival and tests
Accommodation · With you: driver, coordinator, interpreter
HospitalTR
Welcome to Istanbul. Your driver is at arrivals. Tomorrow you have tests and imaging, then you meet your surgeon and the anaesthetist.13:40
Surgery
Hospital · With you: surgical team, interpreter
HospitalTR
Surgery happens only after you have given consent. I will keep the person travelling with you, or your family at home, informed.07:30
The first days in hospital
Hospital · With you: nurses, physiotherapist, interpreter
HospitalTR
Rest today. The physiotherapist will start gentle exercises with you, and the team will explain how the lengthening works day by day.11:05
Lengthening phase
Accommodation · With you: your coordinator, regular hospital visits
HospitalTR
You are settled in your accommodation. Your check-up at the hospital is on Thursday; I will arrange the transfer and come with you.09:50
Physiotherapy
Accommodation and clinic · With you: physiotherapist, coordinator
HospitalTR
Physiotherapy is as important as the surgery. If a session feels hard, tell me and I will pass it on to your surgeon's team.16:15
Check before you fly
Hospital, then airport · With you: your surgeon, driver
HospitalTR
Your surgeon sees you this morning. Once you are signed off for travel, we will go through your plan for physiotherapy at home.08:40
At home · Still in touch
Home · With you: your coordinator, a message away
HospitalTR
Recovery continues for months. Send me your questions or your physiotherapy updates and I will pass them to your surgeon's team.18:20
Your plan, in writing, before you book.
Every plan for leg lengthening is personal. After a specialist reviews your case, you receive a written plan with your dates, hospital, surgeon and everything it includes.
Arranged for every treatment
- Airport, hotel and hospital transfers
- Hotel nights around your treatment
- An interpreter at the hospital
- One coordinator, from first message to follow-up
- A written plan with dates, hospital and surgeon
- Follow-up after you fly home
Risks and recovery
Every operation carries risk
Leg lengthening has its own risks, which can include problems with nerves, joint stiffness, infection and slow bone healing. Your surgeon explains them face to face, before you sign consent, with an interpreter beside you.
Recovery follows your surgeon's plan
Your hospital team gives you written instructions for lengthening, physiotherapy, activity and medication. Follow them, not general advice from websites, including this one.
Leg lengthening, answered
HospitalTR
Tap a question and I'll answer. Medical questions go to your surgeon; I pass them on.
Am I a candidate?
Only an orthopaedic surgeon can say. Send us your details and the surgeon reviews them free of charge. If the answer is no, we tell you.
How long will I stay in Istanbul?
Usually several weeks. Your surgeon sets the length of each phase after reviewing your case, and your coordinator plans your stay around it.
Can I speak to the surgeon before I book?
Yes. Send your questions to your coordinator on WhatsApp; they pass them to your surgeon and bring the answers back to you before you book.
How much does it cost?
Every plan is personal. Send us your details and your coordinator will share a written plan with everything it includes, before you book anything.
Can someone come with me?
Yes, and for a stay this long we encourage it. Tell us early so we can arrange accommodation and transfers for two.
What happens after I go home?
Your recovery and physiotherapy continue at home. Your coordinator stays on WhatsApp and passes your questions to your surgeon's team.
Other treatments
- Weight-loss surgeryGastric sleeveWeight-loss surgery that makes the stomach smaller, planned as one trip.Explore
- Aesthetic and plastic surgeryPlastic surgeryAesthetic surgery with a plastic surgeon, planned around your recovery.Explore
- Dental treatmentDental treatmentImplants, crowns and veneers with a dental clinic, often planned over two visits.Explore
For detailed information, get in touch
Every plan is personal. Tell us a little about yourself and your coordinator replies in English with a written plan for your case.
Your details
Takes a minute. No medical details needed yet.
Thank you, .
WhatsApp has opened with your details written in. Press send there and your coordinator will reply in English, the way you asked.
