I would disagree. smaller amounts of lengthening DO present less risks to nerves and tendons.
the less you do, the less likelihood of ballerina.
the less stretch you put on nerves, less chance of nerve injury.
as an example when ortho surgeons perform total hip replacement and there is limb length discrepancy they will only lengthen a certain amount as greater lengthening exponentially exposes the nerve to injury
also less amount of lengthening means shorter period of lengthening, earlier initiation of consolidation, less chance of nonunion, shorter muscle atrophy, shorter rehab.
also if you are considering externals that means less time in pins, overall, less risk of pin tract infection.
that said, I too echo the sediments of many others in this thread when saying 3 cm in a 5'9.5'' person seems like much at all. but i guess to each his or her own.
I agree with you, because you agree with me. My first line literally said the risk of 3cm is less than higher amounts of lengthening.
You just spell out why the risks are less.
But this is a high risk surgery even if you don't lengthen at all. So if you went to the doc, went under general anesthetic, had an epidural, had your bones reamed, internal rods installed, your bones cut in half (2-4 depending on segment), given narcotics, and then did no lengthening at all...it would still be high risk. Extremely invasive.
That's the "base level" of risk I am talking about. You add to the risk depending on how much you lengthen.
Didn't microman get ballerina after like 2-3cm's?
Was it Iamready's or difm's diary that talks about a guy at the Paley institute that quit after an inch or so because of difficulties?
I believe the OP is asking, "Is the risk at 3cm so much less than the risks at 5cm+, that it would be worth it?"
1. As Tibike pointed out, "worth it?" is the OP's opinion, so no way to know that.
2. As I pointed out, there is really no one that has done so little of an amount on this forum, so who knows? (which is why I would love to see a cosmetic diary for 3cm)
I've now talked to 13 total patients outside of this forum. (in person or skype, so I know they are legit) and ALL are happy. None did less than 5cm (except one who did 4cm on a single leg for a discrepancy, but he was still in an external frame) But none of them sugar coated the realities of this surgery. (which I don't think you or most other's here do either)
I actually believe that most patients turn out fine in the long run. Assuming they didn't go to a sh*t doctor.
I know, I still feel small though. All of my friends are within the 5' 11" - 6' 3" range, with maybe 2 of them being smaller than me (5' 7" and 5' 2").
I'm 5'7.5
Most my friends are taller, but not all. Wife is taller. Other girls are taller. Dad is taller. I have a 6'7 cousin. I am the shortest male cousin. I just don't give a sh*t. They never give me sh*t over my height either. Not once. I understand the feelings though, I have been there.