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[6CMFemurs]

5 years ago I had LL with Paley in Florida. At my pre-op consultation I asked to do 2 inches because after doing research (and referring to Paley's website), I thought it would be a "low-risk lengthening." I did not know/was not told that my bone would be cut differently for 2 inches rather than the full 3. 2 months later I had lengthened around 5 CM, was in no pain and my muscles were feeling very loose and flexible. I wanted to continue lengthening more and was told after measurement of my X-ray that my bone was cut to accommodate up to 7 CM of length, so I changed my goal to 7. However, a couple weeks later when I was at 5.7 CM, I got an email from Paley saying that my right femur nail was about to exit the fat part of my bone and would lose all weight bearing strength if I continued lengthening. I was bummed out because I was feeling really comfortable, and strong in my PT and was in no pain, but of course I took his advice, stopped lengthening the leg and did 0.3 mm on the other leg to even my legs out as recommended. It was a bummer changing rescheduling everything to leave Florida 2 weeks early and feeling like I was in good shape to continue but got less length than all the other femur patients.

Afterwards I moved on with my life, finished college and grad school, traveled, have had great relationships. However I never removed the nail. Initially leaving open the possibility I would finish the lengthening, then considering whether I wanted to remove it all (my army and sports buddies have all kind of IM rods, plates, screws, and other metal hardware permanently lodged in their bodies with no plans for removal). Finally to be honest I just stopped thinking about LL and it became a distant memory, as if it had happened to another person. 5 years later I suddenly started wondering about the damage that the metal/magnet could have later in my life if I got in a bad accident or needed an MRI. I inquired about removal and Paley recommended it. Since I have spent so much money and time on this already, I asked him if the nail could still lengthen the final inch, and he said that he thought so (of course we can only be 100 percent sure post-osteotomy).

I am torn on what to do....

[6CMFemurs]

To clarify further I would be lengthening from the 5.7/6 CM I have now to finish out the nail's full 8 CM.

[wannagrowtaller]

I would not do. You already overcome it. But that's up to you.

Would a moneyhungry like Paley do a new osteotomy just to make you happy?

[Lalbadshah]

it does not make sense trying t do this risky think after 5 years for just 1 cm.

[fodawupa]

paley has done this with one more patient in the past. he will definitely do it.  u can book surgery with him without even seeing him. he will agree to lengthen both segments together if u send him 200k without even seeing u 

6cm femur - u say "of course we can only be 100 percent sure post-osteotomy". u sure u want to take all this chance just for 2 cm? its not even guaranteed. just take the nails out and forget about this

[6CMFemurs]

Yeah it's a lot to go through for one final inch. I guess the way I have been looking at it is I have spent so much time and money so far. The operation would be much less traumatic than rod insertion, but since it is precise, I would likely have to be on crutches for 3 weeks of lengthening and 4-6 weeks post-op. I think I just have a really bad taste in my mouth about spending the most money and making tremendous sacrifices to go to the world's most famous LL doc and it not being communicated to me that my legs would be cut for 2 inches instead of three, and than having to stop lengthening when I was physically able to continue. It just brings up a lot of stuff...

[short]

When you are out of heightism-zone, i definitely wouldn't do it.

[6CMFemurs]

Short, After/if you get this done, you will realize that "heightism" is bull . It is more about how you feel in relation to your height, which as I said in general I feel good. Obviously going from 5"8 to 5"9 would put me more in the average range, but that isn't what this is about. It's about feeling like I have this $80,000 rod in my leg anyway, is it worth 7 weeks on crutches to maximize it out?

[Infinity]

5 years ago I had LL with Paley in Florida. At my pre-op consultation I asked to do 2 inches because after doing research (and referring to Paley's website), I thought it would be a "low-risk lengthening." I did not know/was not told that my bone would be cut differently for 2 inches rather than the full 3. 2 months later I had lengthened around 5 CM, was in no pain and my muscles were feeling very loose and flexible. I wanted to continue lengthening more and was told after measurement of my X-ray that my bone was cut to accommodate up to 7 CM of length, so I changed my goal to 7. However, a couple weeks later when I was at 5.7 CM, I got an email from Paley saying that my right femur nail was about to exit the fat part of my bone and would lose all weight bearing strength if I continued lengthening. I was bummed out because I was feeling really comfortable, and strong in my PT and was in no pain, but of course I took his advice, stopped lengthening the leg and did 0.3 mm on the other leg to even my legs out as recommended. It was a bummer changing rescheduling everything to leave Florida 2 weeks early and feeling like I was in good shape to continue but got less length than all the other femur patients.

Afterwards I moved on with my life, finished college and grad school, traveled, have had great relationships. However I never removed the nail. Initially leaving open the possibility I would finish the lengthening, then considering whether I wanted to remove it all (my army and sports buddies have all kind of IM rods, plates, screws, and other metal hardware permanently lodged in their bodies with no plans for removal). Finally to be honest I just stopped thinking about LL and it became a distant memory, as if it had happened to another person. 5 years later I suddenly started wondering about the damage that the metal/magnet could have later in my life if I got in a bad accident or needed an MRI. I inquired about removal and Paley recommended it. Since I have spent so much money and time on this already, I asked him if the nail could still lengthen the final inch, and he said that he thought so (of course we can only be 100 percent sure post-osteotomy).

I am torn on what to do....

No harm in getting another inch provided the nails are not demanged and their lengthening mechanism wont malfunction after all those years.

I suggest to get in touch with the manufacturers to seel their opinion and than play the percentages. If the probability is heavily in favour of them functioning properly than font think too much and go for the extra inch you desire.

It's not  a big deal and few weeks on crutches is insignificant in bigger scheme of things

Goodluck.

[6CMFemurs]

Contacting the manufacturer is a great idea. Thank you!

[loud]

wtf man you started with inches then swtiched to cm? pick one, the right one (cm)!