"Then, two years ago, he came across some videos on TikTok about height surgery, a procedure in which the leg bones are fractured and implanted with devices that slowly stretch them over several months, resulting in longer legs. Limb-lengthening has been practiced by orthopedic surgeons for decades as a means of correcting deformities or length discrepancies. But in height surgery, also called stature-lengthening, it can be used for patients who wish to add a few inches to their height."
"Trinh, an engineering student and ultramarathon runner from Houston, knew the surgery carried the risk of complications. Bones could heal poorly, making them more fragile, or harden at rates that could cause discrepancies. His muscles could be tightened or weakened. There was risk of infection, fat embolism and permanent nerve damage. And he would have to avoid putting weight on his legs for several months, with a full recovery taking at least half a year or longer."
Aaron Trinh was 5-foot-6 and unhappy with his stature, constantly measuring himself against others. He discovered height surgery on TikTok, a procedure that fractures leg bones and implants devices to gradually stretch them over months. Limb-lengthening has been used for decades to correct deformities or discrepancies and is applied cosmetically to add inches to height. The procedure poses risks including poor bone healing, muscle tightening or weakening, infection, fat embolism, and permanent nerve damage. Patients must often avoid weightbearing for months and face long recoveries. Costs range from $70,000 to $150,000, prompting some to seek treatment abroad; Trinh’s father fronted about $140,000 for treatment.
Read at Boston.com
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