Experts issue serious warning over 'limb lengthening' surgery after man had procedure to grow 4 inches
Experts have issued a warning over 'limb-lengthening' surgery after a man had a procedure to grow by four inches.
Irakli Archvadze, 36, from Tbilisi in Georgia, always felt 'uncomfortable' with his height of 5ft 7in.
Dubbed a 'short king', Irakli explained how, after visiting a clinic in Turkey, he decided to go ahead with a limb-lengthening surgery in which surgeons broke his femurs and fitted metal frames in his legs.
Following the surgery, Irakli used an Allen key over the course of three months to gradually separate the broken femurs by 1mm every day, allowing new bone to grow in between.
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By May, he had increased his height to 5ft 10.7in and now says he feels more confident than ever, despite the 'intense pain' he has suffered.
He told PA Real Life: “People don’t understand how us short kings feel. With my height, I felt like part of my puzzle was missing, and I found this part, through the surgery, and now I feel accomplished, so my puzzle is complete.
“It’s easier to get things from the kitchen cupboard and I will see if I can see better at concerts now!”
Irakli has even quit his job to focus on his surgery and recovery, explaining he had developed a 'warrior mindset' in the run up to the procedure and 'wasn't nervous at all'.
In the aftermath, Irakli has been having physiotherapy three times a week.
“I stretched as much as possible and I woke up five times per night, stretched in the bed and went back to sleep, and I went to the gym almost every day,” Irakli explained. “I used a walker to get around. There was some intense pain, but I prepared myself mentally so it was okay, and I had painkillers too.
“Pain is inevitable in this process but I looked at the pain as progress – fear is an obstacle to a progress. Therefore, I pushed myself not to give up and to go forward.”
Irakli explained that he couldn't be happier with the results of the surgery - which cost approximately £36,190 ($49,119) - and said he was applauded by his friends when he returned home.
He said: “It felt amazing, I’m really satisfied with my height now, and I achieved what I dreamed of. Everybody was shocked by my height, and right now I’m taller or at the same height as my friends.
“I feel like I’ve got more respect from my friends now because once you go through a challenge, and once you win your battle, you are a strong person and I proved to them that I can do something that’s really hard.”
He isn't the only person to have undergone the surgery, as Chandler Crews, who was born with achondroplasia, had three 'limb-stretching' procedures and has spoken on how it 'changed everything' for her.
Despite both Chandler and Irakli's positive experiences, experts have issued a warning over the surgery.
Professor Tim Briggs, an orthopaedic surgeon, told The Guardian: “It is a serious, invasive procedure that can be beneficial for patients when there is a genuine clinical need but carries significant risks and requires informed discussions between patient and surgeon.
“Patients face months of treatment, which can be extremely painful, with the possibility of infection, nerve damage, blood clots and even permanent disability.
“Anyone considering this surgery for cosmetic reasons abroad should think very carefully about the long recovery and the risks, and I would urge against it unless well informed about where they are seeking treatment.
“Don’t gamble with your health or your life for a few extra inches without fully understanding the risks.”
Some of the main concerns surrounding limb-lengthening surgery include infection, nerve damage and the legs being different lengths. Meanwhile, if the bones are separated too quickly, there's a risk they may not mend or grow properly, which could lead to weak tissues unable to hold the weight of the rest of the body.
Topics: Health, News, World News
Lucy Devine