With advances in the medical field that span advanced heart transplants to minimal botox fillers, the right doctors and hospitals will always present a solution to your unique problems or needs - one of them being height surgery, or more globally known as limb lengthening. This procedure has transformative results, an orthopedic specialty, it is the controlled slicing of the bones in your legs to allow them to grow, giving you the benefit of being taller than your original height. But when it comes to eligibility, key questions often surround age and growth readiness when discussing limb lengthening surgery risks. This guide covers essential considerations, so you can determine if this procedure is right for you.
If you have a more detailed question, feel free to reach out to one of our medical consultants! Our consultations are absolutely free and have no prior obligations!
What Is Minimum & Maximum Age Limit for Limb Lengthening Surgery
Limb lengthening success rate statistics imply that it has 90-95% success rate even though surgery is an advanced procedure, which means that it does present a set of challenges when determining if you are the ideal candidate or not to keep this success rate. Your doctor will ideally be more inclined to consider you for the procedure if you are older than 18-20 years old, because it is during these years that your growth plates have fully closed and your spine is at its strongest.
A key factor to keep in mind is that during adolescence, X-rays can monitor epiphyseal (growth plate) fusion before considering elective procedures. This greatly minimises any risks and your doctor is more aware of your prior health issues and bone conditions.
On the flip side, the age cut off for this surgery is typically for individuals 50-55 years and above. This is due to the fact that these are regressive years with declining bone density and slower healing. Although not recommended, if you fit into this age bracket, you can still carry out the necessary protocols and tests to identify whether or not you are the ideal candidate. At Imperium Health Group we offer free consultations with great offers on screening packages at your local partner hospital in your region. If all goes well, older folks can also be considered for the transformative hip and knee lengthening surgeries!
Ideal Age & Growth Plate Criteria for Leg Lengthening
Successful height surgery hinges on whether your epiphyseal plates (growth plates) have closed. Every individual is unique, and gender plays a monumental role in defining whether or not you are the ideal patient for this procedure. As women’s bodies mature faster their plates generally fuse between their developing years, whereas for boys it is slightly more delayed. Conclusively, the period that growth plates fuse for both men and women is different and looks like so:
- Girls: Ages 14–16
- Boys: Ages 16–18
Once fused, further natural height growth is unlikely—making surgical lengthening a viable option. If you're unsure about your growth plate status, an orthopedist can evaluate your X-rays, especially ones that were conducted during you adolescent years to reach a more solid conclusion.
How to Check If the Growth Plates Have Closed
Through the use of medical imaging (X-ray) of the hand, wrist or the knee, hip or ankle, your orthopedic doctor will determine if your growth plates have closed by conducting a bone age assessment.
Growth plates are areas of cartilage at the ends of long bones that allow for lengthening during childhood and adolescence. As you mature, these plates gradually ossify (turn into bone) in a process called epiphyseal closure. Once fully ossified, no further natural height increase is possible.
The X-ray is compared to standardized bone age charts, such as the Greulich and Pyle atlas, to determine skeletal maturity. In males, closure often happens around ages 16–18, and in females around 14–16, though this varies based on genetics, hormones, and overall health.
However, every case is unique and a thorough analysis is best for your own safety, so don’t be alarmed if your doctor conducts additional tests such as an MRI to gain a more detailed view, or try to determine if your growth plates have closed early through hormonal evaluations. This is particularly relevant when evaluating candidacy for limb lengthening surgery, as open growth plates may change the surgical approach.
How Biological Aging Affects Limb Lengthening
Biological aging has large effects on bone density, soft tissue flexibility and healing speed which are all key factors to consider when deciding whether or not this surgery is for you. Even if one of these factors is not within normal range, your doctor will convey realistic treatments and expectations tailored for your needs:
- Bone Density: Experienced decline post-40s, reducing healing capacity.
- Soft Tissue Flexibility: With age, muscles, tendons, and ligaments lose elasticity, increasing recovery challenges.
- Healing Speed: Younger patients heal faster, making them better candidates.
Hence, while age alone doesn’t disqualify candidates, older patients require thorough bone density testing, nutritional plans, and closely monitored rehabilitation, and if all results yield within normal range, there is no reason for you to not consider this transformative procedure. All these services from initial consultations, to screenings, tests, the surgery itself and post-operative care are offered at our state-of-the-art partner hospitals around the world and especially in Turkey. Contact us to speak to a medical consultant and start the process today!
Is Limb Lengthening Requirements Different for Male and Female?
Yes, gender plays a vital role in biological conditions as well as the period during which the growth plate closes fully, typically earlier in females, which means they may become eligible sooner. Gender doesn’t alter surgical technique or outcome expectations. Your doctor will present a series of post operative care measures that will help you regain full recovery in the allotted and expected period!
Aesthetic height surgery can be life-affirming, but safety is driven by individual readiness—not just age. The key factors are:
- Growth plate closure
- Bone density
- Physiological resilience
- Commitment to recovery
If you'd like to explore your eligibility, book a free consultation with an expert today. Our medical consultants at Imperium Health Group are ready to assist you in any way you may need!