I am 18 and have a leg length discrepancy of 1 cm, my left leg being longer by 1 cm. I run long distance and have done taekwondo for 9 years, and have recently started muay thai, which involves high impact blows. This has been really depressing for me for the past 2 and 1/2 years, and feel I have to do something about it. I have done hours of research and know whats out there and what can be done with the medical innovations at present. The discrepancy is in my tibia, and most probably by birth. The thing I would like to know is (1) whether the best methods can have consequences at present and in the future,(2) will the bone heal completely back to its original strength, (3) will I be prone to knee problems, (4) will I be able to run like 10 miles a day( and i've really let myself down on running for the past 2 years), (5) and pro muay thai fighters are known to break baseball bats with their shins due to cortical remodeling; would I honestly be able to do that after the procedure, (6) what happens to the areas in the bone where the screws are drilled; will those areas close up with new bone, and will those areas serve as weak points. I can devote a lot of my time, i'll do anything to make the conditions better, and even spend as much as 2 years recovering and put everything aside for that time. I just want to make sure that I have no consequences. Thank you for whoever took the time to read this.
And i am 5'9.5" and have no problems with my height.
Thanks for your replies
I understand that 1 cm is common and can be tolerated, but it's more psychological. Also looking at the x ray , naturally because of the pelvic tilt there is a slight tilt of the spinal column. And also when the longer I run, i begin to feel a pull of the muscles above above the pelvis , and my body slightly turns at an angle.
As long as there is no major consequences at present or future, and I have the time and resources. I'll most probably undergo it.
And my bone plates haven't closed yet, so is there a way to squeeze 5mm or so using growth stimulators just on the right tibia and fibula. Also If anyone wants to convey any other consequences or problems, as harsh as it may be, PLEASE DO.
Would an external device be safer or an internal device such as the precise nail be a better option for my case?
DO you mean the ilizarov apparatus or some other external device?
I'm still scared about any external device, because there are a lot of people who say there are long term consequences involved with it. And the muscle tissues are getting severed. There could also be nerve complications which I am scared about too.
Again thanks for replies. That's what I was scared about too. It was only after getting the x ray yesterday, I was a bit depressed again after coming in terms with it. Anderson Silva and Kevin Ware both snapped their tibia and fibula in half along with muscle and soft tissue damage and pretty much made a full recovery.
I am a chicken when it comes to dealing with and medical things. The more knowledge you have about it the worse it is. I would want to have it done without any complications. I know I really shouldn't do it, but i will ask questions, if there is a safe possibility.
Would it be possible to use the precise nail, and instead of increasing it 1 mm a day, increase it at a much much lower rate where the muscles and other tissues regenerate at a very safe rate. But then there is a problem of the bone joining together, because of the slow pace.
And another stupid question, I'am actually 17 and 2 months, I am 5'9 and 3/4 exact, an ectomorph, and lean muscular.
My growth plates havn't closed yet so is there a chance of applying or stimulating growth on the bone some way.
Also I hit my growth spurt later than most people. Grew 3 inches between 14-15, 3.5 inches between 15-16, and grew a 1/2 an inch 16-present well thats not important.
So the thing is males from my mom's side have tended to grow during their college years. Especially my uncle, who was 5'7" at the time before college and grew 6 inches in college to 6'1". I'm not concerned about my height at all in fact I feel this height is perfect.
But in the chance that genetics causes me to grow a bit more, is it possible to fix the discrepancy some how.
Even if it as much as just 5 mm some way, I would be more than happy.
Your right, I am the only person to notice. Even the doctors didn't notice at first glance, when I showed them the pelvis.
I am just worried there might be some spinal problems in the future.
I got the x ray taken yesterday, and they showed it to me, have an appointment with the doctor today, but have been asking questions to cope with the depression. I just feel really anxious and bummed out and even didn't go to school today.
Just an update, officially I have a 11mm discrepancy, and my right femur is 6 mm shorter and my right tibia is 5 mm shorter. Not good news, but I'll deal with it: no surgeries.
The only positive thing , my growth plates haven't closed yet and I'm having slight uncomfortably on the top end of my tibia which could mean it's growing a bit.
Anyways I wouldn't want to sacrifice my leg strength and performance over lengthening it a bit.
I'll just wear a 7mm lift.
Hopefully there might be some kind of medical advance in the future which could slightly increase the legth of bones by just several mm without consequences.
And if are doing the slightest lengthening know that there will always be a problem.Your muscles and nerves will definitely be affected, even with the best healing genetics.
For all you people who want to increase your height specifically for girls, it's a sacrifice between height , or strength, the ability the do amazing stuff, like fight, parkour......
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