Limb or leg lengthening surgery allows individuals to gain inches in height by breaking the shin and/or thigh bones before implanting an internal (internal nail) or external fixator (circular fixation device among others). The fixator or nail slowly pulls apart the bones for months (distraction), and the bones fill in the gaps in a process called consolidation.
After distraction, patients are a few inches taller, and the majority of the process is over. From there, the bones are allowed to heal (consolidate). Although it’s a long and painful process, some have deemed leg lengthening surgery worth it due to the difficulties they face about their height.