Achilles Tendon???

[5foot6]

I have read some people say that they could only lengthen a certain amount because of their achilles tendon.  Some have also said that you can have the tendon surgically lengenthened as well as the limbs to allow for more lengthening, but some people have strongly advised against this.  So what I want to know is:

1)  Is the achilles tendon a big factor in the length that can be acheived in LL?

2)  If it is, then is it advisable to lengthen it?

3)  Anything that would be useful about the Achilles tendon in relation to LL.

I know this is a little bit odd of a post, but I have read some various things and would like clarification if possible.

Thanks...

[breakmylegs]

1) It is typically _the_ limiting factor in tibia LL

2) No. Under no circumstances. Surgery weakens the tendon significantly.

3) The tendon is the thickest and strongest in your body. It will typically (but not always) detach from the bone before it will rip. If you surgically weaken it so that it can lengthen more, you are setting yourself up for an Achilles rupture. This is a serious condition with lifelong implications. google it.

[MMTA]

I have read some people say that they could only lengthen a certain amount because of their achilles tendon.  Some have also said that you can have the tendon surgically lengenthened as well as the limbs to allow for more lengthening, but some people have strongly advised against this.  So what I want to know is:

1)  Is the achilles tendon a big factor in the length that can be acheived in LL?

2)  If it is, then is it advisable to lengthen it?

3)  Anything that would be useful about the Achilles tendon in relation to LL.

I know this is a little bit odd of a post, but I have read some various things and would like clarification if possible.

Thanks...

1. It depends on the method - the bigger the lengthening the device, the more even pressure it can exert on the tendon to overcome its resistance, but it is designed to handle forces up to 64x the weight of the human body, so it's pretty heavy duty.

2. NO! I personally think that the doctors who surgically alter the Achilles Tendon are insane. The risks that it will not recover properly are high, and it is unnecessary with the latest technology.

3. Don't mess with it. God made it the way he did for a reason. Who do trust more - a back-street LL surgeon or God? Enough said!

MMT

[5foot6]

Great, thanks for the info guys!  O.K.  One more question-- On average, will people's achilles tendons withstand 3 inches on tibias??

[5foot6]

Ups I forgot one thing... MMT when you said "it is unnecesary with the latest technology" what technology specifically were you refering to (internal, external, ISKD, ect.)?

[MMTA]

Ups I forgot one thing... MMT when you said "it is unnecesary with the latest technology" what technology specifically were you refering to (internal, external, ISKD, ect.)?

I'm referring to any of the devices used by the top doctors - Xia's patented Ilizarov with Ankle Fixator, ISKD, FitBone, Albizzia, Dr. Mitkovic's patented device.

None of these require an Achilles operation because they are more advanced than the standard Ilizarov frame used in certain places...

[5foot6]

Ok I kinda figured that, but just wanted to be sure...  Thanks again!

[EnglishFemale]

I'm referring to any of the devices used by the top doctors - Xia's patented Ilizarov with Ankle Fixator, ISKD, FitBone, Albizzia, Dr. Mitkovic's patented device.

None of these require an Achilles operation because they are more advanced than the standard Ilizarov frame used in certain places...

I don't see how ISKD, FitBone, Albizzia or Dr. Mitkovic's patented device are any different from an Ilizarov frame without an ankle fixator regarding your Achilles tendon. None of these devices lengthen the tendon as you lengthen the bone. I think it's more down to the individual patient (if they are motivated to exercise, if they are having corrections at the same time etc) and the skill of the surgeon who is working with his equipment.

But just to reiterate the original point; don't ever allow your Achilles to be surgically lengthened, it is stubborn and resistant for a reason and it still needs to be like that when you are taller! If your Achilles tendon is causing problems during lengthening then you listen to your body and you stop.

[5foot6]

Good advice, I don't disagee.  Logically I thought from the begining that altering the achilles tendon would be really bad but I had read a few different things, and wanted to clarify so thank you for your advice.  Also, because I had read a few various things regarding the achilles (not just on the MMT forum) I thought it may have been of use not just to me but to any new investigators of LL to get a clear answer/understanding about the effects the achilles tendon in relation to LL.

Thanks for your post English Female...

Talk to you later

[can182]

Is Leg Lengthening still possible for someone who has had surgery to repair a torn Achilles Tendon.  I tore my Achilles 7 years ago and am now considering Leg Lengthening.  I've been told that it's still possible but I was hoping to get information from someone who has gone through it already.  Thanks.

[craig49]

this is from Houdini

"FYI, a respected LL surgeon in New York, Dr. Robert Rozbruch, who uses the Ilizarov frames over nails method, surgically releases the Achilles tendon of ALL his tibia lengthening patients who intend to lengthen beyond 5 cm. This is done at the time the LL surgery is performed and the fixators installed. I don’t know what procedure he uses to do this (percutaneous or something else – I think something more invasive), but it shows that it is successfully done proactively. I have shared this info with Dr. Salameh as well."

again

"Hi MMT,

What you say certainly seems to make sense. It is interesting, though, that at least one LL physician who does lots of cosmetic and non-cosmetic tibia lengthenings using the Ilizarov frames over nails method includes Achilles tendon release as part of his protocol for patients who wish to lengthen more than 2 inches (5 cm). I am referring to Dr. Rozbruch who is with the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. He doesn't come on this board but I first learned of LL because of a newspaper article about him, and he was the first LL physician I consulted. Frankly, his routine release of the Achilles was one of the reasons I decided not to do my LL with him. As a layman, I thought something about it seemed a bit radical (as though purposely severing your tibias and stretching them isn't Wink). However, from everything I could determine, his protocol has been very successful and has not caused his patients any long term ill effects. Still, I am more comfortable with Dr. Salameh's approach, which uses a less invasive and less destructive technique (percutaneous perforation) and reserves it as a last resort for what he says is a tiny fraction of patients with unusual circumstances. Even Sakis, whose struggles with ballerina foot are legendary, didn't need the tendon procedure (last I checked) and is letting time and exercise take care of things. So while I'm not prepared to say that no LL patient should ever undergo a surgical procedure to allow their Achilles tendon to lengthen a bit more, or that LL physicians who occasionally do the procedure as a last resort or incorporate it as a routine part of their protocol are less competent or use inferior methods, I'd certainly rather leave my Achilles untampered with. Based on everything I now know, I should be able to and still net my desired 3 inches of lengthening. Yea!
While on the subject of the Achilles tendon and LL, I wonder whether there have been any studies addressing whether the "natural" lengthening of the Achilles tendon in tibia LL patients makes them more prone to Achilles related injury. MMT? Anyone?"
Houdini


I honestly did not know that until just right now.