Growing longer limbs

**Posts:** 11 · by **chrisy** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 12:42 pm

Hi,
I'm a 18 year old female who wishes to "grow" longer limbs. I'm 5'6" but disproprtionate because of my long torso. There are many products online that "guarantee" results. Do they really work?
Thanks

**Posts:** 2563 · by **Dr. Tamer Fouad** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 4:33 am

Chrissy,
Limbs can be grown longer by a process called distraction histogenesis or the Ilizarov method, which is named for the pioneering work done in the early '60s by the Russian physician. There are three phases to the treatment. First, through a small incision, the bone is cut so it can be lengthened. It is done very carefully so the periosteum, or bone covering, is preserved, since it plays a major role in forming new bone. The surgeon then places a device, known as an external fixator, around the leg. It is comprised of lightweight carbon rings or a carbon bar that is attached to the bone, through the leg, by wires and/or screws. The wires are placed under a predetermined amount of tension. The fixator will be used to slowly pull the bone apart.

About five to 10 days after surgery, the second phase, known as distraction, begins. Each day the patient or a family member turns a small wheel on the fixator a total of 1 millimeter. It is usually done in four installments, once at each meal and again at bedtime. The turn results in a space forming between the two ends of the bone. New bone forms within the space. It takes about one month to gain a centimeter of length.

When the desired length or angle of the bone is achieved, the consolidation phase begins. During this time, which is usually twice that of the lengthening time, the new bone and tissue become solid. The fixator is then removed under general anesthesia, and the patient is fitted with a temporary cast or brace. This is to ensure that the new bone does not get broken. Ongoing physical therapy to maintain joint mobility is essential, as is follow-up care. If a patient is negligent about his after-care, temporary or even permanent loss of function may result.

Its a long and very tedious process, but rewarding if the case warrants it. This method has been used with dwarfism to give them extra height.

Regards,

**Posts:** 11 · by **chrisy** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 5:15 pm

Thanks Doctor!
But is there a way to lengthen limbs without surgery?
-Christina

**Posts:** 2563 · by **Dr. Tamer Fouad** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 7:46 pm

Not that I know of Christina. Maybe you can post some of the stuff you found on the net and I can give you my opinion?
Regards,

**Posts:** 4 · by **mrz0gs** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 2:43 am

Hi guys. I'm a 21 year old male at 5'7 1/2 and I also have been looking into products that make one taller. Tamer if you could check this web page http://www.heightboosting.com and tell me your opinion on this product I would greatly appreciate it. Christina you should check this web page out also.

here is some back ground on my parents height
Mom - 5'4
Dad - 5'6

**Posts:** 2563 · by **Dr. Tamer Fouad** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 4:34 am

Human growth hormone is the principal hormone responsible for our body growth and maturation during our development from childhood to adulthood. Our height is attributed to growth of our skeletal bones. Each of the 'long bones' as they are called has an area called an epiphysis which represents a loose junction near its ends that allows further bone formation under the effects of growth hormone. However, once the bone epiphyses unite at adulthood no amount of growth hormone can make the bones longer. Length of bone in this cases can be grown using surgical techniques.

These injectable hormones, naturally produced in the pituitary gland, are designed for those with a growth hormone deficiency, or those whose growth has been thwarted as long as their epiphyses has not been united.

Athletes use growth hormone to build muscle mass and bone mass (stronger bones - not longer) , this usually comes at a price. There are complications to the use of growth hormone that include glucose intolerance, carpal tunel syndrome, gross hormonal imbalance.

Cheaper alternatives are on the market. Oral tablets, nasal and rectal sprays, and other products currently on the market claim to stimulate growth hormone production. A person soon builds up tolerance to these compounds so that they do no good. Improvements may one day make these so-called "secretagogues" a viable alternative to injectable growth hormone # but that their safety still needs to be proven.

Hence it should be known that the use of these supplements is not FDA approved at this moment as far as I know.

**Posts:** 4 · by **mrz0gs** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 11:37 am

At what age do men hit this epiphyses stage and could i find out through my doctor if that stage has passed? I've had people tell me men stop growing at 21 and others tell me at 25? What age do we stop growing? With the reply you send before your saying those pills will not work?

**Posts:** 2563 · by **Dr. Tamer Fouad** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 11:52 am

The epiphysis takes several years till complete union. Below is a rough outline:

1. Proximal epiphysis, which appears approximately at birth,
a. Initial union at 14 in females, 16 to 17 in males
b. Complete union not until 23 years
2. Distal epiphysis, appears during the first year of life
a. Beginning union at 11 to 13 in females, 14 to 16 in males,
b. Complete fusion in females between 13 and 18; in males by age 20.

Unfortunately there is no evidence that oral hgh will work after union of epiphysis.

**Posts:** 4 · by **mrz0gs** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:30 pm

how can one find out if thier bones have fused already, is this something a doctor could find out? so out of a scale of 10 this product from heightboosting.com what would you give it?

thanks for your help and im sry if these questions sound dumb.

**Posts:** 2563 · by **Dr. Tamer Fouad** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:38 pm

You can tell if the epiphyses are united by x-rays. I don't think these medicines will be useful at all. Their effect if any will wear out very quickly as the body gets used to it and develops tolerance (resistance) to its effects. They also may have side effects and like the website says: Not to be used except after consulting your doctor.

**Posts:** 4 · by **mrz0gs** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 1:17 pm

thanks for your help Dr. fouad. I'm glad i was able to talk to someone with medical knowledge before i tired those pills. I'm not going to take those pills and im going to talk to my doctor about this epiphyses stage and see if i can get an x-ray. thanks for all your help agian. Talk to you agian sometime soon .

sincerely,
Alex

**Posts:** 2 · by **Peter101** » Wed Feb 09, 2005 6:18 am

maybe i ask the same question as previous but I am rather confused.
I was wondering. I am 19 years old I am 5'5 (167cm), weak body etc. if i get growth hormones in my body can i grow? i suspect its something wrong with my body. my one leg is taller than the other and i have pains in my. i don't think my body has produced the right amount of growth hormone becuse my father is 6'4 (190cm). can it be possible that i just need some minerals and prduce groth hormones?
//thanks in advance

**Posts:** 3 · by **igor** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:40 pm

Hi, i just turned 17. My hips are wide and my torso is somewhat short. Is there any stretches i can do or anything i can take to make my hips more narrow or lengthen my torso or spine(my upper body) please reply asap thank you. :)

**Posts:** 3 · by **igor** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:49 pm

OTHER POST RIGHT BEFORE MORE INFO---Oh and by the way i am 6" maybe 6"1 and maybe eating certain things will make me taller? i don't want my legsto grow i just want my upper body to be taller so it looks like my hips a more narrow. thank you

**Posts:** 2 · by **Peter101** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:11 am

I was just curios. Igor do you have manbrests as well as womens hips?
thanks

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