Femur and Tibia Lengthening, Staged
For patients who want more than 8 cm: lengthening both segments in two stages, 12 to 16 cm in total, while keeping proportions natural. Who it is for, and who should stop at one segment.
Medically reviewed by Prof. Arshak Mirzoyan, MD, DMedSc. Last reviewed 13 October 2026.
A single segment, lengthened by 6 to 8 cm, is where most patients stop. Some want more. Lengthening the same bone further raises the complication rate steeply, so larger goals are planned as two stages on two different segments: the femurs first, then the tibias, months apart, for 12 to 16 cm in total.
Why two stages, not one
Lengthening femur and tibia at the same time is possible in theory and unwise in practice for a cosmetic patient: the load on the knee, the demand on the soft tissues and the complication rate all rise at once. Staging lets the first segment consolidate, lets you recover, and lets the surgeon judge how your body responds before planning the second stage.
Keeping the proportions natural
The ratio between thigh and shin is what the eye reads as natural. The surgeon measures it from your X-rays and plans each stage so the final proportion stays within the normal range. This is also why the surgeon will sometimes recommend less than the maximum.
The plan
| Stage | What | Time in Yerevan | Consolidation at home |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | Both femurs, LON, up to 8 cm | 10 to 14 weeks | 4 to 6 months |
| Interval | Full recovery, strength, range of motion, surgeon review | None | Typically 9 to 12 months after stage one |
| Two | Both tibias, LON or LATN, up to 6 to 7 cm | 10 to 14 weeks | 4 to 6 months |
Who it is for
Patients with very good bone quality, a low BMI, excellent discipline during the first stage, and a clear understanding that the whole plan takes about two years. The psychological screening matters even more here: we want to be sure that the second stage is a considered decision, not a reflex.
What it costs
The staged plan starts from $[X] for both stages, all-inclusive, with the second stage paid when it is scheduled. See the cost page.
Begin with a conversation.
No commitment, no pressure. Send your questions and, if you have them, your X-rays. You will hear back from a person within one working day.
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