Limb Lengthening Surgery Cost in India

Limb lengthening surgery in India is an inpatient method that encourages the capacity of one’s body to construct new bone alongside soft tissue, blood, vessels, and nerves that expand over time to fix the discrepancy. The limb lengthening surgery is also known as the height increase surgery.

The limb lengthening surgery in India involves slicing one of your leg bones and inserting a metal lengthening device that gradually increases or diverts the gap between the bones. This procedure is carried out at a rate of about 1 mm per day until the target length of the bone has been reached. As the leg bone is gradually diverted, the patient’s body generates new bone cells to fill in the area. The device remains in place for a few months until the target length is reached and the bone has completely healed and solidified. In the case of outpatient surgery, the lengthening device is removed surgically.

Once the new bone is fully developed, it becomes just as strong as the other bone and does not face the risk of weakening or breaking. This surgery can treat a number of complex deformities and has therefore become a reliable option for many who seek to rectify congenital or accidental distortion of their limbs. Typically, this surgery is done on patients between the ages of 18 and 25 or under emergency situations such as accidental injury.

The height-increase surgery cost in India can range anywhere between ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹8.5 lakhs. Here are some important factors influencing the limb lengthening surgery cost:

• The type and location of the hospital: The height-increase surgery cost in India is comparatively more in metropolitan cities and can range anywhere from ₹4.95 lakhs to ₹6.11 lakhs, especially if done in a private hospital.
• The orthopaedic surgeon’s expertise is another factor influencing the limb lengthening surgery cost in India
• In addition to the limb lengthening surgery cost, the cost of hospital stay also adds up. So, the duration of the stay at the hospital will also influence the expenses.

With a 95% success rate, limb lengthening surgery is being opted for by many individuals who need it.

When compared to the U.S., the U.K., and Europe, the leg lengthening surgery cost in India is significantly lower. Individuals seeking a limb lengthening surgery in India can save as much as 30-40% of the expenses. However, the cost of the surgery will vary depending on the surgery requirement of the patient.

The affordability of the surgery is one of the major reasons why several foreigners come to India to get limb lengthening surgery. However, this does not mean that the surgery is inexpensive. Getting a height-increase surgery on the average income of Indian households would make it substantially costly. Thankfully, however, several health insurance policies cover limb lengthening and help rectify limb discrepancies.

The discrepancy in the limbs may be the cause of several reasons, most commonly cerebral palsy, birth defects, polio, bone injuries, etc. These problems are either developmental, congenital, or owing to abnormalities because of bone infection, fracture, tumour, or arthritis.

The surgery has also become popular amongst those who wish to increase their height and so it is also termed bone-lengthening surgery. The surgery helps individuals achieve enhanced bone alignment and joint function via various surgical procedures. There are essentially two types of corrections:

• Acute Correction: In this procedure called the “osteotomy” the bone is cut and the bone sections are shifted manually
• Gradual Correction: During this procedure, the bone growth is induced through applied osteotomy tension

Limb leg discrepancies can cause differences in the lengths of arms or lower legs. The difference of as much as 4 cm can cause short leg syndrome leading to discomfort in walking with back pain and a bad posture.

Many who need limb lengthening surgery will find this great news: your health insurance plan does cover the limb lengthening operation. However, the medical insurance will only pay for the policyholder’s limb lengthening if the latter ends up in an accident. Most health insurance policies will not cover external congenital anomalies.

Limb discrepancies owing to bone injuries sustained during an accident are considered restorative medical treatment and therefore covered by health insurance. This is because the surgery is considered important for the survival of the policyholder. When it comes to restorative surgeries, there is no waiting period and the policyholder can raise a claim against their medical insurance to pay for the cost of the treatment.

You can also check if your health insurance plan covers expenses for increasing your height with the help of bone lengthening surgery. However, most insurance providers offer this health insurance plan at an additional premium. Yet, since it is not common that health insurance will cover limb lengthening, it is advised to carefully read your policy documents and check with your insurance provider.

Regardless of the severity of the deformity, it can come in the way of routine and everyday activities. Fortunately, most limb discrepancies that are genetic or developmental can be rectified surgically. However, with the help of comprehensive medical insurance one need not worry about the cost of treatment. The comprehensive health insurance by Tata AIG offers reliable financial protection so you can focus on speedy recovery instead of worrying about rising medical expenses. Moreover, along with paying for the cost of treatment one can even avail of health insurance tax benefits under Section 80D of the Indian Income Tax Act.