Limb Lengthening Forum

Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Discussions => Topic started by: corn on April 13, 2020, 05:58:16 AM

Title: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: corn on April 13, 2020, 05:58:16 AM
1. Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?

2. Does the thickness of the calves of people who have gotten thicker after surgery come back to the pre-op thickness?

3. Please tell me how to do it if there is anyone who has decreased in thickness after calf surgery.
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: Wanderlust on April 13, 2020, 07:59:59 AM
Interesting question, I would like to know as well.

1. Could possibly be from the extra blood that goes into the calves to grow the bones? (not a doctor, just assuming here)

2. From what I've come to understand.. it seems like for women on average, the calves don't get much larger, while for men on average they do, I don't know why

3. Would like to know too.. I don't know if compression socks would help but you could give those a try. If you have access to Amazon you can try SB Sox, they have socks in the 20-30 tightness range.
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: llj on April 13, 2020, 08:13:49 AM
so you guys are talking about tibia lengthening? cause i did femurs and my calves actually got thinner  :-[, temporarily that is, i'm still in my distraction phase

but if one does tibia, the callous will form inside the shins and thus push out the muscles a bit..

maybe this is a small factor, im also curious if there are other factors  ???
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: Kal el on April 13, 2020, 11:11:28 AM
Hey llj which method did u use for femur lengthening.
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: llj on April 13, 2020, 09:25:18 PM
i did stryde with dr pili, im about to finish my distraction phase within 10 days
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: Medium Drink Of Water on April 16, 2020, 05:09:56 AM
1. Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?

I believe it is a response to the biomechanical changes the body undergoes.  Walking with longer legs is more difficult, so the muscles get more of a workout and grow accordingly.  Some genetically-determined length to thickness ratio of muscles that the body likes to maintain might also be playing a role.

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2. Does the thickness of the calves of people who have gotten thicker after surgery come back to the pre-op thickness?

Not in my case.

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3. Please tell me how to do it if there is anyone who has decreased in thickness after calf surgery.

Maybe don't walk as much?

I wore compression socks because I thought I'd look weird - a skinny guy with big, giant calves.  I got the big calves anyway but they look all right.  My build is now kind of like NBA player Shaun Livingston's.  I think the reason they don't prevent growth is because they only prevent swelling.
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: Short56 on April 16, 2020, 09:43:18 AM
there is a video of dr lee of youtube about it
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: corn on May 09, 2020, 05:33:47 AM
Some people wear strong compressed socks but they get thicker
Title: Re: Why do the calves get thicker after surgery?
Post by: Koharu on May 27, 2020, 12:41:30 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE5i9AwSCCw

Here's the link. Thanks for suggesting. I was worried for a second. As a girl I don't want thicker calves but doctor explained it is mostly gender-specific. I think I wouldn't mind some more blood supply. I always get cold feet from poor circulation. Actually I'm kind of worried if that would contribute to higher risk of non-union  :-X