Growth hormone injections? Limb lengthening surgery? A medical journalist tells us about the effects and side effects of taller surgeryDr. Hong Hye-gal

 

 

2 surgeries to increase height

 

There are only two ways to increase your height medically.

First, there are growth hormone injections that can be used if the growth plates are open.

In the past, it was believed that growth hormone injection therapy was only effective in cases of growth hormone deficiency, including Turner syndrome*. However, as a result of 2~8 years of random clinical studies conducted by academia, it has been proven that it can increase the average height of 6~7cm. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved the prescription of growth hormone injections in 2003, and the Cochrane Group, known for its tough and critical stance, also recognized the efficacy of growth hormone injections.

*Turner's syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes women to be short in stature, have a short and thick neck, and have delayed sexual development.

However, there are some significant drawbacks to growth hormone injections. First, the economic aspect. Growth hormone injections need to be injected every day for at least 6 months to 2~4 years. It depends on your weight, but it costs more than 3~600,000 won per month, which is about 2~30 million won or more.

In addition, one of the disadvantages is that the psychological burden is very high. Growth hormone injections are only effective when they are given to younger age groups with open growth plates. In general, it is recommended to be around the age of 5 or 6 before entering elementary school. At that time, the psychological burden of stabbing in the stomach every day is bound to be very great.

The last is the side effect that accompanies injection therapy. Of course, long-term injections of growth hormone do not cause cancer or other significant diseases. However, in some cases, it can grow so fast that its growth plates weaken.

Growth hormone injections can predict the effect of genetic testing or facial skeletal deformity. Parents of children between the ages of 5 and 6 may want to consider growth hormone injections with a specialist if they can afford it and their child is very short.

The second is limb lengthening surgery. Limb lengthening surgery, unlike growth hormone injections, is available when the growth plates are closed.

Limb lengthening surgery is a surgical procedure in which the thigh or shin bone is intentionally cut and waited until it hardens to extend by 1 mm every day, up to a maximum of 10 cm. Some people are worried that there may be complications or side effects because they can stretch the bones but not the surrounding nerves and muscles. In fact, it is said that lengthening about 5~6cm does not put much strain on nerves or muscles. It is already widely practiced in Korea to increase the length of one leg when the length of both legs is different.

However, limb lengthening surgery also has a huge disadvantage. The first is also economic. Limb lengthening surgery is a medical item that is not covered by health insurance, and it may cost at least 2~30 million won.

In addition, limb lengthening surgery uses an external fixation device that holds the leg from the outside or an internal fixation device that is implanted inside the bone to fix the leg. You must be bedridden or in a wheelchair for at least 6 months~1 year.

Finally, the most important limitation is the risk of death. It's so painful that you may need to take narcotic painkillers like morphine.

Today, however, surgical techniques have advanced so much that the likelihood of complications such as loss of life is low. Limb lengthening surgery is not generally recommended, but I can say that it is a surgery that can be used cautiously by a small number of people who are extremely uncomfortable and distressed by their kidneys.

 

Lifestyle tips for height growth

 

A healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to grow tall. First, and most importantly, get enough sleep. Growth hormone, which is important for our height growth, is released explosively around 12 p.m. If you don't experience this phenomenon, your bones won't grow well. The renowned Stanford University Sleep Center in the U.S. recommends taking a 15-minute hot bath with warm water 90 minutes before going to bed for a good night's sleep.

Second, balanced nutrition is also very important. A 2012 study of South Koreans found that fruits and beans are the most important foods that contribute to our height. This is because the various plant-derived nutrients and vitamins contained in fruits boost metabolism, and the vegetable proteins in beans increase bone synthesis and block the action of bad hormones in the body. If you can't afford to eat fruit or beans, a multivitamin or plant-based protein powder may be the next best option.

So, on the other hand, is there anything you should stay away from in order to be taller? The first is a late-night snack. Eating late-night snacks can cause insulin to be released by the pancreas, which can interfere with the release of growth hormone when you sleep.

The second is environmental hormones. Environmental hormones cause precocious puberty and prevent you from growing taller. Instant food, which is heated in the microwave with cup noodles, paper cups, or plastic containers, can hinder the growth of young people's height.

There is a perception that innate inheritance is important for height, but it also requires acquired effort. If you are an infant or teenager, please make consistent efforts to practice a healthy lifestyle.