
A person may increase his/her height by performing some leg extension exercises or by undergoing a surgery. The following article provides information about the exercise and the surgery to increase the height.
Human beings are never satisfied with their physical appearance. They keep on thinking about ways to improve one or the other aspect of their appearance. One such facet is the height. Given a chance, people who are not tall, would have wished to have a tall stature. Tall people not only fit the average human aesthetic criteria, but might also feel more confident. Also, a surgery can also be done to erase the difference between the two legs.
Surgery for Leg Extension
It is a form of limb lengthening surgery, which is performed to correct difference in the length of the limbs. The surgery is also performed to increase the length of legs and thereby increase the height of a person. The procedure of this surgery was developed over 40 years ago in Russia. It is based on a surgical procedure called osteotomy, wherein the bone which requires lengthening is cut. The cut bone is then slowly pulled apart approximately 1 mm per day, with the help of an external fixator device. It also promotes new bone growth in the area of cutting and can be adjusted up to four times in a day. The procedure involves continuous adjustment in this manner, till the desired length of the legs has been achieved. It may take up to 3 months or longer depending upon the required length. General anesthesia is administered, as the procedure is quite painful.
After the lengthening, the person has to stay in a wheelchair for nearly 6 months, so as to allow the bone to recover properly. The external fixators are still used to provide support and proper alignment to the new grown bone. After the fixators are removed, extensive physical therapy is given. It can go up to 2 – 3 hours a day, so that the person is able to walk on his legs. The surgeon conducts X-rays from time to time to check whether the bones have set properly or not. The surgery can be conducted on both the upper and lower legs.
Leg Extension Exercise
The leg exercises which are believed to extend legs involve the muscles of front part of the thighs. These muscles are rectus femoris and vastus muscles. These muscles can be worked upon by the leg extension machine.
Almost all forms of these machines are equipped with a padded seat. One needs to select a suitable weight from the stack, which is comfortable to him/her. However, it is advisable to begin with a light weight. Hook your legs under the bar present at the front of the machine. Adjust your lower body such that the bar rests comfortably at the lower end of your leg. When you have set your body well on the machine, choose a weight which enables you to extend your legs straight with little effort. Do not strain yourself too much while extending the legs, as you might end up with muscle cramps and fatigue. Also, while extending the legs, keep the head steady and grip the bars present at your sides firmly. Perform the given exercise 10 – 12 times in the beginning. Gradually, increase the count as you get comfortable performing it.
There are many complications associated with the surgery such as infections at the site of fixators, muscle contractures, and pain. The surgery may also cause some permanent damage in certain cases like, nerve and blood vessel damage, premature consolidation, etc. There is a negative aspect of the exercise as well. It traps your knee joint during extension. Many health care professionals believe that it may give rise to an injury over time. In spite of this belief, the exercise is practiced in various parts of the world. To remain on the safe side and protect yourself from any adverse effects, consult your physician before starting the exercise.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.