LON

LON is a useful technique that help those patients who does not want to have an external fixator for a long time over their bones.We use the external fixator only during the lengthening period while there is a nail inside the bone, then after completing the lengthening we lock the nail inside the bone and we remove the fixator, so the nail can protect the weak newly formed bone till full consolidation within 4-5 months later.

The advantage of this operation that the whole procedure take about 10-12 weeks and that it is much cheaper than doing fully internal nail.

The disadvantages that we need to do 2 operations: one to insert the nail and apply the fixator and another to lock the nail and remove the fixator after completing the lengthening.

It is not a preferred method in cosmetic lengthening as we like our patients to do full weight bearing and strengthen their muscles during entire the course of treatment.
When LON method is used unilaterally, it is fine but for bilateral, it needs to be used cautiously specially for weight bearing because the external fixator holding the newly formed bone is fixed only proximally and distally not to all entire the bone as when we use external fixator only.

We see that external fixator only with ability to do full weight bearing post operatively is the best option for cosmetic lengthening. Not only because it is the lowest cost method but also as the patient can practice his life very well from day 1 after the operation.
Our patients are too happy with that.
Ofcourse it is not the same everywhere in the world at all.
We use special technique that allows our patients to walk well and weight bear …. As shown in the videos in External fixation method and we use high quality material : AMERICAN & Italian HA coated pins and device.

However, we do it for patients who are eligible to do it and in need for that and who understand all its pros & cons.

We use high quality material & Brands for the nails and fixators.

The advantage that it is cheaper than full internal implant and that it allows applying a stronger implant than the full internal that can allow the patient to walk and weight bear.