Limb Lengthening Surgery in Turkey: Cost & Partner Surgeons in Istanbul

Limb lengthening surgery in Turkey is an advanced orthopedic procedure that gradually increases the length of the leg bones, offering a solution for people who want to increase their height or correct a limb-length discrepancy. Sometimes called height surgery, it is one of the most specialised procedures in orthopedics, and Istanbul has become a leading destination for it because experienced surgeons here use the same internationally certified PRECICE and Ilizarov systems found in the UK and Western Europe, at a fraction of the cost.

Medical studies show that limb lengthening can add roughly 5 to 8 centimetres to the femur and 4 to 6 centimetres to the tibia, and in staged cases up to 13 to 15 centimetres. The bone is surgically cut and a specialist device slowly distracts the ends apart at about 1 millimetre per day, so new bone tissue regenerates in the gap and eventually fuses at its new, longer length. Demand has grown steadily, and many patients now travel to Turkey for this care rather than pay £80,000 to £120,000 privately at home.

Luna Clinic Medical Travel Services is a medical travel coordination company in Istanbul. We work with independent partner surgeons who specialise specifically in limb lengthening and operate at accredited hospitals with full surgical and rehabilitation facilities. From your first enquiry, a bilingual coordinator manages your flights, accommodation, transfers and interpretation, while every clinical decision, from suitability to technique, is made independently by your surgeon. Luna does not perform surgery and does not guarantee outcomes.

Indicative prices, last checked in July 2026. Turkey figures are starting prices quoted in euro by independent partner surgeons and cover the items listed. UK figures are typical private prices in pounds sterling and are shown for comparison only. Your surgeon sets the final price after assessment.

How much does limb lengthening surgery cost in Turkey?

Limb lengthening cost in Turkey typically ranges from €24,000 to €65,000, considerably lower than in the United States or private clinics in the UK, where equivalent procedures can exceed €100,000 or cost £80,000 to £120,000. Cosmetic limb lengthening is not available on the NHS and very few UK surgeons offer it, which is why Turkey, alongside Spain and parts of Eastern Europe, has become a leading destination for internationally certified height surgery.

The final price depends on your case, and Luna presents the surgeon medical fee and the travel coordination fee side by side so you can compare honestly with home-country pricing. The main factors are:

• Technique chosen. A PRECICE internal nail sits at the higher end of the range, while an Ilizarov external frame is generally more affordable.
• Bones being lengthened. Lengthening the femurs only costs less than a staged femur-and-tibia procedure that requires two separate surgeries.
• Facility and equipment. State-of-the-art hospitals with modern rehabilitation centres may charge more than smaller facilities.
• Surgeon's experience. A specialist limb lengthening surgeon with a strong track record is the single most important safety factor, and experience is reflected in the fee.
• Rehabilitation included. The length of in-Turkey physiotherapy and monitoring built into your package affects the total.

Limb lengthening Turkey all-inclusive package: what is included

International patients travelling to Istanbul for limb lengthening book a coordinated package that covers the whole journey, from arrival through the demanding distraction phase. A typical Luna-coordinated trip includes:

• Surgical fee, general anaesthesia and hospital stay (3 to 7 days) with the partner surgeon
• The lengthening device: PRECICE internal nail, Ilizarov external frame or a combined system
• Pre-operative blood tests, imaging and consultation
• VIP airport, hotel and clinic transfers throughout your stay
• Accommodation arrangements for the 8 to 12 week distraction period in Istanbul
• On-site physiotherapy and regular X-ray monitoring during the lengthening phase
• Dedicated bilingual patient coordinator from first enquiry to home
• Long-term virtual follow-up and written protocols for your local physiotherapist

Package pricing starts from €24,000 with the specific implant brand and surgeon credentials confirmed in writing before you book. Clinical follow-up is conducted by your surgeon, not by Luna. Your surgeon provides the final quote after consultation.

Types of limb lengthening

Your partner surgeon recommends the technique that suits your anatomy, goals and case complexity. The common methods are:

External fixation (Ilizarov technique)

A circular frame is attached to the limb with wires and pins and adjusted daily to stretch the bone. It is the most established method, versatile for complex deformities and lower in cost, but the frame is visible and needs meticulous care to prevent pin-site infection.

Internal fixation (PRECICE nail system)

A telescopic motorised rod is placed entirely inside the bone and lengthened remotely with an external magnet. It leaves no external hardware, carries a lower infection risk and is more comfortable, but it is more expensive and not suited to very large deformities.

Combined method

External and internal fixation are used together when a case needs extra stabilisation during lengthening. It offers the benefits of both approaches for complex cases but involves a more complex surgery and longer recovery.

Limb lengthening surgery recovery time

Recovery is a gradual process that rewards patience and full commitment to physiotherapy; your surgeon sets your individual timeline. The general trajectory is:

1. 1 weekYou remain in hospital for pain management, antibiotics and the first physiotherapy sessions, using crutches or a wheelchair. Swelling and mild discomfort are common while your team monitors for complications.
2. 3-4 weeksThe distraction phase is well underway and the bone begins to regenerate, though it is still fragile. Frequent physiotherapy maintains joint flexibility and muscle strength as the device is adjusted about 1 millimetre per day.
3. 3 monthsSubstantial new bone growth means many patients move to a single crutch or cane and begin partial weight-bearing. Regular X-rays monitor bone consolidation.
4. 6 monthsThe lengthening phase is usually complete, external fixators (if used) are often removed, and most patients can walk without aids as they rebuild muscle strength and balance.
5. 9-12+ monthsThe bone fully consolidates, the device is removed in a minor second procedure, and most patients return to running and high-impact sport once cleared by their surgeon.

Limb lengthening results and success rate

Limb lengthening has an approximate success rate of around 95% when performed by an experienced specialist, and published surveys report that over 90% of patients are satisfied with the outcome. The high figures are attributed to meticulous surgical technique and modern lengthening devices. A decade or two later, results are generally permanent and stable, with the lengthened limb functioning as well as the other and complications such as arthritis remaining uncommon.

Individual outcomes always depend on your anatomy, general health, and how fully you commit to rehabilitation, skipping physiotherapy is the most common cause of a poor functional result. The most reliable indicator for your case is an honest pre-treatment conversation with your partner surgeon, who assesses your suitability and realistic gains before you commit to travel.

How the limb lengthening procedure works, step by step

From first contact to your return home, the process is planned around your case. A typical journey to Istanbul looks like this:

• Consultation. Your surgeon reviews your medical history, goals and X-rays, discusses risks and realistic outcomes, and determines which technique suits you. Cosmetic cases usually include a psychological assessment.
• Medical tests. Blood work, imaging scans and, where indicated, a bone density test confirm you are fit for surgery and rule out conditions that impair healing.
• Surgery and hospital stay. The bone is cut and the lengthening device fitted under general anaesthesia over 2 to 4 hours, followed by a few days in hospital for initial recovery.
• Distraction and rehabilitation. You stay in Istanbul for roughly 8 to 12 weeks while the bone is distracted around 1 millimetre per day, supported by on-site physiotherapy and X-ray monitoring.
• Follow-up at home. You travel home with written protocols and continue daily physiotherapy and monitoring; the device is removed in a minor second surgery 9 to 12 months later.

Ideal candidates and choosing your surgeon

Only the independent partner surgeon you consult with can confirm suitability. In general, healthy adults aged 18 to 55 with closed growth plates, no active infection, well-controlled diabetes, no osteoporosis and good vascular health are typical candidates. Reputable surgeons require a psychological assessment for cosmetic cases to confirm realistic expectations, given the long and demanding recovery. Smoking, heavy drinking and certain medications can impair bone healing.

When choosing a limb lengthening surgeon in Turkey, look for board certification, membership of recognised international orthopedic societies, a specific focus on limb lengthening rather than general orthopedics, and a hospital with JCI or equivalent accreditation. Ask directly about case volume and complication rates. Through Luna, your surgeon credentials, hospital accreditation and the exact implant brand are confirmed in writing before you commit.

Why patients choose Luna Clinic Medical Travel