Patient Journey
The Tape Measure Moment
Stature lengthening is a long process, but afterwards you’ll walk into a taller life! At the end of your lengthening phase, we measure you against the wall in clinic and take an after photo to celebrate your accomplishment. For a lot of patients, that's the moment it becomes real. Welcome to your taller future.
The Stature Lengthening Journey
Consultation & Planning
You'll meet with Dr. Paley and Dr. Robbins — in person or virtually — to discuss your goals and finalize your surgical plan.
Surgery Day
We implant the PMax nail into the hollow part inside your bones, and surgically break the bone, allowing the nail to begin lengthening. You’ll recover from surgery in the hospital for 3–4 days.
Lengthening Begins
After being discharged from the hospital to local accommodations, you’ll begin lengthening using your External Remote Control (ERC) device. The ERC uses magnets to expand the PMax nail, lengthening the gap between your bones by up to 1 mm a day. Patients can walk with assistive devices.
Walking Again
With PMax, many patients begin walking with weight-bearing as tolerated as early as two weeks after surgery.
Lengthening & Physical Therapy
Lengthening continues by up to 1 mm per day, alongside daily physical therapy and stretching to help soft tissue grow alongside the bone.
Consolidation & Return to Exercise
Once you reach your goal length, you return home. Over the next few months your new bone consolidates (hardens), and you gradually resume normal activity. You’ll send us X-rays every two weeks to monitor your progress.
Full Activity Restored
By 9 months, most patients have regained 90% of their prior function. By 12 months, most patients return to their full range of activity including walking, running, and competitive sports.
Second Round or Hardware Removal
Some patients opt for a second round of lengthening to achieve additional height. Others move straight to hardware removal, a simple outpatient procedure to remove the implants.
Getting Ready
Finalize your plan, arrange your stay, and — if applicable — stop smoking or vaping completely. Nicotine use of any kind is not compatible with a safe recovery.
Focus on protein intake, general fitness, and getting used to regular stretching routines.
Complete your final pre-op visit, required medical paperwork, and facility orientation before your procedure.
Life During Lengthening
Where you'll stay
You'll need to remain near our West Palm Beach center (or international satellites) for roughly 11-14 weeks. We work with a small group of partner hotels that offer extended-stay rates and shuttle service to and from the clinic.
Support
We recommend having a friend, family member, or paid caregiver with you for at least the first few weeks after surgery.
Physical therapy
Plan on daily, in-clinic PT (about an hour a day, five days a week), plus self-directed stretching on your own time — the single biggest factor in reaching your goal comfortably.
Work
The first three weeks after surgery you need to be focused on recuperation and adjusting to your new stretching regimen. After that, many patients return to remote work. But, remember, you’re here to focus on your lengthening, and your daily PT and at home stretching has to come first.
Back to Normal Function
Stature lengthening is not going to make you a better athlete, but at the Paley Institute we pride ourselves on returning you to your prior function.
Start Your Journey to a Taller Life
Our patient guide to Stature Surgery details everything you need to know about getting taller.
Full Recovery in Action
