LON vs PRECICE: Which Limb Lengthening Method Is Right for You?
Short answer
LON (Lengthening Over Nail) and PRECICE both add height by slowly lengthening the bone about 1 mm a day.
• LON: uses a temporary external frame plus an internal nail. It costs less: $26,000 at our clinic.
• PRECICE: is fully internal. A magnet-driven nail is lengthened with a remote controller, so there is no frame on the leg. It costs $56,000.
Both can reach similar height gains. The difference is comfort during the lengthening months and the price.
How LON works
• 1. An intramedullary nail is placed inside the bone.
• 2. An external fixator is attached on the outside.
• 3. After the osteotomy (a controlled cut in the bone) and a short waiting period, the fixator lengthens the bone gradually.
• 4. When the target length is reached, the fixator is removed in a short procedure and locking screws secure the nail.
• 5. The nail stays inside while the new bone consolidates.
Because the frame comes off early, the time patients spend with external hardware is shorter than with classic methods such as Ilizarov.
How PRECICE works
The PRECICE 2.2 nail contains a magnet and gears.
• 1. Several times a day, an external remote controller (ERC) is held against the thigh or shin. It turns the magnet and lengthens the nail by a fraction of a millimetre.
• 2. There is no external frame and there are no pin sites, which means a lower risk of pin-site infection and easier sleep, dressing and hygiene.
• 3. Patients can usually start physiotherapy and walking with crutches early.
Side-by-side comparison
• Package price (hotel excluded): LON: $26,000 · PRECICE 2.2: $56,000
• Package price (90 hotel nights): LON: $38,000 · PRECICE 2.2: $68,000
• External frame: LON: yes, during lengthening only · PRECICE 2.2: no
• Pin-site care: LON: daily · PRECICE 2.2: not needed
• Typical femur gain: LON: up to 8 cm · PRECICE 2.2: up to 8 cm
• Typical tibia gain: LON: up to 6 cm · PRECICE 2.2: up to 6 cm (tibia nail)
• Comfort while lengthening: LON: moderate, the frame limits sleep and clothing · PRECICE 2.2: high
• Second short surgery: LON: yes, frame removal plus locking screws · PRECICE 2.2: no extra step during the lengthening phase
• Nail removal later: LON: when X-rays show union in at least 3 cortices, on average after about 12 months · PRECICE 2.2: same as LON
Femur up to 8 cm and tibia up to 6 cm is our standard when each bone segment is lengthened in a separate surgery.
Who is LON best for?
• Patients who want a proven method at the lowest cost.
• Patients who can manage pin-site cleaning and a frame for roughly 2 to 3 months.
• Most tibia lengthenings, where LON is very common.
Who is PRECICE best for?
• Patients who value comfort and a frame-free daily life.
• People who must keep working remotely or travel soon after surgery.
• Patients with a higher concern about pin-site infection.
Risks of both methods
Both methods share the main risks of limb lengthening:
• muscle and joint tightness (contracture)
• nerve irritation
• slow or poor bone healing
• infection
• blood clots
LON adds pin-site infection risk. PRECICE adds a small risk of nail mechanism problems.
Our surgeon controls the lengthening speed at every check-up and adjusts it if the bone or soft tissue needs more time. See Is Turkey safe for limb lengthening?.
FAQ
Is PRECICE better than LON?
Not in terms of the final height. Both lengthen the bone at the same rate. PRECICE is more comfortable during the lengthening phase. LON is less expensive.
Is LON more painful than PRECICE?
Patients usually report more day-to-day discomfort with LON because of the frame and pin sites. Pain from the stretching muscles is similar with both methods.
How much taller can I get with LON or PRECICE?
Usually up to 8 cm in the femurs or up to 6 cm in the tibias in one stage. Your surgeon sets a safe target after examining you.
Can I combine LON and PRECICE?
Yes. In a quadrilateral plan, for example, PRECICE can be used for the femurs and LON for the tibias. See the Quadrilateral package.
How long do I stay in Istanbul?
Most patients stay about 3 months for the lengthening and early physiotherapy phase with either method.
Is the nail removed later?
Yes. The nail is removed once X-rays show bone union in at least 3 of the 4 cortices. This can be as early as 8 months or as late as 18 months; on average it is about 12 months. Nail removal is a separate procedure (USD 7,000 at our clinic) and can also be done in your home country by another team. See Nail removal after limb lengthening.
Not sure which method suits you? Book a free online consultation with Op. Dr. Fatih Arslanoğlu on WhatsApp.
Related pages
• LON
• PRECICE