Shin plastic surgery – shin implantation, elimination of leg curvature

Cruroplasty is a plastic surgery that allows you to correct the size and shape of the lower legs by installing special implants.

The ideal shape of the legs, from the point of view of the aesthetics of their appearance, is characterized by the presence of four gaps:

• between ankles and feet;
• under the knees;
• between the thighs and knees;
• between the thighs and groin.

From an orthopedic point of view, the ideal shape of the legs is characterized by the position of the mechanical axis of the lower limb, which connects the ankle and hip joints, in which the center of the knee joint is no more than 1 cm outward.

Types of cruroplasty

The implant is a shell consisting of a dense silicone elastomer filled with cohesive silicone gel. Depending on the problem at hand, the patient can undergo augmentation cruroplasty using two types of implants:

• symmetrical - installation of an implant, the maximum thickness of which falls exactly in the middle;
• asymmetrical - installation of an implant whose maximum profile falls on its upper third.

Photos before and after

Photos before and after cruroplasty No. 1

Photos before and after cruroplasty No. 2

Photos before and after cruroplasty No. 3

Photos before and after cruroplasty No. 4

Photos before and after cruroplasty No. 5

Photos before and after cruroplasty No. 6

Indications for cruroplasty

It is not always possible to increase the volume of the calf muscles through physical exercise. Correction of the size and shape of the legs is performed for aesthetic and medical reasons:

• underdeveloped calf muscles as a result of intrauterine or genetic factors;
• muscle atrophy associated with diseases;
• curvature of the legs, different thickness of the shins;
• consequences of injuries;
• formation of “ridges” on the shins.

In practice, most patients do not have significant aesthetic defects, but want to improve the shape of their legs.

What is cruroplasty and a little history

Cruroplasty is a plastic surgery to correct the shape and size of the legs (this part of the body is designated by the Latin term crus or cruris). Unfortunately, it is less widely known than, for example, eyelid lift or abdominal liposuction, which today will not surprise anyone.

The first operation to correct shins was performed in 1972 on a Canadian jockey whose legs were too thin for uniform shoes. And since changes to the design of the boots were prohibited by the rules of horse racing, it was the shins that had to be changed.

Following the jockey devoted to his profession, polio victims who had suffered muscle atrophy as a result of their illness, as well as people with congenital and acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system, turned to surgeons. Well, over time, the operation began to be performed to correct the shape and size of the legs of healthy patients for purely cosmetic purposes.

How is cruroplasty performed?

During cruroplasty, the patient assumes a prone position. An antiseptic treatment of the intervention area is performed, the surgeon applies markings and the patient is given anesthesia. Then the surgeon makes a popliteal incision (up to 3.5 cm long) and separates the connective tissue membrane of the calf muscles from the soft tissue, creating a “pocket” for the endoprosthesis. The silicone prosthesis can be placed submuscularly or below the muscular fascia. After the implants have taken an anatomically correct position, the surgeon sutures the fascia, subcutaneous fat and applies a final skin suture.

How is the operation performed?

Cruroplasty is extremely rarely performed under general anesthesia; epidural anesthesia is usually preferred. The patient completely loses sensation in his legs, but remains conscious and can communicate with the operating team.

For those who do not want to tickle their nerves by listening to the doctors’ remarks and trying to guess what exactly they are doing with their legs at the moment, sedation always remains. This is medicated sleep and is considered a safe alternative to general anesthesia.

Progress of the operation

1. The future owner or the owner of perfect legs is placed face down on the operating table.

2. Anesthesia is performed.
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3. The shins are treated with an antiseptic, isolated with sterile linen and marked.

4. An incision is made in the popliteal fossa and a pocket for the implant is formed. As a rule, the length of the incision does not exceed 4 cm.

5. The implant is placed under the skin, fascia, and sometimes muscle, and then its position is adjusted to simulate the appearance of the lower leg.

6. The surgeon applies cosmetic stitches and a bandage to the wound, and compression garments are put on the patient’s legs.

The operation takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour. In some cases, cruroplasty is combined with liposuction of the thighs.

Rehabilitation period after cruroplasty

The rehabilitation process takes about 4 weeks. During the rehabilitation period it is necessary to wear special compression garments. To relieve the load on the operated area, wearing shoes with heels 3-4 cm high is recommended.

During the day after plastic surgery, the patient remains under the supervision of doctors. In the first days, the patient may feel moderate pain, which can be relieved with painkillers prescribed by the doctor. In the first month after cruroplasty, it is necessary to limit physical activity (sports are acceptable 2-3 months after the intervention) and avoid visiting the sauna and bathhouse.

Recovery

After surgery, the patient will be transferred to a hospital, where he will need to stay from 1 to 3 days. The sutures are removed in about a week. In the first two weeks, it is necessary to reduce any physical activity to a minimum. Compression stockings should be worn continuously for at least 4 weeks. The patient should visit the doctor regularly for examination (frequency determined according to the circumstances). Until complete recovery (about 3 months) it is prohibited:

• wear high-heeled shoes (more than 5 cm);
• visit the sauna and swimming pool;
• exercise.

To have cruroplasty in St. Petersburg, sign up for a consultation at a medical clinic. Experienced doctors will make every effort to ensure that the procedure for shin augmentation and the recovery period pass without complications, and the achieved result pleases the client for many years.

! Interesting materials on cruroplasty on our blog

Modern silicone implants, their composition and use in plastic surgery

It is very difficult to bring your shins to a normal appearance when working out in the gym. This is a long and difficult process, and the result is not always satisfactory. Plastic surgery is a way to give your legs a beautiful look with a predictable result.

Yakimov Dmitry Konstantinovich

Doctor of the highest category. Candidate of Medical Sciences. Member of the Society of Plastic Surgeons. Author of more than 30 works in the field of surgery, teacher at the Military Medical Academy.

Contraindications for cruroplasty

The operation is not indicated for patients under 18 years of age, since before this age the natural process of formation of the skeleton and soft tissues has not yet been completed. Main contraindications to cruroplasty:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• oncology;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• varicose veins;
• blood clotting disorder;
• inflammatory processes, purulent wounds and trophic ulcers in the operated area;
• diabetes.

Shin plastic surgery – shin implantation, elimination of leg curvature

Plastic surgery of the shins gives the maximum effect in case of false curvature and in case of small volume of calf muscles. If the curvature of the legs is due to the structure of the bone, then plastic surgery will be ineffective.

Plastic surgery of the legs will help correct the defect and make the legs beautiful only in the case of improper distribution of soft tissues. In case of pronounced asymmetry of the legs, the operation is performed on one leg. The surgeon tries to achieve complete symmetry by selecting an implant of the appropriate size.

If all recommendations are followed, the effectiveness of the operation is high. The results last for many years. The durable silicone implant does not change its position and does not “float”. Accordingly, the legs do not lose the beautiful shape acquired during the operation.

Indications for surgery

• Curvature of the legs, primarily in the shin area (false and true curvature are distinguished, the latter is associated with defects in the congenital structure)
• Excessive thinness of the calf muscles
• Asymmetry of the legs (congenital or acquired)
• Poor development of the calf muscles
• Muscle atrophy associated with previous diseases (for example, polio) or injuries
• Presence of fatty deposits on the calves
• Ptosis of the skin and soft tissues on the inner surface of the leg

Contraindications for surgery

• Presence of varicose veins in the legs
• Inflammatory processes involving the lower leg area
• Various tumors and swelling of the legs
• Diabetes
• Blood clotting problems
• Exacerbation of chronic diseases
• Acute infectious diseases
• Negative general surgical indications

Preparing for surgery

Preparation for surgery to correct the shape of the lower leg includes a set of standard preoperative tests, including general urine and blood tests, blood biochemistry, blood clotting tests, tests for HIV, viral hepatitis, syphilis, and an electrocardiogram. Doppler ultrasound (USD) of the lower extremities and therapeutic consultation are also performed. The patient must be healthy at the time of surgery. It is advisable that the period of surgical intervention does not coincide with menstruation.

At least 2 weeks before shin surgery, the patient must stop smoking, as well as taking certain medications (in particular, aspirin and other medications containing acetylsalicylic acid). You should not drink alcohol for some time before and after the intervention. The day before surgery you should not drink or eat.

Progress of the operation

Access to tissue for subsequent placement of the endoprosthesis is provided through a single incision made in the popliteal fossa. This allows you to camouflage the future seam as much as possible in the natural fold of the skin. The length of the cut is 3-4 centimeters. The implant is installed through the incision. The endoprosthesis is placed either under the fascia of the gastrocnemius muscle or under it itself. Placement assumes the most rational installation, which results in a maximum increase in the volume of the lower leg and the formation of the most aesthetically pleasing contour.

Implants come in different sizes with smooth or textured surfaces. Gel and soy implants are not permitted for this operation.

The incision is closed with a special cosmetic suture and secured with a special pressure bandage. After healing, the scar at the incision site becomes almost invisible, especially since its length is only 3 cm.

Duration of the operation: on average 1-2 hours.

Anesthesia: arthroplasty of the legs can be performed both under local anesthesia (local spinal or epidural anesthesia) and under general anesthesia (intubation anesthesia). The choice of a specific type of anesthesia is made by the surgeon based on the individual characteristics of the patient’s body and the specifics of the upcoming operation.

Rehabilitation after surgery

In the first ten days after surgery, swelling may occur. A compression bandage is applied immediately after the operation. The bandage is kept for a month after shin surgery. Surgeons recommend abstaining from physical activity for the first two to three months.

The postoperative period after cruroplasty is accompanied by moderate pain in the popliteal areas, which is associated with the tension of the sutured popliteal fascia. Immediately after the operation, it is recommended to wear shoes with 5cm heels, which will reduce pain. The patient spends a day in the hospital. The sutures after surgery are removed within 7-10 days.

After shin augmentation surgery, you must wear compression stockings for one month. In the first days, it is better to take 7-14 days off to fully recover after the operation.

Cost of the operation

The price of shin surgery depends on the complexity of the surgical intervention. The cost of the operation is also affected by the number of days spent in the hospital. The full cost of the operation is determined by the surgeon at a preliminary consultation, when he gets to know you better and conducts an examination.

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Initial appointment with a plastic surgeon - 1,000 rubles.

Carrying out the operation - 60,000 rubles. (without the cost of endoprostheses)

Other expenses - find out the full receipt of the all-inclusive operation from the clinic administrators by phone. 8 (863) 2-372-000

Doctors' opinions

Despite the fact that cruroplasty lags significantly behind other plastic surgeries in popularity, you can find many reviews about it on the Internet. For example, a plastic surgeon with many years of experience shares his opinion on shin correction.

Plastic surgeon, Dmitry Viktorovich Krysin, expresses his view on the operation.

Patient reviews

Patients actively share reviews with each other. In response to the girl’s request to tell her whether anyone on the forum had undergone cruroplasty, one of the participants replies that she is satisfied with the results of the operation, although the scars have not completely disappeared.

And this woman shares the experience of a friend who achieved the ideal shape of her legs with the help of cruroplasty.

A forum participant says that the implant is indistinguishable from real muscles, and attaches a photo as proof.

But this girl didn’t like the result. Most likely due to a poorly selected implant.

Advantages and disadvantages of cruroplasty