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Q: Methods for body height increase ( Answered,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Methods for body height increase
Category: Health
Asked by: ly097-ga
List Price: $50.00
Posted: 02 Nov 2002 17:16 PST
Expires: 02 Dec 2002 17:16 PST
Question ID: 96896
What is the best way to increase body height.
What is the most cost-effective.
Who are the resources that provide these services.
I would prefer professionals in the subject matter.

Separately, i have already researched the 1st page of google results,
and do not seem highly promising.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Methods for body height increase
Answered By: darrel-ga on 04 Nov 2002 12:37 PST
 
Hello--

I've researched your questions and have the answers.

A person's height is determined by how our genes interact with the
environment. If you live in a healthy way, you will achieve your
greatest potential height. The most important things you can do are to
get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, eat a well-balanced diet, and
avoid alcohol and drugs.

Your body will continue to get taller until the growth plates on your
bones close. People stop growing at different ages. You might stop
growing in your mid teens. Or you might continue growing into your
twenties. How tall you get is mainly determined by how long your long
bones are.

If you believe you are not as tall as you should be, you might have
have an absence of a growth hormone. Your doctor can run tests to find
out if you lack this hormone. It's quite possible! I've found that
some symptoms of this loss of growth hormone include arthritis and a
severe changing of your facial features.

An article written by Oregon State University researchers states, "For
persons with a documented absence of growth hormone, administration of
this hormone can help them to acheive 'normal' stature, but this is
indicated only for persons clearly way below normal growth curves and
a documented (by lab tests) deficiency. Growth hormone given after
bones have stopped growing (for example at 22) would be more likely to
induce acromegaly. This is a disease seen in persons that secrete too
much growth hormone. The symptoms are significant corsening of facial
features, hyperplasia of joints and severe arthritis."

If your doctor finds that your bones are abnormally short, this can be
corrected through a process called articial stretching. Your bones
will be broken and the bone parts will be attached piece by piece to
steel rods that can increase the length of your bones, and thus, make
you taller. This is said to have a high success rate but is painful.

You may read about PFFD, a syndrome in which bones don't properly
grow. The link is http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/kainen/pffdproj.html

You may read one child's story about PFFD at his web site. The link is
http://www.tum.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Some doctors are against limb lengthening. This web site sponsored by
Georgetown University, writes, "WHY SOME DOCTORS ARE AGAINST LIMB
LENGTHENING: There are many reasons for this. One is prejudice against
medical procedures from other countries. I'm not kidding. One doctor
told me "they" didn't believe in anything from "foreign countries". To
make things worse limb lengthening came from the former Soviet Union,
remember the cold war thing? Add to this the arrogance that American
medicine is superior because it's American. When the Ilizarov Method
was first discovered there was some excitement and doctors quickly
began trying the procedure in the 1960's without extensive training in
the method. When they didn't get the results they wanted, American
doctors seemed to give up on the technique and decided it didn't work.
Limb lengthening is a difficult and complicated procedure and when
done by an unskilled doctor or untrained in the procedure or in how to
deal with the complications, the results can be disastrous. Some
doctors are too arrogant, full of pride, or jealous to admit that
another doctor can help their patient and they can't.

     Doctors are human after all but, unfortunately, a few tend to
think they are more superior than the average human. Some doctors may
be prejudiced against the procedure. Another reason is they may
believe that you or the child's particular case may have complications
that the doctor can't surgically repair and if he can't fix it then it
can't be fixed, right? They may also be too skeptical or unsure of the
limb lengthening procedure that they won't refer the patient to a
doctor experienced in limb lengthening. One important reason may be
you as a parent or the patient. Many doctors will follow your lead in
how you are dealing with the situation. It can depend on you. If you
are demanding to know all of your options they will give you that,
some will do so reluctantly. If you seem upset and can't deal with the
situation, they will offer you the quickest and easiest solution
possible. For example, in an unrelated situation, a doctor was giving
a young boy who had very severe mental retardation a stronger dosage
of seizure medication than was needed in order to keep him heavily
sedated. The boys' mother was complaining to the doctor that she could
never keep him awake. He finally told her that he was giving the child
more medication than was necessary to keep him sedated because some
parents wanted their child kept quiet and asleep. He assumed it would
be easier on her if her child was kept sedated and that she would want
it that way as well. By the way, judging by her raised voice, he
assumed wrong. Doctors not only consider the patients needs, they,
also, consider the family's needs as well and they sometimes make
assumptions. The point is they could be following your lead on
deciding what treatment they will offer.

     Not all doctors are bad, like not all mechanics are bad. Some do
wonderful work, care about the job and try to do what's best for the
individual. Some try to get as much money as they can from you and fix
it where you have to return again and again. Some simply do mediocre
work because they don't really care about the job or you, and yes,
some are bad and shouldn't be in business."

You may read this article directly. The link is
http://www.nls.net/mp/pffdvsg/vsg-for-understand.htm

Another typical treatment is the prescription of a growth hormone.
According to WebMD, a respected medical web site, a hormone "is a
substance released by an organ or tissue that controls the activity of
organs or cells in another part of the body."

Further, WebMD, writes, "Test Overview. Human growth hormone (GH) is
produced by the pituitary gland. It is essential for growth and plays
an important role in how the body uses food for energy (a process
called metabolism). The amount of GH in the blood changes throughout
the day and is affected by exercise, sleep, emotional stress, and
diet.

Too much GH during childhood can result in excessive growth
(gigantism). Too little GH during childhood can inhibit growth
(dwarfism). However, gigantism and dwarfism can be treated if
discovered early.

In adults, excess GH is usually caused by a noncancerous tumor of the
pituitary gland called an adenoma. Excess GH can lead to an abnormal
bony enlargement of the face, jaw, hands, and feet (acromegaly).

Growth hormone can cause the release of other substances (factors)
that affect growth. One of these is insulin-like growth factor 1
(IGF-1). When the GH level is abnormally high, the IGF-1 level is
usually high as well. A test for IGF-1 may be done to confirm high GH
levels.

See an illustration of the pituitary gland.

This test is done on a blood sample taken from a vein. Two blood
samples (taken 1 day apart) may be collected.

Why It Is Done 

A test for growth hormone (GH) is done to:

Determine whether a child whose growth is abnormal has dwarfism or
gigantism.
Help determine whether an adult has acromegaly, a condition usually
caused by a GH-secreting tumor of the pituitary gland (called an
adenoma).
Monitor treatment that involves use of GH. 
How to Prepare 

Fast and limit your physical activity for 12 hours prior to a test for
growth hormone (GH). Since physical activity can interfere with GH
test results, you may be asked to lie down and relax in a quiet room
for 30 minutes before your blood is drawn.

Certain medications can interfere with GH test results, such as
corticosteroids and estrogen (including birth control pills). Your
doctor may instruct you to stop taking these medications prior to this
test. Talk to your doctor about whether these medications need to be
stopped prior to the test.

Recent diagnostic imaging procedures using a radioactive tracer (such
as a thyroid scan or bone scan) can interfere with GH test results.
Inform your doctor if you have recently undergone any test that used a
radioactive tracer.

How It Is Done 

Because the blood levels of growth hormone (GH) can change quickly,
more than one blood sample may be taken on different days.

The person drawing blood will wrap an elastic band around your upper
arm to temporarily stop the flow of blood through the veins of your
arm. This makes it easier to put the needle into a vein properly
because the veins below the band get larger and do not collapse
easily.

The site where the needle will be inserted is cleaned with alcohol,
and then the needle is inserted into the vein. More than one needle
stick may be needed if the needle does not get placed correctly or if
the vein cannot supply enough blood.

When the needle is properly placed in the vein, a collection tube will
be attached to the needle. Blood will flow into the collection tube.
Sometimes more than one tube of blood is collected.

When enough blood has been collected, the band around your arm will be
removed. A gauze pad or cotton ball is placed over the puncture site
as the needle is withdrawn. Pressure is applied to the puncture site
for several minutes and then a small bandage is often placed over it.

How It Feels 

You may feel nothing at all from the needle puncture, or you may feel
a brief sting or pinch as the needle goes through the skin. Some
people feel a stinging pain while the needle is in the vein. However,
many people do not feel any pain (or have only minor discomfort) once
the needle is positioned in the vein. The amount of pain you feel
depends on the skill of the person drawing the blood, the condition of
your veins, and your sensitivity to pain.

Risks 

There is very little risk of complications from having blood drawn
from a vein. You may develop a small bruise at the puncture site. You
can reduce the risk of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for
several minutes after the needle is withdrawn.

Rarely, the vein may become inflamed (phlebitis) after the blood
sample is taken. Phlebitis is usually treated with a warm compress
applied several times daily.

Continued bleeding can be a problem for people with bleeding
disorders. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood-thinning
medications can also make bleeding more likely. If you have bleeding
or clotting problems, or if you take blood-thinning medication, tell
the person before your blood is drawn.

Results 

Normal

Normal results may vary from lab to lab.

Growth hormone
 
Men:
 0–5 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL)
 
Women:
 0–10 ng/mL 
 
Children:
 0–16 ng/mL 
 

After physical or emotional stress (such as exercise or worry about
health problems), growth hormone (GH) levels are normally about 20 to
30 ng/mL.

Greater than normal values may mean

High growth hormone (GH) values may indicate gigantism or acromegaly.
These conditions are often the result of a noncancerous tumor in the
pituitary gland (adenoma).
Increased GH levels may also result from diabetes, kidney disease, or
starvation.
What Affects the Test 

High levels of growth hormone (GH) can be caused by such medications
as amphetamines, estrogens (including birth control pills), levodopa
(Larodopa, Dopar), methyldopa (Aldomet), propranolol (Inderal), and
bromocriptine (Parlodel).
Low blood sugar can cause high GH levels.
Low levels of GH may be caused by chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and
corticosteroids.
Rough handling, contamination, or inadequate refrigeration of the
blood sample can cause inaccurate test results.
What to Think About 

Newer, more sensitive tests are being developed to measure human
growth hormone (GH).
Since normal levels of GH can vary widely, other tests may be done to
confirm the results of a GH test. Additional tests can determine
whether low levels of GH (which can be normal) mean the pituitary
gland is not functioning.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) blood levels are commonly
evaluated along with GH levels. A high level of IGF-1 along with a
high level of GH is almost always diagnostic of acromegaly. In this
case, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies should be done to
evaluate the pituitary gland. For more information, see the medical
test Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Head.
The growth hormone suppression test (also called the glucose loading
test) measures the level of GH in the blood before and after a person
drinks liquid containing a large amount of sugar (glucose). Normally,
the amount of GH drops to less than 1 ng/mL after drinking the
glucose. Levels of GH that remain high may indicate acromegaly.
The growth hormone stimulation test (also called the insulin tolerance
test) measures the level of GH in the blood before and after insulin
is given through a vein (intravenously). Normally, the amount of GH
increases after the insulin is given (in children the level should be
more than 10 ng/mL; in adults it should be more than 7 ng/mL). A GH
level that does not increase may indicate a GH deficiency.
Credits 
Author Renée Spengler, RN, BSN 
Associate Editor Daniel Greer 
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD
- Family Practice 
Specialist Medical Reviewer Alan Dalkin, MD
- Endocrinology" 

You may read about the growth hormone treatment at the WebMD web site.
At this site you can read about why the hormone is administerd, how
you prepare for the hormone, how it works, how it feels, the risks,
and the results. The link is
http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia/article/4118.292

You may read a medical definition of hormone online. The link is
http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia/article/4115.20758#sth149942

Health Library writes that any tonics or special potients to make you
taller are typically scams, "Most tonics to increase height are
unnecessary. You should really wait till the age of 20 before getting
unduly worried about the height of the child."

You may read this section at the Health Library web site. The link is
http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/yod/march98/small.htm

You can read a height chart to determine how tall boys generally are
at specific ages at a Kids Growth web site. The link is
http://www.kidsgrowth.com/stages/viewgrowthcharts.cfm?id=BH318

You can read a height chart to determine how tall girls generally are
at specific ages at the same site. The link is
http://www.kidsgrowth.com/stages/viewgrowthcharts.cfm?id=GH318

Information about kids growing up can be found on the Kids Growth web
site. The link is http://www.teengrowth.com/

A web site that lists several articles about risks and concerns with
the human growth hormone can be found at the Child Health Monitor web
site. The link is http://www.childhealthmonitor.org/HealthyHeadstart.php?HHID=7

You may read information on the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction
Society. The link is http://www.asaminorthamerica.org/


Costs 

Growth Hormones. Growth Hormones can be prescribed by a physician.
Typically these brand name drugs range from $150-$200 a month. If you
have insurance, these drugs will obviously be much less expensive,
depending on what your co-pay is.

Bone Lengthening

The cost of the bone lengthening procedure depends on the complexity
of the procedure and how many inches are required for growth. This
procedure can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000, depending on the
overall health of the patient, the number of bones needed to be
broken, how many pieces the bones will be broken into, and how much
therapy is required afterward. This varies from patient to patient.

Who performs this procedure? Here's a list of doctors who are members
of the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society.

"USA Members by State

Alaska

William Paton, MD

10177 Meadow Road

Anchorage 99516

(907) 729–1615

 

Alabama
John T. Killian, MD

314 Sterrett Avenue

Birmingham 35209

(205) 939–9837

 

Joseph Sherrill, MD

Sherrill & Sherill, MD, PA

1201 11th Avenue S., Ste. 200

Birmingham 35205

 

Arkansas
James Aronson, MD

Little Rock Arkansas Children’s Hospital

800 Marshall Street

Little Rock 72202–3591

(501) 320–1486

 

Robert Blaiser, MD

Little Rock Arkansas Children’s Hospital

800 Marshall Street

Little Rock 72202–3591

(501) 320–1486

 

Arizona
Vincent Russo, MD

10290 North 92nd, Ste. 103

Scottsdale 85258

(480) 860–1322

 

California
Stuart A. Green, MD

University of California, Irvine

3801 Katella Ave, Ste. 130

Los Alamitos 90720

(562) 430–3561

 

Bradley Hotchner, MD

30885 Sutherland

Redlands 92373

(908) 794–7014

 

Jacob Ishkanian, MD

25825 South Vermont Ave

Harbor City 90710

 

Jeffrey Kanel, MD

2512 Samaritan Court, Ste. K

San Jose 95124

(408) 358–5156

 

Kevin W. Louie, MD

2100 Webster Street, Ste. 117

San Francisco 94115

(415) 600–3835

 

David Lowenberg, MD

2100 Webster Street, Ste. 117

San Francisco 94115

(415) 600–3835

 

Lisa Miller, MD

8010 Frost Street, Ste. 406

San Diego 92123

(858) 467–1899

 

Mark K. Robinson, MD

Ventura County Medical Center

2838 Bayshore Blvd.

Ventura 93001

(805) 654–1565

 

Mark Wellisch, MD

16311 Ventura Blvd.

Encino 91436

 

Colorado
David Hahn, MD

Denver Orthopedic Clinic

1601 East 19th Ave, Ste. 5000

Denver 80218

(303) 839–5383

 

District of Columbia
Doreen DiPasquale, MD

110 Irving Street NW, Ste. 3B28

Washington 20010

(202) 877–6664

 

Colonel Kathleen McHale, MD

Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Orthopedics

6900 Georgia Ave

Washington 22037

(202) 782–5848

 

Delaware
J. Richard Bowen, MD

Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

1600 Rockland Road

P.O. Box 269

Wilmington 19899

 

William G. Mackenzie, MD

Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

1600 Rockland Road, P.O. Box 269

Wilmington 19899

(302) 651–5890

 
Florida
Richard S. Glosser, MD

Biological Orthopedics of Miami

8950 North Kendall Dr, Ste. 407

Miami 33176

 

James J. Hutson, Jr. MD

University of Miami School of Medicine

Dept. of Orthopedics

P.O. Box 16960 D–27

Miami 33101

(305) 667–0374

 

Eric A. Loveless, MD

Nemours Children’s Clinic

807 Nira Street

Jacksonville 32207

(904) 390–3684

 

Charles T. Price, MD

Nemours Children’s Clinic

83 West Columbia Street

Orlando 32806

(407) 650–7338

 

Robin Simon, DO

HealthSouth

3221 SW 53rd Street

Hollywood 33312

(954) 989–0612

 

Shawn Standard, MD

Nemours Children’s Clinic

807 Nira Street

Jacksonville 32207

(904) 390–3684

 

Georgia
Robert Bruce, MD

The Emory Clinic, Inc.

101 W. Ponce De Leon Avenue

Decatur 30030

 

George Cierny, III, MD

Resurgens Orthopaedics

5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE

Ste. 700

Atlanta 30342

(404) 256–4322

 

Dennis DeVito, MD

Children's Orthopaedics Of Atlanta, PC

5445 Meridian Mark Road, Ste. 250

Atlanta 30342

 

Illinois
Edward Abraham, MD

University of Illinois

317 Sunset Ridge Rd

Northfield 60093

(312) 996–7161

 

John Grayhack, MD

Children’s Memorial Hospital

2300 Children’s Plaza Box 69

Chicago 60614

 

Albert E. Knuth, MD

450 West Highway 22, Ste. 100

Barrington 60010

 

Ken N. Kuo, MD

Rush Presbyterian–St. Luke’s

Medical Center

1725 West Harrison St, Ste. 1063

Chicago 60612

(312) 243–4244

 

E. Brian Lindell, MD

1208 Thachery Court

Naperville 60564

 

Steven I. Rabin, MD

Loyola University Medical Center

Dept. of Orthopedics

2160 First Ave

Maywood 60153

(708) 216–1274

 

Todd Simmons, MD

8901 Golf Road, # 300

Des Plaines 60016

 

George Sisson, MD

Northwestern Med Faculty Foundation, Inc.

675 N. St. Clare

17th Floor–100

Chicago 60611

(312) 695–6800

 

Indiana
Joseph Baele, MD

Orthopaedics Indianapolis, PC

8450 Northwest Blvd

Indianapolis 46728

 

Iowa
Josh Kimelman, MD

Iowa Orthopaedic Center, PC

411 Laurel Street, Ste. 3300

Des Moines 50314

(515) 282–5288

 

Kevin G. Shea, MD

Intermountain Orthopaedics

600 Robbins Rd # 401

Boise 83702–4566

(208) 383–0201

 

Kentucky
John C. Eldridge, MD

4001 Kresge Way # 324

Louisville 40207

 
Louisiana
Kyle F. Dickson, MD

Tulane University School of Medicine

1430 Tulane Ave SL32

New Orleans 70112

(504) 584–3515

 

Michelle Zembo, MD

Children’s Hospital

200 Henry Clay Ave

New Orleans 70118

 

Massachusetts
Seymour Zimbler, MD

Children’s Hospital Medical Center

300 Longwood Ave

Boston 02115

(617) 355–2411

 
Maryland
John E. Herzenberg, MD

Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics

4201 West Belvedere Ave

Baltimore 21215

(410) 601–8700

 

Dror Paley, MD

Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics

4201 West Belvedere Ave

Baltimore 21215

(410) 601–8700

 

Michigan
Massimo Morandi, MD

Henry Ford Hospital

2799 West Grand Blvd K–12

Detroit 48202

 

Jerry H. Rosenberg, MD

Providence Hospital

47601 Grand River, Ste. A120

Novi 48374

(248) 465–5482

 

J. Tracy Watson, MD

Wayne State University

University Health Center–7C

4201 St. Antoine

Detroit 48201

(313) 745–3415

 
Minnesota
Mohammed Al–Sayyad, MD

606 24th Avenue South, Suite 119

Minneapolis 55454

 

Mark T. Dahl, MD

Minnesota Limb Lengthening Center

606 24th Ave South, Ste. 119

Minneapolis 55454

(612) 672–2911

 

Stephen B. Sundberg, MD

Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

200 East University Ave

St. Paul 55101

(651) 602–3262

 
Missouri
Joe Gordon, MD

One Children’s Place, Ste. 4S–20

St. Louis 63110

 

North Carolina
Charles J. DePaolo, MD

Blue Ridge Bone & Joint Clinic, PA

129 McDowell St

Asheville 28801

 

Robert Fitch, MD

Duke University Medical Center

Box 2911 DUMC

Durham 27710

(919) 684–3140

 

Jeffrey S. Shilt, MD

Wake Forest University

Medical Center Blvd

Winston–Salem 27152–1000

(336) 716–9813

 

New Jersey
F. F. Behrens, MD

New Jersey Medical Center

90 Bergen St., Ste. 5200

Newark 07103–2499

(973) 972–0244

 

Sanjeev Sabharwal, MD

New Jersey Medical Center

90 Bergen St

Newark 07103–2499

(973) 972–0244

 
New York
David S. Feldman, MD

NYU Medical Center

Hospital for Joint Diseases

301 E. 17th Street

New York 10003

(212) 598–6699

 

Alfred D. Grant, MD

Hospital for Joint Diseases

Orthopaedics Institute

301 E. 17th Street

New York 10003

(212) 598–6605

 

Barbara Minkowitz, MD

1800 Clove Road

Staten Island 10304

(718) 815–0011

 

S. Robert Rozbruch, MD

Hospital for Special Surgery

535 East 70th Street

New York 10021

(212) 606–1415

 

Julian G. Sallis, MD

Jacobi Medical Center

1400 Pelham Pkwy. South, Ste. 218J

Bronx 10461

(718) 918–4921

 

Roger Widmann, MD

Hospital for Special Surgery

535 east 70th Street

New York 10021

 

Ohio
James C. Binski, MD

Midwest Center for Ilizarov Limb Reconstruction

1989 Miamisburg–Centerville Road

Ste. 202

Dayton 45459

(937) 312–1581

 

William H. Seitz, Jr., MD

Lutheran Medical Center

1730 West 25th Street

Cleveland 44113

(216) 363–2331

 

John K. Sontich, MD

Metrohealth Medical Center

2500 Metrohealth Drive

Cleveland 44109

(216) 778–4040

 
Oklahoma
Michael Williams, MD

6205 North Santa Fe, Ste. 200

Oklahoma City 73118

(405) 419–5564

 
Oregon
Rodney K. Beals, MD

Oregon Health Science University

3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road

Portland 97201

(503) 494–6400

 

Douglas Beaman, MD

501 N. Graham, Ste. 200

Portland 97227

(503) 249–0719

 

Pennsylvania
Richard S. Davidson, MD

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

34th Street & Civic Center Blvd.

2nd Floor Orthopedics, Wood Bldg.

Philadelphia 19104

(215) 590–1527

 

Harish Hosalkar, MD

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

34th Street & Civic Center Blvd.

2nd Floor Orthopedics, Wood Bldg.

Philadelphia 19104

 

Robert E. Leggon, Jr., MD

Geisinger Clinic

100 North Academy Avenue

Danville 17822

(570) 271–6541

 

James J. McCarthy, MD

Shriners Hospitals for Children

3551 North Broad Street

Philadelphia 19140–4131

 

Joao Tavares, MD

Shriners Hospital for Children

1645 West 8th Street

Erie 16505

(814) 875–8728

 

South Carolina
H. Kevin Jones, MD

954 Ribaut Road, Ste. 1

Beaufort 29902

(843) 524–3015

 

Frederick Piehl, MD

Midlands Orthopaedics, PA

1910 Blanding Street

Columbia 29201

(803) 256–4107

 

Deborah Stanitski, MD

Medical University of South Carolina

96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Room 708

Charleston 29425

(843) 792–0601

 
Tennessee
James Rungee, MD

Ortholink Physicians Corp.

103 Powell Court, Ste. 359

Brentwood 37027

(617) 376–7300

 

J. Charles Taylor, MD

Specialty Orthopedics, PC

6005 Park Avenue, Ste. 430 B

Memphis 38119

(901) 682–9161

 

Texas
John G. Birch, MD

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

(214) 559–7557

 

Mark R. Brinker, MD

Texas Orthopedic Hospital

Fondren Orthopedics Group, LLP

7401 South Main Street

Houston 77030

(713) 799–2300

 

Dwight G. Bronson, MS

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

(214) 559–7557

 

Jason Calhoun, MD

University of Texas Medical Branch

Orthopedic Surgery G–92
Galveston 77555–0792

 

Kevin Coupe, MD

University of Texas Med School–Houston

6431 Fannin Street, Ste. 6.144

Houston 77030

(713) 500–7010

 

Alexander M. Cherkashin, MD

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

(214) 559–7888

 

Paul T. Freudigman, Jr., MD

3600 Gaston Avenue

Wadley Tower, Ste. 755

Dallas 75246

(214) 826–1730

 

Joseph J. Gugenheim, Jr., MD
Texas Orthopedic Hospital

Fondren Orthopedics Group, LLP

7401 South Main Street

Houston 77030

(713) 799–2300

 
Keith Heier, MD

9 Medical Parkway, Ste. 308

Dallas 75234

 

Tony Kahn, MD

Central Texas Pediatric Orthopedic & Scoliosis

1410 North I–35, Ste. 300

Austin 78701

(512) 478–8116

 

Glenn C. Landon, MD

Kelsey Seybold Clinic

2727 West Holcombe Blvd.

Houston 77025

(713) 442–0401

 

Marina Makarov, MD

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

(214) 559–7889

 

Kent Reinker, MD

13637 Bluff Circle

San Antonio 78216

 

J. David Ross, MD

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

 

Mikhail Samchukov, MD

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

(214) 559–7877

 

Robert D. Welch, Jr. DVM, PhD

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

 

Hong Zhang, MD

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas 75219

 

Utah
Peter F. Armstrong, MD

Shriner’s Hospital for Children

Fairfax Road @ Virginia Street

Salt Lake City 84103–4399

(801) 536–3600

 

James W. Roach, MD

Shriner’s Hospital for Children

Fairfax Road @ Virginia Street

Salt Lake City 84103–4399

(801) 536–3600

 

Stephen Santora, MD

Shriner’s Hospital for Children

Fairfax Road @ Virginia Street

Salt Lake City 84103–4399

 

Washington
Paul M. Caskey, MD

Shriner’s Hospital for Children

911 West 5th Avenue

Spokane 99210–2477

(509) 623–0428

 

Wisconsin
Ken Noonan, MD

University of Wisconsin

621 Science Drive

Madison 53711

 
 
 
Retired Members
 

Juan–Alfredo Carrillo, MD

Carrillo Orthopedics, Ltd.

13 Orchard Drive East

Centralia, IL 62801

 

Norris C. Carroll, MD

5440 Eagles Point Circle, Ste. 104

Sarasota, FL 34231

 

Michael Chapman, MD

University of California, Davis

Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery

4830 Y Street

Sacramento, CA 95817

 

Michael Gurvey, MD

2390 Crombie Court

Thousand Oaks, CA 91361

 

Marshall F. Hall, MD

8945 SW 100th Street

Miami, FL  33176–3031

 

Jordan M. Holloway, MD

HC 31 Box 71

Caballo, NM 87931"

You may view this list directly online. The link is
http://www.asaminorthamerica.org/03docs.html
The University of Iowa performs this. You may read about it on a news
release. The link is
http://www.uiowa.edu/~ournews/1999/july/0716bone.html

Proper Nutrition and Exercise

This is by far the least expensive way to improve your height. If
you're still growing, be sure to help your bones become as strong as
possible, so they'll be as long and as tall as possible.

It's important to note that I am not a physician and do not attempt to
offer medical advice. If you have questions about your specific
condition, please contact your physician.

To conduct this research, I searched the following terms: "increase
height" "medical treatment," "how much" "growth hormone," "growth
hormone" "prescription drug," "bone lengthening" procedure

I hope this helps! Please let me know if you need any clarification.
I'm happy to help.

darrel-ga
Comments  
Subject: Re: Methods for body height increase
From: jcg-ga on 04 Nov 2002 02:49 PST
 
There are 2 methods to increase height.  

The first can only be used before the growth plates (epiphyseal
plates) in the long bones fuse.  This occurs in late puberty, as a
result of exposure to sex steroid hormones (estrogen for girls and
testosterone for boys).  If the growth plates have not yet fused,
Growth Hormone can be administered (daily injections).  Since this is
tricky business (the correct dose, when to start and stop, what side
effects to watch out for), it must be done under close supervision of
a pediatric endocrinologist.  It may also be possible to turn off or
turn down activity of the ovaries or testes while administering the
Growth Hormone, providing a longer window of opportunity for growth
before the epiphyseal plates fuse.  This temporary turn-off is done
with gonadotropin-hormone releasing hormone agonists such as Lupron or
Synarel.

The second method is quite drastic and requires the sawing in half of
the long bones in the legs, securing the ends of the bones in place,
slightly apart from one another, using special hardware, and "turning
the screws" at prescribed intervals to further separate the ends of
the bones and allow more bone to grow in between.  This is a long a
painful road, but it works.

JCG
Subject: Re: Methods for body height increase
From: peri-ga on 05 Nov 2002 11:08 PST
 
Another method that does not use western medicine and is possible to
carry out with lots of practice, discipline and committment is to
study various eastern disciplines for mind, body and energy
manipulation.

The particular class of disciplines I am thinking of (because I have
direct personal experience of them) are the Taoist body-mind energy
arts, namely Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua Zhang and Chi Gung (alternate
spellings: Tai Chi, T'ai Chi, TaiJi, BaGua, PaKua, Qi Gong, Qi Gung,
Chi Gong, etc. -- so many because the English spelling is
transliterated from Chinese). Through daily practice and proper
instruction (all of these arts require direct interaction between
student and instructor for the learning of proper styles and details
that are lacking in most solo study), a student can learn to increase
his or her body height through better posture and internal energy
work.

Increases are generally fairly small. I was 5'11" when I started and
am now 6'1" after a year of study.

This comment is not meant as any sleight on western medical practices,
just meant as an additional data point potentially useful to the
querent.

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