The Netherlands is famous for having the tallest people in the world. But even here, being exceedingly tall might seem like a disadvantage sometimes.
That is why 11-year-old Ninthe is considering growth-prohibiting surgery. At her young age, she’s already 170 centimetres (5′7″) tall — and she’s only expected to grow further.
An isolating feeling
It can feel isolating to be so tall at 11, when the average height for a child is around 150 cm (4′11″). Ninthe is expected to grow to 190 cm (6′ 3″), more than 20 cm over the average female height in the Netherlands.
Speaking with RTL Nieuws, her mother Marion explains how standing out can be difficult: “Although she knows how to defend herself, she still gets a nasty comment thrown at her every now and then, which can make her sad.”
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Ninthe and Marion posted a video online to find other young girls who are remarkably tall, especially ones who have experience with growth-prohibiting surgery.
The post got a lot of positive reactions, but Marion noted that there seems to be a bit of a taboo when talking about the surgery. “Many girls wrote that when they told their environment, people reacted with: ‘ridiculous, who would let a healthy body be cut?’ I find that very sad to hear.”
Growth-prohibiting surgery? Yes, it’s a thing
Orthopaedic surgeon Lars van Rozen explains that growth-prohibiting surgery involves making a small incision around the growth plates at the bottom of the thigh and the top of the lower leg.
The procedure halts about 30-40% of expected growth, with an average remaining growth of 8 centimetres.
To be eligible for this type of surgery, boys must have a height prognosis of more than 205 centimetres, and girls must have a prognosis of more than 185 centimetres.
People opt for the procedure for personal as well as practical reasons, says Lars. Being exceptionally tall can make it challenging to find clothes, travel by public transport, or even enter certain professions.
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Lisa Lambert (22) decided to undergo the surgery when she was 15. She grew to be 188 cm — eight centimetres less than her expected height of 196 cm.
She saw Ninthe’s video and sent her some words of encouragement: “If you’re considering the operation, it’s not something to be afraid of. The first few weeks are tough, but after that, you won’t have any problems. Tall girls rule the world!”
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