Facepalm

That's my understanding of the procedure as well. The other method requires more prep but is quite easy.

If they catch it early they can measure how fast each leg is growing at 6 month intervals (and other measurements). Then they can go in and tell the longer leg to stop.

That procedure can be close to painless. A month with a soft cast and crutches, another month with just crutches, and a third month with no physical activity.