Dr Franz Birkholtz (Pretoria, South Africa)

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Quote from: BilateralDamage on February 05, 2014, 09:48:42 PMWooo, the king is back!

Dr. Birkholtz, what is your opinion on releasing the ITB when lengthening femurs?  Some doctors support it, but other doctors are strictly against it and mention that it can result in permanent athletic ability loss.

I have no clear crystallized opinion on this. I would suggest that it is up to the patient to decide. One could argue both ways!

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By the way,
It looks like cost is a determining factor here. I will post updated detailed quotes in the next couple of days.
Hope it helps!

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Please post any quotes you can Dr. B, it's much appreciated.  Something I'm very interested in is as well is the day-to-day living costs and transportation.

Cost should never be a factor when considering this type of surgery, but unfortunately a lot of us want to get this surgery sooner than later, and we don't have the finances for some doctors that can cost upwards of $100,000 USD.  Your prices are incredible for the services offered, which is why my decision for LL is split between you and Dr. Jamal right now.

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What is inside my bones now, where the internal nails used to be?

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Quote from: Franz on February 05, 2014, 08:38:57 PMDear Smallguy,

8cm in a single go is unrealistic and the most you will get from me on femurs (provided everything goes well) is 6cm.

Getting it before the end of the year is possible (6), but full consolidation of the bone may not be complete by then.

Hi Dr. Birkholtz,

Thanks for your reply. I already lengthen 8cm in the tibias and I'm looking to have the plates and rod remove in Canada in May. So what do you think would be the best time for me to start internal femur lengthening? And what method would you use? Can you purchase the precise 2?

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Hi Dr. Birkholtz,

Can the knee problem be solved in full by using this approach? Can you please clarified what this means?

Femoral lengthening with a rail external fixator:
 
“ Subtrochanteric femoral lengthening has the advantage of minimal interference with Knee ROM.”



“The cortical thickness of the femur rapidly increases distal to the lesser trochanter. This can sometimes make the osteotomy more difficult and predispose to a greater likelihood of crack propagation to the nearest pin. Due care and attention are needed, creating a ‘clean’ osteotomy…”


Thank you

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Hello Dr. Birkholtz,
I would just like to thankyou for the answers and clarifications you gave in this thread.
Although I have been following this forums for a long time, I learn a lot of thinghs that i didn't knew form your answers, and clarified others. And I enjoyed your direct, complete and kind writing style.
Many thanks,
Uber

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Quote from: BilateralDamage on February 05, 2014, 10:08:46 PMPlease post any quotes you can Dr. B, it's much appreciated.  Something I'm very interested in is as well is the day-to-day living costs and transportation.

Cost should never be a factor when considering this type of surgery, but unfortunately a lot of us want to get this surgery sooner than later, and we don't have the finances for some doctors that can cost upwards of $100,000 USD.  Your prices are incredible for the services offered, which is why my decision for LL is split between you and Dr. Jamal right now.
I second this! If Dr.B offers a better deal, I am definitely flying to SA this summer!!!

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Quote from: Medium Drink Of Water on February 05, 2014, 10:17:55 PMWhat is inside my bones now, where the internal nails used to be?
Good question. Adults don't really have true bone marrow in their long bones. It is mostly fatty tissue. It seems that when nails are removed, this is what is left in the bone.

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Quote from: Übermensch on February 06, 2014, 11:16:47 AMHello Dr. Birkholtz,
I would just like to thankyou for the answers and clarifications you gave in this thread.
Although I have been following this forums for a long time, I learn a lot of thinghs that i didn't knew form your answers, and clarified others. And I enjoyed your direct, complete and kind writing style.
Many thanks,
Uber
Thanks for the kind words. As with most things in life, education is critical before making important decisions.