Quote from: TheAlchemist on July 07, 2021, 06:04:12 PM3 Weeks Post Rod Removal
Hey LL Fam!
Today marks 3 weeks post rod removal. I feel amazing. Outside of very minor, barely noticeable, temporary stiffness after being in a position for too long (lasts 1 minute at most), I feel 100% fine.
Here’s the recap of my rod removal experience:
Days 0-2 -> Rough. Pain level up to a 5/10- reliant on pain meds. Not ambulatory on my own - needed support from crutches/cane to move around. Highly recommend having an aide or family watch over you.
Days 2-4 -> Exponential improvement. Can now walk independently, albeit slow with an awkward waddle. Pain level improving to a 2/10. Only Tylenol needed.
Days 5-7 -> Exponential improvement. Walk looks normal, however speed limited. Pain level barely noticeable (only when pressure is applied to surgical wounds.)
Day 7 and on -> Exponential improvement in surgery wound trama healing and strength. Everyday you’re so much better. Right hip had slightly more bruising and couldn't sleep on sides, otherwise I felt great.
Day 14 and on -> Ongoing improvement, slight soreness/bruising in right hip gradually resolved itself through remainder of week. Able to sleep on both sides. Can walk for miles each day with a perfectly normal gait.
The fresh removal scarring is healing up nicely. Putting on aquafor daily.
I'm limiting my activity to just walking (no gym/heavy lifting, no running) until 6 to 8 weeks post removal op per the doc's guidance (still have 4 screw holes in our legs that need to fill in.)
I receommend all LLers remove their rods/hardware as soon as their doctors allow them. The benefits are real beyond any placebo effect. My legs feel lighter and my body feels more agile- I have my rods in hand and they have some weight to them. The minor discomfort I'd feel with the screws in my hips are now gone. There is a substantial difference in mobility and agility. I honestly feel like I did pre-LL, which I couldn't say with full honesty for the past year and a half after LL. It's an awesome feeling.
Congrats on removal! Out of sheer curiosity, could you weigh the rods?? As someone who has had my Precice rods in for 7.5 years now, I am super curious how much they weigh. Also, I feel a huge difference in flexibility and athletic performance since I got my bottom (distal) screws removed last year, it is like night and day. I wonder how much better it will be when I get the whole deal removed.
Diary: Stryde Femurs with Dr. Paley September 2019
Quote from: 6CMFemurs on July 07, 2021, 07:44:18 PMCongrats on removal! Out of sheer curiosity, could you weigh the rods?? As someone who has had my Precice rods in for 7.5 years now, I am super curious how much they weigh. Also, I feel a huge difference in flexibility and athletic performance since I got my bottom (distal) screws removed last year, it is like night and day. I wonder how much better it will be when I get the whole deal removed.
Thanks!
Did a rough weigh in of the rods and they were each just about a pound. Doesn't sound like much on their own, but day in and day out over time you can feel the difference of a pound on each leg.
To add to that, as a fairly skinny person, the screws at the hip site would press up against my skin and caused mild discomfort whenever I slept or laid on my side, with the screws out it feels way better.
This is anecdotal but I feel more flexibible now too. I believe our bones have a natural ability to slightly bend and flex with various bodily motions, however with the steel Stryde rods in, where steel is much less flexible, your bones + rods don't have as much flex to them....with them out it feels better. Again purely anecdotal and obviously haven't been flexing my bones much so far....but will report back if this is truly the case over time.
Super awesome that you feel like pre-LL after just a mere 3 weeks!
wow the body truly is an amazing machine.
Quote from: Movie on July 07, 2021, 09:49:54 PMSuper awesome that you feel like pre-LL after just a mere 3 weeks!
wow the body truly is an amazing machine.
Thank you bro! Agreed it's amazing what our bodies can do!
Totally agreed Alchemist. Getting the rod out makes you feel better. I’m not sure of the exact science of it but it definitely makes a difference. Glad you’re doing well. You, me and Movie were going through this about the same time....It was helpful to refer to your experiences at the time. All the best!
Quote from: bgreeneee on July 08, 2021, 12:39:47 AMTotally agreed Alchemist. Getting the rod out makes you feel better. I’m not sure of the exact science of it but it definitely makes a difference. Glad you’re doing well. You, me and Movie were going through this about the same time....It was helpful to refer to your experiences at the time. All the best!
Likewise - your diary and videos were helpful for me as I navigated through this crazy LL experience. I feel a sense of brotherhood w/ you, Movie, the rest of the forum folks, and all the friends I made at Paleys back in late 2019. I'm so glad you are doing well. Cheers brotha!
Hey man! So great to hear from you!
I request you, please keep updating every now and then...it's very helpful , and gives us motivation !
Any before and after photos?
Hey man it's like 4 months post removal....how are things going? Are you back to pre ll stage in terms of strength, flexibility? Is there lingering pain, tightness or numbness? Also, weird question, have the nail holes started healing back? And btw what did doctor say, do our muscles and soft tissues grow after LL or they just stay there permanantly stretched? Are you back to running/jogging?
Give ist an update Bro. I am very interested:)
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