"The HEF has to be kept in place for the all duration of the treatment till full consolidation is achieved. Usually it takes around 100 days for lengthening up to 8 cm and 5-6 months to achieve a full consolidation. During the lengthening time the patient will walk with crutches and follow our rehabilitation protocol to avoid muscle contractures such as ballerina foot".
Can anyone confirm at what point I would be walking again and able to move on my own?
Id be traveling from near the UK to Italy for this surgery so im trying to determine how long I would be staying there?
So my understanding is that I would in the HEF fixator twisting the pins however required for a period of 100 days. What happens though during the subsequent 5-6 months consolidation phrase that follows?
Would I still be in the HEF fixator or is it removed after lengthening? if not is it only removed after the 5-6 month consolidation period?
Im not sure what id tell my family but im thinking id say im going traveling for a year as it looks like it will be a good 9 months before I could return home.
Many thanks for any help provided
Quote from: 3inchhope on October 21, 2017, 02:55:35 PM"The HEF has to be kept in place for the all duration of the treatment till full consolidation is achieved. Usually it takes around 100 days for lengthening up to 8 cm and 5-6 months to achieve a full consolidation. During the lengthening time the patient will walk with crutches and follow our rehabilitation protocol to avoid muscle contractures such as ballerina foot".
Can anyone confirm at what point I would be walking again and able to move on my own?
Id be traveling from near the UK to Italy for this surgery so im trying to determine how long I would be staying there?
So my understanding is that I would in the HEF fixator twisting the pins however required for a period of 100 days. What happens though during the subsequent 5-6 months consolidation phrase that follows?
Would I still be in the HEF fixator or is it removed after lengthening? if not is it only removed after the 5-6 month consolidation period?
Im not sure what id tell my family but im thinking id say im going traveling for a year as it looks like it will be a good 9 months before I could return home.
Many thanks for any help provided
You Will keep the Ilizarov rings for all the lengthening And consolidation phase, so near a year
"During the lengthening time the patient will walk with crutches and follow our rehabilitation protocol to avoid muscle contractures such as ballerina foot"
Ok so i understand that I can expect to be in HEF frame for the guts of a year. So would it be correct from the above to assume that after the 100 days of lengthening that you would still be in the frames but be able to walk without crutches?
Im guessing you would be walking like frankenstein though with frames still on so if out in public would probably be better to use crutches.
Also I think I read that frames can be removed from your own surgeon at home. This seems quite odd to me as im not sure how this could be done?
Im from Ireland and in my country, your doctor makes a referral to a hospital, they take and xray and schedule surgery if needed to fix an injury or condition. There are long backlogs as it is so its not like you can rock up with some frames around your legs, saying you got limb lengthening and surgeons will just remove frame.
Id personally be too embarrassed to explain it all to my local doctor so id hope Dr Pili could remove them when that time comes.
Dr Pili does list some possible complications and how they can be resolved. I suppose my two greatest fears would be fat embolism and any non union complications leading to amputation.
Are these risks still a real possibility or is it safe to assume that with modern surgical procedures being followed they can be eliminated?
Quote from: fivetenneeded2016 on October 20, 2017, 05:40:48 AMI have two questions, could you please ask him:
1. can one go back to his country after 3-4 weeks and work(desk job). Does he recommend or have had anyone do so? provided the physios are religiously done.
2. can the 10-15% length compression(subsidence) be avoided by wearing the HEF frames longer?
Hi, you can of course do desk job. After a couple of days you can go home safely.
Quote from: FDR101 on October 20, 2017, 09:05:44 AMHey Frederico, I have some questions regarding the split Dr. Pilli uses post lengthening with his HEF technique.
He says that:
Does this mean he does not insert a classic nail which is normally used in LATN (lengthening and then nailing) which a lot of other doctors use with externals?
If he says Yes, can you ask him:
1: What does the split look like?
2: Is it just 1 split or multiple?
3: What are the advantedges and disadvantedges of the split he uses compared to the classic nail most other doctors use?
Thanks.
Hi, what you can split, wich is splint, is a device used for support or immobilization tool wich can be made of plastic and other material, or by making a fabric bandage that you wear to cover the leg. It is basically a guard, to protect the leg and the new bone. So you will wear one for leg.
I'm not aware of what other doctors do, if he don't do it probably there is a reason. I suppose that you need a surgery to put a nail on, so the answer it's pretty simple.
Have a nice day
Gentlemen,
Thought this information from emailing Pili might help others; please see below.
i) How many millimetres of lengthening would you advise for optimal recovery whilst achieving a good height gain? (I train at a Muay Thai Boxing gym 3 days a week and would like to continue with this sport after surgery).
It depends on your wishes and on the way you will react to the procedure. However 6-8 cm is usually a good gain.
ii) Once the distraction / lengthening phase is complete can I return to England whilst consolidation takes place and provide you x ray images via email?
Yes, you can, but you will have to come and see me when I will ask you to. Usually once as month.
iii) Can you provide an up to date price for Hybrid External Fixator for tibia?
19-25.000 depending on where is the main procedure performed.
iv) How many physiotherapy sessions are required? Once, twice a day?
2-3 a week will be enough.
Thanks a lot,Random Hero !
Have you already done a consultation with him ?
I will follow carefully your case since your starting height it is not very different from mine and since I live in Italy 
RH, CLL will kill any chance of being competitive in Muay Thai. Your stamina will drop, your legs will be more sensitive to impact, and they'll feel heavier because your quads have to put in more work to move longer shins. Don't do it if muay Thai is still important to you.
Quote from: The Dreamer on January 05, 2018, 09:37:31 AMThanks a lot,Random Hero !
Have you already done a consultation with him ?
I will follow carefully your case since your starting height it is not very different from mine and since I live in Italy
No worries; we are all here to help each other 
I'm going to set up a consultation as soon as my work schedule dictates hopefully in next two months.
Ah nice! I would have never had known you were Italian as you can write better than me (native English speaker)! Haha
Quote from: KiloKAHN on January 05, 2018, 04:48:06 PMRH, CLL will kill any chance of being competitive in Muay Thai. Your stamina will drop, your legs will be more sensitive to impact, and they'll feel heavier because your quads have to put in more work to move longer shins. Don't do it if muay Thai is still important to you.
It would be an extremely proud moment to fight in the Thai stadiums at some point but I've passed my prime sadly so little point in perusing that avenue.
I'd just be happy with one or two amature bouts now and then but I am aware I will be at a disadvantage.
As long as I can still defend myself about and about on the street against yobs that's good enough for me.
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