Fitbone Stage Right Tibia Lenghtening (Dr. Monegal), Barcelona, Spain

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no problem

heres a link

ill be honest, i dont really understand it either... my insertion site is sore still. i dont have any anterior knee pain, but the top of my leg, it's sore.. if it doesnt go away, well,  its a bit uncomfortable. i think it should  go away  though

a lot of people complain about anterior knee pain when the nail is inserted through the patellar

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/221809122_Insertion_of_intramedullary_nails_from_the_suprapatellar_pouch_for_proximal_tibial_shaft_fractures._A_technical_note

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Update:
I have taken x-ray 14 days post op. Everything looks good. The distraction is working as expected.

http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/23697941/X-Ray_Post_Op_14_days.png.html

I was in acute muscle pain/stiffness. I was doing 4 turns equivalent to 1.08MM. I reduced to 3 turns (0.8mm) and it's been heaven. No muscle stiffness and pain. I only take pain killer few times a day now. The dose is already reduced to half. Yesterday I took one after PT session and one before to sleep.

My feet is still some what swollen and I feel 50% numb over the top and side. The bruises is 85% gone. Overall very happy with the progress.

I intend to cut down on pain killer completely once I get home. For sleeping aid I will use Benadryl. I am leaving Barcelona tomorrow. Looking forward to getting back home .

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@Dingo- I have no knee pain. The nail is insert through tip of knee via muscle and completely avoids patella tendon and femur bone.

Everything else is same. Rimming and insertion are done in some fashion as Precise or other internal nail.

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Update:
I arrived home safely. Did not have much issue at the airport. I requested wheel chair assistance and booked economy plus ticket. The extra leg room definitely helps. I had bit issue for first few hours after that no problem. I also slept few hours on the plane.

I needed a transformer to convert 110 to 220v. I thought i could easily find in big stores but not really. I checked in walmart, best buy, staples and sears. Nada, i was frustrated. Walmart sells travel converted that changes from 220 to 110 for travel overseas but not scale up.

I ordered it Amazon.com and pick the next day shipping. It arrived and was able safely lengthen again. I kinda of took 2 days break from distraction.

I feel good at home. Life is almost normal except the crutches. I start driving and even went to movie yesterday. I finished the entire movie in one sitting (no break).

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Hi Cooper!
Glad to hear everything is well with you. Thanks for reminding us about the voltage issue. I didn't even consider that one at all.

Best,
Glenn

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Great news Cooper, your recovery seems to go exceptionally well.
I couldnt do a Long hour flight or a movie.

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Quote from: Aturro on August 02, 2015, 08:55:20 PMGreat news Cooper, your recovery seems to go exceptionally well.
I couldnt do a Long hour flight or a movie.

Aturro- tibia is much easier than femur. With femur I was not even able to stay in 15mins for haircut. I had to move position but tibia is definitely easy because it is all lower section of the limb.

It is getting easier every day. I feel good and optimistic each passing day. I do miss other good leg . I was in meeting for 5 hours today. I had no issue but was little inconvenience in final hours. I did not take pain killer either.

I took nolotil mild pain killer and iced my leg as soon as I got home. So far so good!

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Quote from: glenn on August 02, 2015, 08:51:39 PMHi Cooper!
Glad to hear everything is well with you. Thanks for reminding us about the voltage issue. I didn't even consider that one at all.

Best,
Glenn

I know I was really frustrated. I had all sorts of paranoia ran through my brain. I thought my lengthening journey is finished and this is it. I feel like dump and irresponsible not managing this before hand. I wish someone knew and reminded me of that. Well at least you guys know now. It cost less than $30USD but give me $26K headache

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Hey Cooper,

I am happy that you are doing OK. Keep it up; this is for you and no one else. By the way you should have your bandages off by now? Would you mind posting some pictures of your scars? Specifically I am interested in where the antenna is inserted and placed.

To decrease the risk of compartment syndrome post-op, Dr. Betz patients get hook up to a pump and drains. They work 24/7 for several days to reduce swelling and expell excess fluids. He also sends in a massage therapist every day to perform a type of soft massage to further help with swelling. Dr. Betz nurses also come in to check on you every hour or so. Along with this, he prescribed anti-thrombosis (blood thinner) medication for fat embolism.

Bohemia, musicmaker, paco1, glenn, and cooper : I know some of you didn't do tibia but do you know if Dr. Monegal does any of the above?

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crimsontide, the last question is directed at you too if you happen to know the answer.