Lengthening with Dr Bagirov in Moscow (9th December surgery date)

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Probably because you're stretching it out to the extreme, which is a normal part of LL.  I wouldn't worry about that at all.

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Quote from: Medium Drink Of Water on February 16, 2015, 05:06:40 AMProbably because you're stretching it out to the extreme, which is a normal part of LL.  I wouldn't worry about that at all.

thanks MDOW. will continue to listen to my body and stop if severe soft tissue problems occur. I am quite scared that some patients  suddenly experience problems at 5 or 6 cm. But If I can get even 5 cm, I am happy!

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I am at 4.8 cm and I have a problem on one rod. See pic (I call the screws, screw 1, 2 and 3 in the picture)
Please download the picture as it does not display properly.
Sorry I updated the picture: Screw 1, 2 and 3.
BUt there's an error. the bottom-most screw should be screw 1.




Proper lengthening:
1. Screw 1 will be loosened (turn Clockwise). Screw 2 and Screw 3 would typically be stationary.
2. Now, turn Screw 2 90 degrees clockwise. (The other screws will be stationary)
3. Then, tighten up screw 1 (turn anticlockwise).  (The other screws will be stationary)

PROBLEM now:
1. When I turn screw 1 to loosen it, the entire rod rotates! Screw 2 and Screw 3 turn together, making lengthening impossible

How I solved it:
1. I tightened the entire rod at the Screw 1. When I tightened screw 1, I had to make sure other parts did not move using another spanner(s).
2. When I loosen Screw 1, I hold with another two spanners Screw 2 and Screw 3. I hold them tightly to prevent them from moving, so  I can distract.
3. Then I turn Screw 2, making sure the other screws (1 and 3) are held tightly with spanners.
4. Finally I tighten Screw 1, making sure all other screws do not rotate together.

Has anyone had this problem?
I messaged  Dr Fahri on Skype. And I am waiting for his reply.

Three rods lengthen my leg. The other two rods are distracting perfectly. So I do not think this is premature consolidation??

I think the problem is that Screw 1 becomes so difficult to turn (the threading is spoilt - usually the screw is easy to turn) and so it affects the other screws... So I have to hold the other screws tightly when I turn any of them.

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Sorry I updated the picture: Screw 1, 2 and 3.
BUt there's an error. the bottom-most screw should be screw 1.

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Before tinkering millimetres, ALWAYS measure the lengths.... I might have changed my leg by  an extra 0.5 to 1 mm at one time or something. I do not know.

I only measured the distance below screw 1 after some tinkering (stupid me). And It was 3.6 cm. I managed to reverse-turn such that the distance is 3.8 cm. (means I reverse-distracted). And I forward-distracted back to 3.6 cm. (The shorter that distance, the more you have lengthened).

I  might well have accidentally turned 0.5 to 1 mm extra, I don't know.
Always measure the lengths before touch the apparatus (I thought I could count the number of turns,but the turns weren't turns cos' other screws moved).

I was experiencing some shooting pain and just to play safe I took codeine 60 mg, and Arcoxia 90 mg and a muscle relaxant Myonal, and Lyrica extra 25 mg. usually I just take Tramadol and Lyrica. I might have a rough night.... thought of getting ready my benzodiazepine injections in case of muscle spasm..... but I cant inject it with tramadol and codeine at such high doses. Just wait it out I suppose

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The threading mechanism on the opposite side of the lengthening screws (1&2) is probably fked, that's the only reason I see why the rod rotates. You can replace screw #1 if it's spoilt with a new one, but I doubt that will solve it.

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Quote from: exclide on February 19, 2015, 06:18:19 PMThe threading mechanism on the opposite side of the lengthening screws (1&2) is probably fked, that's the only reason I see why the rod rotates. You can replace screw #1 if it's spoilt with a new one, but I doubt that will solve it.

Thanks for the reply .. I was kinda in shock and disappointed, but I am OK with 5 cm, really.

I agree that the threading mechanism is spoilt, that was my dad's thoughts. I was at first confused.

Anyway,  I can now distract it (though more difficult).

Since I might not be able to turn accurately, I have attached some tape to the rod. The distance between the lower end of the tape and screw 2, that will be distracted amount!

I am going back to Russia in less than one months time, so I will probably change the rod there. I have an extra rod at home, but I don't dare to touch this device....

My bone should be fine since the rod and the entire column is not connected directly to any pin/bolt 

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Yeah that frame looks a little complicated, though very compact. If you had a usual "rod between rings" you could then place a temp holding rod, then remove the rod and place new screws. Then you'd remove the temp rod and check for length difference. That's how I got some of my rods replaced.

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Today, an emergency happened. When I was tightening the top screw, suddenly the entire central rod came off! I was so shocked. I used my hands to push the two half-rings apart but the force was too great. That area compressed and the rod went off-centre.

I knew it was a dangerous situation so I refused to move my left leg and I immediately took out another rod to tighten between the left rod and the right rod, so it can stabilise the structure. (It might have been too late, but just In case).

I removed that faulty rod (with spoilt threads) with some difficulty (as the threads are spoilt).  I had to turn the nuts like hell. Finally it was out. I replaced the rod with another rod that Dr Fahri gave. I had a calm mind so I knew what I was doing. I measured the length 9 cm between Screw 3 and Screw 2 on the faulty rod before removing it.

Now, I inserted the new spare rod, and turned the nuts until it reads 9 cm between Screw 3 and Screw 2. The new spare rod when turned to 9 cm bent slightly due to the force it had to over-come. Basically, the distance between the two half-rings at the central part compressed to 8 cm when the rod dropped out.  Now the distance is back at 9 cm (before the manoeuvre).

I might have moved the bone fragments 1-2 cm at a time... will I be alright??  I've took tramadol, lyrica, arcoxia, myonal before all this dangerous manoeuvre..

And I still have some (minor) pain.

I think, after this emergency, It will be best to stay near the clinic during lengthening phase. I was so shocked and it was so difficult Technically (because the doctor didn't demonstrate to me) to put in the new rod.

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Will I be fine?
if there is slight misalignment can this be corrected when I reach Moscow?
My pics:
http://tinypic.com/r/fbhtgo/8
 http://tinypic.com/r/3499zpi/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2nreae1/8

I can walk (with some blunt pains) due to the rapid compression and decompression of the area by 1-2 cm.
I can dorsiflex, but now I am experiencing moderate pains (upped my tramadol to 100 mg)