LL femurs with Dr. Mahboubian using Precice 2.2 ~ July 2021

Just starting my diary here on the forum in the hopes that it may be useful and helpful to others considering limb lengthening in the future also to those who have already started their LL journey I had my LL surgery in LA, California with Dr. Mahboubian just over three weeks ago, first week of July. I spent three and a half weeks in LA, the first few days before my surgery doing hospital Covid test and the two pre-op doctor appointments. The surgery itself was a success, thanks I am sure to Dr. Mahboubian's skill and expertise, as well as to his surgical team. The next few days in hospital were a bit of a blur, being on intravenous medication. I didn't feel excessive pain in my legs, maybe a 3-4 at most. I did feel nauseous most of the time. I couldn't keep food down, and had lost my appetite anyway. When PT guy came, I was able to take a few steps on the second day and use walker without bearing all the weight on my legs, and on the third and final day in hospital I could take yet more steps on the walker and navigate stairs. Once I was discharged and back where I was staying in LA, I began to feel more alert especially as I was off the IV drugs. The next few days I made progress in that my appetite began to come back, I slept better, pain levels were low and never higher than a 3 at most. I was able to relax, do some minor PT on my legs, lots of ice packs, and then my appointment with Dr. Mahboubian and ERC/Nuvasive representative. Right now, I am back home and into my third week of lengthening and so far so good.

I just wanted to add the various things I am doing to alleviate any leg pains. Being able to have baths with both legs in hot water every night works great. Not only does it get rid of any pain but it allows me to sleep really well too. I also use a hand held digital massager on my legs which helps not only with pain relief but gives me a deep tissue massage and helps with blood circulation. Stretches and exercise also help of course, and walking around with the aid of a walker. I'm also keeping my legs elevated when lying down. If anyone has any other tips here, please pass them on.

Hi man, it's nice to have another Precice diary, I have surgery next month. How safe do you feel about the nail? I'm a bit paranoid about bending or breaking it while using walker or making a mistake during transfers. I do hope to get the "big" nail that takes more weight.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My question is what was your height pre surgery and what is your goal?

@long legs congratulations on a successful procedure.

What was you body weight going into surgery?

How many daily PT sessions do you receive with your treatment?

Quote from: V21 on August 03, 2021, 07:35:38 AMHi man, it's nice to have another Precice diary, I have surgery next month. How safe do you feel about the nail? I'm a bit paranoid about bending or breaking it while using walker or making a mistake during transfers. I do hope to get the "big" nail that takes more weight.

70-75kg maximum for the 10.7mm-12.5mm precise 2 nail.

Congratulations LongLegs! Excited for you. I know COVID is disrupting things again, but if you can, highly recommend getting in the pool and walking/stretching in there once Dr M clears you for that. The pool has really helped me out and breaks up the monotony of stretching on your bed all the time. Here's a doc of stretches you can do in the pool that I've used: http://www.drlanderson.com/exercises/knee-Pool-Stretches.pdf

Take care!

Another restful night's sleep. It's great to have 0-1 leg pains. Stretching and hot water really help here.

Hi V21 ~ yes, seems like abundant recent Stryde diaries out there. I was looking for a recent Precice diary with Dr. M. but had to search a while back. Now I am following a few LL patients that had Precice done here in The States but not with Dr. M, and who are now in the consolidation phase. Where are you having your surgery done? Yes, bending or breaking the nails was and still is a concern of mine. Although it seems like all the doctors want their LL patients using the walker vs. wheelchair from day one. However this will depend on weight. PT guy at the hospital showed me how to use walker with min weight on my legs. The more one continues to lengthen, the more one is at risk for bending/breaking the nails. Getting the bigger nail will depend on your femur/bone size.

Hi Thorfinn ~ I was 170 cm and my goal is to gain the full 8 cm.

Hi Stretch ~ thanks for the info on large Precice nail size. I got the 12.5 mm nail so can bear weight up to 75 kg per leg. My weight was 150 kg going into surgery. I have probably lost a few kg since though. But my appetite is coming back which is great as I need to eat more for bone growth and healing and just for overall health. I am eligible for max 4 PT sessions per week according to MD. Some Stryde patients did their own PT, and did really well (that's when I was following Stryde diaries last year). Currently, due to Covid/Delta and waiting for insurance to get back to me on coverage, I am doing about 3 hours of my own PT per day, plus lots of steps on the walker.

Hi ab608 ~ congratulations to you too! I have been following your diary for a while and the pool workouts sound really beneficial. Is consolation pain free? I will check with Dr. M at my next appointment about water workouts. And thank you for the pool stretches, that is super useful. Yes, looks like a fourth wave is now looming. The hospital where I had my LL surgery recently rebulit their Covid unit to cope with the rise in hospitalizations due to Delta and unvaccinated cases. Right now I seem to be doing the same exercises and stretches over and over, can't wait to shake it up some more and progress onto others. Working on my quads and hamstrings but need to work more on hips and glutes. And knees. How are you doing now you're in consolidation? Soon you'll be back to regular walking! Now that is exciting to be heading for the finish line.

Hey man, I have surgery with Giotikas in Greece. It seems I would get the big one, because I have big bones, but bending the nail still terrifies me. I'm still practising chair to bed transfers at home lol.  Btw, when you say 75 and 150 kg I understand you meant pounds¡ Precice 2.2 definetly can't take per leg. Anyway, it's good to see you are doing fine. Keep strong¡

Hi, I managed to bend my Precice 2.2 (cracked at the midpoint collar), it was at the end of lengthening and at full 8cm extension, i weighed ~ 60kg at the time. Most likely the break was not due to careful weight transfer from leg to leg whilst walking without crutches (which I did often), but more likely due to me chasing a 3 year old around....