Tuesday 18th August - Went and got an Xray from the local hospital as the other x ray places machines were currently not operating. The doctor had to call ahead to ensure we were able to get it done there. Normally it was only for local patients. I had my X ray and the doctor came visited me. He told me my right leg callus was stronger than my left. Which was expected as the the right leg was operated on first. The doctor took the cd which would show my exact measurement of my distraction gap. Left leg was 3.9cm and right leg was 4.1cm.
Update on walking: I no longer use crutches, i am able to walk completely normal most the time, although it is still a bit tiring, especially when ive been walking for more than half an hour. I can walk up stairs pretty easily now. Going down stairs is still awkward. My ballerina is completely gone. I still have slight knee bending in my right leg, but it is much better, getting close to being flat. I still need to improve my dorsiflexion, which is gettin my ankle back past 90 degrees.. my left foot can get back about 15 degrees, my right probably 5-10. The physio told me a while ago that 30 degrees is when its back to normal.
Timeline: It has been 6 months since my right leg was operated on, and 5 1/4 months since my left leg.. ive been going to the gym, 3 to 4 times a week, ive been out and enjoyed myself, even went to a nightclub and danced. in a months time the doctor will loosen the fixator from 1 pin, top and bottom on both legs.. this will allow more weight bearing to my legs..Then a week later loosen from another pin top and bottom on both legs. A week from then the bar will be completely removed and the pins will remain in my leg for another week. This is incase my leg cant support my weight and the device can be easily put back on.. (very unlikely scenario).. then once my legs prove they can support me, the pins will be removed.. So by the time my frames are removed, im looking at 7 months post op from my left leg, and almost 8 months post op for my right leg..
Also to those amazing expert heroes out there that say 7-8 months is a 'bad score' for 4cm, my frames could have come off earlier, but im not a hero like you, and i believe its better to be safer than sorry. Id rather know my legs are completely healed, than thinking im awesome for getting them off earlier than running into problems later.. and having your bones heal and getting your frames off is only a fraction of the achievement. Being able to get your frames off than walk away, completely normal, thats what i believe is a real achievement..
My Experience So Far- External Monolateral - Dr Mitkovic
Thanks for the update, glad you're doing better. I started considering Mr Mitovic but im still researching his device. You mention about recent Xray, would you be able to post it here? Im trying to understand the fibula fixation on the top and bottom of the bone. Peace.
Quote from: doomsday on August 21, 2015, 11:02:33 AMThanks for the update, glad you're doing better. I started considering Mr Mitovic but im still researching his device. You mention about recent Xray, would you be able to post it here? Im trying to understand the fibula fixation on the top and bottom of the bone. Peace.
its only fixed at the bottom not the top.. my x rays are the old school ones.. very hard to get a clear picture up on here..
is there a reason for the 0.2cm difference between left and right leg with your lengthening gap
i have 0.1 atm, but i dont see why, but im turning extra to re aling the legs together.
Quote from: microman on August 21, 2015, 11:48:00 AMis there a reason for the 0.2cm difference between left and right leg with your lengthening gap
i have 0.1 atm, but i dont see why, but im turning extra to re aling the legs together.
it could be a number of things.. the doctor could have accidentally measured it wrong, as the cuts in the gap arent the easiest to see. ive measured myself standing on either leg at a time.. and i get the exact same measurement.. so thats all that matters.. the doctor had me lay down on my back and have my body completely staright and he checked the my legs and said there was a 1mm difference.. which is barely anything.. even if it was 2mm difference its no problems.. most people naturally have one legs slightly longer than the other...
oh okay i have been adding more turns to the left leg, even though that makes no sense since the turns have been equal until now yet it read a 0.1cm difference in the x ray
i will ask him if i should go back to having equal turns in the legs, he is resetting my device today.
Quote from: microman on August 21, 2015, 12:33:09 PMoh okay i have been adding more turns to the left leg, even though that makes no sense since the turns have been equal until now yet it read a 0.1cm difference in the x ray
i will ask him if i should go back to having equal turns in the legs, he is resetting my device today.
dont stress about it too much.. its only 1mm..
Hey guys. This afternoon I got my first xray done since my device was fitted on Tuesday. I think Dr. Mitkovic will be taking a look at them either later on today or tomorrow, but everything's looking a-ok to me.
Thanks so much! How long did you have to spend in Kiev -total- before you could go home? How long since the date of surgeries could you walk ok on your own? Do you have to fly back to have device removed? If so, when and for how long? Thanks in advance!
RM
What is the maximum length that can be safely lengthened using this device
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