@KiloKAHN, What kind of tests did you have to take at the hospital before your surgery? And what kind of questions did you have to answer and sign at the hospital before your surgery?
Update: 3/2/2015
Today I had my first session with the physiotherapist. The clinic was about 15 minutes from my office in a very nice medical center. Very thankful for the insurance my office currently provides. My physiotherapist is very friendly and he asked a lot of questions about the frames, what I'm able to do as far as walking and stretching, how long ago I got the surgery, etc. We chatted a bit about games and wrestling and I told him that I had had the surgery for cosmetic purposes because 1) I'm going to be seeing this guy a lot so no need to lie and 2) all my half-siblings are huge and I'd get a ton of crap from others when going out with them after they found out we were related (i.e. "Omg, what happened to you?"). He was cool about it and didn't criticize me for doing it. He's very tall and said himself that he's 6'5, so perhaps he understands the advantages that extra height provides. What was funny though is when I told him I wrestled in high school and college he said I should have taken down whoever gave me crap about my height with my wrestling moves.
Anyway, I had a belt wrapped around my torso and I wheeled onto this platform in between two bars that I had to grasp while standing up. He held onto the belt from behind to make sure I didn't fall down and had me walk forwards and backwards while grasping onto the bars for a while. He then brought out a walker and had me walk around the room. After doing all the walking he measured my ankle dorsiflexion, which I found out is -25 for both legs. A solid improvement from before as I can touch my heels to the ground (though with my body still slightly bent forward while walking even though standing against the wall I go completely neutral) but still requiring a lot more work. I was told that my equinus should lessen in severity even faster as I start walking more and that removing the frames would possibly help because I won't have wires sticking through me near my ankles. I was shown some exercises to reduce swelling in my feet after walking. There are more stretches he'll have me do once my frames are off but he said that the best thing I could do at this point is walk as much as possible. I will now have physiotherapy sessions once a week for the next few months, meaning they'll continue even after the frames are removed.
One other thing I got from this session is that I should probably invest in a walker that has wheels in the front. Mobility is so much easier with them than with the walkers that don't have wheels, especially in areas with heavy carpeting. I was actually quite surprised with how much my walking has improved within the last month. Looks like there's light at the end of the tunnel.
Quote from: just_me on March 02, 2015, 08:57:30 AM@KiloKAHN, What kind of tests did you have to take at the hospital before your surgery? And what kind of questions did you have to answer and sign at the hospital before your surgery?
I just had to get blood work done so Dr Parihar could go over the results. Aside from that, a series of measurements had to be taken. The forms you sign aren't atypical for this sort of thing. Just consent forms authorizing the hospital to perform surgery as well as a questionnaire about your medical history and allergies.
really good to hear that u r nearing the end of the long procedure, keep us posted 
So two weeks ago I told Dr Parihar of my local orthopedist's plan for frame dynamization:
KK: My local orthopedist said he wants to loosen some of the pins when I see him again on March 10, and then 4 weeks after that he said the frames should be ready to come off. He then plans to have me wear protective walking braces for an extra month or so.
I just received a reply from Dr Parihar advising otherwise, along with an attachment to help me see what he was talking about:
Dr P: I would suggest - do not loosen the pins.
instead, back off the nuts on the rings where the threaded rods are attached (the thinner ones, not the thick aluminium ones). they must be alternately on the first and second rings.
they can be backed off by 2 mm on each and the nuts retightened in the new position. this will allow more weight bearing thru the bone, and help in healing it faster.
removal of the pins is not needed or advisable in my opinion.
also - the physio - have you started physio yet or not?
Perhaps I won't be taking the frames off as soon as I thought. 
Quote from: KiloKAHN on March 05, 2015, 09:30:54 PMPerhaps I won't be taking the frames off as soon as I thought.
Not if you just listen to your local doctor. Just do what your doctor close by says since he's actually seeing you and able to give you advice in person and not just through email.
Quote from: Sean Connery on March 05, 2015, 09:44:05 PMNot if you just listen to your local doctor. Just do what your doctor close by says since he's actually seeing you and able to give you advice in person and not just through email.
I don't think it's a good idea to go against Dr Parihar's advice as he's the one who performed the surgery and everything.
I agree. I would definitely listen to dr Parihar's advice since he has looked at countless x-rays of LL patients and would have the best experience regarding what your x-rays should look like before attempting to remove the frames.
Btw, I read in your diary that you have been taking Ibuprofen a couple of times. I don't know if it has been brought up before, but you are supposed to stay away from such medication since it slows down bone regeneration. At least that what I read from Paley. Sorry if it has already been addressed, I am trying to catch up with reading many diaries in my limited spare time.
Congrats on being so close to getting the frames removed..... you must really be looking forward to it
If it was me then I would listen to Doctor Parihar - Good luck with your decision. Your X-rays look good. Good luck with your legs.
Hey Kilo - did you see your orthopedist yesterday? If so, how did it go?
How are you feeling at your new height, are you definitely gonna do a second LL?
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