So guys. Someone messages me private and revealed to me that the new "precice max" weight bearing nail, will properly first release in Europe in 4-5 years down the line according to nuvasive. For me that's not something I can tolerate waiting for. Now I know that people will tell me to just to go the US to get the surgery done, however my budget doesn't allow that, and I'm not sure I can enter the US.
So like I have written here before I will go with dr Giotikas since he is (in my opinion) the best value doctor compared to the price he offers internal lengthening nails for and the decades of experience he has. I'm not sure whether going with Precice 2.2. or Gnail is the right choice, so I have these questions.
1. Why do you think that one nail is better than the other?
2. People who know someone or have done their lengthening trough betzbone or Gnail (they're very similiar), do you/they regret your/their decision and why?
3. Am I wrong for believing that Gnail would be the better choice since you recover about 1-2 months quicker, and it would be almost impossible to fly home with a non weight bearing nail?
4. is the lengthening mechanism for Gnail almost impossible to use?
5. How often does the biggest Precice 2.2. nail break, any studies done for femurs or personal experience?
Precice 2.2. vs G-Nail - Need your thoughts
1) Precice is more advanced than G-Nail or Betzbone. Paley favors Precice. That should say all that needs to be said here.
2) Don't know.
3) If you really, really need to be able to walk upright sooner than later (like because of work commitments), then, no, you are not wrong.
4) No idea.
5) No idea. The lighter you are, the less likely this is to happen.
How much are you looking to lengthen? Anecdotally, my impression is that people have a difficult time lengthening the max amount on Betzbone / G-Nail compared to Precice. People tend to stop lengthening early more often because of the pain and difficulty. On the other hand, everyone that wants to get the full amount on Precice (8cm on femurs or 6 cm on tibias) seems to always get it. I did Precice and can say that lengthening on it is pretty effortless / painless.
If full weight bearing is important to you and you're okay with the possibility of getting 6 instead of 8 cm in lengthening, then the G-Nail / Betzbone is probably the way to go.
can you tell me a little more about your experience with precise?
how long did you use crutches for? do you think I'll be able to stand behind a desk with crutches and work about 1 month after surgery (during lengthening)?
and how long did it take for you to walk without crutches
Quote from: Kaladin on July 26, 2023, 06:32:23 AMcan you tell me a little more about your experience with precise?
how long did you use crutches for? do you think I'll be able to stand behind a desk with crutches and work about 1 month after surgery (during lengthening)?
and how long did it take for you to walk without crutches
I had my femurs done last year with Paley and the Precise nail. I had no real issues throughout the lengthening process. I was told by the therapists that there were pros and cons to the weight bearing nail that they noticed. The biggest in favor for the Precise being that those with the Precise nail were able to “normalize” their walking (when cleared to weight bear fully) faster than those with the Stryde.
How long do you plan on standing with the crutches? If it’s for 15-20 min intervals then maybe do able.
Once I was cleared to weight bear I was walking without the crutches in about 1 week. I probably could have done it faster but I was nervous. Was it a perfect walk? No, but I didn’t need crutches.
The only benefit I see from doing Gnail is weightbearing. But my biggest concern with Precice 2.2. is that it's going to break inside of me. I have heard tho that it barely breaks unless you abuse the nail by walking around or only standing on one foot like 20 times. What is your experience with the precice, are you lightweight and did it break or did you see many patients having replacements?
Quote from: Kaladin on July 26, 2023, 06:32:23 AMcan you tell me a little more about your experience with precise?
how long did you use crutches for? do you think I'll be able to stand behind a desk with crutches and work about 1 month after surgery (during lengthening)?
and how long did it take for you to walk without crutches
I never used crutches. I went from wheelchair to walking in 4 months. I tried to use the walker for short distances every day just as exercise and to promote blood circulation to the legs. I don’t think it would have been easy to stand behind a desk after just one month.
Quote from: DanishViking on July 26, 2023, 11:36:21 AMWhat is your experience with the precice, are you lightweight and did it break or did you see many patients having replacements?
I was 180 pounds on the day of surgery. I am 173 pounds now a little over 4 months later. Mine didn’t break or have issues but I mostly used a wheelchair. I only used the walker as exercise and help consolidate throughout the day. Made sure to use my arms to support most of the weight since I’m over the limit the nails can bear.
I just got cleared to be fully weight bearing last week. Was able to immediately start walking like a penguin and skipped the crutches entirely
How much did you lengthen? 
Do you believe I with a starting height of about 166 cm would be able to walk decently at 5 months in, doing like 7 cm femurs precice and travelling home without assistance or crutches throughout the airport going home to main country without issues?
Also did you do anthing to speed up the recovery process?
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