Quadrilateral Lengthening with Dr. Paley

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How can you decompress an uncomressed nerve?

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Hello, my first post here. I've read your entire diary and watched all your videos, good stuff. I wish you the best!

Re: Nerve decompression (from someone who has been there)

When I was 14 my right arm was crushed by a falling tree. About 1 year post accident I had nerve decompression surgery for the ulnar nerve just past where it passes through the elbow (funny bone) and enters the muscles of the forearm. I recognize all the symptoms you describe, only it was in my forearm/wrist/hand and not my feet. "Electric shock" type pain especially. That pain often reached the 7/10 or 8/10 range. (which was less than the 10/10 I was having before)

The pain went away, for the most part, after some healing time and physical therapy. I was left with some lingering syptoms though, that persist to this day. (I am 31 years old now)

Some numbness in my hand, wrist, and pinkie finger. Sensitive funny bone area (hitting my funny bone is actually an 8/10 or worse) and I can't do barbell bicep curls as it gives me an electric shock in my arm. (ez curl and dumbells are fine)

Anyway, I wrote all this because I know you are concerned that the pain will be forever, I do not think that is the case.

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I can't say that I didn't expect this, because of our similar age and because I had a hard time going through LL. I had shoots of nerve pain as well during LL. It did go away eventually if that makes you feel any better. It went away after a few weeks.

My leg muscles are pretty weak still, and looking back, I probably should have walked more often and used the muscle stimulator more. The muscles that get especially weak are the inner and outer thigh muscles. The TFL more specifically. If you want to get rid of the penguin walk sooner, keep working out that TFL muscle.

It's been 9 months since I had this surgery, and I still have pain my legs everyday. So I know the feeling of wanting to catch a break for once. Hang in there. We're in this together.

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Quote from: DoingItForMe on March 20, 2016, 08:43:04 PMIt's been 9 months since I had this surgery, and I still have pain my legs everyday.

Scary info for all of us who are considering femoral LL. Can you describe your current level of pain, and where is it located (maybe the iliotibial tract?)? Is it getting better?

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Quote from: Ozymandias on March 20, 2016, 11:30:29 PMScary info for all of us who are considering femoral LL. Can you describe your current level of pain, and where is it located (maybe the iliotibial tract?)? Is it getting better?

Keep in mind in that case 8cm was lengthened. If you look at how big 8cm is next to your femur, maybe it's not so surprising there would be pain there. I think to reduce this, a smaller amount of 4cm or less is ideal for femur lengthening. But that's another subject.

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Quote from: applesandoranges on March 20, 2016, 11:35:17 PMKeep in mind in that case 8cm was lengthened. If you look at how big 8cm is next to your femur, maybe it's not so surprising there would be pain there. I think to reduce this, a smaller amount of 4cm or less is ideal for femur lengthening. But that's another subject.

Dont know dude, you are thinking about 2 operations and lengthening less than 4cm on both. I doubt that any honest surgeon will accept a guy who only wanna lengthen 2.5 on his tibia... You are really pathologically cautious....

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Thanks for the responses. I'm just digesting them now as sit waiting for the exogen machine to finish. I do agree that using the Walker and building the muscle is important and it's something I have been trying to focus on recently so that when I complete lengthening I'm not starting from scratch.

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Quote from: applesandoranges on March 20, 2016, 11:35:17 PMKeep in mind in that case 8cm was lengthened. If you look at how big 8cm is next to your femur, maybe it's not so surprising there would be pain there. I think to reduce this, a smaller amount of 4cm or less is ideal for femur lengthening. But that's another subject.

Yes, I agree that 8 cm is probably too much, and actually I'm planning to do 5 cm. However I'm afraid that the IT bands (and the achilles for tibias) will probably never be at 100% after the surgery, even for modest amounts of lengthening (of course, it is better to be at 99% than at 70%).

Quote from: TIBIKE200 on March 20, 2016, 11:38:42 PMI doubt that any honest surgeon will accept a guy who only wanna lengthen 2.5 on his tibia.

Why? If the patient is OK with an extra inch, good for him. No ballerina problems, no long period with frames, no proportion issues...

Quote from: Iamready on March 20, 2016, 11:48:29 PMThanks for the responses. I'm just digesting them now as sit waiting for the exogen machine to finish. I do agree that using the Walker and building the muscle is important and it's something I have been trying to focus on recently so that when I complete lengthening I'm not starting from scratch.

Stay strong, man. Walking (even with a walker) will probably be good for your overall psychological well-being, too.

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Sorry, double post (delete please)

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Hi Iamready

You look better now although you are still suffering from enormous pain. 7.5cm gain appears way much more than I imagined.  I guess a lot of guys around me who seem taller or much taller may not be that much taller than I thought.  If I can gain 3 or so inches, I am sure I will feel much more confident. 

So, regarding exogen, is it really helpful?  I understand it could be hard to say since you are not comparing with or without it. If it can save 2-3 weeks, that will be huge for me, since my major concern is time.  Please make some comment on exogen, when you can.  Plus, how did you get it?

Thanks, man!  You are a true hero!

Best,