Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#21
I can't walk unaided yet but can use crutches or the walker.
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#22
What I'm most concerned about is permanent knee pain. It seems to be very common with all internal methods. That's why I'm probably doing external tibias. Permanent knee pain is not something I want to have for the rest of my life.
Hi Joax
I keep reading this but cannot wrap my head around it. The nail is small and sits inside the bone. Why would it cause knee pain where externals dont? Can you point me to the medical opinions regarding this ?
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#23
The problem is the insertion/extraction. It goes right through the patellar tendon.
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#24
The problem is the insertion/extraction. It goes right through the patellar tendon.
Ouch.
Any way around that? cut the tibia further down?
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#25
There's one experimental method of inserting the nail through the side of the knee, but I don't know when/if it will ever become mainstream.
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#26
That sounds like it makes more sense than tearing through the patellar tendon. Although, I'm sure most people could recover from tearing their patellar tendon in half. Ed Coan completely tore his patellar tendon while squatting during a powerlifting meet in the 1980s, and he was back to squatting over 700 lbs in 6 months.
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#27
That sounds like it makes more sense than tearing through the patellar tendon. Although, I'm sure most people could recover from tearing their patellar tendon in half. Ed Coan completely tore his patellar tendon while squatting during a powerlifting meet in the 1980s, and he was back to squatting over 700 lbs in 6 months.
Yeah, that's why doctors don't view it as a problem that needs to be addressed. Some don't even know about knee issues with internal tibial nails.
Seems like a roll of the dice as to whether or not you have issues.
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#28
Also don't estimate your lengthening rate at 1mm daily, it rarely works our like that, maybe upto 3.5cm you can but then everything starts tensing up and tightening and you might have to do 4 turns or 5, for someone to do 1mm is possible everyday but you would have to do loads of exercise and stretching, also you might have to stop lengthening for a few days or weeks due to pinsite infections, pain etc
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#29
I'll be happy if I can walk unaided before the 1 year anniversary of my surgery (June 25, 2014), but won't be surprised if I'm still unable to.
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#30
Dear users
You are absolutely right about insertion of internals spreading patellar tendon may cause permanent knee pain. There are options for internals and we have discussed It several times.
Options to avoid patellar tendon spreading are to perform a suprapatellar approach or parapatellar approach.
Most os LL surgeons (i would say all of us) are aware of permanent knee pain after inserting nails throught the patellar tendon. I totally agree with you that insertion Is a key Point to prevent such permanent issue.
Best regards
You are absolutely right about insertion of internals spreading patellar tendon may cause permanent knee pain. There are options for internals and we have discussed It several times.
Options to avoid patellar tendon spreading are to perform a suprapatellar approach or parapatellar approach.
Most os LL surgeons (i would say all of us) are aware of permanent knee pain after inserting nails throught the patellar tendon. I totally agree with you that insertion Is a key Point to prevent such permanent issue.
Best regards
Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:33 pm
#31
I'll be happy if I can walk unaided before the 1 year anniversary of my surgery (June 25, 2014), but won't be surprised if I'm still unable to.
That's too much!
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