Limb Lengthening Forum

Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Discussions => Topic started by: patientdad on July 13, 2015, 07:33:58 PM

Title: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 13, 2015, 07:33:58 PM

What actually promotes bone growth?  Is it just time, or does walking with a walker promote bone growth?  Is there anything to do, like stretching exercises during the growth phase?

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: KiloKAHN on July 13, 2015, 07:37:44 PM

Walking stimulates callus formation. Doesn't hurt to take supplements daily, too.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: Medium Drink Of Water on July 13, 2015, 07:43:04 PM

Weight bearing (standing) also stimulates bone growth, if you're having trouble walking.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 13, 2015, 09:11:54 PM

Thank you.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: programdude on July 14, 2015, 08:10:40 AM

Post op,  walking within what is allowed helps a lot. Once you are allowed full walking, do so as much as you can. It is the biggest factor to functioning normally again.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 14, 2015, 04:29:14 PM

Thanks.  Are there stretches to do in the lengthening phase or is that mainly after the lengthening has stopped?

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: programdude on July 14, 2015, 11:12:07 PM

Stretching is MOST important during the lengthening. You will need to be doing them daily the entire time of lengthening and until recovery after.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 12:31:47 AM

What stretching exercises do you recommend?  Just basic stretches?

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: Medium Drink Of Water on July 15, 2015, 01:27:52 AM

You really want to hit the back of the legs.  Trying to touch my toes from a standing position was a really good stretch for me.  Sometimes I'd put my palms flat on the seat of a chair since, of course, I couldn't get anywhere near my toes during the lengthening phase.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 05:31:42 AM

Thanks, sounds like a good one.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: theuprising on July 15, 2015, 07:26:11 AM

Hi patientdad how short is your son and how tall are you?

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: KrP1 on July 15, 2015, 01:21:49 PM

Walking and standing promotes bone growth

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: Cooper on July 15, 2015, 04:15:58 PM

silical system from http://www.bonehealthnow.com/.

Dr. Paley recommends for all of his patient for all age. I think this might have helped me recover very well when I had femur done last year.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 04:42:12 PM

Quote from: theuprising on July 15, 2015, 07:26:11 AM

Hi patientdad how short is your son and how tall are you?

5'4" and 5'10 1/2"

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 04:44:35 PM

Thanks Cooper and KrP1

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: TRS on July 15, 2015, 05:20:20 PM

Standing and walking promotes bone growth but your son must consider the full weight bearing limit of the LL device.
Stretching is of vital importance too in order to avoid muscle and nerve shortening.
Other activities like stationary cycling and partial weight bearing while walking in a swimming pool would be beneficial only if your son is comfortable getting into a pool with the device.
Multivitamins, glutamine, and calcium supplements may help with bone and muscle recovery. Say no to smoking and there are some speculation that NSAID painkillers may inhibit bone formation. 
During consolidation, your son should not forget stretches. I had plenty of pain on my left leg during the 6th month of consolidation because I gave up stretching and focused more on walking and muscle mass. However, the pain resolved once I resumed stretching and now I walk fine without any pain.
Anyway, make sure that your son gets plenty of sleep too.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 05:45:18 PM

Thanks TRS.  Yeah, the doctor said no Motrin (NSAID).  I will ask the doctor about the stationary bike next week.  My son walks every hour with the walker and is taking calcium, vitamin D, and a multivitamin as well. 

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: concernedmom on July 15, 2015, 07:34:09 PM

Quote from: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 04:42:12 PM

5'4" and 5'10 1/2"

What is your son's targeted height. My son is the same height

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 07:47:32 PM

His target is 5'7" 

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: theuprising on July 15, 2015, 08:30:24 PM

Quote from: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 07:47:32 PM

His target is 5'7"

Will he be having additional lengthening after he reaches 5'7?

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 08:40:07 PM

Quote from: theuprising on July 15, 2015, 08:30:24 PM

Will he be having additional lengthening after he reaches 5'7?

I don't think so, but who knows.

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: concernedmom on July 15, 2015, 10:13:15 PM

Quote from: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 08:40:07 PM

I don't think so, but who knows.

wishing you good luck. R u in US?

Title: Re: Post Op
Post by: patientdad on July 15, 2015, 10:48:07 PM

Quote from: concernedmom on July 15, 2015, 10:13:15 PM

wishing you good luck. R u in US?

Yes, West Coast.