Limb Lengthening Forum

Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Patients Experiences => Topic started by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:01:11 PM

Title: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:01:11 PM
Hello Guys,

Here is my turn to make diary. As soon as I came to know about LL, I took fast decision for External Tibias with Dr. Sringari in just 3 days & booked flight for India.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:01:46 PM
I love to make this diary short but comprehensive.
My original height 5'4'' (or 5.3'' keep changing Smiley )

01/09/2013 - Booked flight ticket for New Delhi
03/09/2013 - My flight departure at Tue, 03 Sep 2013, 20:45 hrs from Heathrow Airport
04/09/2013 -
-Landed New Delhi Airport at 9am (India time) in the morning. I was refreshed to see magnificent Delhi Airport. Bit tired to wait for Sunny outside airport, he came at 10.30 am.
-met Dr. Sringari who check my flexibility and said my flexibility is quite good
-went to Care home to meet LL ForumorLife.
-met Harken in his ward
-hospitalised in the evening at around 5pm
-So many doctors came one after another and asked what's wrong with me and why surgery. Quite awkward,my reply was ask to Dr. Sringari
- Nutritionist came and discussed abt food

05/09/2013 -
-Early morning, 3 team of gals/guys asking if I have any complaints against hospital management or any issue
-Took bath and shaved entire legs
-Anesthesia doctor asked me to stand up and told me quite good height, why for LL?
-Surgery started at 3.15 pm. I was almost killed when the OT technician tried to inject on my back 4/5 times. I lost all energy even before surgery.
-Surgery finished at 9.15 pm and shifted to ICU
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:02:19 PM
6/09/2013 -
-Doctors in ICU kept the epidural off as my right leg was numb & insensitive and then later at late night it epidural started.
- No pain, quite active.
- Dr. Sringari & his assistant Dr. Pradip came at 10 am and they were happy to see that I was so active.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:04:22 PM
-Dr. Sringari  & Pradip came at around 10 am and shocked to see the swelling.
  I was so much happy to see how much he cares patient. He took sample immediately for observation and test and did Ultra sound but all seemed fine.
 He was not satisified with this, in the evening at around 9pm, CT scan was done
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:04:48 PM
8/9/2013 -
- Everything fine , not sure what caused that swelling. Perhaps, I feel unbearable pain for 24 hours without epidural caused it.
- In the evening shifted to ward

9/9/2013 -
-Seemed quite active (even thought that swelling is still bothering me) and decided with Harry  to go care home
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:05:22 PM
- fell my both legs on ground so hard while going to toilet, unbearable pain again and bleeding
- swelling reduces day by day while continue to bother me
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:05:51 PM
11/9/2013
- removed bandage and started lengthening with .5mm on first day
TOTAL LENGTH = .5 mm

ANOTHER PAIN  as bonus:

Seemed like my cut bones of left leg were rubbing while bending knees. I had crack/tingling/rubbing/attaching/detaching feelings.

12/9/2013 - 16/9/2013s(5 days) -  1mm per day x 5 = 5mm

TOTAL LENGTH = .5 mm + 5 mm = 5.5 mm
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:06:18 PM
My swelling and bone rubbing pain continues.... 1 day feel so much active one day and alternate night sleepless night.

17/9/2013 -  Took X-ray and Harry suggested to lengthen 1.25 mm per day.
               - Harry warned me and ask for written agreement if I lengthen more but after x-ray he asked 1.25 mm per day.

21/9/2013 - Tried to stand up with clutches but so difficult
26/9/2013 - Did proper standing by putting 70% weight
               - Stitching stapler pin removed.
27/9/203   - Started walking first time, LL ForumorLife will post video.
               - First time I could do full cycling during Gym session

17/9/2013 - 27/9/2013 (11 days ) - continue to lengthen 1.25 per day = 1.25 x 11 = 13.75 mm

TOTAL Length = .5 mm + 5 mm + 13.75 mm = 19.25mm.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:07:15 PM
27/9/203 -
- Now I have only pain for pin's skin cutting
-Dr. Sringari came to visit us at care home and its 3rd time he visited since I came care home.

HARRY:

I dont like to appreciate Harry becoz I dont have suitable word to appreciate him but in one word he is "AMAZING".  He cares a lot.
But note that he still has not shown me my first X-ray and tomorrow I will get my 2nd X-ray.

Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:08:27 PM
28/09/2013 - 2.50 AM at night -

I got up now after jst 1 & 1/2 hour of sleeping due to bearable pain but unable to sleep. Its 4th consecutive night I am awakened due to pain but I am not taking pain killer, trying to tolerate as I heard its not good to take pain killer regularly. A nerve connected to one of the pin (near the inner knee of my right leg) is causing painful. Yesterday, while cycling it was quite painful but I forcefully did full cycling at much faster speed.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:09:24 PM
28/9/2013 -

- Took 2nd x-ray after 19.75 mm lengthening but Harry says x-ray shows only 1.6 mm. Dont know why so Sad
- My callous is growing so fast, Harry suggest to continue lengthening at rate of 1.25 mm per day. Not sure if its good or bad
- having muscle/nerve pull pains
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:10:29 PM
9/10/2013:

I have done 32mm but I dont see this much length in reality and I have extreme pin bending inspite of the fact that I dont stand much.  I feel whenever I lengthen its just causing pin to bend without lengthening bones and I have deep pin cut.

X-ray seems my bones are pre-consolidated as my callous growth is extremely good.

I was doing 1.25 mm yesterday and asked me to do 1.50 mm today so that it can be clearly checked tomorrow if my bones are preconsolidated and if so will cut my bones again. Dr. Sringari came today to visit
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:17:50 PM
My first x-ray taken on September 17, 2013:

(http://i.imgur.com/KcIznx7.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:24:08 PM
10/10/2013 :

After lengthening 3mm in 2 days + morning of 3rd day, Harry carried me for x-ray to finally confirm if I got preconsolidation.
Earlier X-rays showed almost possible sign of pre-consolidation but this time Harry took x-ray(which I will post later) from different directions including lateral. It was confirmed that there is no pre-consolidation. I had feeling of relief.


11/10/2013: 

Harry carried me to hospital at around 3pm for my pin bending issue. I thought it will be simple matter. But it was nightmare for me. Pain was beyond imagination. Pain in my first surgery was just 0.1% of this time. This time, it was done with local pain killer injection. All 4 pins in both ankle changed by making new holes.

To fight the leg pain I hit so hard my knuckles on wall many times but no pain on my knuckles... I hit the hand with injection pin so hard but no pain..I pressed &twisted my old pin cut painful areas but no pain.. It seems these pains were not felt becoz of intense pain in leg. Only today I feel pain on my knuckles and hand. I had life threatening accident before, I cud tolerate easily bt I never felt any pain like this in life.

When I came out of OT, when I dont see anyone around, after waiting for sometime with unbearable pain when Harry came I got feeling of relief to see him. When u r suffering u need some dear ones around but Harry filled that gap. Harry dropped me in guest house at night. I personally feel that he has the charisma that give u pleasure to see him. 

12/10/2013:

Early morning, Harry visited when he came for Yoga. I could not join as I still have enough pain in right leg.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:25:35 PM
I feel that after pin change, there shudnt be any loss in my lengthening as I have already lost almost 15days. Its struggle to stay one day like this with frame with a lot of undesirable lies to family, friends &work,  keeping aside other personal issues &taking risk. My family live just 40 min drive from guest house but they dont know I m under LL near to them. Losing just 1mm means 24 hours of extra suffering, that's hard to afford.

I was given sleeping injection 2 times but pain was too much that I cudnt close my eyes inspite being so sleepy
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:25:56 PM
26/10/2013:

I got Ex-ray and got 3.6 cm when I actually lengthened 5.3 cm
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:27:49 PM
27/11/2013:

I got my x-ray today. I am quite disappointed. My x-ray was taken from side view and its shows zero callus for entire length (6.3 cm L and 6.5 cm R).
Earlier a lot of confusion was created becoz my front view x-ray was showing full of imaginary callus and created fear for pre-consolidation and so I was instructed to turn 1.25. After turning 1.25 my pain was reduced.
 
After almost 3 months and turning and getting 6.5 cm, my callus for entire length (6.5 cm) is almost zero.  I take calcium + one of the best multivitamin + protein + spirulina + a lot of food/meat/milk/eggs/fruit and even started taking Lactogen for small baby since one week. I dont understnad where is my old callus gone, why entire length is zero callus? Why so late in finding it?

Perhaps x-ray is wrong? Dr. Sringari will give comment tomorrow.  I wanted to wait for his comments but I am unable to sleep and rest due to tension. I went through all kinds of pain from first day - epidural not connected just after surgery + unbearable pain and sleepless nights every night + my pins got changed due to high bending with unbearable pains and now my legs feel better but again another issue...
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:29:42 PM
I have been turning 0.75 and now instructed to stop turning and take rest.

1) Due to confusion for pre-consolidation, I didnt take any calcium+protein+multivitamin etc for first one month  and I was turning 1.25mm at fast pace.
2) Another thing is after my pins got changed due to bending, I was not standing at all for next one month from the day my pins got changed on 11/10/2013. Then I got approx 2cm ballerina and I started standing since last 20 days for 4 times for 16/17 min and my ballerina gone.

Perhaps first month of not taking calcium/multivitamin + my previous month of not standing at all contributed to lack of callus.

I will hear from Dr. Sringari today and let's see.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:30:13 PM
Guys, I am feeling great relief to know that there is very less callus not completely blank as confirmed by Dr. Sringari. X-ray was not showing clearly but there is. I was bit worried and so posted without waiting for him, thinking that I will get urgent tips from old forum  guys who faced similar situation.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:31:43 PM
Hi, Finger crossed. Will get x-ray on saturday - 7/12 and see what happens. It has been 7 days I have been stopping turning,.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:33:17 PM
9/12/2013:

Got my x-ray, Harry says there is callus, Dr. Sringari will confirm today.

I got Exogen 4000.

I contacted Dr. Salame. He suggested me  via email that I have to place exogen "in deferent places of callus."
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:33:54 PM
I called customer care, they suggested me to place the exogen in the middle.

As per 2nd reply from Salame,  I have to use Exogen 4000 at diffrent places in diffrent days. I means one day in one place of callus and next day in other place, like this all places of callus in diffrent days.

Multiple suggestion bit cofused, shud I place on entire length of callus multiple times or in the middle once.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:34:38 PM
12/12/2013:

Thank God, Dr. Sringari just confirmed that I have callus and advised to start lengthening 0.5mm perday
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:35:36 PM
18/12/2013:
 
Got my 2nd x-ray after no-callus, my callus formation is much better now :)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:36:07 PM
23/12/2013:

Done stem cells surgery. Bit painful in waist area from where bone marrow was taken.  It costs Rupees 219,000/-
Suggested me to stop lengthening for 2 days.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:38:11 PM
27/11/2013:

X-ray taken and came to know my callus is empty.

Putting up my old xray

(http://i.imgur.com/oDxtaIH.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:39:56 PM
18/12/2013:

Xray taken and seen callus:

(http://i.imgur.com/vd6t0At.jpg) (http://imgur.com/vd6t0At)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:41:14 PM
4/01/2014:

I took that x-ray some more than 2weeks back. I hope it should be better now. I am getting next xray on Monday.

I take chicken, milk 1kilo daily, eggs, protein powder 2 times, Lactogen for kids 2 times, Spirulina, Multivitamins, Calcium + Vitamin D3.
I dnt smoke and drink. I am not sure why my callus is so bad.

Unfortunately my exogen failed to work only after 2 weeks of buying and I paid $470 in ebay. Hope my stem cells will give some good result soon.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:42:08 PM
20/01/2014:

Got x-ray and CT scan, got 8.8 cm. Will remove frame on 31st and expect to gain around 10 cm.

Got 2-3 cm ballerina, right foot badly twisted.

Will fly back on 28 Feb. Got better callus but not wow. Hope to walk at least few metres as I have to join work on 3rd march.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:43:10 PM
31/01/2014:

Removed frame. I got badly twisted foot (worse after removal of bandage).

(http://i.imgur.com/hIjOsfr.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:43:35 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/UGo8G2b.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:43:56 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/GeGB1nV.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:44:50 PM
31/01/2014:

Reached hospital by around 7am. Frame removal surgery was finished by 11 am and they told I was shivering and shouting due to pain after surgery but I didnt realise anything.

I got very high BP( 160 before surgery, reaches 200 during or after immediate surgery as informed to me). Took medicine and my BP became normal by 9pm. Pain continued till next day only then no more pain.


I am really scared if I can get straight/normal foot before I fly back but Harry is confident that my foot will be normal before I go.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 08, 2014, 08:46:43 PM
08/02/2014:

Harry says my twisted foot will be fine soon . I have ballerina but my fear is abt twisted foot.
My callus is ok not so excellent, it would have been worse if I didnt go through stem cells. I am expecting my stem bone healer soon and hope to get my callus better soon.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: OverrideYouGenetics on February 09, 2014, 12:02:15 AM
shocking pictures and shocking diary
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: hand_sanitizer on February 09, 2014, 01:34:54 AM
I applaud u for being courageously determined. Congrats.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: kinglee on February 09, 2014, 05:53:31 AM
how much bellerina do you have? It is looking bad bellerina and twisted feet too. .i will take time dude to be normal
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Machine on February 09, 2014, 10:21:19 AM
Oh my god ... i m sorry to say that this is a very serious issue , actually i also had this issue on my left foot along with 2 other patients under Dr Sarin but my condition was way better then those other 2 that i know off .

i will explain to you since i had the same problem but my was way better then yours and i did my research and consulted other doctors ,,
there are only two possible causes to have this complication ;

1. Over stretching of your achilles tendon . it means since you might have lengthen too much , your achilles tendon couldn't resist the stretch which resulted in your heel turn inward . that's what the other doctor told me .

2. alignment of your bone is not correct . In your X-ray compare your right tibia to your left , it clearly shows that your right tibia is not straight which resulted in foot turn inward . And this is caused because of improper installment of frame or the IM nail by your doctor. try to align the both end of the cut of your tibia and compare to one another and you will know the difference .

i has consultation with another doctor and he said that my case is acceptable but i will need another surgery for correction in future .
well for me its been almost a year ... frankly i didn't do much exercise because it was really very hard and uncomfortable to make the foot straight because 100% pressure will be on a small portion of your foot just below fourth toe and pinky toe which made me give up many times . i guess i was scared and lazy . my left foot is much better then before but i still its not completely normal for which i will counsult another doctor next month (i was waiting for a long time for this).

try hard to make your foot straight and never give up , but what ever you do you will need another surgery to fix it which is by making your tibia straight . until then i don't think you will be able to walk normal . i know its hard to hear the harsh reality at this point of your LL journey but its the truth and i m sorry for that .

making your foot straight is much harder the removing a ballerina ... you are 100% right to be worried about twisted foot.

(http://imgur.com/NACNIke.jpg)

the 1st bone is perfectly aligned bone and its really very important to have a correct anatomical alignment of a leg bone to walk normal again and specially to prevent early arthritis , knee pain , twisted foot , X legged (genu valgum) and bow legged (genu varum).
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 11, 2014, 02:01:54 AM
@Machine,

Thanks a lot for the invaluable info. I think my twisted foot is due to 1st reason but not 2nd one. I have seen my both tibia and it seems quite  straight to me. Right tibia starts bending just from ankle or a bit above the pin areas. I see my heels bending inwards due to inablitity to stretch Achilles any more.

I have been doing heavy exercise to make it straight, while I dont see much improvement in bending in last 4 days of excercise, I see bit softer ankle which was so tight before, which means I feel when I stand it may help in making it straight.

I am doing excercise like
- putting wax to soften and Harry putting pressure from ankle to make foot straight, when  I do this I see larger part of foot touching ground not only small part on left tip (near last finger).

- putting 20 kg of weight on foot from inner side of foot & inner heel, for 30 min to 1 hour

- cycling for 1 to 2 hours by tightening foot with foot lace and putting pressure on foot to turn so that larger part of foot press on cycle pedal

- Putting pressure to straighten and then wrap with crepe bandage and keep for few hours as long as I can tolerate.

It makes ankle softer & flexible a lot but the moment I stop these exercise, foot comes back to bending position again & softness/flexbility decrease slowly.


Wont these exercise and softening & more flexible ankle cure this problem when I start walking?

And how much time it takes to walk after surgical lengthening of Achilles? Any idea? What ur doctor says?

Do u have contact with other 2 guys who suffer like this and their foots ok now and how?

Dr. Sringari feels I may need a surgery to extend my achilles but Harry thinks it will be fine by physio. I am really worried a lot :(
I have booked my flight for 28th Feb and join work on 3rd March.

Present condition:

It is extremely very hard and uncomfortable to make the foot straight & keep on ground because 100% pressure is on a small portion of foot just below fourth toe and pinky toe. So I am not able to put even weight on my knee.


Thanks again.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: hand_sanitizer on February 11, 2014, 05:04:00 AM
Sorry to hijack ur thread strugg but i have a q's for machine in regards to misaligned tibial bone.
- Does the symptom include pain in the joint? Sometimes i feel the bone rubbing each other in the joint causing discomfort. I believe this maybe caused by the IM nail. It does go away when my achilles are warmed up tho and it's always more painful in the morning. I had had knee pain in that leg, the other one is perfect, no pain what so ever. Thanks.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Polycrates. on February 11, 2014, 06:08:41 AM
Hey Hand Sanitizer,

If I were you I'd take advantage of the free advice Dr Birkholz is currently offering on the forum. Go to the hospital and take the x-ray he suggested me to take and post it in his thread. He'll be able to determine if you have the correct alignment or not. He stated something along the lines of 5-10 degrees acceptability of deviation in the bone.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: hand_sanitizer on February 11, 2014, 07:58:05 AM
Yo Polycrates. Good suggestion! ait, I'll do that.
Btw, I kinda regret not doing 7cm, lol.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Machine on February 11, 2014, 08:58:32 AM
Wont these exercise and softening & more flexible ankle cure this problem when I start walking?

And how much time it takes to walk after surgical lengthening of Achilles? Any idea? What ur doctor says?

Do u have contact with other 2 guys who suffer like this and their foots ok now and how?

Dr. Sringari feels I may need a surgery to extend my achilles but Harry thinks it will be fine by physio. I am really worried a lot :(
I have booked my flight for 28th Feb and join work on 3rd March.

Present condition:

It is extremely very hard and uncomfortable to make the foot straight & keep on ground because 100% pressure is on a small portion of foot just below fourth toe and pinky toe. So I am not able to put even weight on my knee.
Thanks again.

yeah if you do exercise it will definitely help your ankle flexible when you walk , its a common sense .

the doctor said it will take somewhere around 6 weeks or a little more depending upon the recovery when you do surgical lengthening of Achilles .

no i do not have any contact of those 2 patients but my roommate does have contact with 1 patient .
they were from england and malaysia .. the guy frm england had foot drop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_drop  imagine what he went through and no q's he will go for another surgery .... the other guy from malaysia had a conditions much like yours and believe my roommate still keeps in touch with him and last time he told me that he will go for another surgery .

whatever Dr Sringari or Harry says i think you should first know the reason of your problem ;
is it achilles tendon issue or misalignment ..?? to know your problem you should take a standing X-ray from hip below and consult other doctor . don't just take decision on an assumption man .
this is my x ray that i took right after frame removal ....(http://imgur.com/89AK1iy.jpg)
you can see my left tibia is 5% to 10% misaligned for which my doc said its acceptable but i will have knee pain and early arthritis in future if i don't do surgery for correction .

usually recovery is the hardest part of limb lengthening and yeah it will be very hard to make your foot straight and for that you need to stand and walk alot . it will be very annoying a times but you gotta keep pushing ... its time to use your name in practical  :)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Machine on February 11, 2014, 09:36:59 AM
Sorry to hijack ur thread strugg but i have a q's for machine in regards to misaligned tibial bone.
- Does the symptom include pain in the joint? Sometimes i feel the bone rubbing each other in the joint causing discomfort. I believe this maybe caused by the IM nail. It does go away when my achilles are warmed up tho and it's always more painful in the morning. I had had knee pain in that leg, the other one is perfect, no pain what so ever. Thanks.

yeah Poly is right..!! you should use Dr Birkholz's advise about your condition which will be accurate..!!

but i will share my opinion and experience if it will help others ;
when we do tibia lengthening we need to stretch our achilles tendon by standing and walking to make our ankle joint flexible so that we can walk but not many people realize that we are giving pressure back on our knee joints which causes harm to the knee joint space . this is also a reason to not to exceed more than 5 cm to 6 cm i believe .
this image to compare healthy knee joint space with unhealthy knee joint space (http://imgur.com/lXEtKXl.jpg)

anyway your question was symptoms about knee pain and misalignment tibia ..
well i want to tell you that my left tibia is misaligned of 5% to 10% as you can read in my previous post on this thread , i feel very little pain in my left knee sometimes but on my right knee no pain at all .
it will be better if you take a full leg x ray to know if your bone is misaligned and consult other doctor .
TC
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Smallguy on February 12, 2014, 04:57:58 AM
Good-luck buddy.

I'm not a doctor so can't give you any medical advice

What is done has already been done. Personally, I wouldn't go with a newbie like Dr. Sringari. So far, there hasn't been any record of any of his patient running again. Though, I admit his intentions are superb and he is very helpful. Plus Harry. Harry even took his patients to the Tal Mahal.

However, in my humble opinion... your legs have gone through some serious trauma so I wouldn't attempt anymore surgery at this point. Your best choice is go back home. Wait several months to see if your complication still persist. If you still have injury, go find an orthopedic in your country which is covered by your government healthcare and ask them for help.

Anyway, congratulation on becoming taller.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: hand_sanitizer on February 12, 2014, 05:01:34 AM
That was me! Harry brought Messi88 and I to Taj Mahal. 8)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 25, 2014, 09:40:16 PM
My twisted foot is 60% recovered. Thanks to Management for immediately providing 2nd physiotherapist on request. Thanks Harry and Muhammad Nisar for their effort on my foot.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Smallguy on February 26, 2014, 01:41:20 AM
My twisted foot is 60% recovered. Thanks to Management for immediately providing 2nd physiotherapist on request. Thanks Harry and Muhammad Nisar for their effort on my foot.

Good for you. Glad you are improving!

That was me! Harry brought Messi88 and I to Taj Mahal. 8)

You guys must of have fun. Harry and Nishar are taking really good care of you guys.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 26, 2014, 02:06:32 PM
26/02/2014:
Walking with crutches with twisted right foot:

(http://i.imgur.com/ld4bvWK.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: mediocre on February 26, 2014, 02:35:54 PM
I hope you recover well with that inverted foot.

If not, if I were you, I'll see a reputable orthopod to fix it. Your previous doctor/s mismanaged it.

Also, with your foot bent like this, there'd be increase amount of stress on one of the muscles called peroneus brevis. It arises from fibula and its tendon inserts to base of 5th metatarsal (the side of the foot). If you further invert it, like you walk and twisted your foot further, that tendon can be forcefully pulled and you'll fracture that 5th metatarsal.

All the best!

(http://blog.corewalking.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/peroneal-anatomy.gif)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Smallguy on February 26, 2014, 03:16:25 PM
If not, if I were you, I'll see a reputable orthopod to fix it. Your previous doctor/s mismanaged

India is out of my list for LL. I won't ever go back there again. Too many horror stories and unnecessary complications which can be prevented had the doctor better monitor the patient.

The lowest I ever recommend anyone to go for now is China.

But the sick idea is, if you get screw over in India for a 15k surgery and if you live in North America, you're covered to see a real physician once you come back home under your medical insurance.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: mediocre on February 26, 2014, 03:19:05 PM
Is that same as for Americans?

Hey Smallguy, how much is your ballpark figure budget for your next LL if you don't mind?

India is out of my list for LL. I won't ever go back there again. Too many horror stories and unnecessary complications which can be prevented had the doctor better monitor the patient.

The lowest I ever recommend anyone to go for now is China.

But the sick idea is, if you get screw over in India for a 15k surgery and if you live in North America, you're covered to see a real physician once you come back home under your medical insurance.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Smallguy on February 26, 2014, 03:36:39 PM
Is that same as for Americans?

Hey Smallguy, how much is your ballpark figure budget for your next LL if you don't mind?

Same for USA because not being able to walk is a medically necessary treatment. In fact you can head straight to Paley and be covered. It will make you feel like you are the hands of the best doctor in the world for a steep discount.

My next budget is 100k. I bought some stocks before heading for India which doubled in value and I also own a home in Vancouver. So I can take out a mortgage for this next one.

My choice at the moment is Franz, Guichet, or Paley (or even turkey).... or even Danghoon cuz I listen to korean music. Paying more doesn't guaranteed that you will be complication free (eg Betz) but it will make you feel like you have made the right choice the first time around
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 26, 2014, 03:36:59 PM
(http://i.imgur.com/W1s01jW.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: mediocre on February 26, 2014, 03:41:57 PM
Yeah. My choices also mirror yours, but not necessary in that order.

But if you choose Franz, Lee, Paley (or even Guichet?), they don't advice coming home before distraction is done, right?

BTW, do you think 100K is enough for Paley (including stay in Florida)?

Same for USA because not being able to walk is a medically necessary treatment. In fact you can head straight to Paley and be covered. It will make you feel like you are the hands of the best doctor in the world for a steep discount.

My next budget is 100k. I bought some stocks before heading for India which doubled in value and I also own a home in Vancouver. So I can take out a mortgage for this next one.

My choice at the moment is Franz, Guichet, or Paley (or even turkey).... or even Danghoon cuz I listen to korean music. Paying more doesn't guaranteed that you will be complication free (eg Betz) but it will make you feel like you have made the right choice the first time around
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: mediocre on February 26, 2014, 03:46:15 PM
Is your right leg also shorter than the left?
Or it's just an illusion due to your inverted right foot?

(http://i.imgur.com/W1s01jW.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 26, 2014, 03:56:45 PM
26/02/2014:
First Walking with crutches with twisted right foot(60% recovered):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jScR8AyQAxU
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: mediocre on February 26, 2014, 04:03:16 PM
Way to go brother. Tough, tough journey!

You're stepping on your left forefoot. I hope you don't have foot drop.

26/02/2014:
First Walking with crutches with twisted right foot(60% recovered):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jScR8AyQAxU
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Machine on February 26, 2014, 04:37:16 PM
I can't help myself but to comment on your twisted foot ... Do you really think it is 60% recovered !!

from my experience my condition was way better then yours but still it took forever to get even 60% which i think i m at right now after 1 year post surgery ... i admit that i didn't do much exercise like standing and walking after frame removal for almost 3 months because i always gave up cause of the twisted foot which was so much annoying to me during recovery time ie; i couldn't put pressure on my achillis tendon like i can put on my right leg , instead all my pressure was just below pinky toe which was so annoying and painful ... now after 1 year i can walk normal without any support but still my twisted foot bothers me because the pressure we put on our foot while walking is not the same on my left foot which was twisted before and still is a little bit ... i intentionally took it slow for recovery because i thought that if i put too much pressure on my left foot it could damage the ligaments and all those stuff since our foot is made of so many joints .
May be that's another reason for big brothers to do femur lengthening since only one joint is there .

i consulted another doctor for correction right after frame removal ... he said that my case was acceptable since my tibia is 5% to 10% deviated from alignment and told me that i will need another surgery to fix it after recovery or else i will have early arthritis in future .. so after 1 year post CLL  i m going to mumbai 2morrow to consult those doctors who are real experienced regarding Ilizarov techniques and do the correction .

i can only say that you will definitely need another surgery to fix it ... i think the sooner the better but it entirely depends if any surgeon is going to take the responsibility since you just did lengthening and all the trauma you went through and IM nail is in your tibia bone .

anyways i m really sorry to give you this bad news but you are in a very serious complication ..!!

my suggestion is that you should consult another surgeon asap if possible ..!!
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on February 26, 2014, 04:50:25 PM
@Machine,

I say 60% as compared to my foot just after frame removal. My ankle was so tight and now its quite loosened and when I put weight on my foot, pressure is no more in small area. And when I stand, I can make my foot 100% straight when someone press on my foot and I see improvement everyday. I am giving full effort daily. What u see is result of 20 days physio.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Machine on February 26, 2014, 05:07:38 PM
i understand what you trying to say ..
i just shared my experience and opinion cause i thought it might help you .
CLL is a very lengthy process and especially recovery ... you will realize later what i m trying to say .

Over all it will be better if you consult other doctor about your condition ASAP ..!!
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: BilateralDamage on February 26, 2014, 05:13:01 PM
26/02/2014:
First Walking with crutches with twisted right foot(60% recovered):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jScR8AyQAxU

Sorry but your gait is the stuff nightmares are made of... even more disturbing is that your PT seems fine with it.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Smallguy on February 27, 2014, 02:08:38 AM
Yeah. My choices also mirror yours, but not necessary in that order.

But if you choose Franz, Lee, Paley (or even Guichet?), they don't advice coming home before distraction is done, right?

BTW, do you think 100K is enough for Paley (including stay in Florida)?

I may have to resign from my job. My company said they'll be flexible with my vacation but they won't expect that I will be leaving for 3 months.

I think 100k should be enough for Paley. If not, just make sure you have a credit line or home equity line open.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Smallguy on March 08, 2014, 02:12:58 AM
Hey, how are you doing so far? Getting better? Any updates?
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on March 08, 2014, 02:10:53 PM
My twisted leg as on 8/03/2014.

Thanks a lot Harry, Mohammad Nisar and Management for providing 2nd physiotherapist:

(http://i.imgur.com/KRmEcw3.jpg)
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on March 11, 2014, 10:34:42 PM
@Machine,

I dont see ur post.
What do u say after seeing my latest pic? Do u still think I need another surgery to rectify my foot twist?
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on March 12, 2014, 12:11:50 AM
Hi,

its 40 days since my frame removed.
I am using Orthofix physio-stim to improve my callus. When I put Orthofix on my shin/leg there is press mark on my shin which means my new callus are being pushed down by Orthofix temporarily, will it cause any problem in my callus formation? Pls advise. Any idea?

orthofix physio-stim:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuTZWUd5Sbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lvf8wBpJUw
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: Machine on March 12, 2014, 06:08:59 AM
@Machine,

I dont see ur post.
What do u say after seeing my latest pic? Do u still think I need another surgery to rectify my foot twist?

it is obvious that you are going to have another surgery in future to fix it ... i think the problem of your foot is because your tibia is not aligned which will cause ankle pain and knee pain and you won't be able to walk properly in future until you fix it .
like i told you before my condition is much better then yours and still i came all the way to mumbai to consult Dr Mangal Parihar to fix the issue ... anyway it is better you consult other doctors ..@!
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on March 12, 2014, 09:38:21 PM
it is obvious that you are going to have another surgery in future to fix it ... i think the problem of your foot is because your tibia is not aligned which will cause ankle pain and knee pain and you won't be able to walk properly in future until you fix it .
like i told you before my condition is much better then yours and still i came all the way to mumbai to consult Dr Mangal Parihar to fix the issue ... anyway it is better you consult other doctors ..@!

I dont have knee pain at all but had ankle pain in left leg due to infection and its much better now and my twisted foot is almost straight now and when I walk pressure dont go to single point but in larger area.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on March 22, 2014, 02:41:49 PM
Thank God I walked 1/2 km today without rest with crutches and without any difficulty. Thanks to Sukesh for his sincere and tireless physio. I am happy that I will not need any surgery for my twisted foot and I feel I am 90% recovered.
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: RGKEY on March 22, 2014, 08:08:55 PM
Thank God I walked 1/2 km today without rest with crutches and without any difficulty. Thanks to Sukesh for his sincere and tireless physio. I am happy that I will not need any surgery for my twisted foot and I feel I am 90% recovered.

im glad for you man! keep it up!!
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: StrugglingHard on November 08, 2014, 02:54:40 AM
Hi Guys,

Im here after long time. My frame was removed on 31st Jan, 2013. Its 14 months since first surgery and 9 months since frame removal.  While I can walk without any crutches(still I use single stick just for protection), I am still unable to walk normally.


Left Leg: 

My left leg is perfectly straight but there is still considerable ballerina and better callus but not yet fully filled

Right Leg:

My right ankle is still twisted though improved a lot and has almost no ballerina. My heel is not in central position and is inwards and its so hard/stiff that even putting 20 kg weight against twist do not bring back the heel to central position. Also less callus in right leg.

I have been from hospital to hospital, doctor to doctor since 1st April, 2014 in UK and still waiting for date, they say next apointment will be in Feb 2015. That seems like joke. As per doctor there is no problem with ankle/bone, but I do not trust him becoz putting 20KG weight while no ballerina shud push the heels towards central postion at least but its so stiff and hard that it doesnt push towards central position. He told me tendon release will solve the problem.

Kindly tell me if anyone one of u went through tendon release, and how much time it takes to recover and walk normally after tendon release? Any suggestion from anyone?

And my callus still not filled properly,
Title: Re: StrugglingHard - External Tibias - Dr. Sringari - 2013 - My Lengthening In India
Post by: TomD on November 16, 2014, 06:33:08 PM
Same for USA because not being able to walk is a medically necessary treatment. In fact you can head straight to Paley and be covered. It will make you feel like you are the hands of the best doctor in the world for a steep discount.

My next budget is 100k. I bought some stocks before heading for India which doubled in value and I also own a home in Vancouver. So I can take out a mortgage for this next one.

My choice at the moment is Franz, Guichet, or Paley (or even turkey).... or even Danghoon cuz I listen to korean music. Paying more doesn't guaranteed that you will be complication free (eg Betz) but it will make you feel like you have made the right choice the first time around

If you go to Russia / China or India and you end up unable to walk, you can go to Paley and be covered ????

It will be a fight but I think you will win in the end if the original doctor screws up.

I grew up in West Van and (will) own a duplex in Horseshoe Bay.  :D