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[mummy]

Hi there,

Today we  went for a check-up and heard that our daughter's leg has reached the lengthening target. We were even 0.5 centimeters over the target

She has suffered from post infection growth plate damage, which caused extensive deformities in all her limbs. Her left leg was 13 cm shorter than her right leg and turned inward. We wanted to wait until she was older to do the surgery, as she was able to walk and had no pain. But when she started to suffer from her condition we started treatment.

We thought it was going to take a year, but in three months time her leg has grown 13 cm and the deformities in her knee and ankle are corrected. It looks great.

Her leg was broken in three places, two in her lower leg and one in her upper leg. The ring system was used in her lower leg and on her upper leg she just had an external fixator on one side. That one has already been removed, and an internal fixator in her upper leg will remain until the bone consollidation is finished. We heard the rings will be taken of probably 3-4 months from now. That means the whole problem of her leg will be fixed in 6-7 months, which is a year shorter than we expected.

We had some minor issues with pin site infections and the first operation caused a lot of pain for three weeks or so. Also now towards the end she has much pain, but as lengthening is finished we expect it will soon ease. Apart from that she has been able to play and do her school work as usual. Although she still uses a wheel chair, she can walk with crutches and a little without.

We had the procedure done in South Korea, with a very experienced doctor (Choi In Ho) who was recommended to us as the best in Asia in his field. He has done bone deformity corrections and limb lengthening for 30 years. The children's hospital he works in (Seoul National University Children's Hospital) is a bit of a nightmare, crowded, very noisy, nothing for kids to do or play with and not very clean (they keep good medical hygiene, but I have had to clean blood smears of the wall or other patient's food leftovers of the bed). Also all patients need a care taker with them 24/7 for all none-medical care as is usual in this country. But dr. Choi is obviously very knowledgeable (so is the staff generally) and cares about his patients. He involves parents in the decision making and looks at what is best for the child. I think for those who are in Asia it is definitely a good option, if not the best. That is, if you go for the result instead of a comfortable process.

He treats adults too. However, they have to be admitted to the children's ward and sleep between screaming babies. Not for the faint hearted.

If anybody has a child with a similar challenge, our daughter is looking for friends to share experiences with!

Mummy

[Time4LL]

That is such a cool story and I am glad it worked out so well for your daughter. That type of story kind of puts my difficulties in perspective as this is purely cosmetic for me. I cannot imagine having to deal with this as a child. I have to respect you and your daughter for having the courage to do this.

I will personally be praying and thinking of you and your daughter. Great to hear that everything has gone well and hopefully continues to do so.

[GROWtalORdieTRYING1]

does your daughter have ballerina after 13 cm?

and congratulations for completing your journey. 13cm sounds like a difficult ordeal to accomplish. im sure your daughter is a stronger person for having completed this.

[mummy]

Hi and thanks for your comments.
She has no ballerina, this was prevented with a cast during the last month of lengthening. Because of the disease she suffered as a toddler (meningococcal disease ) she has a dropfoot and severe muscle degeneration in her lower leg which meant she had a high risk of ballerina foot. The cast will come off soon so we'll see what it looks like. At the moment that is what gives her most pain.

[Shortie]

This is cool story respect for both of u .

[its_adil]

Nice to see you happy after this achievement. As everyone else is saying, I want to ask you "Is this very very painful process?" And what is the age of your kid. How she managed to walk when there was difference of 13cm?