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[sylar94]

Im thinking of doing external tibia LL (ilizarov or TSF), so I will be wearing the frames for about 1 year.
I cannot imagine how exactly life is with the frames on.
Could I attend classes at the university in that 1 year? (special taxi I guess)
Is it feasible and is it dangerous?

[GrowTow]

Why would you be wearing them for a whole year?

And there's no chance you'll be able to go to university with an external frame and even if you do, it'll take one douchebag to nudge you over and both your legs will be gone forever

[sylar94]

Why would you be wearing them for a whole year?

And there's no chance you'll be able to go to university with an external frame and even if you do, it'll take one douchebag to nudge you over and both your legs will be gone forever

For 5 cm, you wear the frames for about 10 months.
Anyway good point, its risky.

[GrowTow]

Why would you be wearing the frames for 10 months?

You wear the frames for 3-4 months whilst your lengthening. That's all

[sylar94]

Why would you be wearing the frames for 10 months?

You wear the frames for 3-4 months whilst your lengthening. That's all

You probably misread this part "external tibia LL (ilizarov or TSF)"
There won't be any nail inserted in my tibia. I will wear the frames during consolidation also.
http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=95.0

[FutureManuteBol]

Why are you going for external tibia instead of the internal tibia route? Is it for fear of permanent knee pain that has been noted with the internal method or are you looking to sidestep the issue of knock knees and throwing off your mechanical axis?

[cheekycabs]

I am currently doing Full External Ilizarov and I am 8 months post operation. I literally went on vacation last week, taking a train, getting up many sets of stairs, walking in a different city for a week, and driving for +8 hours. All this done with forearm crutches

You can definitely do university, however you may probably find it best to get around in a wheelchair. Aside from most people helping you anyway, the hardest part will be the morning motivation to get dressed and go every day. I still have some issues with pain in the morning and starting. Make sure you either live on campus with an elevator and all wheelchair access and it is very doable.

I probably wouldn't do it with crutches knowing how slow they are, and university is normally pretty early in the morning.

Also I have been taking normal cars and taxis probably since month 3. I used to be afraid and take a taxi that I could just walk into, but realized it's not needed.

[cheekycabs]

Why would you be wearing them for a whole year?

And there's no chance you'll be able to go to university with an external frame and even if you do, it'll take one douchebag to nudge you over and both your legs will be gone forever

I walk every day in downtown area of a very busy city of 6 million. This answer is wrong. Cars all slow down or stop, people offer to help. It's very evident that a walker makes people take VERY extra care around you, and crutches do as well just not as much, especially cars.

[sylar94]

Why are you going for external tibia instead of the internal tibia route? Is it for fear of permanent knee pain that has been noted with the internal method or are you looking to sidestep the issue of knock knees and throwing off your mechanical axis?

From what I read, external tibia without nail is better as a long term solution. Although it is more painful and has more short term complications, such as infections, I would avoid the possibility of permanent knee pain, and the doctor has more control of the mechanical axis, if he knows what he is doing.

[FutureManuteBol]

What long term complications does internal cause that external does? Do you mean arthritis? Are you referring to the permanent knee pain? Does shifting the mechanical axis in an unnatural way cause complications down the road? I'm just trying to get all the information in the case that I lengthen my tibias. If internals cause more long term complications, why are internal femurs the consensus over external femurs? Do these still exist, but the discomfort of having frames on your femurs just outweigh them?

Thanks for any information you can provide me.

[sylar94]

Do you mean arthritis?

im not sure here

Are you referring to the permanent knee pain? Does shifting the mechanical axis in an unnatural way cause complications down the road?

yes, yes

If internals cause more long term complications, why are internal femurs the consensus over external femurs? Do these still exist, but the discomfort of having frames on your femurs just outweigh them?

the pain of external femurs is extreme. i think external femurs is still better for the bones, but very bad for the muscles(and possibly nerves). you cannot do typical daily tasks with external femurs, and the scars will be very very big.