Sorry for the maybe redundant messages
Has anyone experienced LATN?
Im pretty much done with the lengthening, and now the surgeon suggested frame removal and inserting a nail.
Overall he recommends nailing instead of waiting for consolidation with the external frame.
Perhaps one of the reasons for him is money?(;
From the research I've done, the pros for LATN are:
1- being free of this horrible frame. This means better sleep, being able to be seen outside without feeling like an alien, being able to wear long pants, and especially getting rid of the pain in pin sites
2- reducing risks of pin site infections.
3- not having to deal with pin cleaning etc...
All the above are pretty much objective and totally reasonable and validated pros...
The following ones, I'd love to hear your input whether they're true or not..
4- being able to put full weight on the leg, compared with the external frame... (For now I can't put full weight because of pain in the fracture site... But perhaps it will not be an issue as the bone consolidate.?)
5- faster healing of bone (I've read that the drilling of the bone stimulates bone growth, by the local trauma and release of growth factors, inflammation etc..
So overall faster consolidation compared to external fixator alone...(?)
Cons of LATN:
1- Another surgery, actually two surgeries (nail removal later..), so more pain, recovery and suffering... For sure more troublesome than removing external fixator only.
2- INFECTION - if this happens, well, removing the nail and putting external all over again, to me it's a catastrophe.
So.
What are your thoughts?
The doc prompted me to decide as soon as possible, because if I do it in 1-2 months delay, it would be kinda useless, since I would already be closer to mere external removal...
I'm really debating with myself. Deep Infection is what scares me the most..
But also - the recovery from the nail insertion. The doc says putting weight on the leg can be done the day after the surgery, but these doctors are always too optimistic. I wonder how long until I can walk without crutches, and if this nailing reducing the time until I can walk unassisted.
Thanks so much for any tips.