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[Uppland]

This is a dangerous surgery and we need to be as well prepared as we possibly can.

We all know soft tissue exersices help our limbs recover and the more flexible our muscles, nerves etc. are the better we can handle the stress of lengthening. What training can we do to prepare our limbs?

Please post all the appropriate exercises below -everything that will help us be better prepared.

Personally think this is very important, my legs are stiff right now and I plan to exercise them for at least a year before I actually lengthen them.

[ItsMyLife]

off topic, but when is ur surgery?
dr bagirov actually gave me some yoga videos... can post hte URL here

[ItsMyLife]

anyway i didnt do much stretching exercises.... and i heard it was pointless ,but some said it is helpful..

[Uppland]

Alright here is a yoga position that stretches the thigs and knees, it's called the "reclining hero pose":
http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/reclining-hero-pose/

And here is a "wikihow" article on a few leg stretches:
http://www.wikihow.com/Stretch-Your-Legs

Finally a quote from the FAQ on Dr. Paleys site:

What can I do to prepare for surgery?
a) Education: Read all printed materials we provide. Book a consultation and come with your questions written down so you can get the answers you need. Email us any additional questions you may think of later.
b) Physical preparation:
Stretching exercises may help.
 
For femur lengthening:
1)            iliotibial band; lie on your side, extend your hip so your thigh is in line with your body and flex your knee. In that position, try and bring the flexed knee towards the ground. Also can do cross leg stretches with the hip straight. These stretches the IT band.
2)            quadriceps and especially the rectus femoris muscle (bend knee with straightening of hip at same time. Can be done standing pulling foot behind butt and leaning back or kneeling with leaning back).
3)            Hamstrings: knee straightening while flexing hip.
 
For tibial lengthening:
1)            Achilles tendon: heel cord; maximum dorsiflexion (foot up) with full knee extension (straight).
c) Stop smoking and exposure to second hand smoke.
d) Stop all anti-inflammatory meds.
e) Socio-economic preparation:
Organize your life so you can put it on hold for at least three months. You will need to stay in West Palm Beach for at least 9 weeks. You may not be able to go back to work since you will still be wheelchair dependent when you return home for at least one month. Prepare your finances so you can not only afford this surgery but also afford any possible complications from this surgery that can arise. These are not common but can be costly when they do occur.
Be prepared to be single minded and not distracted during the process so you can devote all your energies and attention to the limb lengthening process and rehabilitation.
Visit West Palm Beach and check out where you will stay and the lay of the land. Arrange for someone to come with you or be prepared to hire home health to help you (see separate section on this).
Organize a leave of absence from your job so that you don't feel the pressure of the need to get back to work.

[glenn]

For tibia, how about this:
http://achesandjoints.org/2008/07/05/heel-drop/

and these all seem pretty reasonable to do:
http://www.stretching-exercises-guide.com/calf-stretches.html

what do you guys think?

[Uppland]

Think it's important to stretch, Dr. Paley said it might help and I plan to do everything I can to get out with my legs intact.

[programdude]

Paley told me it only matters so much. As long as you aren't super tight, he said the muscles tend to get loose then go back to being tight again. He usually still recommends them as it helps get people used to doing them every day, which he says is the most important benefit.

[Moubgf]

Dont train your legs for muscle mass. Just go on the bicycle everyday for 10-15 minutes. And jump ropes 10 minutes. Thats all you need.


If you do more and you actually gain muscle mass in the region you are lengthening. Prepare for pain.

[Noe74]

Well dear its really important doing stretching before and after exrcise. I learnt doing yoga workout from online videos, and I always do 5 minutes stretching before and after that. This way our tissues will not break, and you can keep yourself fit.

[Jacob53]

This is really a great post on stretching exercises. Well, I also tried stretching exercises but hurt my arm. Now I have been getting acupuncture therapy to heal the pain. I have chosen acupuncture Mississauga clinic for that.

[Rush]

So basically, a loose hamstring is very important for CLL?

[LAGrowin]

So basically, a loose hamstring is very important for CLL?

This is what I have read in different diaries and heard first hand from someone who just underwent CLL for femurs.

I am just starting to stretch in anticipation of surgery on 1/18/18. 

Do you have plans for surgery soon?   Our
Heights and wingspan are identical.  My end goal however is 175.3 after 7.5cm in femurs .

All the best to you.

[PANDA:BEAR..]

Being prepared..., before surgery... like stretching and other Pt exercises? Anyone know what is best or advisable to do ?

[Michael J. Assayag, MD]

Being prepared..., before surgery... like stretching and other Pt exercises? Anyone know what is best or advisable to do ?

Dear Panda Bear,

It depends if you are getting lit is or femur lengthening. The more flexible you are at baseline,
the more length you will be able to get before joint contractures appear.

If you are getting femoral lengthening, stretching quadriceps, hamstring, adductors and abductors. You can find a list of stretches with a quick google search.

If you are getting tibia lengthening, stretching calf and hamstrings pre operatively is best.

A daily stretching routine is recommended . The more the better!

Hope this helps, do not hesitate to contact me for more information.


Dr. Michael J. Assayag
Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Surgeon
International Center for Limb Lengthening of Baltimore
www.limblength.org
@bonelengthening on Instagram