Thanks for the response man, I'm just joking about the girls. I hate the feeling of someone feeling sorry for me so I wouldn't want a girl friend while I'm in a wheel chair. I would actually rather hire a nurse or caretaker then a Gf. I might hire one of the those university students to teach me a language though.
Now after 7 months were you able to walk or is there a few months of consolidation after getting those removed? Because 7 months sounds reasonable, I've heard around 11 months for ex fix.
Unfortunately not everyone knows you're going to recover so you see people on the streets feeling sorry for you. I remember going to Merkator (a local shopping) and taking the elevator. When you reach the 2nd floor (I think) there's a cafe and all clients looks at you. I don't know if it is because they know you've done the procedure but It was embarrassing in the beginning. Maybe it was all in my mind since later It was all fine and I used to buy groceries there too. Just carry a backpack in your wheelchair.
IMPORTANT:
You can use Google Translator CROATIAN X YOUR LANGUAGE. If you use SERBIAN, you'll see only Cyrillic. If I knew that I would've learned a lot more.
Ask some nurse if it is possible for her to change your bandages at home. I think you should change it weekly. No funny business. Just to save $.
I was able to walk after 4 months with crutches. I had some ballerina foot so I had to use sneakers to walk. My muscles adapted after without problems so it's just a matter of time. Most patients take a little longer to walk. I used the walker at home everyday (going to the bathroom, washing dishes, etc).
3 months to stretch.
4th month to walk.
7th month to remove the device.
Four months was enough for ME to consolidate. If you lengthen more, do less exercise, have a poorer diet, etc, you might take longer. If in doubt, you can take an X-RAY to see how it goes.
From Alu:
Would you ever be willing to post a video of sorts showing your recovery or anymore pictures? If not then that's understandable.
Anyways, how was it getting used to having longer legs then what you'd naturally been used to? I.E: any sort of movements or actions that are now awkward or difficult to do. I'm talking about both exercise and day to day life.
When you are laying down do you ever look at your legs and think about whether they are too long?
I'm assuming your Tibia are either equal length to your femurs or possibly greater, how does that dynamic work?
And lastly, do you personally feel, now that you have done 5 CM, that you (getting 3 cm extra in the femurs) or someone else doing 8 CM (say either in one segment or spreading it out into the two) would be too much?
I wouldn't mind if I knew how to cover my face in the video.
In the beginning you'll get more conscious about your legs, proportions, etc. I knew I had surgery and I kept a close eye. When you recover muscles it's less noticeable so you won't think about it after. Just came here because a friend told me about it and I thought I could post something to help future patients. Not only for Mitkovic's but for any LL patient.
As I said in a previous post, no loss in movement but when you crouch, you notice your ankles doesn't touch your buttocks anymore. Unless you crouch "differently" (staying in your toes). Anyways, it is bad for your knees so when I have to crouch, I do it like babies (the correct way), with your ankles touching the floor. Same movement when you do squats in the gym (correctly).
At 5'7, I would love to do another 3cm (maybe 4cm) in my femurs if I had the time and patience. I just don't know if it's worth the hassle. When you remove the device after 7 months, you just want to enjoy your new height.
Do I regret not doing more? Not for a second.
Don't know your height but I advise ANYONE to do 2 inches (5cm) in tibia first. If you still feel short, do an extra surgery in the future.
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Topic: Mitkovic veteran patient - AMA (Ask Me Anything) (Read 26660 times)