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[Time4LL]

I was wondering if anyone had any x-rays of bones that were allowed to weightbear after the consolidation phase when using the Precice method. Also please tell me how long after lengthening the X-ray took place.

For former Precice patients when were you allowed to use crutches after the initial surgery. How mobile were you?

Any information would be helpful. Thank you.

[short2tall]

   You really won't be able to use crutches until you are consolidated enough to weightbear and walk unaided. It is theoretically possible to skip crutches and just start walking once cleared by the Dr. as long as you have been really pushing yourself during PT. This is what I am hoping to do. It really just depends on your comfort level and balance after being off of your feet for so long. Typically you will have to wait 3-5 weeks after you finish lengthening to start weightbearing. I finish lengthening this week and will go back on June 12 for an x-ray, to see if I can walk unaided.
   You may want to follow LAGrowin's diary. I believe he will be getting his first consolidation x-ray this week. For him I think it will be 5 weeks since he stopped lengthening.

[Android]

Also depends on your weight and nail diameter as well. You don't want to risk nail breakage because you're in a hurry.

[short2tall]

Also depends on your weight and nail diameter as well. You don't want to risk nail breakage because you're in a hurry.

This is a bit of a gray area for many people. I was sort of confused at my initial consultation as to whether I would be able to use crutches at any point or not. From what I've seen so far, I don't think Dr. Mahboubian allows any of his precice 2 patients to use crutches/fully weightbear during lengthening regardless of what your weight is. I think walking on the precice rod is just too much of an impact and they don't want you to risk it until you are consolidated enough. So for example even if you are only 130 lbs and you have the largest diameter nail, I still do not think you are allowed to weightbear during the lengthening stage.

[Android]

So for example even if you are only 130 lbs and you have the largest diameter nail, I still do not think you are allowed to weightbear during the lengthening stage.

Sensible advice! Thanks for sharing Dr. Mahboubian's protocol.

[Time4LL]

Thanks guys that is really helpful. The lack of weight bearing is very difficult. Does anyone know if you are allowed to stand during the lengthening phase? I have read that this helps consolidation occur quicker.

[short2tall]

Yes, you are allowed to stand straight up with your weight evenly distributed between both legs. You will have to do this to walk with the walker anyway. You are correct, it really helps the bone heal faster.

[OverrideYourGenetics]

On a couple of occasions at the Paley Institute, I was asked to stand straight for several seconds, even though I was still lengthening, and my tibia nails can only handle 50lbs each (I weigh probably 140-150lbs now).

One time was when transferring from the walker to the "antigravity" machine, and another time when taking standing X-rays (~30 seconds).

[short2tall]

On a couple of occasions at the Paley Institute, I was asked to stand straight for several seconds, even though I was still lengthening, and my tibia nails can only handle 50lbs each (I weigh probably 140-150lbs now).

One time was when transferring from the walker to the "antigravity" machine, and another time when taking standing X-rays (~30 seconds).

You were standing on both legs though right? Rather than actually walking where you would put all of your weight on one leg at a time.

[Time4LL]

Everything I have read from Paley it seems that he says that you should be able to use crutches the whole time with Precice 2.2? Why is he not allowing crutches anymore? OverrideYourGenetics, I thought the nails allowed 75 lbs of weight each?

If you are putting both legs down and always moving with two feet always on the ground carefully I don't see why we wouldn't be able to fully weightbear. Obviously I don't have the experience with it like OverrideYourGenetics and short2tall do so I realize I could be very wrong.

[Johnson1111]

Everything I have read from Paley it seems that he says that you should be able to use crutches the whole time with Precice 2.2? Why is he not allowing crutches anymore? OverrideYourGenetics, I thought the nails allowed 75 lbs of weight each?

If you are putting both legs down and always moving with two feet always on the ground carefully I don't see why we wouldn't be able to fully weightbear. Obviously I don't have the experience with it like OverrideYourGenetics and short2tall do so I realize I could be very wrong.

So they bare 75 each until your done fully heals?

[LAGrowin]

Everything I have read from Paley it seems that he says that you should be able to use crutches the whole time with Precice 2.2? Why is he not allowing crutches anymore? OverrideYourGenetics, I thought the nails allowed 75 lbs of weight each?

If you are putting both legs down and always moving with two feet always on the ground carefully I don't see why we wouldn't be able to fully weightbear. Obviously I don't have the experience with it like OverrideYourGenetics and short2tall do so I realize I could be very wrong.

There are two different sized nails, a 50 lb and a 75 lb one. 

Dr. Mahboubian made it very clear to me that crutches were off limits until after I consolidated. Putting weight on one leg at once while alternating steps would risk bending or breaking the nail.

[Time4LL]

Ok that makes sense. I just thought maybe if you were using crutches and always had all your weight on both legs it may work to use only crutches.

LAGrowin, I am excited to see your diary this week and am hoping you will be able to walk! 4 months isn't bad at all for 7 cm.

[LAGrowin]

Ok that makes sense. I just thought maybe if you were using crutches and always had all your weight on both legs it may work to use only crutches.

LAGrowin, I am excited to see your diary this week and am hoping you will be able to walk! 4 months isn't bad at all for 7 cm.

Thank you Time4LL!  Hoping for the same.  It will be more of a wobble than a walk, but hoping that within a few weeks, with therapy and getting back to the gym, my hair will come back.

Have you decided to move forward with LL?  If so when/where?

[Time4LL]

How is the recovery LAGrowin? I have decided on the Greek doctor. He is becoming pretty popular around here. I am unsure when I will do it.

For 5 cm of lengthening how long will it take to walk if I have Precice 2.2? Normally? It seems that this could potentially be done in about 3 months? Is this crazy to think?

Also if one lengthens each segment about 5 centimeters and are about 2 inches height over wingspan will this look bad? I know these questions have been asked before and I have read them but just was curious if anyone had any other feelings on these questions. Thanks!

[OverrideYourGenetics]

How is the recovery LAGrowin? I have decided on the Greek doctor. He is becoming pretty popular around here. I am unsure when I will do it.

For 5 cm of lengthening how long will it take to walk if I have Precice 2.2? Normally? It seems that this could potentially be done in about 3 months? Is this crazy to think?

As a PRECICE 2.2 patient, I urge you NOT to use the nail, now that STRYDE is available. I have no idea about STRYDE in Greece or Europe, but it should be available there soon. After seeing the first STRYDE patient walk with crutches in front of me 2 weeks post op, while I've been here for 3 depressing months and will have to wait another month or two to be able to use crutches and start walking (let alone walk normally), I can't advise anyone in good conscience to use the PRECICE 2.x.