How's it going Tiggy? Been a while since your last update, hope everything is going well!
Hi Alchemist,
Things aren't going as well as I've hoped. I saw him for a follow up last week and my bone isn't filling in, so it's gotten worse than before because at least before I've had some growth. This was quite worrying on multiple fronts. I must admit partially I am to blame I think because I haven't walked much since my previous follow up so I think the lack of movement has made it worse. However even despite that my growth has been extremely slow. At the moment I am doing the accordion maneuver, whereby you distract one day and decompress the following. I am to do this for 2 weeks and then rest for 2 more weeks. This means that for a month I will not be growing at all. The maneuver is supposed to help stimulate bone growth.
In addition to that I have stopped all medication I was taking, including the gabapentin and the meloxicam. Perhaps the meds have contributed somewhat to slow bone formation and so we think it's wise to stop them all for time being and see what happens.
Lastly he has me taking strontium, which is supposed to stimulate bone growth as well. I am seeing him in 4 weeks and at that point if things don't improve I think I would have to get a bone graft. I really hope it doesn't get to that but we ll see how it turns out.
Dr R has also mentioned, AGAIN, that I should consider modifying my goal. At the moment my left leg is at 6.5cm and the right is at 5.9cm. I have NO intention of stopping short of my goal of at least 7.5cm but somehow he repeatedly brings this up to me whenever I see him. I've asked him whether he had any patients of his with a permanent complication of non union and he explained that no, none of his patients have had such issues. Which means the bone will fill in, it's just a matter of time. And if that's indeed the case, what exactly is the point of me cutting my goal short??? Just so I can heal a month sooner? After all the expense, pain and discomfort associated with this surgery, not to mention being locked up at home the entire summer, I would feel horrible to stop now before reaching my goal. I made this point to him as well to which he didn't really have any reply. Not to mention, my flexibility is excellent still, knee bend is at 130 degrees.
I don't know if I'm being unreasonable for dismissing his comments and I would certainly love to hear what you guys think but I'm quite annoyed that he brings up the topic every time I see him even though I've expressed to him that I am resolute as to the final length that I want to attain.