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[bgreeneee]

47 year old male, healthy and reasonably athletic. >1" discrepancy since the age of ~19 due to teenage accident and subsequent surgeries. Have lived with the discrepancy for almost 30 years but with the latest advances with internal rods, have decided to get it corrected. My insurance will cover it almost completely. My doctor is a trauma surgeon who has experience with the Precice Stryde device.

Day 0: Day before the surgery
I have to get a blood test today for tomorrow and can't eat anything after 11PM. No liquids after 5AM tomorrow. I've gone through the full range of emotions the past number of months but ultimately am ready mentally and spiritually. My original accident ironically was a femur break, old school treatment with traction followed by a body cast, 3-4 months completely immobile including almost 2 in the hospital. Since then, I've had at least 4 somewhat related surgeries including pin removal, 2 knee reconstruction, and 1 broken ankle. So, in some ways I feel deja vu; the original accident was a long time ago but I don't feel like this is my first rodeo. Though it's on the lower end of the spectrum for lengthening, I fully expect it to be a long road. My wife of 26 years is by my side, thankful for her and the opportunity to correct this. Let's go.

[wannagrowtaller]

Good luck to you. Good that you started a diary. I believe as you are not lengthening too much and only one leg, you will have a smooth recovery.

It's 1.1" discrepancy and you are in Los Angeles, right? You are doing stryde covered by insurance, right? Do you know if your surgeon performs CLL?

[bgreeneee]

I’m in Northern California though my surgeon did his residency with a well known limb reconstruction specialist in Southern California. I have Kaiser insurance, I’m not certain if they would cover CLL.

[cena]

I’m in Northern California though my surgeon did his residency with a well known limb reconstruction specialist in Southern California. I have Kaiser insurance, I’m not certain if they would cover CLL.

Can you name either your surgeon or this other well known surgeon?

Good luck on recovery!

[bgreeneee]

Hi Cena—Honestly I don’t remember the name of the scal surgeon. My surgeon told me when I first met with him 6 months ago and I’ve forgotten. I looked him up at the time...not a CLL guy, but seemed pretty well published and documented on the internet in limb reconstruction. As far as the name of my surgeon, I don’t think he’s looking for publicity...if anyone is a Kaiser member and has a similar need, feel free to PM me and I’ll provide the name.

[bgreeneee]

Day 1: Day of surgery.  Surgery lasted about 3 hours. It’s now 7 hours since the surgery. Amazingly I’m not in a lot of pain. We’ll see how the night goes. I’m sure I have some sort of med left from surgery but have only had Tylenol since surgery. The IV is delivering an antibiotic right now. The doctor was able to cut the bone from the inside which saves me 1 extra incision which is nice. I’ll post an X-ray when I’m a little more with it. I have a screw in my bone at the bottom of my femur from one of my surgeries in the 80s so he wasn’t sure whether he’d have to take out or not, ended up not being in the way. Obviously he put the Stryde device in from hip not at knee which I know is an option. I’m staying the night, may actually go home tomorrow, will evaluate that tomorrow.

By the way, for the person with question about who my doctor studied under out of scal, he is recently retired but his name is Dr Donald Wiss.

[bgreeneee]

X-ray
https://photos.app.goo.gl/P3PXrfU8dD8qR9Zz9

[wannagrowtaller]

Why the last screw?

[bgreeneee]

Day 2: I’m feeling about the same as yesterday, maybe a little more mobile. I didn’t sleep well last night so just generally tired. But the pain level is not high at all. I’m still only on Tylenol. I have been up a number of times to use the bathroom and practice with walker and crutches. My doctor is advising me to just toe tap for the growth period since it will only be 3-4 weeks even though it’s Stryde. I found out the Nuvasive reps (2) were in the OR with me and someone will come to my home next week to show me how to use the device. My doctor said they actually grew me a millimeter after the surgery to test it out..the bone cut was probably a millimeter so no real growth there but we know it works. I had a session with PT and OT today, I think i’ll Be able to go home tomorrow.

Wannagrowtaller: That screw is from 1988, I had an old school knee surgery and I think it was used to reroute my ITB to in theory strengthen my ACL (didn’t really work) It may have been what affected my growth, not sure...I never grew in that leg after that surgery, had a growth spurt in my other leg a year or 2 later. Lots of deja vu in this process for me...never grew before but broken femur in 1985 with traction including external pins for a number of months.

[bgreeneee]

Day 3: I’m home from hospital. I am glad I stayed one extra night but was very ready to come home. I was tired of the IV and my furniture is more comfortable! Pain is less than yesterday but I definitely have swelling in the thigh and knee. I’m going to focus on ice the next few days to help with that swelling. Pain when sitting is very minor, better than yesterday but never has been unbearable...when getting up and down and moving around with crutches or walker there is definitely pain. The pain is at the hip near the incision for the rod, on my quad when tightening it to raise it to move, and at the knee. Of the three, the quad is the most frequent pain just because it’s needed to raise and lower the leg. I am having my wife assist me to help lift the leg for when I need it. For me, it’s still not enough pain that I need more than Tylenol. Hopefully the next few days will just be boring/uneventful as I await lengthening starting next Wednesday.

[cena]

thanks for the updates bgreeneee. If you ever find this difficult think of LLers who get both their legs done and for 6cm

[bgreeneee]

Hi Cena. Yes, I watched a lot of Movies vlogs. 2 legs at the same time is a whole other level I realize as is the extra cms. And I often mention to my wife that without the CLL market, I don’t think the financial motivation for the innovation by the device manufacturers would have been there for this all-internal process. For an LLD guy like me, I am thankful for your stories and support. I am about 5’6” or 7” (depends on which side lol)...I don’t think I’d ever do this to get taller as it’s just too intense but I’m not here in any way to judge...I have nothing but thankfulness and amazement for you guys at your discipline and dedication.

[bgreeneee]

Day 4: pain about the same today, I’d say if anything a little higher than yesterday but still only Tylenol every 6 hours. The swelling is still relatively big, especially around the knee. So I’m taking it pretty easy, watching some football and have had some visitors. Looking forward to the swelling going down! I also had an in home PT visit today. Nothing too revolutionary in PT but she had some good ideas for basic exercises once I can tolerate it. I tried out the bath transfer bench for a tub/shower combo and that worked great. 3 days until lengthening begins!

[Hamza]

Day 4: pain about the same today, I’d say if anything a little higher than yesterday but still only Tylenol every 6 hours. The swelling is still relatively big, especially around the knee. So I’m taking it pretty easy, watching some football and have had some visitors. Looking forward to the swelling going down! I also had an in home PT visit today. Nothing too revolutionary in PT but she had some good ideas for basic exercises once I can tolerate it. I tried out the bath transfer bench for a tub/shower combo and that worked great. 3 days until lengthening begins!

I did the same surgery for LLD correction of 10 mm using precice nail 2 in New York.
Nail Failed after started working in 3 months and i lost the distraction.
Its been 13 months after surgery done and still the union is very slow, maybe I have a non union.
I am going to Dr Betz next month for acute lengthening of the 10 mm using solid nail, also bone grafting if needed.
XRAY done yesterday (13 months post surgery): https://imgur.com/a/gCWJHGL
My advice for u is not to walk on it until the bone healed even if they call stryde full weight bearable.

Good Luck!

[bgreeneee]

Thanks Hamza. Sorry to hear of your experience and best of luck in what you need to do.

[Infinity]

I did the same surgery for LLD correction of 10 mm using precice nail 2 in New York.
Nail Failed after started working in 3 months and i lost the distraction.
Its been 13 months after surgery done and still the union is very slow, maybe I have a non union.
I am going to Dr Betz next month for acute lengthening of the 10 mm using solid nail, also bone grafting if needed.
XRAY done yesterday (13 months post surgery): https://imgur.com/a/gCWJHGL
My advice for u is not to walk on it until the bone healed even if they call stryde full weight bearable.

Good Luck!

I assume you manage to find this diary

[Hamza]

I assume you manage to find this diary

Thanks for guidance

[bgreeneee]

Day 5: No major changes from yesterday. One thing that is a little unexpected for me is the amount of swelling in my knee. I’ve been keeping it up a lot today with ice...the first few days I iced it but wasn’t doing a good job getting it above my heart. I do think it’s a little smaller tonight, hopefully it continues to reduce in size.

[bgreeneee]

Day 6: Swelling much better today in leg as well as knee. All the icing and elevation is paying off. Yesterday was definitely the worst pain day for me, today is better and I’m getting some more motor/muscle control of the quad to be able to lift it...for instance to lift over the edge of the bathtub without assistance. I’m still pretty sore but it’s getting better. Also I removed the waterproof bandages tonite which feels good. Swelling on incisions is down but there is a fair amount of bruising around them. Tomorrow is what I’ve been waiting for...the NuVasive rep is coming to my house with the erc...time to grow up! Let’s go!

[bgreeneee]

Some recent photos. Sorry in one of them, the lighting isn’t great. Hope they are of value for those preparing for this.

* The one with the bandages shows that I have an extra incision at the knee. This is due to the method used for the osteotomy process...bone was cut from the inside out—no extra incision there, but a temporary pin was used close to the knee to insert a temporary pin to align the lower part of the femur for the rod.
* x marks the spot for the erc
* The shadowy pic show bruising on the outside of the thigh 6 days after the surgery. Makes sense that it’s still sore with all that bruising still there

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gphVncGwnpfDvr1i8

[Hamza]

Day 6: Swelling much better today in leg as well as knee. All the icing and elevation is paying off. Yesterday was definitely the worst pain day for me, today is better and I’m getting some more motor/muscle control of the quad to be able to lift it...for instance to lift over the edge of the bathtub without assistance. I’m still pretty sore but it’s getting better. Also I removed the waterproof bandages tonite which feels good. Swelling on incisions is down but there is a fair amount of bruising around them. Tomorrow is what I’ve been waiting for...the NuVasive rep is coming to my house with the erc...time to grow up! Let’s go!

Stretch before & after each session as it will help u a lot to reduce the pain.

[bgreeneee]

Hamza-and others. I’m so tight from the surgery still...no where even close to the flexibility I had presurgery understandably. I can barely get my knee to bend at a right angle to sit. So I can and will work on that... but wow...to think about growth when I’m still this stiff is a little mind boggling!

[bgreeneee]

Day 7: And so it begins. I did my first lengthening today, My erc is programmed for 0.5mm per session and I will be doing 2 sessions per day. I’ve now done only 1 session, have another in a couple of hours. I felt some tingling during the process but I’m not sure if that was just my “nerves”. Ironically I have the latest Stryde nail...but I understand that I have the 1st generation erc. It’s in a huge suitcase, looks like it is out of an 80s movie and would be used to activate a nuclear bomb. I guess it doesn’t matter but I understand the newer ercs are a little more sleek. No extra pain after, we’ll see how that changes day to day with any post lengthening aching. The tech/rep who brought the erc says I’m looking really good, knee flexibility much better today so that was encouraging.

I hit a wall last night, lack of sleep for a week combined with the emotions of over 30 years of surgeries and dealing with this, combined with all the deja vu of the recovery journey I’m on...and I just broke down and sobbed, mostly by myself. People on this journey come from all different places in life...age, gender, country, economics, religion, family situation, etc. Those factors combined with ones own personal reasons for doing this and sometimes it’s hard to have empathy for others. I can tell you, as a person with a lifetime trauma journey, one thing that just drains me is the feeling of “here we go again”. That was the wall I hit last night. If anyone can go on a journey like this and not hit a wall, you’re a stronger person than I. But you have to learn to get over the wall or the journey won’t succeed.Maybe in some future diaries I’ll share some more about this...

[E Z]

Awesome post. wishing u nothing but the best on your journey. You're not lying about the nuclear bomb part lmao.

Also the emotions and isolation you feel during this journey is not something to be taken lightly. Always good to let them out! I put a calendar next to my bed and I mark off everyday till I get to my goal hopefully with no complications and peace of mind. It kind of motivates  me looking at it. Wishing you a successful journey!

[Hamza]

Hamza-and others. I’m so tight from the surgery still...no where even close to the flexibility I had presurgery understandably. I can barely get my knee to bend at a right angle to sit. So I can and will work on that... but wow...to think about growth when I’m still this stiff is a little mind boggling!

Use the Strap for stretching while laying down as tolerated. I was doing 0.25 mm four times per day and the mild pain + stiffness starts like 5 mins after each session. I regret for not using the Strap for stretching from day 1.

Once, I went to Macys in New York beside my hotel while still in lengthening phase and i walked a little bit with crutches, thx God I had the oxycodome with me because pain raised like 4/5.

I wonder with my correction surgery next month how does it feel when using solid nail and acute lengthen of 1 cm.

[bgreeneee]

Day 8: I made it through a week. One more 0.5mm lengthening tonight.  If all goes as planned I’ll be done around October 19. Today I do feel soreness, hard to tell at this point whether that’s still from the surgery or from the lengthening. Like others have said, I don’t feel much during the actual erc process...but I do feel something I could only describe as a slight electrical current with the prickly sensation on my skin...where I feel it the most is at the tip of my big toe. It’s not bad, very subtle, just interesting. Anybody else feel similar?

[bgreeneee]

Day 9: no major changes today. The incision for the rod is the only one that still is bothering me; it is achy, sensitive to the touch and still painful to lie on my side. I’m getting a little stronger each day...my biggest issue by far is sleep. Like I’ve seen in many stories, sleep is difficult...I’ve probably slept a total of 3 hours in the past 2 nights. I got a prescription for Ambien today to hopefully break that cycle. I’ve taken it 1 time like 10 years ago during another surgery recovery. I am not in to pain meds or sleep aids...I’ve still only taken Tylenol for this so far...but I’m at the desperate point to get a good night sleep.

[bgreeneee]

Day 10: Thank you Ambien...I got a decent night’s sleep last night. I feel 200% better today, partly due to the sleep, but also some marked physical improvements:
* My knee can bend well past 90 degrees, probably about 105 degrees.
* I’m getting enough strength to lift my leg over things without assistance (eg to get in car, tub)
* I fully transitioned from walker to crutches
* Swelling is way down on knee
* I went to my sons wrestling tournament today for about 3 hours, including using crutches up into the bleachers
* I rode in my 4wd SUV, which I certainly couldn’t get in until now

I’m at 4mm as of today. Just the beginning but VERY thankful for the progress!

[Michael01]

Now things will start to get better and when you see you will be over this.

[bgreeneee]

Days 11-12: I continue to feel stronger. Now that I can move my leg easier when sleeping, I’m actually able to sleep. I only took Ambien the one night, had a nice creepy dream to go with it.  I’m still waking up a couple of times at least and moving from bed to chair and back, but last night was by far the most consistent sleep to date with no drug assistance.

The back of my thigh still has a huge dark purple bruise about the size of my outstretched hand from the bone break i assume with no real signs of fading...think it’s going to take weeks for that to go away. It’s the ugliest bruise I’ve ever had...including when I broke my femur myself lol. Also still bruising near the incisions but not too bad and looking better. Incisions are looking good and feel so much better after removing the steri strips.

I’m going to hit 6mm today and I’m super anxious to get the xrays to confirm the progress. My target is somewhere around 25, which is around Oct 19. I’ll see the doctor in 2 days. With KP, you can email the doctor directly so I’ve traded a few emails but haven’t seen him since the day after surgery.

As far as pain goes. I’d say it’s minimal. Certain leg movements hurt more than others with the one that bothers me the most being the movement to pull my leg in towards my body...the muscles that contract over where my big bruise is...not sure if it’s the bruise/break or the stretched muscles or just continued posit surgery trauma. I have lapsed many hours with no meds in the past few days but for the most part still consistently taking (only) Tylenol.

My doctor has pretty much advised to do minimal weight bearing but I do weight bear here and there with no pain, mostly when I’m stuck with one crutch or need to carry something across the kitchen or something like that. I’m going to talk to him about the exercise bike as I think that might be good soon(?).

Three non lengthening things that get some focus during this time:
* My cat: She is loving this. I’m a human pillow. Thankful for the feline friend that follows me from place to place. She’s robbed me of some sleep but the snuggles are worth it lol.
* My birds: Well they are God’s I suppose, but I insist on my caregivers (teenage son and wife) keeping the feeders out my window full and the window open as much as possible to hear them. Songbirds, hummingbirds, jays, crows, even a big hawk who comes looking for a snack.
* My Reading: I’ve also started reading...which I wasn’t up to until the past few days since I had no sleep. I’m normally not a big reader but if there is ever a time, it’s now. When I don’t feel like reading off a page, I have the iPad read to me aloud.

Little things like this help.  We are not just physical beings...while in relative isolation, if you’re only focused on the physical and not the mind and the spirit, your physical healing will suffer. All for now..I appreciate reading the other diaries that are current right now, keep the updates coming and my prayers for you.

[Hamza]

Days 11-12: I continue to feel stronger. Now that I can move my leg easier when sleeping, I’m actually able to sleep. I only took Ambien the one night, had a nice creepy dream to go with it.  I’m still waking up a couple of times at least and moving from bed to chair and back, but last night was by far the most consistent sleep to date with no drug assistance.

The back of my thigh still has a huge dark purple bruise about the size of my outstretched hand from the bone break i assume with no real signs of fading...think it’s going to take weeks for that to go away. It’s the ugliest bruise I’ve ever had...including when I broke my femur myself lol. Also still bruising near the incisions but not too bad and looking better. Incisions are looking good and feel so much better after removing the steri strips.

I’m going to hit 6mm today and I’m super anxious to get the xrays to confirm the progress. My target is somewhere around 25, which is around Oct 19. I’ll see the doctor in 2 days. With KP, you can email the doctor directly so I’ve traded a few emails but haven’t seen him since the day after surgery.

As far as pain goes. I’d say it’s minimal. Certain leg movements hurt more than others with the one that bothers me the most being the movement to pull my leg in towards my body...the muscles that contract over where my big bruise is...not sure if it’s the bruise/break or the stretched muscles or just continued posit surgery trauma. I have lapsed many hours with no meds in the past few days but for the most part still consistently taking (only) Tylenol.

My doctor has pretty much advised to do minimal weight bearing but I do weight bear here and there with no pain, mostly when I’m stuck with one crutch or need to carry something across the kitchen or something like that. I’m going to talk to him about the exercise bike as I think that might be good soon(?).

Three non lengthening things that get some focus during this time:
* My cat: She is loving this. I’m a human pillow. Thankful for the feline friend that follows me from place to place. She’s robbed me of some sleep but the snuggles are worth it lol.
* My birds: Well they are God’s I suppose, but I insist on my caregivers (teenage son and wife) keeping the feeders out my window full and the window open as much as possible to hear them. Songbirds, hummingbirds, jays, crows, even a big hawk who comes looking for a snack.
* My Reading: I’ve also started reading...which I wasn’t up to until the past few days since I had no sleep. I’m normally not a big reader but if there is ever a time, it’s now. When I don’t feel like reading off a page, I have the iPad read to me aloud.

Little things like this help.  We are not just physical beings...while in relative isolation, if you’re only focused on the physical and not the mind and the spirit, your physical healing will suffer. All for now..I appreciate reading the other diaries that are current right now, keep the updates coming and my prayers for you.

Definitely do stretches with Strap and do bike as tolerated.
If stryde is not full weight bearable so what is the difference then between it and Precice nail 2 ?