Hi guys,
I was visiting Dr. Becker beginning of this week, almost 4 months post-clicking to do some x-rays and a kind of "final" status-quo discussion with him. The xrays show a good bone consolidation which means that the gaps are fulfilled with new bone, so that now the bone is doing the majority of the weight bearing. This has also improved my gait further. I am still swinging very very slightly but this is only a question of time and further stretching / strengthening abdominal and gluteus muscles until I will get rid of this completely as well. My duck ass is also almost gone. A doctor would be able to see it but a normal person wouldn't. In public, gym, sauna etc. nobody notice that I had a surgery and I have now the same walking speed like before. Dr. Becker said that I should be able to start jogging in three months and playing soccer about this time as well. My nail removal should be able in autumn/winter 2023, if my bone consolidation continue on this level.
I personally don't notice anymore that I am restricted in my daily routines because I can do almost everything (grabbing something from the ground, tying shoes etc.). I am still stretching every day about 30-45 minutes and going to the gym 2-3 times per week doing some stability, agility exercises (standing on one leg, stair climbing etc.) and to swim and visiting the sauna.
Finally, I had a good discussion with Dr. Becker about the key for success of this surgery. He means that the most important thing is to lengthen along your personal balance which he has described as the following. On the one hand, you are lengthening the bone through the nail which is quite easy and a straight forward process. On the other hand you need to keep following the new bone length with your muscles through intensive stretching and this is starting from day 1 after surgery! Of course, you will not be able to lengthen your bones and muscles simultaneous which is understandable but you should not allow the bone length to outrun the muscle length. If you let this happen you will suffering and have a much longer recovery period. This is exactly what the most people are struggling because they simply did not keep disciplined through the whole process. Being disciplined will be different for everybody where the one person only need 3-4 hours stretching per day the other might need 5 hours.I personally now know how difficult it is and I also had this moments where I skipped the stretching for one day but honestly I always have regret it the day afterwards
So I would fully agree to this view that finding your own balance is the key for a successful LL. This does not mean that you will avoid wide legs or duck ass at all but it will happen very late and not escalate in crippling you for months.
As I am now almost fully recovered, I will keep away from this forum more and more and invest more time in my new life
I wish you folks all the best in realizing your personal dream and have only the following advice to you:
1. Choose a weight-bearing nail (it will be much more "comfortable" to lengthen larger amounts and I am sure that the recovery is easier as well as you avoid the time in a wheelchair)
2. Choose a reputable doctor with enough experience
3. Follow the instructions of your doc!
Saying this, I wish you all the best a merry christmas to whom is celebrating and to everyone a comfortable year-end.
Cheers,
Taller90