Hello!
I was reading many topics and medical reports for a few weeks and am still unsure, whether if I shall undergo one of these procedures or not.
My situation:
30 years, active
soccer player (amateur level), active
bodybuilder (even more so
); just enjoying sports very much
Right leg is
2cm (0.78 inches)
shorter, 1,4cm for the tibia, some 0,4cm for the femur and a little bit from my foot)
Since I am suffering from a mild scoliosis (pelvic obliquity 2,4cm (0,94 inches); [2,4cm-2cm=0,4mm]) and due to the nature of soccer shoes I cannot correct the difference completely with insoles, I am eligible to get a leg lengthening operation for either Precice 2 (the
8mm version is necessary, as my bones are of a small diameter) or an external fixation.
As the Precice 2 offers a lot of comfort and less scars, my doctor is advising me to use that method, but after I found out, that, allegedly, 25% of all patients, who have undergone a lengthening through a nail in tibia, ended up with permanent knee pain, I am very doubtful. My doctor never heart of this study, as he never heart of permanent knee problems after lengthening tibia (he is an assistant doctor and not my surgeon, that is why he seems to have no clue what he is actually advising).
To come to the question:
Is it true, that I might end up with permanent knee pain if I use Precice 2 in my tibia? Are there other risks from this method which could influence my sports life?
The external fixation has the scars and the longer recovery phase on its downside but no long-term effects influencing my fitness level?
Since I don't consider this operation for cosmetical or psychological reasons, the only
goal is to
become more healthy, I would thankfully accept a longer recovery phase if it gives good odds to get back to 100% after several months or even a year.
Has the lengthening phase (eg. 0,5mm per day to 1mm per day) an effect on my fitness level I will be able to reach once my recovery phase ended?
The people in the old forum, old forum , are denying problems with internal nails and knee problems, maybe you enlighten me and I come to a conclusion?
Thank you very much!