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[limby101]

Sorry for the maybe redundant messages
 
Has anyone experienced LATN?
Im pretty much done with the lengthening, and now the surgeon suggested frame removal and inserting a nail.
Overall he recommends nailing instead of waiting for consolidation with the external frame.
Perhaps one of the reasons for him is money?(;

From the research I've done, the pros for LATN are:
1- being free of this horrible frame. This means better sleep, being able to be seen outside without feeling like an alien, being able to wear long pants, and especially getting rid of the pain in pin sites
2- reducing risks of pin site infections.
3- not having to deal with pin cleaning etc...

All the above are pretty much objective and totally reasonable and validated pros...
The following ones, I'd love to hear your input whether they're true or not..
4- being able to put full weight on the leg, compared with the external frame... (For now I can't put full weight because of pain in the fracture site... But perhaps it will not be an issue as the bone consolidate.?)
5- faster healing of bone (I've read that the drilling of the bone stimulates bone growth, by the local trauma and release of growth factors, inflammation etc..
So overall faster consolidation compared to external fixator alone...(?)

Cons of LATN:
1- Another surgery, actually two surgeries (nail removal later..), so more pain, recovery and suffering... For sure more troublesome than removing external fixator only.
2- INFECTION - if this happens, well, removing the nail and putting external all over again, to me it's a catastrophe.

So.
What are your thoughts?
The doc prompted me to decide as soon as possible, because if I do it in 1-2 months delay, it would be kinda useless, since I would already be closer to mere external removal...

I'm really debating with myself. Deep Infection is what scares me the most..
But also - the recovery from the nail insertion. The doc says putting weight on the leg can be done the day after the surgery, but these doctors are always too optimistic. I wonder how long until I can walk without crutches, and if this nailing reducing the time until I can walk unassisted.

Thanks so much for any tips.

[Golden]

Sorry for the maybe redundant messages
 
Has anyone experienced LATN?
Im pretty much done with the lengthening, and now the surgeon suggested frame removal and inserting a nail.
Overall he recommends nailing instead of waiting for consolidation with the external frame.
Perhaps one of the reasons for him is money?(;

From the research I've done, the pros for LATN are:
1- being free of this horrible frame. This means better sleep, being able to be seen outside without feeling like an alien, being able to wear long pants, and especially getting rid of the pain in pin sites
2- reducing risks of pin site infections.
3- not having to deal with pin cleaning etc...

All the above are pretty much objective and totally reasonable and validated pros...
The following ones, I'd love to hear your input whether they're true or not..
4- being able to put full weight on the leg, compared with the external frame... (For now I can't put full weight because of pain in the fracture site... But perhaps it will not be an issue as the bone consolidate.?)
5- faster healing of bone (I've read that the drilling of the bone stimulates bone growth, by the local trauma and release of growth factors, inflammation etc..
So overall faster consolidation compared to external fixator alone...(?)

Cons of LATN:
1- Another surgery, actually two surgeries (nail removal later..), so more pain, recovery and suffering... For sure more troublesome than removing external fixator only.
2- INFECTION - if this happens, well, removing the nail and putting external all over again, to me it's a catastrophe.

So.
What are your thoughts?
The doc prompted me to decide as soon as possible, because if I do it in 1-2 months delay, it would be kinda useless, since I would already be closer to mere external removal...

I'm really debating with myself. Deep Infection is what scares me the most..
But also - the recovery from the nail insertion. The doc says putting weight on the leg can be done the day after the surgery, but these doctors are always too optimistic. I wonder how long until I can walk without crutches, and if this nailing reducing the time until I can walk unassisted.

Thanks so much for any tips.

did you ask your doc for how long are you going to carry those frames until the consolidation of the bone?

what do you do to prevent the infection? I think, this is your only enemy for now.

do you take a shower with frames?

i would prefer to not do nailing anyway.

[Medium Drink Of Water]

3- not having to deal with pin cleaning etc...

You maybe don't need to do that.  Leaving the crust on there will keep out the bugs.  It's not just forum lore like it used to be; even some members of the medical community acknowledge it now.

4- being able to put full weight on the leg, compared with the external frame... (For now I can't put full weight because of pain in the fracture site... But perhaps it will not be an issue as the bone consolidate.?)

Pain in the fracture site wouldn't be caused by the frames.  Not sure why you're having that but I doubt an internal would fix it.

5- faster healing of bone (I've read that the drilling of the bone stimulates bone growth, by the local trauma and release of growth factors, inflammation etc..
So overall faster consolidation compared to external fixator alone...(?)

The presence of the nail can reduce blood flow, so that's a push.

The doc says putting weight on the leg can be done the day after the surgery, but these doctors are always too optimistic. I wonder how long until I can walk without crutches, and if this nailing reducing the time until I can walk unassisted.

My doctor had us all stay in bed for two weeks after that surgery to let the titanium screws fuse to the bone.

The amount of time it will take to walk unassisted (as long as the device is fully weight-bearing) will be determined by your strength and flexibility.

[Maison]

Sorry for the maybe redundant messages
 
Has anyone experienced LATN?
Im pretty much done with the lengthening, and now the surgeon suggested frame removal and inserting a nail.
Overall he recommends nailing instead of waiting for consolidation with the external frame.
Perhaps one of the reasons for him is money?(;

From the research I've done, the pros for LATN are:
1- being free of this horrible frame. This means better sleep, being able to be seen outside without feeling like an alien, being able to wear long pants, and especially getting rid of the pain in pin sites
2- reducing risks of pin site infections.
3- not having to deal with pin cleaning etc...

All the above are pretty much objective and totally reasonable and validated pros...
The following ones, I'd love to hear your input whether they're true or not..
4- being able to put full weight on the leg, compared with the external frame... (For now I can't put full weight because of pain in the fracture site... But perhaps it will not be an issue as the bone consolidate.?)
5- faster healing of bone (I've read that the drilling of the bone stimulates bone growth, by the local trauma and release of growth factors, inflammation etc..
So overall faster consolidation compared to external fixator alone...(?)

Cons of LATN:
1- Another surgery, actually two surgeries (nail removal later..), so more pain, recovery and suffering... For sure more troublesome than removing external fixator only.
2- INFECTION - if this happens, well, removing the nail and putting external all over again, to me it's a catastrophe.

So.
What are your thoughts?
The doc prompted me to decide as soon as possible, because if I do it in 1-2 months delay, it would be kinda useless, since I would already be closer to mere external removal...

I'm really debating with myself. Deep Infection is what scares me the most..
But also - the recovery from the nail insertion. The doc says putting weight on the leg can be done the day after the surgery, but these doctors are always too optimistic. I wonder how long until I can walk without crutches, and if this nailing reducing the time until I can walk unassisted.

Thanks so much for any tips.

Is your doctor telling you that your osteogenic condition is delayed?
If your bone formation is poor, it is possible that the reaming debris brought to the osteotomy site by the nailing may promote bone formation.
However, if your current bone formation is normal, then I don't think you need to undergo LATN surgery.