Dear Patient,
In light of the fact that responsible, cost effective and ethical limb lengthening in the world is getting rarer, I have reconsidered my stance on CLL.
I offer CLL in highly selective cases for either femoral, tibial or both. My technique of choice for CLL is internal lengthening nails. We have access to both the Precice and Fitbone products.
These services are provided in Stellenbosch, South Africa at the Mediclinic Winelands Orthopaedic Hospital. We are part of the Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, a Specialist Institute based at the Hospital. There is a great rehabilitation facility available and the expectation is that the patient will have the benefit of my multi-disciplinary team during their stay.
Stellenbosch is a University town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa - a really beautiful and safe place.
Contact details:
www.birkholtz.health
[email protected]
I will monitor the thread and answer reasonable questions, but will limit my time on the forum.
Best,
Franz Birkholtz
Orthopaedic Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Surgeon
Dr Franz Birkholtz - CLL in Stellenbosch, South Africa
Good to see your return, Dr Birkholtz. Glad you're well.
For those that weren't here a few years back, one of our former mods named TRS had internal femur lengthening with Dr Birkholtz and reported a good result.
你是缺钱了吧...不过你技术应该会不错 
Hehe
I am so glad for Apple's translation service. :-)
No, I don't really need the money. I am keeping myself quite busy with reconstructions. Performed 6 big limb reconstruction cases as well as a bilateral CLL fitbone lengthening in the last 10 days (in addition to other surgeries), so am actually too busy for my own good. My reasons for restarting is exactly as I stated in my original post...
With regards to my skills, I am not the best person to judge my own skills. My patients would be in a better position to do so, I guess. :-)
Hi Dr Franz has nuvasive been in contact with you about when Stryde or its replacement will be on the market again?
Quote from: Highest on March 17, 2022, 08:25:43 AMHi Dr Franz has nuvasive been in contact with you about when Stryde or its replacement will be on the market again?
We are in discussion with them. It is unclear what the timelines would be. It has not cleared all our regulatory hurdles either. So wait and see for now...
We have negotiated a really good deal with Fitbone though and, as you know, they are weight-bearing, so gives us a good alternative at the same price-point.
Quote from: Franz on March 17, 2022, 09:09:09 AMWe are in discussion with them. It is unclear what the timelines would be. It has not cleared all our regulatory hurdles either. So wait and see for now...
We have negotiated a really good deal with Fitbone though and, as you know, they are weight-bearing, so gives us a good alternative at the same price-point.
Hi Dr Franz,
by saying weight bearing nails ? so can they accommodate the same limitations as other mechanical nails ?
what is the possibility of doing the surgery , staying copule of weeks and then flying back home with such nails ?
and from your experience , any case studies or data base as It is first time me hearing about them
Thanks,
What are the weight bearing specifications of Fitbone?
Fitbone is a motorized lengthening nail developed in Germany and in use since 1997.
Prof R Baumgart is the inventor.
Thousands of these nails have been implanted.
They were originally only available for limited use and were distributed by Wittenstein-Intens.
Recently Orthofix have acquired the rights to manufacture and distribute the device. It has become more widely available.
Quoted weight limitation is 100kg.
https://www.orthofix.com/ifus/fitbone/
Please note: this is for information only. I have no financial interest in the nail or the relevant companies.
Quote from: Franz on March 17, 2022, 10:55:41 AMFitbone is a motorized lengthening nail developed in Germany and in use since 1997.
Prof R Baumgart is the inventor.
Thousands of these nails have been implanted.
They were originally only available for limited use and were distributed by Wittenstein-Intens.
Recently Orthofix have acquired the rights to manufacture and distribute the device. It has become more widely available.
Quoted weight limitation is 100kg.
https://www.orthofix.com/ifus/fitbone/
Please note: this is for information only. I have no financial interest in the nail or the relevant companies.
Am I understanding that this is a full weight bearing nail? As in no Walker or crutches required? Stryde nail was 115 kg post operative weight bearing and this is damn close. How is this not major news?
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