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
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. :-)
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.
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.
I guess weight bearing is a relative concept. I still let the patient use crutches, but we allow as much weight as the pain will allow.
There is the guideline that the company gives.
Then there is the guideline that the doctor gives.
Then there is what the patient actually does.
Often these three are not aligned. Having said that, these nails do allow more weight than the original Precice nails and, with the Stryde not currently available to my patients, these nails give a good alternative option.
Fitbone nails are often implanted retrograde for alignment reasons, but can be implanted antegrade as well. The same is true for Precice: they can be inserted either antegrade or retrograde.
Due to the anatomy of the femur it is not really possible to lengthen along the mechanical axis using an antegrade technique.
Fitbone does need surgeons to be trained.
Just for clarification:
Fitbone allows more weight bearing than the original Precice.
Caution is advised during distraction.
Stryde of course allows unrestricted weight bearing.
It is important to consider that due to pain considerations, full weight bearing during distraction may be difficult anyway.
Quote from: Highest on March 19, 2022, 08:20:24 AMWhere do your patients typically stay during distraction?
Our 'standard' quote includes a ten day period in the hospital and then an additional 14 days in the rehab facility with meals and physio included.
Beyond that, the patient can stay on in rehab unit, or alternative accommodation options are available.
Quote from: Achieverr on March 19, 2022, 09:51:13 AMany fears with osteolysis as I understand that Fitbone is stainless steel , won't have a similar problem like the stryde ?
Nothing that I am aware of.
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