question to veterans about classic Illizarov.

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Hi, i am planning to do tibia 6cm  max with classic Illizarov in Russia.
I am still doubt, maybe someone can give me some advise:
1. I am afraid about infections. Hove are they common with this method? and Can it lead to weelchair or amputation?
2. how common is nonunion?   Still dont understand why its appear, coz of fast rate of dictation or not rigid fixation ?
Have read stories about Rocky and Unicorn. Now a bit afraid of it.

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do you think classic Illizarov is good way to do tibias?

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Quote from: Activatedxx on June 01, 2021, 12:43:49 PM
The worst that can happen is usually the firsy 2-10 days, it’s unlikely however. The hospital usually prepares you for it. Fat embolism is worst but most doctors use venting technique to prevent it. Then compartment syndrome is another serious complication but again very rare, and there are methods to prevent but if it does happen you would need a fasciotomy. Then the last one is thrombosis, I had to take a stomach needle by my belly button the first ten days after discharge which is a anticoagulant/blood thinner to prevent it and blood clots. These complications are very rare just follow the doctors advices and make sure the doctor is skilled

i heard that fat embolism relate only to internals and to femurs. Is it also actual for external tibias? and the same for thrombosis.

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Quote from: th on June 01, 2021, 01:12:53 PMclassic ilizarov is the best and safest way to do tibias - imo

i thought internals femurs if the safest.

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Do you think it's not dangerous when you have open skin wounds due to rods connected directly to bone ?
I am afraid of it can lead to osteomyelitis?

Does it matter on how to lengthen,  in terms complications/risks ratio ?
For example if I will go for 3 cm it will be the same like 5 cm relating to complications ? Or its influence on on recovery time ?

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Quote from: Activatedxx on June 01, 2021, 04:52:05 PM
External is safe you just get pin site infection which is nothing, just clean it with saline solution and you’re fine. You’re more likely to get bone infection with internal mail than external, even with both methods and a good doctor the risk for bone infection is minimal, 1/1000 chance or less I think

and what do you think about this?
 Does it matter on how to lengthen,  in terms complications/risks ratio ?
For example if I will go for 3 cm it will be the same like 5 cm relating to complications ? Or its influence only on recovery time ?

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Quote from: Body Builder on June 01, 2021, 10:00:05 PMThat has nothing to do with the method but LL itself.
The more you stretch the soft tissues the bigger the risk for longterm complications.
Otherwise, surgery risks are the same even if you do 1cm or 8cm. The operation to put and remove the fixators or internal nails is the same no matter how much you lengthen.

Many thanks for your answer. Very appreciate it really. I know you one of old veterans.

1.Do you think I should concern about osteomyelitis or non union /poor consolidation during extarnals?
2. What should person concern when doing externals  in your opinion?

I am also pretty lean and has decent amount of muscles. Don't know if its good for ll or no. I have already accept that i will lose a lot of bulk.

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Quote from: Body Builder on June 03, 2021, 06:31:30 PM1) osteomyelitis is almost non existent as a risk with externals only. A serious bone infection is more probable with internals. Most infections eith externals are superficial near the pinsites, and subside easily with 3-4 days of oral antibiotics. Also, poor consolidation is less common in externals than internals and almost non existent to healthy people who lengthen on normal speeds.

2)nothing except from be ready to live with some uncomortable and big fixators on his legs. If you are ok with that and that you can't hide them from other people then you won't have any other problem.
External tibias with hexapod Ilizarovs is as safe and painless LL can get.

Do you know something about nerve damage during operation or set up fixators? Can it lead to some serious problems?
i heard , that it can break flexion of the foot.

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After read sticky sections about risks I am bit confused now. Someone told that complications can arise at any amount of lengthining and others say that if you are don't exceed safe amount everything should be OK.
So what is the consensus ?
If I am considering pure externals  for 4- 5 cm max.
1. Is irreparable nerve damage common ? And waht if it's occur ? An person will not able move feet anymore in life ?
2. Should someone be afraid of deep veins thrombosis?
3. Comparement syndrome can happen on any distraction  period ( if I understand it right ), so if I stop lengthen,  will it reloslve by itself?

I know that people mostly obsessed their height neurosis and how much they can gain through op, but why here are so few discussions of complications. They are so rare or that one that don't want to be discussed ?

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Quote from: th on June 07, 2021, 12:34:49 PMwhat are you fearing - you assume there are such horrific complications that people don't talk of them - the procedure is as safe as a medical procedure can be -

you've questioned "osteomyelitis or non union /poor consolidation during extarnals?" - now irreparable nerve damage or moving your feet ever again!!

when are you planning on actually getting the surgery?? 

You are right, i am bit scary. And about this "such horrific complications that people don't talk of them" i ve read in thread about complications. But dont know maybe its more relate to femur internals.
And i am planning pure externals september - october. i am very tempting to do it, but of course want to weight all possible complications.