Stopped lengthening at 1cm…how will my recovery be?

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Quote from: liltunechi on July 14, 2022, 06:59:32 PMI feel pain in the osteotomy area but what I feel in the knee I wouldn’t call sharp pain. It’s just annoying tenderness. Very nagging. Feels sore.  The Dr told me it’s because of how early the surgery is, so I am hopeful.  I just hope it doesn’t sustain and I hope I don’t develop any chronic knee issues.

What do you think?  How long would you say it’s normal to feel a nagging soreness and tenderness in the knee area after this surgery?

Perhaps the pain in the osteotomy area will get better in about another month as the bone healing progresses.

The problem is the knee pain.

As you may know, as has been discussed in this forum several times, knee pain after tibial intramedullary nail surgery is a common complication.
It is said that the pain may heal or it may be permanent.

I have no clear knowledge of the frequency of permanent pain, but someone said 15%.

http://www.limblengtheningforum.com/index.php?topic=65413.msg177719#msg177719

I wish you all the best in your recovery.

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Quote from: liltunechi on July 14, 2022, 06:59:32 PMI feel pain in the osteotomy area but what I feel in the knee I wouldn’t call sharp pain. It’s just annoying tenderness. Very nagging. Feels sore.  The Dr told me it’s because of how early the surgery is, so I am hopeful.  I just hope it doesn’t sustain and I hope I don’t develop any chronic knee issues.

What do you think?  How long would you say it’s normal to feel a nagging soreness and tenderness in the knee area after this surgery?

you currently have 4 broken bones and had both your lower kneecap tendons dissected with a scalpel in order to hammer a foot long steel rod into your tibias

wait 3 months and then report on what pains you feel and then we will try to see what can be done about it

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Honestly I’ve been in the LL community for over two years and have heard so many LON horror stories along the way. I’d consider it a blessing in disguise that you stopped after 1cm.

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Thanks guys. I’m pretty confident that my ankles and legs will be back to normal. I only lengthened 1cm… if that.  Maybe even only 0.8cm. Barely anything.

I’m just worried about potential long term chronic knee pain.  I truly hope I don’t get it.

But then again, after doing some more research, inserting a nail into the tibia is a pretty common surgical treatment for tibial injury’s. Surely, if it’s performed a lot by surgeons outside of LL then it’s should be too much of a worry? 

Finally, would you guys recommend I get the nails removed one day? Or should I keep them in and the screws forever?

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And finally, how bad can the chronic knee pain be? What does it feel like?

Is it constant or only when walking or exercising etc?

Is there anyone in this forum that developed chronic knee pain?

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Most orthopedic surgeons would suggest leaving a regular IM nail in if there are no complications associated with the it. Re-operation for removal carries it's own risks.

However, most CLL surgeons advocate for IM nail removal. CLL surgeons rarely work in public health systems though so you have to consider their vested interests; removal usually = $. There's risks if you leave them in and risks if you remove them, so it's really a personal choice based on how your legs feel later. If you don't notice the nails then I would say leave them in. 

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So, do you guys think I shouldn’t worry too much then?

Since I only lengthened 1cm.

I am 5 weeks post op, and walking with a walker. There’s pain in my knees when I move my legs and walk and also pain in calves when I walk.  Is this normal ?

And when should I expect this pain to go away?  I just want to be able to walk and do normal daily things without pain

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As boklecrt says, you will need to wait about 3 months from the surgery.

If you get another new xray, please upload it.

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What kinda person thinks it's a good idea to pay all this money, do this   to your legs for a measly 3cm... just wear height insoles if all you wanted was 3cm

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Quote from: djimbo9 on July 18, 2022, 05:23:24 PMWhat kinda person thinks it's a good idea to pay all this money, do this   to your legs for a measly 3cm... just wear height insoles if all you wanted was 3cm

you didn't read before you speak did you?

OP said
"Thank you all so much. Again, before bashing me, it was extreme personal reasons that I had to stop the surgery."