I'm 26 and have PFFD of my right leg. I am going to attempt to make a long story short -- I went to Shriners until I was about 21 where I had all of my surgeries. I had a handful of hip surgeries to build me a ball and socket. I broke some plates, and pins, and screws, but it was eventually successful-ish. Also, I had four lengthenings (three times on my femur, once on the tibia). I don't remember how many centimeters in length I got, but I do remember the doctor telling me "all together that equals about 13 inches".
I broke my femur once when I was 12 by rolling over in bed the day I'd had the illizarov removed. The bone hadn't hardened enough and it just bowed (this left my femur pretty crooked). I also dislocated my hip, knee, and almost my ankle (they ended up cutting some muscles to prevent it). All as a result of too much lengthening too quickly, not allowing the muscles to keep up, causing joints to contract.
After the knee contracted, a doctor in Portland, OR, Michael Aiona, attempted to repair my knee using the illizarov frame to pull it into place and by breaking bones and realigning them. This worked, but once the frame was removed my knee contracted once again. Since my last surgery I have fallen and broken my my tibia and femur, but was put in a cast and healed both times. Each time leaving my bone a little more crooked.
I didn't see a specialist again until yesterday. For a few years, I just wanted to be left alone, not cut on or messed with, so I made no attempt to find a new doctor after I had become too old to go to Shriners. I can walk with a brace. I have pain and I limp, but I can walk and have been able to work, drive a car, etc. So, I wasn't in a rush. It wasn't till a year ago that I started looking a specialist. I have medicaid so it was very difficult to find anyone who would accept my insurance. Yesterday, I saw Dr. Jewett in Eugene, OR for the first time.
Apparently, what's going on in my leg right now is not pretty and is not easy to work with. My hip is dislocated and has dug a hole into my pelvis (the hip pain is what got me to start searching for a doctor in the first place). And because of all the breaks over the years, I have very misaligned bones and osteoporosis, making joint replacement risky and difficult. And my knee is bone on bone at this point, and only bends and straightens slightly. Like I said, I walk, the brace helps, but I am still in SO MUCH pain. I don't sleep, I don't get a lot of exercise, and I'm a grumpy girl.
My doctor told me that he can possibly replace my hip, though it would be very risky, but will not touch my knee. He told me to contact Dr. Paley in FL.
I have Oregon Health Plan, which I'm sure will not pay for this world class doctor (Paley). Does anyone know of any programs for people who cannot afford to see Dr. Paley? I have really no idea what to do at this point. Is there anyone out there in my situation? Any ideas? I don't even know how I would afford to get to Florida, or pay for a consultation. Has anyone out there seen Paley for anything besides lengthening, like joint replacements? Are there any adults out there who are patients of Paley?? I'm stuck.
Also, I'd love to speak with any adults with PFFD. Share stories.
I thought life was hard as a kid with PFFD, I never thought about what I would do as an adult without the help of Shriners Hospital!
If anyone has any info, advice, anything... please share! I would greatly appreciate it!!
Thanks for reading!
Comments
doctors
Hi!
I am so sorry to hear that you are having problems and pain. My daughter has pffd in her left leg. Dr. Paley performed hip/knee/ankle surgery on her when she was 2 years old.
I suggest contacting Dr. Paley and telling him about your situation. He may be able to recommend a doctor closer to you who is covered by your medical insurance. I know that he has done long distance consultations with other patients.
Have you contacted the Shriners Hospital that you were treated at? They might be able to recommend a local doctor who treats adults.
Beth
Have you applied for social
Have you applied for social security disability at all? This may help as far as medical goes, though the process is long. It took me 2 years to get approved and "disabled" under there guidelines. I am 25 will be 26 in August, I have only had three surgeries on my right (pffd) leg. I had to have my hip placed in the socket properly, some lengthening, and staples placed on the growth plates of my left leg, because I decided against having the lengthening done when I was 11. Since those surgeries I have had substantial pain in both knees, left hip, and back. I wear a 10 & 1/4 inch shoe lift to walk, but it was not sized properly for about 8 years and the way I was walking caused a slight curve in my spine. I still haven't seen anyone to treat my back pain yet, but that is on my list. It is discouraging when I do go to the doctor because the first thing they tell me is "I don't know what you need from me." There is also a group on Facebook, with several parents and some adults with PFFD who are seeing Dr. Paley and may have some resources that you can turn to for assistance. You can find the group when searching under PFFD in the search bar. I hope that that was of some kind of assistance to you. Good luck! =)
Paley
My son's been a life long patient of Dr. Paley and he also has housing available next to the hospital. I would suggest contacting them and discussing your medical coverage. I have never heard of him turning anyone down!