My son Robert has recently went through 2nd lengthening process , we are in bone consolidation phase at present. Last week we went for xray on femur to get date for removal of frame only to discover that one of the pins had snapped . This isnt the first time this has happened , a pin broke on removal of last frame. Just wondering if other people experiencing this ? Is it normal?
Comments
pins
Pins breaking does not sound normal to me. My daughter has had 2 rounds of lengthening. No pins have broken during her treatment. Are the metal pins breaking in pieces or are the pins breaking free from the surrounding bone? We were allowed to take a pin home with us after surgery. They are VERY strong.
I am so sorry that your son has had to go through these complications.
Beth
hi
How long do yall stay at the hosptal with each lengthing? How much length have yall gotten so. Far?i
hospital stay
My daughter was in the hospital for about 4 or 5 days for surgery when then put on the external fixator. She had the fixator on for 3.5 months for a femur lengthening and 5.5 months for a tibia lengthening. Each time she gained about 1.5 inches. She couldn't get anymore length than that because both times she developed severe knee contractures (couldn't get knee staight).
Beth
broken pins
My son has had two operations. He stayed in hospital 4 days each time. We got 4 cms back with each lengthening. We have had 1 broken pin with each process . But that is the only problem we have had. He would tell you he is glad to have both legs level and does not mind getting it done again. Physio is key to the healing .
broken pins
I have heard of people having broken pins during lengthening as well as in consolidation. I don't know how common it is. My son has had 3 lengthenings. None of the pins broke during lengthening; however, one screw holding the locking plate broke during consolidation. (The 3rd time we used the technique where the locking plate is placed when the Ilizarov is placed then it can be locked into place once length is achieved so frame can be removed earlier. It's a great concept because it's less time in the frame so less time with exposed pins.)
I think that there are so many variables in lengthening that there are many complications that could not have been predicted ahead of time. What's important to me has been working with a doctor who knows how to fix anything and everything.