THE ILIZAROV EXPERIENCE
My long leg standing X-ray Pre-op
My X-RAY almost finished adjustments
1
Five years on crutches, two operations to correct the leg, resulting in a right
leg two and a half inches shorter than the other. An ultimatum with the
consultant, do something about it or cut it off.
A few days later a letter referring me to the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in
Oxford Consultant Mr McNally.
The Nuffield Centre, through the Main Entrance into more the auditorium of a
theatre than a hospital. A light, airy and full of people that certainly gave the
impression that they knew what they were talking about. On to Outpatients, a
swift efficient booking in, they actually knew who I was! And then on to X-ray,
back to the waiting area, and before long was ushered into a consulting room
where Mr McNally introduced himself and the specialist nurse Maz
Sutherland.
“Good morning and this is what I can do for you” a change from the usual
platitudes. Then followed a detailed description of the procedure that would
not only correct my deformity in my leg but also lengthen it to match the other.
No punches pulled, it wasn’t going to be easy, and at times, painful. On to the
nurse, I was given assurances that the procedure was usually very successful
barring complications and that everything would be done to control the pain
and help was available throughout the whole period of the procedure on a 24
hour basis. A date was set and I felt that I had won the lottery as I walked out
to my car.
Pre-op Assessment Day.
A complete day of tests and examinations and a warning that further tests
may delay the operation. Everything was not to the satisfaction of the team,
more tests and a delay but when everybody was satisfied that all had been
done that ensured that all went to plan, the Day arrived and at 0900hours I
was OUT!
On awaking a few hours later in Recovery Ward, where attention was given to
all the aspects of the op and a reassurance that all had gone according to
plan, the transfer to the ward was complete and the process of recovery
started. The leg was numb and the contraption round it, daunting to say the
least, but no pain.
Five days in the ward being taught everything from basic hygiene, to how to
cope with the problems of dressing, washing, and the dreaded Physio!
When it was clear that I could manage at home, including the stairs, I was
allowed home.
Five days later, swollen very red leg, back to the Nuffield. Infection had set in
at the pin sites and the Team were on to it. Antibiotics, treatment, but NO
recriminations as to how I got the infection just efficient treatment for a
fortnight and with more instructions as to how to avoid infections, I was again
allowed home.
By this time, I was noticing that my leg was much straighter and I was
uncomfortable in the hated built-up shoes that I was required to wear. So I
2
bought a new pair of normal sandals. Its impossible to describe the feeling
that I wasn’t a cripple any more!
Another pin site infection, again, swiftly dealt with and back home under the
auspices of the district nursing team. The 24 hour cover still in place, and both
legs the same length.
A miracle had taken place and all being well, in a couple of months, I hope to
get rid of the steelwork and resume my life.
Four months later
Its rather hard work every day the rigorous cleaning and the dreaded Physio.
So far, no more infections and the knee has attained an angle of 45 degrees.
Then “PING!” one of the wires broke while I was out, about a mile from home,
what does one do!? Ring the help line.
Immediate ring back, asking for details and telling me what to do. Keep weight
off it until it is looked at, no physio, and go to the hospital next day.
Transport arranged and X-rays to assess damage. Nothing found that will
affect the healing process and an on-site repair carried out, all within a couple
of hours. Then it is back home to start the hard bit again.
Interesting news on the Box, a young lad from Bristol has had something
similar done to his leg, but he had to go to The States to have it done, Why?
I am beginning to think that the Consultants are not aware of the expertise in
their own profession, much less make good use of it.
Perhaps if they bothered to make themselves familiar with the progress and
the expertise at the Nuffield, I might not have spent 5 years on crutches, and
the parents of the Bristol lad bankrupting themselves in going Stateside.
Another month has passed and tomorrow it’s the hospital to assess what is
happening. Earlier another large pin broke, another call, minor panic on my
behalf until after several phone calls. Mr McNally decided that the pin was not
essential at this stage as it is one of three pins, so carry on until tomorrow.
I must say this decision scarred me a little, until I found myself putting more
weight on the leg than previously and my movement was less restricted.
Progress in walking, the pins were oozing slightly but no infections and the
District Nurses are happy to let me clean the sites myself a few times a week.
They check everything three times a week to ensure that all is well.
TOP TIP’S:
1. Two pairs of crutches, One set upstairs to use in the bedroom. One set
downstairs as short as possible to assist in getting out of the armchair.
2. A zimmer frame for use in the shower, more stable than crutches or
sticks.
3. Buy a Lanyard from a Sports shop to attach your grabber to your
crutches, as if the grabber falls off you, you have trouble retrieving it.
3
SIX MONTHS
Check up all going well with no infections but still on antibiotics. The good
news is that the bottom ring can come off and a date set for this is October
15th. This has been the boring bit, waiting for the bone to solidify. I started to
get impatient with the slow progress so decided to take extra exercise walking
up to a couple of miles every day. This resulted in severe pain in the good left
leg and the thought that I may have developed a DVT. Checks by the Nuffield
Team, Physio, GP and District Nurses assured me that all was well and that I
had simply overdone it. Lesson learnt “do as you are told”. So with Friday 15th
October, just around the corner the metalwork (most of it) will be off and life
will restart. Has it been worth it? The answer is a big YES, Annoying,
Frustrating, sometimes Depressing, but the end game is in sight, and although
I would not wish this procedure on anyone, to be able to stand up straight and
walk as normal is hard to describe to folks who have never been in this
position but definitely worth every moment.
During the past two weeks learning to walk without the support of the frame
(only the top two halves and 4 pins remaining) has been difficult and painful.
Muscles that I haven’t used for six months complaining but the knee is starting
to bend again and the exercise walking is having a positive result.
Its beginning to get cold but the Lycra pants make all the difference by
keeping the leg warm, the cold seems to travel down the pins and cold
muscles do not work. Tomorrow is clinic day and I don’t think that much will
change for another 4-6 weeks. All I can do is keep up with the exercises and
the walking to improve the leg.
Returned home after the clinic delighted to be able to start the physio again
and the following day round she came and the exercises started. The
following morning (Saturday) woke up in agony and thought that I had
overdone it. Wrong!! One of the bolts on my frame had somehow worked
loose and fallen out. The pin was sticking out on its own. In order to relieve
the pain, (Tramadol helped) I managed to put in a new bolt 9mm easy, but still
rang Maz on Monday. I don’t think she was best pleased at my attempts at
self-repair and arranged to see me the following day.
Sent home and told to only put half weight on the leg until I was told
differently, but got a phone call arranging to see Mr McNally the next
Thursday where he told me that I had to come in to see what was going on
and to either removed the frame or adjust it.
Admission wonderful Ward “E” Nurses made me comfortable and the
following day down to Theatre the frame was removed and replaced with a
removable splint. This contraption held together with Velcro straps and much
more comfortable than the frame. Learnt later that two of the pins were loose
and dropped out!
Its been a week now, and the splint is becoming part of my life, no pain, off
the Codeine but still on antibiotics. Walking has become much easier and
dressing much less of a chore than previously.
This is all thanks to the “ A” team and in the words of George Peppard the Col
in the series” I do like it when a plan comes together!”
4
To get this far hasn’t been easy, its no stroll in the park, but the result is
FANTASTIC and to see the light at the end of the tunnel makes you forget the
setbacks, the pain (inflicted by the physio’s, bless them!) even the hospital
food although on my last visit I even developed a taste for it, a definite
improvement, how sad is that?
Hopefully soon I will be saying good bye to the Nufffield which is rather sad in
a way but I feel privileged to have met such marvellous people using the latest
equipment to enhance the life of a 74 year old man and I will never be able to
thank them enough but I know that they will be improving the lives of other folk
for years to come.
5