Ilizarov Fixator Discussion Forum |
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Ilizarov Fixator
Started by Jenny |
Posted: August 31, 2007 at 12:17 | |
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Hi. I'm looking to share experiences with other people wearing Ilizarov frames. I had mine fitted about four months ago after I was hit by a drunk diver. My left leg was shattered above and below the knee so my surgeon had to piece my leg back together again. I was not allowed to bend my knee for three months. This has lead to a build up of scar tissue around my knee and my muscles tightening up. I cannot get much bend with the frame on (around 20 percent) as my leg has swollen and some screws dig into my skin. Unfortunatley it is not as simple as just that, I sustained multiple other injuries in the crash, many of which were broken bones. This left me unable to walk for three months. I was sedated in intensive care for two weeks within which time the muscles on me legs wasted. This has meant that I have had to begin to build up the muscle in both my legs again. On the whole I am confined to a wheelchair, I find walking with my crutches painful and I feel very unbalanced as I have to walk with my leg stiff. I'm lucky in some respects as my pin sites are very clean, I rarley suffer from infections and the pain I have is minimal. 218
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #1 by Steve |
Posted: September 5, 2007 at 19:33 | |
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Hi I'm Steve in Hull, UK, And myself, my brother and brother in law were all run down by a drink driver.Sadly my brother died, my in law was luckily only slightly injured and I, like you was severely injured with multiple injures, a shattered left leg, shattered right arm, broken collar bone, broken ribs, i died twice, then developed blood clots in my lungs. i had the frames fitted to my arm and leg, and was in a wheelchair for 10 months. the leg frame was on for 13 months but the knee is still badly damaged and am able to get around with elbow crutches. my arm is more of a prblem and the frame is still there nearly 20 months since the "accident" happened. You think theres no end to it all but trust me, there is. Slowly but surely things are begining to come together. don't give up hope, and keep your chin up! You'll get there. 221
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #2 by Jenny |
Posted: September 13, 2007 at 11:24 | |
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Hi. It sounds as if you had quite similar injuries to me. I hit my head, broke my clavical, my left arm and three ribs. I also damaged my liver, had my spleen removed and punctured a lung. My right leg was broken and my left foot as well as my left leg being shattered. It's nice to hear that someone has gone through something so similar and come out the other end. I'm determined not to let the idiot that hit me ruin my life any more than he alread has! Could I ask what it was like having the frame off your leg? I'm just wondering what to expect. 225
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #3 by Steve |
Posted: September 15, 2007 at 13:17 | |
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Hi. I had the frame remove only under air and gas and it was really painful. When the time comes for the removal of my arm frame im gona insist im put under haha.. Once the frame had gone it felt great. All the nipping and pinching just vanishes. Although now after 2o months the tib and fib are almost normal, my knee has set solid with very little bend. Where abouts do u live? 226
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #4 by Jenny |
Posted: September 17, 2007 at 12:18 | |
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Hello, I live in North Yorkshire. I knew they lied!! (sulks) The doctor said it didn't hurt having those frames off, but I had one pin my my foot and that was painful to remove. I've been told I'll be under a general to have my frame removed, but I'm not sure why, there are some things I'd rather remain in the dark about (I don't mind I just think it is a good idea to be asleep!) I've got just over 20 percent bend, but slowly it's beginning to bend a little more, though I've got no idea how much I will get back. Although I do have youth on my side. I'm just determined that I'll not let one idiot and three pints of beer ruin my life any more than it already has. 227
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #5 by Dave Walker |
Posted: October 2, 2007 at 17:24 | |
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Hey Jenny, i am trying to build a wedsite that will prove helpful to all ilizarov wearers, if you want to provide some content, just let me know... www.ilizarov-uk.com Good luck! 236
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #6 by Jenny |
Posted: October 2, 2007 at 18:05 | |
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Hi. I posted on your site yesterday under the forum section :) 237
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #7 by Dave Walker |
Posted: October 2, 2007 at 18:24 | |
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I know... Just seen it and replied. ;-) Take care Dave 238
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #8 by Jennie |
Posted: April 7, 2008 at 14:50 | |
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Hiya Jenny, I had mine put on four weeks ago, I went ice-skating and fell and ended up with my foot facing the other way which snapped both my tibia and fibia. They tried to put it in plaster but that just didn't work, so now I have the frame on which is supposed to be on for 3 to 4 months. I'm not finding the experience as bad as I expected, its uncomfortable but so much better than the cast that I had on. Other people's experiences of them would be good to hear though. Also I was told that the pin removal wasn't painful, but I have been scared of that since I had it put on! I have 10 pins altogether (20 holes) but after hearing some people's experiences, I seem to have had it quite easy!!! 385
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #9 by Barry Connor |
Posted: April 14, 2008 at 19:57 | |
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Great site,i seen myconsultant today,i've got another opp at the end of the month,i snapped my right foot lisfrank,they call it.I also smashedmy left tib and fib,had an external fixator on for 3 months,plates and screws everywhere,they said they would give it another 6 months after this next opp,i may losethe leg,but these stories give hope,cheers. 388
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #10 by kelly |
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 09:28 | |
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my son ryan is 9 years old who has arthrogriposis which affects his hands arms and feet and he got a ilizarov frame on his left foot which goes up to his knee in september which will be on for about 6 months and it was really painful for him for about a month he was on strong painkillers and was in the freeman hospital for a week he went back to school at the end of october which i thought was a bit soon he has 18 pin and at first he only had a couple of infections until one day at school sum one knocked him out of his wheelchair and some of his pin sites were bleeding and the frame got was all bent and he had to get some of the cage changed and hes been gettin infections ever since before he fell out of his wheelchair he was putting a little weight on his foot but now he just wont put his foot down the frame is due to come of febuary 25th then he will have a cast on for about 3 weeks then he will have to learn and walk again 839
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #11 by kelly |
Posted: January 26, 2010 at 09:30 | |
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my son ryan is 9 years old who has arthrogriposis which affects his hands arms and feet and he got a ilizarov frame on his left foot which goes up to his knee in september which will be on for about 6 months and it was really painful for him for about a month he was on strong painkillers and was in the freeman hospital for a week he went back to school at the end of october which i thought was a bit soon he has 18 pin and at first he only had a couple of infections until one day at school sum one knocked him out of his wheelchair and some of his pin sites were bleeding and the frame got was all bent and he had to get some of the cage changed and hes been gettin infections ever since before he fell out of his wheelchair he was putting a little weight on his foot but now he just wont put his foot down the frame is due to come of febuary 25th then he will have a cast on for about 3 weeks then he will have to learn and walk again 840
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #12 by Ciara |
Posted: January 29, 2010 at 05:36 | |
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Hi Jenny, I have very similar injuries to yours too. I was in a car accident and broke my skull, neck, sternum, hips, foot, and shattered both femurs and knees. This was over 2 years ago. I had an ilizarov frame put on my right femur last december due to non-union of the bone (too much engine oil and dirt got into my leg and the bone died). My left femur healed quite well considering and I can fully weight-bear on it. Now I just have to wait for the other leg to catch up. I still use my wheelchair a lot as I cannot stand or walk for very long and crutches can get very slippy when its wet. All said, I am still very positve about what the outcome may be and I am hoping this will be sooner rather than later. I will have many surgeries in the future but I know I'm very lucky to be alive and I try to keep a smile on my face which is easier said than done some days! Hope your recovery goes a lot smoother than mine did and that you will be up running around in no time :) 841
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Re: Ilizarov Fixator
Reply #13 by Sally |
Posted: February 3, 2010 | |
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Hi Jenny/every1 I had a frame fitted on my left leg on 8th Oct. I 2 was hit by a drunk driver. I had the frame taken off last week after 16 weeks on. I was put 2 sleep as the consultant put more screws inside. My leg is now in a full lenght plaster (not sure what is worse). I have 2 have another op but not sure when. Gud luck to u. Sally 842
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