#ilizarov frame

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[life-with-an-external-fixator]

The shoe has gone

so just wanted to document this for my own records really and anyone who reads this whether it’s now or in five years time. It gets easier.

This week I’ve started to be able to walk unaided but also without the ex-gaitor shoe I was given that attaches for the frame. it’s slow and still a little robotic movement wise but it is progress so hopefully that means when the frame is removed my walking pattern will come back quicker and more natural.

not having to rely on the shoe to get about is a huge weight off my shoulders, it means I can get up and walk without having to think about the fuss of putting a shoe on. I haven’t tried wearing another type of shoe yet as my wires are quite low and my foot isn’t very strong so unsure if it’ll be able to lift a trainer up whilst I walk.

also knee bend is coming along very nicely so here’s a photo, still not perfect but the frame was very cold and starting to hit my leg / restrict movement

[life-with-an-external-fixator]

Update on the frame

Went to see my specialist today, after a three hour wait we were finally called on.

had an X-ray done and the bone is showing signs of healing but not at the rate which he’d like it too.

He’s trying a different type of strut which will stimulate my bone and hopefully it’ll grow/bond back together, so back to the clinic on Tuesday to get mine changed!

It’s not the news we wanted, as it means the frame will have to stay on for another couple months so we’re no longer working towards a February/March date for the removal.

If the new struts don’t work they’ll start to use an ultra sound machine ☺️

[life-with-an-external-fixator]

just thought I’d put some photos of my leg now (please excuse the hair, haven’t shaved them since the operation in October)

basically just to show how much better my foot positioning is than when it first happened, that’s mainly due to the ex-gaitor shoe they’ve provided me, it’s got two velcro straps either side that stretch and attach to the rings of my frame! It’s still not perfect but if it’s stretched fully it’s only about 5 degrees off, which is amazing as last year was only getting it half way 😌

haven’t been feeling the best lately and everything is feeling so much more effort and I’ve had a couple pin sites that have been irritated.

Fingers crossed there’s no infection and the pain/aches I’ve been feeling are the bones bonding back together 🤞 hopefully Tuesday will bring some good news

[life-with-an-external-fixator]

has to get worse to get better

it’s hard to feel happy about the progress when it comes with so many negative feelings

On one hand I had a great physio session today and really worked on transferring the weight across. Felt really positive about the progress and a bit more confident to walk in to my hospital appointments without crutches.

But on the other hand my leg is now so heavy in feeling and I’m so tired, both physically and mentally 😔 just feel so low, fed up and drained. hoping for some positive news on Tuesday when I see surgeon again!

the rest of the day is going to be spent on the sofa watching tele and hoping that I can rest tonight and be in a better way for hydrotherapy tomorrow ☺️

[life-with-an-external-fixator]

Do’s and Dont’s with the frame

Do

- try and weight bare as much as you can

- get out the house as much as you can

- see your friends and family

- try to live as normal as you can

- good diet

- zinc, magnesium, fibre, vitamin D

- help out with dinner

- set mini goals for progress and chores (e.g, chopping an onion)

- take your pain med and don’t be afraid to ask for more

- go to physio as much as you can

- keep pins clean and wrapped if needed

- nap whenever you can, the frame is tiring and can keep you up during the night. Ask your doctor if you’re still struggling

Dont

- smoke / be around smokers

- drink acesseive alcohol (a glass of wine on a Friday night is fine)

- give up

- isolate yourself

- drink too much fizzy if any at all

- ignore your physios

- be scared to weight bare, it’s unpleasant at first but gets easier, the frame can handle it

- get angry / upset if the progress isn’t what you want, it will take time and everyone’s frames is different!

Top tip

If you fall over it’s okay, take a pain killer and rest up, ask your nurses / physios / doctors if you’re worried. I’ve fallen in my house and it is a shock to the system, but the frame is fine, wrap any pins that need attention and rest up. the system is designed to support your full body weight, but please get it checked if there is anything wrong! I did some ligament damage in my toe but wasn’t going to affect my progress

[life-with-an-external-fixator]

Clothing

This is difficult, we have tried several different things and I’ll explain below

Dress - easy to wear, goes over your head. if it’s not long enough, knee high socks work well, and then a boob tube/skirt/cover over the framed leg

Skirt - again easy to wear and can be put on over the head

Underwear - this is a big issue; I’ve lost countless pairs where they’ve been snagged on the frame, you could adapt them so they popper on one side, I have just brought cheap pairs that stretch, size up is good, or lace as stretchy 🤷‍♀️

Socks - tending to wear trainer socks but if you have elastic at the top make a few cuts in it to allow blood flow of your foot is swelling still

Popper trousers- great invention, most pairs are all popper, only have a waistband to get on / over the frame as you can un pop the whole way. can find these at shops such as PLT, JD and misguided!

Leggings - I have found that if I cut a pair of leggings around the knee I can manover them over the frame and found that I feel so much more comfortable now I’m wearing them. think you can do this with gym / sweat pants too

Denim jacket - this has been a life saver for me, any jacket you can wear as a coat is brilliant, especially as it has loads of pockets that I can put my phone / key / lip balm/ money in and saves needed to take a bag out with me.

Crutches, I know this isn’t clothing related but have found that if you are out and about, even when you’re weight bearing you never know what’s gonna happen so take the crutches with you, people are more sympathetic to you and it does get tiring quickly if you are moving about!

[life-with-an-external-fixator]

Issue - Sleeping :

I tend to put a t shape pillow layout, so one under the knee and then one going down the length of the leg. a rolled up blanket under the foot and a neck pillow lifting up the toes. I have to sleep on my back

Sleeping:

some people have found u shape pillows to be useful too

Cover:

Pillow cases

Boob tubes

Mini skirts

Scarfs

Top tip: keep it warm, if the wire is cold your leg will feel it.

PAIN:

take maximum pain killers, it’s okay to take them, first couple weeks even if you’re not in pain max them out because once it starts to hurt it’s harder to numb the pain! Don’t be afraid to go to your GP for more stronger pain relief

Cleaning:

keep the pins clean, wrap if they leak, first couple times you do it it does sting but it gets easier, if in doubt ask the nurse or your GP

Physio:

I’ve gone weekly, sometimes twice a week. if it’s like mine and a class it’s good for the social aspect, they know what you’re going through!! - do the work at home too, it’s tough but in the long run it help