2cm achieved and x-rays

It was our second follow up appointment with the consultant today and as you'll see from the x-rays below we have opened Ava's leg bones by 2cm. What you'll also notice from the x-rays is that new bone is beginning to form within the gaps. At the moment this is quite blurred on the images as it won't start to fully form until we have completed the lengthening.

We received Ava's new prescription during our appointment which will hopefully open the bones by a further 2cm (this will take another 20 days). So things are progressing as they should which is great news.

We have also been given some physio exercises for Ava's knee as it's common during lengthening for the knee to become very stiff, which can cause later problems. This is because it is not being used in the same way as Ava is not walking. I need to encourage her to straighten her leg as much as possible when sitting down and perform the exercises at least 3 times a day.

We are still monitoring Ava's foot. It hasn't turned inwards that much but is very swollen from the lengthening. From the discussions with the consultant today there will be additional future surgeries on Ava's foot, but there will come a point when we have to accept the position it's in.  This is because  with each surgery the foot loses some of its mobility, and Ava's foot is already extremely stiff (she has little ankle movement at all).

Some positive news is that the sleeping has improved and we're getting out and about more. Ava is a whizz on her zimmerframe in the house and she is much more used to being in the wheelchair outdoors (less self conscious and more used to people staring or asking her what's happened to her leg).