It’s been 6 weeks since Ava’s surgery to break her femur and fit a long magnetic rod (called a Precise Nail) into the middle of her bone. We are now at a 3cm break and so far everything is going according to plan. This weeks hospital visit was to check in with the consultant and assess progress, have an X-ray (see image below which shows the break and what’s been achieved so far) and have a physio appointment.
Ava is doing incredibly well and is coping with not being able to walk. She has settled back into school, gone back to her drama class on Saturday’s and has seen friends. It’s much easier to get through this process if your child and you are positive. Of course there are days when things are harder, perhaps brought on by pain or frustration, but generally we’ve all adapted. On the whole Ava can do most things herself now - getting dressed, showering (although she has to sit on a special stool as is unable to stand). She can’t carry anything so she’s being waited on more than normal ;)
Compared to the Illzarov frame, the Precise Nail is a much easier form of lengthening. There are no open wounds so no infections and no pin site cleaning. Apart from the twice daily lengthening and the fact Ava needs to wear a knee brace and use crutches, you’d have no idea of what’s happening.
The consultant is happy with the progress so the plan is to see if we can achieve another 2cm, which would bring the break to 5cm. Fingers crossed for the next 4 weeks!
