Sarah's Open Wedge Distal Femoral Osteotomy

[Gabisv]

Hey Sarah,

Thanks for the good wishes and for encouraging me. It means a lot to me.

I'd say that the decision to have the DFO is probably more difficult to take because just as I finish recovery from the first one, I would need to get the other leg done. So I can't think about it like: I do this leg and all I need to worry is recovering, then I will be done. It's more likely that if I start this, I need to get all the information about the benefits vs the shortcomings.

Anyway, this week I have an appointment with another OS for a second opinion, I need to travel quite a few hours to get there.

As a kind of bad news somehow I hurt my other knee at PT and it became very painful behind the patella. It gets pretty bad when I am doing stairs, especially descending. I am worried about it to be honest. Because I am nowhere near recovered with the right knee. What are the odds to get the other hurt

Just wanted to ask you, will you consider having the hardware removed once you have had full recovery (probably  after 1 year follow up) ?

Take care and speedy recovery!

[slightfield]

Hello Gabriel,

You are welcome! I'm sure it will seem like a huge sacrifice at the moment and a significant amount of time to dedicate to the healing. It will go by quickly. I am already 10 weeks post op and walking without crutches. My progress at PT is going well and I reached my goal ROM of 140 two days ago. Although I am still a bit sore from the exercise program my PT has me on both in the office and at home, I continue to be a bit reserved. I am so sorry to hear about the patella injury. It may not be as bad as you might think, though. Stay positive and listen to your body at PT. About a week ago, my PT was pushing on my leg to stretch it in the extension position. I felt like it was too much weight to be putting on my leg and it started to hurt. I did not hesitate to tell him to stop. It was like my body was screaming for me to do something! Please keep me posted on your healing as well. How id the second opinion go?

About the hardware, yes. Since it is proving to be more discomfort now that the swelling is reduced and my PT program has me doing more. I find that there are times when it can be significantly uncomfortable for me. My OS said that I will likely have the hardware removed depending on the healing, but as soon as 9 months after surgery. My next appointment for Xrays is Aug. 1st. By then I should be seeing the progress of bone healing very apparent. Should I say as I cross my fingers and toes.

Be well!

[Gabisv]

Hi Sarah,

I feel that I am going out of my mind here. I actually got 2 second opinions and both OS consultants said that an osteotomy must be performed before worrying about the cartilage repair thing. Or a procedure can be done at the same time with the osteotomy.

I am not ready to make this decision as it may be the one that changes my life forever with no turning back.
I wanted to get in touch with people that had the procedure here but couldn't find one.  I've gone through tens, hundreds of forum pages. Apparently, the procedure is quite uncommon here, they do mostly the total replacement which I said I should try to avoid. Just found that a very good OS for this procedure can be found in Budapest but is out of my reach.

 I honestly don't know. I know that I am young (turning 31 today)  and won't be able to cope with being unable to move around too much. 
I even forgot about the other leg issue at PT. I feel like the knee is getting no better, some days are better, some days are the same even if I don't go out and move just around my place.

The most difficult thing seems that I need to be NWB for such a long time,probably 8 weeks. I don't have a lot of support, seems very bad that I won't even be able to touch my heel on the floor when getting up and sitting on the bed side

The more I think about, the more it scares me. Sometimes I feel like just to let go, don't seek other ways or surgeries  and accept that everything has a reason.

Take care!