Week 15.
I promised another update 9 weeks ago but couldn’t really get myself to write it. So.. what’s happened in the last 9 weeks?
From my last appointment I was given another 8 weeks on crutches which killed me. I was going into the appointment hoping i could start weaning myself off them but was told I was no where near ready yet.
The most positive news I got from this appointment was that my leg had reached its full growth and had actually grown too quick. I booked an early appointment as I felt it was nearly there when they wanted another month of growing. This may of resulted in the leg being 1cm too long! 
These are my legs 8 weeks post op. You can see where there is no bone and just a rod. They’ve said my bone is growing very well and quick. It’s grown on the outer layer but not so much in the middle.
Since that appointment though I have felt my leg becoming a lot more stronger. I have walked around on 1 crutch and even managed a quick shuffle with no crutches which I probably shouldn’t be doing…
I’m currently finding a lot of motivation seeing the rugby again. Not only the World Cup being on but I watch most Thursdays and Saturdays down at my club, but it’s not quite like being out there chucking the ball about with your mates and going out on a Saturday night after the game making up a load of shit that never happened but you wish it did! It’s defiantly made me realise how much the game means to me and everyday I move a step closer to doing that again.
My next appointment is on October 1st. 8 weeks on from my last appointment.
October 5th-
I am 4 days into being pretty much crutch free now. I was given the all clear on the 1st to fully weight-bare and have been walking around completely unassisted, but not to far yet. On the 2nd I started back at the gym again where I’ve also used the bike and the swimming pool which is gonna help massively in my rehab. As well as my rehab supplied from my physio which so far is going very well.
My appointment went well. At the beginning it was looking like I could be facing another couple months on crutches which would’ve just finished me. Thankfully the professor came along and said the gap in the bone has already closed and is healing very well. This also now means both my femurs are the same length for the first time in about 8 years. I have though found out my tibia is about 1.3cm shorter on my right leg than my left which is quite normal for most people anyway and won’t effect me at all.
This was the longest and hardest 14 weeks I’ve experienced but just happy to see the other end of it now. Being free to leave the house and drive anywhere I want and get out and go to the gym etc is really letting me see what good is yet to come and I very much look forward to it.
My next appointment is in about 3 months time where I will then hopefully be put on the list to have my metal work removed. This was completely unexpected as this isn’t normally looked at until atleast a year post op so to hear it’s looking good to go ahead only 7 months post op is extremely pleasing. Until then I’ll try update you on my rehab.
Lastly I’ve found a live video of the operation. The only difference to this persons to mine was their rod is entered through their bum cheek whereas mine was through the kneecap. As they say..it’s just carpentry on a body.. https://youtu.be/C4Hmq4WEpjA
Churs Churs,
Chae x
My Limb Lengthening Journey 