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#1
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07-15-2010, 09:19 AM
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 My Rank: PRIVATE Poster Rank:11220 Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 11 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)
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Blount's Disease/external Fixators
My son, Liam, started walking at 9 months old. By the time he was a year old, we started to worry because his legs just didn't look right. We had 3 other kids, and we knew that once they start walking, their legs straighten. His didn't. When he was 15 months old, his doctor finally agreed and sent him to an orthopedist. Unfortunately, it took us until he was 18 months old to get in to one. He was diagnosed with Blount's Disease-normally there can't be a diagnosis until age 2, but his was so severe that they went ahead and made the leap and got him into braces to try to slow the progress. Blount's Disease is a deformity in the tibial growth plates. The inner plates (near the knee) stop growing and it causes the legs to twist and curve. He ended up with a 36 degree bow from knee to ankle, a 14 degree curve along the front of his shin, and a 40 degree in-toe. The orthopedist said he's never seen a case this severe in a boy this young. He had 8 plates put into his outer knees to try to stop the outer growth and to take the pressure off of the inner plates, hoping they would grow. It worked some, but not enough. His knees were starting to deteriorate.  He was finally sent to another specialist who decided a bilateral osteotomy was the only way to go. He had both the tibia and fibula in both legs broken, with Taylor-Spatial Fixators installed to straighten his legs. He had the surgery Sept 12, 2008.   He's great now-the only thing he really remembers is when he met Batman in the hospital.  |
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#2
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07-15-2010, 09:49 AM
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 My Rank: LANCE CORPORAL Poster Rank:2236 I like chicks Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 208 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s)
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Re: Blount's Disease/external Fixators
Wow that was really sad in the beginning, but fortunatley it worked out great for your kid! Will his legs forever stay straight or will he have to do more similar surgeries? |
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#4
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07-15-2010, 10:04 AM
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| My Rank: PRIVATE Poster Rank:11220 Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 11 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)
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Re: Blount's Disease/external Fixators
It's hard to say, we're hoping they stay straight. His case was so severe at such a young age that they don't know what will happen with him. He has xrays every six months to check for curving, and so far there hasn't been any :). When he hits puberty, he's got a good chance of it coming back because of the weight gain, but he won't have to go through all of this again. The 8 plates should take care of it for him.
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#5
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07-15-2010, 10:12 AM
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 My Rank: MASTER GUNNERY SERGEANT Poster Rank:363 I like tube steak Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,310 Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Quoted: 1835 Post(s)
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Re: Blount's Disease/external Fixators
wow, its amazing the spirit he had during the whole process. you have one strong little boy, that wont let anything stop him. and im glad everythings alright :] p.s. my brothers name is liam :] |
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#6
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07-15-2010, 10:50 AM
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 ★ Legacy Member ★ Poster Rank:3342 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 108 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s)
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Re: Blount's Disease/external Fixators
That is so cool Batman came to see him! I am also a volunteer at hospitals, and it is so great that some people make the experience for children less scary. What a strong little guy, surgery is traumatic at any age! I hope the best for your little guy.:)
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#8
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07-15-2010, 11:38 AM
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 My Rank: LANCE CORPORAL Poster Rank:1859 Female Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 275 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 2 Post(s)
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Re: Blount's Disease/external Fixators
Thanks for sharing with us, was very sad reading at start but I have a huge smile now seeing what he is like now! :) x
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#9
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07-15-2010, 05:14 PM
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 My Rank: PRIVATE FIRST CLASS Poster Rank:5170 Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 50 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 1 Post(s)
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Re: Blount's Disease/external Fixators
The difference from the bowed legs to his straight legs is incredible. The doctors did an amazing job. He's VERY cute, too. Good luck to you guys for him.
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#10
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07-15-2010, 05:33 PM
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 Certified Breast Examiner Poster Rank:1916 Female Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 264 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)
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Re: Blount's Disease/external Fixators
What a trooper! Your kid is awesome! Love the pic of him making a funny face even though he's laid up with those scary looking braces on his legs. Glad he's gotten fixed up and hope he gets to stay that way and have as normal of a life as the rest of us. (You know fucked up, but normal,  )<333 |
