Leg Straightening

At 36, I was starting to have trouble with my knee. Whenever I would go for a walk, there would be discomfort on the inner side.

I was too young for it to be the usual age-related issue. Rather, the pain was caused by the significant angular deformity of my right femur. Originally, I had a tumour on the right distal femur that caused this malformation. It was not cancerous, but I had it removed when I was 20 since it was hook-shaped and would pull on my muscles. 

My surgeon at that time did not mention the possibility of straightening the leg, so I didn't know it was an option. 

It took many years and twists of fate before I wound up in Switzerland as a patient at a hospital with a remarkable team.

My new surgeon told me this could be fixed but that it was a "rare and complex three-dimensional problem" - the type of procedure he would only carry out a couple of times per year.  

He made several models of my femur to figure out the best way to go about the procedure.  

After contemplation, we decided on a wedge that would lengthen my leg slightly as well so that the leg length discrepancy would not get worse.  (Before the surgery, I had about a 5 cm difference, and now it is closer to 4).  

It was an operation scheduled for 4 to 5 hours, but in the end, took over 6!  (Didn't bother me - I was asleep!). I woke up with a plate in my leg, and screws that nearly went through! (Picture above. I still haven't had the plate removed, and I don't know if I will. I am scared the bone will not heal properly. It does not bother me having it in). Even though I had a bone graft from my pelvis to fill the gap in addition to the procedure itself, I was not in any significant pain. I want to emphasize that for any who fear this sort of procedure.  

I was up on crutches and feeling fine after sleeping the night.  

It was a slow recovery though.

Carried out at the start of 2019, I was not allowed to bear any weight for 4 months (that was hard!), and I could not drive for nearly 6 months (also hard with two young children - thank goodness for the help of family :). I had physiotherapy 2 to 3 times per week.  

It was a difficult journey. Not due to the pain, but due to the fear of incomplete recovery. Would the autograft take?  Would I heal?

In the end, it was ok. I was deemed ready to take on the world in January 2020.  So, so so excited to go out and explore with my new leg, but then... well, we all know what happened.  An extra year at home!  :D  (Then malignant degeneration in 2021, so... lots of time spent at home! :P)

After decades of having a crooked leg, I still feel surprised when I glimpse my reflection.  Two straight legs!  Is it real?!  

It took a long time to get over the irrational fear it would spontaneously bend back, and I would have to do it all again.  

That is most of the story :)

xMJ

Osteotomy further reading:  Osteotomy (Bone Cutting): What It Is, Procedure & Recovery (clevelandclinic.org)