Today we emailed a new x-ray of Daniel's hip to Dr Paley in the US to see whether Daniel's hip is healing so we can get the external fixator removed.
Recap: Daniel had Superhip 2 surgery in the USA in January this year but a section of his newly reconstructed hip did not heal properly so we had to go back to the USA in May for another procedure to help it heal.
The great news is that it is looking like it is healing which is a big relief. Unfortunately, we have another month to wait at least before we can get the external fixator off. What was estimated to be 3-5 months is looking more like 7 months. It gives us a good idea of what it will be like when he has the first lengthening where he will have to wear the fixator for about the same amount of time.
Daniel is not too bothered though. We don't think he remembers life before the fixator and whenever we talk about taking it off, he says he doesn't want to. It is part of who he is now. His parents will be very happy though - no more daily routine of pin site cleaning, no more trying to squeeze jeans over the fixator, no more consoling Max when he gets whacked in the head by the fixator but most importantly it will mean that Daniel's hip has successfully healed!
We also have another daily task to perform - scar massage. The top part of Daniel's scar came apart when he had his initial surgery so it is quite thick and bothersome. Max is having plastic surgery in August to remove a birthmark (another story...he didn't want to miss out on the whole surgical experience!) and the plastic surgeon advised us to massage Daniel's scar twice a day for 5 minutes with Vitamin E oil and then apply a special scar cream (Kelo-cote). We will also have to do this for Max's scar. This is a lot of massage - especially for a 2 year old and 1 year old who don't like to sit still. I am adding up all the time though for payback when I am old!
So back to the hip...we are getting there. Hopefully in a month we can crack open the champagne because the fixator is coming off!
Recap: Daniel had Superhip 2 surgery in the USA in January this year but a section of his newly reconstructed hip did not heal properly so we had to go back to the USA in May for another procedure to help it heal.
The great news is that it is looking like it is healing which is a big relief. Unfortunately, we have another month to wait at least before we can get the external fixator off. What was estimated to be 3-5 months is looking more like 7 months. It gives us a good idea of what it will be like when he has the first lengthening where he will have to wear the fixator for about the same amount of time.
Daniel is not too bothered though. We don't think he remembers life before the fixator and whenever we talk about taking it off, he says he doesn't want to. It is part of who he is now. His parents will be very happy though - no more daily routine of pin site cleaning, no more trying to squeeze jeans over the fixator, no more consoling Max when he gets whacked in the head by the fixator but most importantly it will mean that Daniel's hip has successfully healed!
We also have another daily task to perform - scar massage. The top part of Daniel's scar came apart when he had his initial surgery so it is quite thick and bothersome. Max is having plastic surgery in August to remove a birthmark (another story...he didn't want to miss out on the whole surgical experience!) and the plastic surgeon advised us to massage Daniel's scar twice a day for 5 minutes with Vitamin E oil and then apply a special scar cream (Kelo-cote). We will also have to do this for Max's scar. This is a lot of massage - especially for a 2 year old and 1 year old who don't like to sit still. I am adding up all the time though for payback when I am old!
So back to the hip...we are getting there. Hopefully in a month we can crack open the champagne because the fixator is coming off!
X-Ray taken on 15 April before the 2nd procedure. The circled area shows where it is not healing.
(You will need to double click on the image to view it in a larger size)
(You will need to double click on the image to view it in a larger size)
X-Ray taken on 12 June showing that the area is healing.
Hanging out with brother Max
Posted by Kristen (Daniel's Mum)
