Hi All, it has been a busy few weeks including a follow-up back in Baltimore, and a new PT schedule. Zac is still on pain medicine on an as-needed basis. The further out from surgery the easier it gets on all of us. Zac has once again found his way to scooting on his bum; it is a little more side ways now. He is also getting used to the additional weight of this fixator and rolls around with it. We are stretching his new knee 2-3 times/day. We are getting about 30% range of motion at this point. Zac is not moving it yet, he doesn't care for the stretching, and so he has no desire to do so on his own.
The follow-up on Jan. 26th went well. Dr. Paley was pleased with the outcome and the progress. The fixator should stay on for about 2-3 months. Then Zac should be fitted with a hinged brace that he will wear for a while just like the right leg. Zac is being measured today for a new brace on the Rt leg. This has been long awaited as it has been a yr. since we got his first brace. This one will also bend at the ankle--which should aid in walking.
X-rays were taken at the follow-up on both legs. This time Dr. Paley said that he has a plan for the right leg that is very similar to what he has done with the left leg. The right leg appears to have gone back to an overlapping position (the top of the tibia is next to the bottom of the femur). If you remember the right leg is about 2 inches shorter than the left leg. The overlapping seems to be the best case in that it could mean that the difference in length is not a growth plate issue. However, this means doing the right leg again, this time with knee construction similar to the left leg. The reason that it was not done the first time is that the cartilage came off of the femur, and Dr. Paley did not think that he could do the construction. After the success of the left leg, and knowledge gained, Dr. Paley believes that he can use the cartilage from the tibia to construct the knee in the rt leg. All that said, we are unsure of when, but we are just hopeful that Zac can one day have a knee in the rt leg too! It looks like that will be in Orlando at Disney Children's Hospital--where Dr. Paley is relocating starting June 1st.
Physical Therapy is going well--most days. Zac has NO trouble expressing his will; but if it can be redirected, then it can work for us, for him! I have no doubt that what Zac wants to do he will do. Zac has stood for a couple of seconds on his own--mostly on just the right leg considering the difference in length. Part of the brace fitting today will include measuring for a stack to put on his shoe to even out the length. He is also putting one leg in front of the other in a walk-about walker (he is harnessed to the walker allowing him to hang free with his feet on the floor.) He likes to kick balls this way too. I am thinking that once his legs are even, and with the new brace, it will all come together.
I will let you go before this gets any longer. We are just thankful for all that God is doing here, He is so faithful. The next follow-up appointment is Mon., Feb. 23rd.
Thank you for reading, for praying!
LeAnn, James, Cai, and Zac
2 comments:
LeAnn,
How wonderful to read of all the progress that is being made with Zac! I know there are many people that are celebrating each little milestone right along with you. Thank you for keeping us updated.
Sweet little Zac!! He is one amazing boy and you are one amazing Mommy. Always try to come back and get updated, just sometimes I am behind. Think of you often.
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