Friday, October 21, 2011

Spectacular?

Before
Yesterday was Seth's appointment with orthopedics to see about removing his Taylor-spatial frame. The news wasn't bad, but it was disappointing. He is healing well. Everything looks good. The fibula is completely healed (unfortunately, it only bears about 5 percent of one's weight). But it looks like it will be another three to four weeks before the leg is ready for the frame to be removed.
During

So, instead of removing it, they made some changes to it so that the leg will receive more of the benefits of being able to bear weight--since, interestingly, bearing weight helps heal bones.

The doctors also sent him home with a bone stimulator, an electronic device that he attaches to his leg for three hours at a time.

After
At one point in the discussion, the doctor commented, "Your pelvic injury was spectacular! I know it doesn't feel like it, but this injury pales in comparison." He reminded us that Seth's pelvis was not only an "open book fracture" where the pelvis opens up, but that it was also split up and down, separated from itself and the spine by inches. It was helpful to be reminded how far he has come.

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