3 cm!!!

We went to the doctor on Day 30 and confirmed Mary was at 3 cm. - the goal!

June 11: Before lengthening

July 9: 30 mm/3cm

The Physical Therapist spent a lot of time working on her to help her stand as straight as possible to get a standing x-ray. 

Standing x-ray

Then her doctor decided:

• she should take 3 days off of lengthening and 
• then continue lengthening if she could tolerate it. 

He said the additional 3 cm she had gained will have huge benefits the rest of her life because that should leave her with a 0.5 cm difference but he wanted to see if she could get more length because she will likely lose some length she has gained when she has a foot surgery later.

We had to get a new RX for the lengthening device and the medical device company contact stated it was common to take a break at 2.5 cm then begin lengthening again.

The other good news is that Mary appears to be producing a lot of good bone!

Taking 3 days off did help Mary's comfort level and she was able to lengthen another 3 days.

We went to the doctor a week later and officially decided to stop lengthening. That meant she could also lose the knee immobilizer!!! 

So the hardest part should be behind us. Now we expect 3 months:

• of bone consolidation, 
• getting weight bearing privileges back, 
• regaining range of motion in her knee, and 
• learning to walk with a more even body.