Hints to cope with Ilizarov Rx after surgery

         Congrats ! You are being treated with one of the most well researched method in the science of Orthopaedic surgery. The Ilizarov method is the perfect method to tackle problems as difficult as yours and sometimes is the only method available for you!

        We are grateful you have chosen to take this treatment at the Center for Ilizarov Techniques at Akola. Our center has one of the largest experiences in this treatment in India as well as Asia. Not only have we treated patients from all corners of India but also from USA, U.K., The Middle East as well as South East Asia.

         While we are confident that you will get a good result at the end of treatment; we will try our best to make your treatment as tolerable as possible. This will help explain and clarify some aspects of after-care with the Ilizarov device on your leg. These are crucial in preventing complications & making the treatment comfortable & pain free.

Walking

        The Ilizarov device permits you to walk with the help of a walker or crutches from the very second day after surgery. The Ilizarov device is very strong & can bear your full body weight. Every patient has a different construct of the Ilizarov device & needs to walk in a different manner. This will be explained by the doctor on a few occasions. You need to keep track of the amount of time you walk every day.

        You should start by walking 5-10 minutes 3 times a day. Increase in walking should be 15% to 20% every 3-4 days. In case you suddenly increase the amount of walking, you are likely to feel pain and may not be able to walk for several days thereafter!

         Gradually the amount of walking has to increase to 2 to 3 hours a day within a few weeks. Ideally you should spend no less than 5-6 hours a day doing exercises & walking. This will improve blood supply to your leg and help you to heal quickly. Beyond the age of 10-11 years the amount of walking & exercise you will decide the speed of your result.

        So start walking & keep at it!!
Night Pain

        This is a phenomenon experienced by each & every patient with the Ilizarov device. This “pain” interferes with sleep and is common in the first few weeks after surgery. Initially the sensations due to the Ilizarov device are new; & at night, there are no distractions like T.V. Or people to talk to. Hence all senses get concentrated on the Ilizarov device and this discomfort is experienced as “ pain”.

        The solution is to use a WALKMAN personal stereo with headphones. Any music of your choice will soothe you & distract you from the sensations of the device & put you to sleep without the need for any pain-killers. Please treat this suggestion seriously. Our experience is that most patients - & their relatives - do not take this suggestion seriously & unnecessarily continue to suffer from discomfort at night.