non union of commutued lower distal fractured tibia

[violablue]

Hi Jerome,

I think if you have a well-recommended specialist, you can often be confident in his/her recommendation. If you have a not-well-recommended therapist, then you may want to look for a second opinion or options. It can be difficult to figure this out as a patient. So if you know other people who have been to this specialist, ask them how things went. Ask around. People really do like to share information if things went well or didn't.

Hope things go well with you!!! I completely understand the issue with injury and not being able to work. Especially when your job relies on your physical ability, so I hope you heal well and quickly.

[Crystal R. Westergard]

I agree largely with Viola's advice. It would be good if the surgeon saw fit to sit down with you and discuss the WHY behind his decision.
He has recommeded something that will have a high likelyhood of working, but is expensive to the healthcare system and to you.
Has anyone looked at why you couldn't have an intermedullary rod put in? This is done in these cases often in Canada.
However, there may be a reason that won't work, due to the 5% bias perhaps.
I had a patient who had the cage, in fact I've had a few, but they were all placed right away after injury. Perhaps then, he plans to
"injur" you by rebreaking the leg and straightening it. I think, to be fair, it would be best if you knew that ahead of time. Unfortunately, this calls
for a surgeon who is caring and has bedside manner. This is a very rare thing. In the USA they do have such. If you were looking at the cost
of a whole years wages, perhaps it would be worth it to fly to the US and meet with a consulting orthopedic surgeon for 20 minutes. You might
get a different perspective, and you wouldn't be so frustrated. Being stressed and frustrated DOES NOT help bone healing.
Crystal