thanks for your responses i guess alot of it boils down to the fact that although we understand more about biology and body chemistry every person is different and therefor the medical professionals are loathed to speak in absolutes. Having meet with some of the care team i still have some unresolved questions they are potentially planning to put me in a 4 ring fixator for upto 12 mnths the have said my leg will be pretty scarred by all the operations which whilst isnt ideal is ok as i dont intend to make a career from model hoisery but i am concerned about the amount of atrophy to the limb whether there will be stiffness to knee hip and ankle joints what degree of permance this will and what levels of function can i expect whilst in the frame i live alone on the 1st floor so steep staircase to tackle everytime going in or out also will i be able to use the gym and weight train? thanks for any advice jerome