Amputation or not?Posted by Brian Downie on November 08, 19102 at 16:31:56: In late May of this year, I was involved in a single vehicle accident. As a result of the accident my Tibia was crushed (some 40+ pieces between my knee and ankle, the Fibia had a compound fracture and one other fracture and my ankle was broken. To this point no calcification has occurred, the pain is still quite intense. I have for the last 21 days have been using the EBI Bonehealing system, again with no let up in the pain. The dilema I have is that there is no guarantee that the EBI system will generate calcification and for that matter no time set. If this does not work then the surgeons are suggesting a bone graft, which will mean the total removal of the Tibia and the removal of +/- 50% of the required bone from my pelvis and the balance from a cadaver. I understand this procedure is extremely painful and again no guarantee of success. Long term I have been told to expect arthritus in my knee and ankle and that I will not have the same range of motion I used to have. The question is should I just save a whole bunch of time and long term pain for an above the knee amputation and some short term pain. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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