Eight-Plate Surgery questions.

[Guest guest]

The doctors at Kaiser have recommended eight-plate surgery for our 12 year

old daughter with hypochondroplasia. This is to correct the alignment and

future alignment of her legs. Does anyone have any experience with this or

other similar surgeries?

The web site for this procedure just looks like a slick advertisement so

we'd like to hear some real life experiences if possible.

Thanks.

Tom Diamant

[Guest guest]

Hi Tom,

My step-daughter (almost 7 years old) has spondylodisplasia and was operated at

the end of May to insert 2 " eight-plates " on the tibia, below the knees. This

procedure was recommended by 2 top doctors in Switzerland and Germany as the

only method which can correct her legs without having to cut the bone at such an

early age.

We had a lot of doubts about it but ended up favouring this procedure as it will

provide correction not only on her legs but also for the upper body, hence

preventing further damage bone-wise. We will go for her first checkup after the

surgery at the end of October and we are expecting to get some positive results

about it.

What you need to be aware is that the " eight-plate " method takes time to react

as it is based on the growth of the bone. Therefore, you will only see the

necessary results after 1-2 years. In Bianca's case, her knees were badly

deformed already and hence we are looking at a minimum 2 years for the full

correction and a bit of overcorrection.

As a parent, it is always difficult to accept it and one needs to make sure that

the method used is not only the best but also the less painful for the child. In

our case, Bianca was up and about 2 days after the insertion of the plates on

both legs and within a week she could already run, 2 weeks maximum she was

swimming and so on. She still complains about pains once in a while but this is

due to the bone structure and pressure changing now with the inserted plates.

In your case, I would suggest that you contact another specialist on the topic

for a second opinion, without mentioning the previous recommendation. I always

feel that some doctors are looking only for money while others also take into

consideration the human side of the disease and try to help you as far as they

can.

We are very happy so far with the procedure as well as our doctor in

Switzerland.

Let me know if you need more information.

Brigitta & Filipe

Eight-Plate Surgery questions.

The doctors at Kaiser have recommended eight-plate surgery for our 12 year

old daughter with hypochondroplasia. This is to correct the alignment and

future alignment of her legs. Does anyone have any experience with this or

other similar surgeries?

The web site for this procedure just looks like a slick advertisement so

we'd like to hear some real life experiences if possible.

Thanks.

Tom Diamant