Lance's Fixator

After breaking my ankle in a 20 foot fall in a man-lift on our family farm I was led to a doctor that uses Ilizarov Method to lengthen the tibia which was crushed at the ankle joint. After 2 inches of broken bone were removed, the tibia was intentionally broken about 6 inches below the knee. The fixator was used to stretch this break apart at a rate of 1/4 mm every 6 or 8 hours depending on rate of bone growth as observed with weekly x-rays.

I have been wearing this fixator since March 20, 1998. I had the first one put on in October of 1997 to try to heal the broken end of the tibia. In March 1998 I developed a severe staph infection which made bone removal necessary. At this point it was a choice of bone lengthening to save the foot but end up with a fused ankle or removal of the foot and be fit with a prosthesis. By this picture you can see I chose to keep my foot.

If you know of anyone with a severe bone breakage or deformity please contact the Limb Length Center. Dr. Mark Dahl is one of the few doctors in the world that use the Ilizarov Method and he has committed himself to do it to the best of his abilities making him world renowned for his innovations and teachings in the field.

Update as of 4/1/00:
I am in my 3rd fixator as of November 1999. The ankle fusion, after lengthening 1" again, is progressing well. I had a CT Scan 3/30/00 which showed progression in fusing. Next scan will be May 4. I hope to have the fixator removed shortly after that.
Update as of 6/17 00
May 4 CT Scan showed some progress in fusing but slow. The June 8th visit was much more positive. The x-rays showed significant fusing progress ove the past 5 weeks. This is the first 5 week period where progress was obvious. There is hope that the July 13th will show as much progress and the fixator can come off soon after that.

The 3rd and final fixator came off the fall of 2000. It was a relief at last to know that my leg was intact and I could continue farming with a fused ankle. I could always see God's hand in this. It changed my life in many unexpected and wonderful ways.