To all stump grinder operators

[dangb93]

Almost 15 months since my Bandit ZT stump grinder smashed my leg to bits and almost took it off. Remember!! - turn that cutter wheel off before walking away from the controls!.....anyway, I didn't think I would have cause to post here again so quickly, but this week I had a nice surprise;

 

I had an appointment with my surgeon and an x ray. Regarding the x ray, he told me that the new 71mm of tibia bone is calcifying really nicely. But the appointment got better than that, because he assessed my foot and ankle, and told me that he had no medical reason, much less an personal reason, as to why the footplate could not be removed!

 

He then told me that they only ever remove 2 pins in clinic, any more than that and its sedation and operating theatre. I asked how long for theatre slot, he said 2-3 months. So I said can't we just get on with it, I have had plenty of practice with unbearable pain so far on this journey, and so, after some discussion, with much warning from him as to the pain, he agreed to pull all 4 pins out of my foot in clinic. They said the only thing they could give was gas and air. 

 

They first loosened and removed the little nuts and bolts which hold the pins to the black frame. This resulted in a sudden, unpleasant twang as the pin "relaxed" - each pin is loaded with 100kg. This was fairly unpleasant, even with gas and air. But the worst bit was when they pulled the pins out because the bones grow really tight around the pins so the pins have to be wrenched through the bones. The pins go right through from one side to the other.

 

I wouldn't want any more done in clinic like that!! See before and after pics below. Now I can start to put some weight through my leg, and when that bandage comes off my foot I can put a shoe on...but who would have thought how hard it was to learn to walk again! The brain gets trained to the different centre of gravity and one legged hopping when non weight bearing, now I have got to train my brain again. 

 

 

 

Edited February 8 by dangb93

[spudulike]

Blimey...and that was the good news. Keep on with the updates as many get complacent with safety and hope the next stage in your repair goes well. All the best.

[Mark Bolam]

I’m surprised the grinder didn’t grab your balls Dan, because you’ve obviously got a fairly big set!

Fair play to your surgeon for cracking on.

Fantastic progress.

Every 0.1mm is 0.1mm closer to where you want to be.

 

Thanks for the update, your mindset will get you through this.

💪

[Will C]

Good effort, keep it going. 👏 
As to the winter blues spring is just round the corner 🥳

[skc101fc]

Hey Dan, just watching the Olympics,  with an ad for the paralympics made me think of you.  We haven't heard from you in a while. How is your recovery and rehab going? Hopefully still going slowly in the right direction without any major setbacks. I trust the family are still good and you're getting more involved with them all again, day by day . 

Best regards

Shaun 

[peds]

I echo the above, and look forward to the days of slightly-less horrific photo updates.

Hope all is well. 

[dangb93]

On 06/08/2024 at 21:33, skc101fc said:

Hey Dan, just watching the Olympics,  with an ad for the paralympics made me think of you.  We haven't heard from you in a while. How is your recovery and rehab going? Hopefully still going slowly in the right direction without any major setbacks. I trust the family are still good and you're getting more involved with them all again, day by day .

Hello mate, thanks for asking. I am waiting to have the TSF removed from my leg now, i was told last month after a routine x-ray that it was deemed ready to come off. Addenbrookes have done amazing job of reconstructing my leg. The only problem now is my foot, which is quite deformed and twisted. Once TSF is removed, then I will have special boot to wear to help strengthen and straighten foot and ankle, and should be able to walk again. I have completed my Level 4, and I am hoping to get out doing some tree surveying as soon as I can walk. I will post again when frame comes off...anyone whose reading this and leaves there stump grinder cutter wheel running and goes near it, STOP!

[skc101fc]

Delighted to hear that things are still progressing in the right direction.  To be able to walk again without any aids or devices will be a truly magnificent day. I'm looking forward to it for you.

Those surgeons and medics have preformed the incredible - like magicians and wizards, but more real!

Well done to all, including you.

 

[dangb93]

I forgot to write on here that my TSF was removed from my leg on 7th September! So I have no metal in or around my leg now. My leg is officially finished, its not pretty but its my leg and it works  It feels relaxed now, not surprising that it now is free from 17 metal pins going through the bones and flesh!

The problem now is my foot, it's all twisted and deformed, such that I cannot walk properly on it and still require two crutches...

That's the last big hurdle.

Keep striving.

Oh, and don't forget - turn your stump grinder off before you leave the controls...it's not worth it!!!

[skc101fc]

6 hours ago, dangb93 said:

I forgot to write on here that my TSF was removed from my leg on 7th September! So I have no metal in or around my leg now. My leg is officially finished, its not pretty but its my leg and it works  It feels relaxed now, not surprising that it now is free from 17 metal pins going through the bones and flesh!

The problem now is my foot, it's all twisted and deformed, such that I cannot walk properly on it and still require two crutches...

That's the last big hurdle.

Keep striving.

Oh, and don't forget - turn your stump grinder off before you leave the controls...it's not worth it!!!

Absolutely delighted for you. A massive weight and encumberance removed. Your skin is your own again.

Regarding the crutches issue, now that all difficulties are from the ankle down, investigate the 'iwalk 2.0'. I had tremendous freedom with it following ankle fusion. I couldn't bear the hindrance of crutches for 6 months.  You can't carry the cup of tea you've just made over to the sofa with 2 crutches,  in fact can't do feck all when both hands are occupied.  The iwalk allowed me to do all my farmwork unaided, ride my quad bike, dance, go to rock concerts (and dance there too!), cook for the wife coming home from work, up and down stairs no bother (though it's easier and safest to come down backwards). It most definitely changed my recovery  and gave me independence. It also  meant my wife knew I was capable of living each day without her needing to be constantly in attendance.  The Florence nightingale bit isn't her strongest attribute!   I hate being reliant on anyone and get really cranky if I can't do it my way. 

Previously with your pins and frame this would never have worked for you, maybe it's time now. Do check it out, it could be the release you need. 

Shaun