Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service Patient Stories

Limb Lengthening and Complex Reconstruction Service

	Erin's Story I broke my leg at a Patriots game on black ice in 2004. When I went in for the initial surgery, they thought the best option for me was to rod my tibia. After 9 months of continued pain, I went for a second opinion. I was told that I had a non-union tibia fracture that could be easily fixed by removing the initial rod and replacing it with a new rod, to stimulate the healing process. But 2 years out, I continued to have constant pain and found myself on and off crutches. During this time, I had two small babies and life became very difficult. I went to seek a third opinion from one of the top doctors in Boston. He said there was some healing at the fracture site and that I should not rush to have another major surgery. Read more
	Emmanuel's Story My story cuts across from the continent of Africa to the great city of New York, USA. Growing up in Ghana, I came to realize how my congenital disorder of one arm longer than the other affected my self-esteem and interaction with other children of my age. However, in coming to the USA and particularly New York, I was determined to find a solution to this disorder. If anything can happen, it must be here in New York. Luckily enough, after about twenty years in the city, my friend mentioned that his wife has had a procedure done by Dr. S. Robert Rozbruch. I didn't hesitate to make an appointment to see him. Read more
	Julie's Story My story really began 23 years ago when I tripped on a rock in a parking lot. Who knew that such a simple mishap could lead to where I am today? My fall was caused by a giant cell tumor in my right ankle that had fractured the joint. This led to surgery to remove the tumor and a graft taken from my hip to “rebuild the ankle.” Two surgeries followed by several months of recovery, I was back on my feet, with limitations and with the knowledge that “someday,” I might need to have a fusion if the ankle joint deteriorated and caused too much pain. Read more
	Shayna's Story Two and half years ago I was a college student who was very frustrated about my chronic knee pain. I was told by several orthopedic surgeons that the cause of my pain was from my bow legs and there was nothing that could be done about it, but I refused to believe that. Read more
	Josh's Story I have been bowlegged since going through a growth spurt during my middle school years. It never really negatively impacted my life. I wasn't self conscious about my legs and I suffered no ill effects physically. I was able to run and play sports with the best. However, in 2007 I turned 30 years old and while playing a soccer match suffered a torn meniscus in my right knee. It was the first ever injury I had suffered to my knees. I underwent a meniscectomy and went back to normal activities. In 2008, I began noticing significant pain on the inside of my knees while running. I still had plenty left in life that I wanted to do that required me to be in peak physical condition and I wasn't willing to give up on those dreams because of knee pain. I began to look for solutions. Read more
	Colleen's Story Ten years ago I decided I had to do something about my right leg. I was suffering severe pain and avoided walking even the shortest distances. My lower leg was becoming more and more crooked; I fell often, sometimes tearing ligaments. I had undergone reconstructive surgery on this leg 30 years earlier correcting the damage from recurring bone tumors and radiation treatment. For most of my adult life I had functioned well, walking with a mild limp and limited knee action but the effects of age and wear had set in earlier than I had imagined. Read more
	Nancy's Story I started gymnastics when I was six years old, competed from nine to sixteen years, ran track, was a cheerleader in high school, played USVBA volleyball as a young adult, and became a rock climber at twenty-four. I had the sprains, strains, pulled muscles, bumps and bruises of a typical athlete, but nothing could prepare me for the dramatic accident I had on the cliff. Read more
	Bobby's Story The family ski trip was meant to be an opportunity for 8-yr-old Bobby Menges to finally have a vacation after undergoing 1½ years of cancer treatment for neuroblastoma. Instead, on his first run down the mountain, he suffered a severe break of his left femur. After a 3-hour ambulance ride home to Long Island and an emergency surgery to place pins to stabilize the broken bone, the active second grader — and passionate football player — was immobilized in a wheelchair for 15 weeks. Read more
	John's Story Between the ages of 17 and 19, I had two reckless accidents on a moped and a bicycle. The repairs to my leg were hasty. My parents and I were told there would be a ½ inch discrepancy. By the time I was 40 the discrepancy tripled. Even with custom-made shoes walking a few blocks was a chore and stairs were out of the question. The pain in my neck and back was becoming unbearable and my world was shrinking. Fast. Read more
	Suzanne's Story The leg lengthening process, for me, began during the spring of 2008. I met with Dr. Rozbruch and his interns; we decided that I was an appropriate candidate; we booked the surgery. It was effortless. The office completely accommodated my timing needs Read more
	Ann's Story You and your wonderful staff have in 18 months transformed my wife Ann from immobile, nearly incapacitated and likely heading for life in a wheelchair; to the super active person she really has been throughout our marriage. Read more
	Denise's Story I can't believe it's been 5 years since having my surgery... At times, I thought I would go crazy with two broken legs - but I ALWAYS had faith in you... and I knew the benefits would out weigh the temporary pain I felt. And in the end, the benefits most certainly out weighed the pain.... In fact, I don't even recall the pain - I just remember it was uncomfortable and a bit frustrating... and most of all, I remember your patience and reassurance. Read more
	Jocelyne's Story Jocelyne and I finally had a chance to look over the CD that Dr. Rozbruch prepared for us. I was amazed at how she reacted towards the improvement of her leg. While she was viewing the CD, it looked like she wanted to cry. After viewing the pictures the first words out of her mouth were, "Oh my God! This doctor is the best! Look at the difference in my leg!” Read more
	Ingrid's Story As we approach my one year anniversary of the final removal of my" leg jewelry", I want to tell you how absolutely thrilled I am with my new legs. Not a single day passes that I don't think about how different I feel and I am so grateful. Read more
	Chad's Story It all started in April of 2004, I was in an Ultralite accident at an air show in Florida. From the crash I sustained a double compound of my lower right leg. At the hospital there, I was placed in an external fixator. For the next six months, I was told by my doctor in Michigan I was not to put any weight on the leg and that my leg would be one inch short for the rest of my life. Read more
	Lansana's Story Five years ago, when Lansana was just an orphaned little boy in war-torn Sierra Leone, he followed a stray soccer ball into the jungle, where he was bitten on the leg by a venomous snake. Although Lansana's life was spared, the venom infected the tissue around the bone in his lower leg, eating away the fortification of his bone and rendering it useless. Read more