Caveat, I'm not a med guy. I know what little terms I have picked up from my extensive wading through the recovery process. I'm just a grunt trying to put this into the most accurate terms I can in hopes that those can possibly assist me.
FEB07 I sustained shrapnel injuries that severed the bulk of my sciatic bundle in my L ass cheek loosing the function of my L leg. In MAR07 I requested a BTK amputation in hopes to RTD in the quickest possible time.
I was denied & strongly urged to cooperate with the treatment plan.
I have & I have busted my ass trying to recover as fully as possible.
I was originally told that with the measurement between my point of injury & my L foot that nerve regen would reach max potential in 12-18 months. I'm well past 2 years into that & results of my last 2 EMGs showed no further conductivity or improvement.
I currently have weak anterior & interior pronation that greatly limits stability under even moderate activity.
I have weakened plantarflexion compounded by the pronation issues above.
I can do the requisite 15 toe raises while supported by my arms on a solid object. They are unstable unsupported.
I have limited & weak dorsiflexion to approximately 20degrees bellow neutral.
I have had several models of AFO's ranging from base COTS moldings, to custom fitted carbon fiber with articulating joints & spring assist, to a Bioness L300(?) Estem device.
I've been on a plethora of meds since the injury date. Initially it was a narcotic coctail & 600mg gabapentin x3 daily. For well over the last 18 months it's been premagablin 100mg x3 daily. The meds in itself are an issue. Weight gain & being tired etc.
None of the above AFOs or med combos are conducive to active daily use.
I need more than a trip to the mail box leg.
I need some advice in what I view as the next step in my recovery.
I need this for more than service. I was an active, hiking, hunting, mountain climbing mother fucker before this. The couch is wounding my heart as much as any shrapnel injured me.
Since I left the MTF & WTU I don't have a lot of the resources I'd like to use to get this point across to a CIV doc or VA 3rd year resident who controls my fate with their vast life experience
If someone could put me in contact with individuals who have BTK amputations & prosthesis that would be a great help.
If someone with insight in the medical aspects as well as that of an Infantryman's background would feel like offering suggestion that would be appreciated as well.
Thanks
DZ
Εἷς οἰωνὸς ἄριστος, ἀμύνεσθαι περὶ πάτρης
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