PFFD VSG2

NC Mom,

It is not that we are opposed to the information the doctor is sharing. We simply believe he is advertising his services under the FALSE claim that these skills and procedures are unique to his clinic and superior to all other treatments. This treatment is available in several places, but as with all treatments there are risks and limitations so if a physician says "no", then I would not want anyone headed to this doctor's clinic just because s/he is willing to take extra risks.

Needless to say, ethical doctors do not post on the web site to attract patients. If there is new research or treatments, then RAR does and excellent job getting that information up on the site as doctors and researchers make the information public.

We really don't mind the procedure or his info, but he did not post the risks and makes it sound like it is for everyone. Plus his web posting is an advertisement for his/her clinic.

Leatta

I've noticed and heard many stories where bad doctors who specialize in "X" tend to recommend "X" independently of what's best for the patient.

The truth of the matter is that PFFD can present in many different ways. The bones may not be well formed to support lengthening. Although we did not opt for amputation I know that any parent or person who makes that decision does not do so lightly. In that vein let me make a few comments in response to "Dr. Veklich"

I am Dr. Veklich. Ukraine, Kiev.
I want to say some words about PFFD treatment. From many information sources in Internet I found out that usual practice of PFFD treatment is amputation.

Well Dr. Veklich - I did a search and it seems that your identity has been quite busy on the internet in many forums advertising your wares. It seems odd to me that as a doctor you would rely on the Internet to find out what the usual practice is instead of medical literature. It also seems odd to me that you'd solicit clients directly instead of letting your work speak for itself and let word of mouth promote your work.

Ilizarov technique .... gives to patients assured success of the treatment.

Really? Assured success? In my opinion, no ethical doctor would ever make such a statement. Its just not true. I've had discussions with other PFFDers who after 10+ years of lengthening at what are reportedly the best facilities/doctors in the world were now looking at amputation or now permanently in a wheelchair. All surgery of this nature has risks - you make it sound like it's as simple as removing a pimple.

Also, Ilizarov is just one of the methods used for lengthening there are others which may be better suited based and have lower complication rates depending on the bone structure of the PFFD patient. And apparently some of your former patients have reported its not quite so simple a procedure ( from http://www.shortsupport.org/Health/Leg-Lengthening/ladisten.html ) Quote:

"Unfortunately, these patients [of Dr. Veklich] suffered very significant complications and their recoveries extended well beyond one year. Both patients were afflicted with Knee Arthrofibrosis, which is an extreme stiffness in the knee joint. A year and eight months later, one patient could bend his left knee by only 50 degrees and his right knee by only 90 degrees. This patient also suffered permanent misalignment of bones, bone non-union, leg length difference, nerve damage, infections, swelling and refractures. At this time he was still in terrible pain and could not walk on his own."

.... for children the technique help to lengthen short leg up to 20-30 cm with a few stages.

Few stages? You mean at least 4 lengthenings and possibly hip correction surgery also.

Let me be clear - I support lengthening for cases where it makes sense - but I am deeply suspicious of doctors who claim that it will be easy and that it is always the best technique.