- FVFG at
- Clinic Hours:
UPMC,
Kaufmann Bld.,
Appointments:
Dr. Anton Plakseychuk MD., PhD
-Operative Scheduling:
Surgeon does his own scheduling of surgery during the office
visit.
- The Laboratory:
If needed, lab tests will be performed from our clinic during return
clinic visits.
- Post Operative Care and Rehab:
- The most frequently asked questions:
1. What are the advantages or disadvantages in
having a free vascularized
fibular graft? The advantage of a vascularized
fibular grafting are the
bone is transferred alive which means an early take; in addition, the
blood vessels spread out and form new bone.
2. How long can I wait to make a decision regarding
surgery?
Avascular necrosis is a progressive condition.
Progression may be
observed as early as one month or it may take several months.
Progression usually occurs in less than 20 months.
3. If I have avascular
necrosis, can both hips be operated on at the same time?
In general, after performing one vascularized fibular
graft and the
unoperated hip is symptomatic then the second hip
surgery is three months
later.
4. How long does the surgery take?
The surgical procedure lasts approximately five hours. You are under
anesthesia approximately six hours.
5. How long will it take to recuperate?
Recuperation is somewhat variable and depends on the individual . Some
feel like their health and strength returns one week after surgery and
others four to six weeks following surgery.
6. How often do I need to return to University of pittsburgh for follow-up visits?
It is only necessary for you to come to UPMC one year after surgery.
Your local orthopaedist can see you at six weeks,
three months, and six
months.
7. What happens to the lower leg after the fibula
bone is removed?
The fibula is not a weight bearing bone but acts as strut for mucsle
attachment. The middle portion of the bone is removed leaving the top
and bottom to the bone without change. No plating is required and there
is no change in the appearance of the lower leg except for the incision
on the outside of the leg.
8. What kind of therapy will I have following
surgery?
Physical therapy is only necessary while in the hospital. The exercises
described in the handbook can be used as long as one wishes to
postoperatively. Swimming and stationary bicylcing
are highly
recommended after the first 6 weeks from surgery.
9. Will I be on any medication postoperatively?
Anticoagulation in the form of Aspirin, Coumadin
Dextran are given postoperatively. Dextran is given to you while in the
hospital over a five day period. The aspirin and Coumadin
are taken
for six weeks, and there are no precautions necessary at that time.
Sometimes an iron supplement is prescribed postoperatively.
----------------------------------
Treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head
with free vascularized
fibular grafting. A long-term follow-up study of one hundred and three hips.
Urbaniak J. et
al. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol. 77-A, No. 5, May 1995.