5 year old daughter and removing pins

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My five year old daughter had a Bilateral Distal Femoral Osteotomy. Her legs grew crooked above and below the knee to where she would have leg aches with normal activity. They cut the bone above the knee on both legs. The put two pins in both legs and cast them. It is less than 3 weeks before the pins and casts come off. The doctor said they will not give anything for the removal of the pins. We have heard horror stories of the pain that is envolved in the removal of the pins. I'm really am not asking for her to be put out but I think my daughter has gone through enough pain and would like some advice on what we can do to minimize the pain of removing the pins. Thankyou for any advice.

-- Brian Clark (briclark1@earthlink.net), February 10, 2004

Answers

Hello Brian, I'm not familiar with the procedure your daughter will be having but I know it is the Physician's responsibility to insure that all measures will be taken to make the procedure as pain free as possible. I've been in and out of orthopedic surgeons offices a lot over the last 14 months and have read a lot of pamphlets and literature on pain. Before any procedure is performed you need to request that all necessary pain reduction procedures be taken first. If you request it then the physician must listen to your requests. I don't understand why the doctor said they will not give her anything for the removal of the pins. That's crazy! You know it has to be painful, even more painful for a 5 year old. I think I would sit down and have a long talk with the doctor before I let them do anything to her. Good luck!! Hope she gets better soon!!

Sincerely, Chastity

-- Chastity Barnes (chastitybarnes@yahoo.com), February 13, 2005.


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