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Last year, when Dr. Amy McIntosh watched me walk down the hall with my extremely bowed legs, it was obvious to her that I needed surgery. Without the surgery, my legs would be subject to joint and knee pain when I got older. It was my senior year in high school, and I was a cheerleader. Having surgery and being on crutches for months was the last thing on my mind. But I like to be active, and I have my whole life in front of me, so I prepared to have a double osteotomy.
Madisen
My name is Madisen Jennings, and it was my older sister who brought me to Mayo. We both have bowed legs (hypophosphatemic rickets) but she had been very sick and finally came to Mayo where she was diagnosed with overactive parathyroid glands. She had to have several of her parathyroid glands taken out. Because parathyroid disease (hyperparathyroidism) can result from the treatment of hypophosphatemic rickets, I got checked for it at Mayo, too.
As it turns out, my parathyroid glands weren’t functioning properly, either, but I didn’t have to have them taken out. I had been on medication previously, but Dr. Peter Tebben at Mayo was able to reduce the number of pills I took every day from 20 to nine.
Hypophosphatemic rickets causes the levels of phosphorus in the blood to be too low. Phosphorus, like calcium, is important in making bones strong. The low levels are what caused both of my legs to bow. So last year, when I was a senior, I had surgery on my left leg. The doctors took a wedge out of my thigh bone and put a plate and screws into my bone to take the curve out of my leg. The surgery took about eight hours. I spent six days in the hospital afterwards, some time in a wheelchair, then five to six months on crutches. After a month-and-a-half of physical therapy, I could finally walk again.
Then it was time to do my other leg. That surgery went great and both of my legs are now completely straight. Some scars are the only signs that the surgery happened. Going through those surgeries was tough but I’m really happy with the results. I can’t run or jump yet, but after a year, Dr. McIntosh says she will get me doing both activities.
My doctors at Mayo were great. They took really good care of me. Sometimes they called me just to see how I was doing, and they were very understanding.
Another great thing is I get to throw the ceremonial first pitch for the upcoming Twins game against Toronto on Oct 2. I’ve had eight years of softball, so I should be able to get the ball across the plate, I hope!
I’m really excited about my future. I just started college at Iowa State, and I hope to be a dietitian some day. Thank you Mayo for the great care, and I’ll see you on the ball field!
This story was submitted by Madisen Jennings, a patient at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
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I am so glad that Madisen Jennings had her legs straightened. I am 36 years old and was born with Hypophosphotesic Rickets. my 1st Opp was when I was 3 and I have had many since then. My legs are not “perfect” but they are alot straighter. There are about 10 of us in the family who suffer with this. Thank you to DR Amy Mcintosh and her team for making this possible for Madisen Jennings.And you Madisen,keep smiling. kind regards. Shelley
I am so glad that Madisen Jennings has had her legs straightened.I know how she has been feeling, as I to have Hypophosphotesic Rickets. There are about ten of us in the family who suffer. Iwas three yrs old when I had my first Opp, and have had thirteen on my legs so far! Thanks to DR Amy Mcintosh and her team you should be able to have a better quality of life,with less pain. Keep smiling Madisen Jennings. kind regards.. SHELLEY
Wow! What a time for you Madisen Jennings along with your DR Amy Mcintosh. I am so thrilled for you. I to suffer with Hypophosphotesic Rickets. in fact there is about ten of us in the family who do. I was three years old when I had my first Opp on my legs,so far I’ve had thirteen Opps on legs. I understand the pain that you’ve been through. I am so glad and happy for you Medisen Jennings. Keep smiling girl. Kind regards. SHELLEY
My legs were straight through most of grade school. I was very fast. I could keep up with the older boys. Then my legs began growing out of alignment. My parents were not educated about it and did nothing. My high school years were humiliating. I had to learn to wear clothes that lessened the look. I saw an advertisement for Central States Orthopedic in Tulsa Oklahoma. They stated they had a physician that specialized in deformities. I made an appointment. He said he was one of the best and taught other doctors around the country. He mention his under grade was in civil engineering and he surveyed a lot at work. He took a 17 degree wedge out and it only should have been 10 degrees. I have been stuck with two legs that bend to the left. It was even visible in the post op films while I was still under anesthesia. No doctor that I saw would touch me. They said wait until total knee replacement to correct alignment.
I think 2012 is finally my year. The Year of Pete. I am scheduling my two total knee replacements. I have found a surgeon that doesn’t close until its right. Maybe I can set a personal goal of mine, Breaking the 4 minute mile. I will probably wear shorts all year round. I have 40 plus years to catch up on. Those with good legs don’t know how blessed you are. I was blessed to find a beautiful woman that married me for my face and black hair and said she never looked at my legs.
Hi im about to undergo a this surgery on both legs. Could you mail me please? I would like to ask you a few questions about your experience. Thanks muchly.