Let me lay out my story. In Aug 2003 I had a Brostrom Repair and Bunionectomy on my right foot. Within three weeks after surgery I was in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism (PE) and the day I was discharged I learned that my big toe (the one that had the bunionectomy) had dislocated (it dislocated a second time as well). Anyway, because of the PE I had to wait for 6 months to have surgery to fix the dislocation, so March 3, 2004 my toe was fused.

Anyway I am now 7 weeks post-op from the fusion and wearing tennis shoes, but have a nice limp. Part of that is due to soreness at the fusion sight, but I have noticed that because of the 8 months that lapsed between procedures that my ankle seems really tight and my leg is seriously out of shapes.

I am interested in your thoughts regarding Physical Therapy. My Dr. has not mentioned it, but earlier felt that I would gain more ROM once I started walking again. I see him again in about 5 weeks. Thanks much!
-Ellen

I think PT should help. I know that I will have to go through PT and I'm also going to do water therapy.

My doc hasn't mentioned PT either and I seen him yesterday and he just said to keep working the ROM exercises he has been having me do the the last 3 weeks. In my case they are working and I am walking in a shoe part time and the cam boot part time. The muscles in my knee were what gave me the most probelms, that 1st week the thing was pretty sore and weak.

I will say I have not been off my feet as long as you(6 weeks here) and if you have been inactive for that long, PT will most likely be needed to help you get a good start on recouping lost strength and mobility.

I was immoblized and non weight bearing for four months and I know exactly what you're talking about. I am finally walking now fully weight bearing out of the cam walker and my ankle always hurts, heel to toe walking is almost impossible because of the soreness in my toes and center of my foot, and also my knee sometimes hurts something awful. A couple years back I had knee tracking problems. Not a big deal just a imbalance in the muscles that pulls my kneecaps sideways. I went to PT and they fixed me right up, now I fear this problem has returned. Anyways I've been back in PT now for a couple weeks, before I started weight bearing out of the cam walker. And I've gained about 18 degrees in my toes and like 7 in my ankle. It was heartening to know I've progressed. I definetly recommend PT, I always feel better afterwards. My PT has told me that as I start walking its possible I'll develop problems in my knees, hips, and back, but that as it happens they'll correct it.

Hello,
This is just my opinion, of course, but I would be inclined to phone the Doctor's office and ask for a prescription for physical therapy. If he is totally against it, then that settles the issue...unless you want to pursue on your own or seek another opinion. I suspect he would let you give it a try, unless he has a reason to delay it...perhaps he doesn't want to risk any extreme movement of the fused joint until your bone mending has progressed further.
At any rate, if you do begin physical therapy, and are not satisfied with the results or the therapist, do not be afraid to try a second physical therapist. I engaged in some therapy with a PT who was competent, but I just wasn't making any progress. I went to a second office and was surprised at how much more the therapists there could offer. Another comment, I believe you might find that some physical therapists would have different levels of experience, and some would, say, want to specialize in treatment of shoulder problems as opposed to foot/ankle problems. A good physical therapist is worth their weight in gold.....like a good doctor! Keep us posted. Signed, Dennis.....still postponing the fusion for myself!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think that am going to wait until my next Dr. appt. At that point it will be 12 weeks since fusion, and we'll see if it has mended 100%, I do want that to heal correctly. Meanwhile I just keep on flexing my ankle and doing some leg stretches.

Everyone take care! -Ellen

Hi! Just a comment aabout the knee and ankle soreness. The longer I am in this cam walker, the more my ankle and knee hurt. I mentioned it to my doc and he said that is what the camwalker is supposed to do as far as the ankle hurting. He told me that the ankle is supposed to be doing alot of extra work to protect the foot as i walk. Ofcourse the only thing I was thinking was Great, when I' m done with bunion surgery I can address an ankle injury. ha ha ha

danged_feet,

I've been going to PT to increase my ROM and I've had great results. But after 6 weeks of PT I still can't bend down the 2nd joint on my toe--the first one bends great! If you don't mind, can you share some of the exercises that your doc told you to do?

Thanks!

Carlos

He just has me put my thumb on the top of the joint to stabilize the joint and pust up on the big toe. On the other end he has me put my thumb under the joint to stablize it and push down on the big toe. I do this until it hurts and then I hold it and it will usually release a little more. I do this about 10 to 12 times a day. I also will massage the muscles under and on top of foot to help relax the muscles a bit. Pretty simple but it worked for me.

I definitely encourage PT. It helps build muscle fast and your PT will know how far to push you and can guide you on your gait too. I have been seeing the same PT's for 2 1/2 years. A lot of doctors don't prescribe it, but it can really help.

Hi Ellen,
I haven't checked the board in a while. As mentioned on a previous thread, once we start healing we don't seem to post as often. I go see the dr on Thursday. I believe that I will be starting therapy then. I will let you know what she says. Also, I will share my pt with you too.

Jennie

Jennie, I look forward to hearing from you. I hope you get good news at your appointment. :wave: