hi all i have been reading this message board and have found it most helpful in understanding my injury the measures taken in the u.s compared to u.k completly different my question is my foot has been in plaster since 13 april 2004 i have been non weight bearing in that time my consultant seems to think i will have a permanent disability due to the calcaneous fracture the wound is not a problem as it will heel in time he has spoken of a subtular fusion much further down the line but nothing can be done for me until my wound has heeled and some weight is put on my heel to determine the amount of pain i am suffering can someone who may have been in the same position as myself please tell me what level of disability i may have worse case and best case senario everything seems to be taking forever and im not getting any answers from doctors nurses etc most people seem to think i have sprained my foot and there is nothing wrong with me christ im only 42 and was very active before my rta hope someone in the u.s can educate me a little more many thanks ken :)

Ken - I broke my right calcaneous on Sep 6, 2003. The doctor implanted a plate and 10 screws to repair the bone which has occurred. Over the last 6 months or so the pain got worse, so the doctor removed the hardware thinking that was the problem (one month ago). Well, that did help but now he says I lost about 30% of the subtaler joint carteledge which will still cause pain (bone on bone - basically ortho arthritis). I am taking glucosomine pills which are supposed to help arthritis.

He recommends I have a subtaler joint fusion but I will get another opinion.

It sounds like you did not have surgey to repair your break? Why not? If you are in a cast then there may have been too many broken pieces to repair using hardware? Take it easy - these things take much longer than you think. I am very frustrated and missing too much work. I cannot enjoy all the outdoor things I love to do. But I am a firm believer in prayer - for patience and good doctors!!

Matt

hi matt
thanks for the reply as you say it is a long road to recovery its good to talk with other people in the same position and get a better understanding of the condition im off to hospital on monday for the consultants opinion as to what to do next probably another month in plaster and see me in august any way thanks again and hope you are on the mend soon ken

hi matt
thanks for the reply as you say it is a long road to recovery its good to talk with other people in the same position and get a better understanding of the condition im off to hospital on monday for the consultants opinion as to what to do next probably another month in plaster and see me in august any way thanks again and hope you are on the mend soon ken