Well guys (JD, Wtwct, Rose,and all others whose name doesn't come immediately to mind but who I also think about)... I had my early doctor appointment today :) (So glad I didn't wait another week). I am back in a nwb fiberglass cast!! :nono: :nono: I can't believe I already returned the wheelchair!! Now I'm stuck trying to figure out other ways to bring tea to the sofa!! I wish that was my biggest worry. The doctor is going to get authorization from my insurance company for a bone stimulator. He says this is not a non union but a delayed union!! Who has used one? Can I use it with the cast on?? I know the cast will be on about 2 more weeks at least. After that I'm not sure. How long does someone use a bone stimulator for?? I'll post more tomorrrow but I wanted to let everyone know what is happening. Thanks for your support. JD, You were so right on with that one. I think he knew at the last visit when he told me he wasn't convinced of a union. He said it really wasn't my fault. Tried to make me feel a little better!! Will post more tomorrow. I hope someone can relieve my fears!! Sophie :angel:

Oh, no ((((Sopie))) I'm so sorry! I wondered if he had mentioned anything about bone stimulator before. I haven't used one, but know a little bit about them - it is an electronic device that you wear - it will strap on to your leg or foot, or maybe you'll sit with your foot on it - they can differ, depending on what body part they're for... Anyway, they kind of vibrate and help stimulate your bone to grow/fuse better. I know they're very expensive, which is why he has to get the OK from your insurance co. - pre-authorization is pretty typical with them. Depending on your doc and your need, he could have you use it anywhere from 2 hours per day up to all day long if needed (or maybe at night?)

I'm really sorry to hear that you're back in NWB cast... and with no wheelchair - even worse! (I know that using the wheelchair was the ONLY way I could get my morning coffee over to the computer so I could sit down and visit!) ;)

Well, geee.... Do you suppose your family with GET IT now??? And quit expecting you to be all normal and totally "all-better"?? (Ya think???)

I hope things will start to improve for you SOON!

JD

Good morning! Only a couple more things. The doc didn't put much padding into this cast and it's much tighter than the last. Not tight...that's probably the wrong word. More like it really keeps my foot still and no wiggle room.

Also wanted to say that my doc (who I really like and trust) had me sign a form that this op may not relieve all symptoms...he fully explained risks and complications....explained the 6 weeks nwb and possibility of more nwb due to complications...has always been at the appointment himself...has always let me come in earlier if necessary and has always been available by phone within 5 minutes if I said it was an emergency question. Even if I just called the office with a question, he was the one to call me back!! Always listens to me and my explanation of symptoms. Never brushes me off! SOME DOCTORS ARE GREAT! I feel really horrible for some with the horror stories!

JD, Sorry I forgot to ask about the screws. Getting this cast back on threw me for a loop :eek: :eek: and I think I forgot to ask a lot of things. I was there for quite a while as I had my appointment and then he went to see the next person, then came back to put the cast on!! Doesn't let anyone else do it. So now I'm forced to relax! Saw a nice walker at the goodwill but can't get there to get it as I CAN'T DRIVE AGAIN!!! They told me that very strictly. (Driving hurt my foot anyway!)

Hope everyone has a great day.....so sorry for all the rambling on...Sophie :angel:

Hi There Sophie :wave: ,
I used a bone stimulator on my hip where the bone was removed for the graft and on the foot at the (1st mtb) fusion/graft site. I didn't get it until a few weeks post-op, I don't remember how long exactly. You cannot feel it at all. For several weeks I used it for 20 minutes, twice a day on each area while kicking back in my favorite place, my new best friend, the recliner. You put ultrasound gel on the end piece and just set it on the scar over the spot that is in need of stimulating. They'll show you where you should place it. That was the absolute easiest part of my treatment. In fact, so much so, that it was hard to believe anything is happening. Hocus pocus. By the way, I expected to be NWB 6 - 8 weeks but only was for 5 before moving into the slanted boot thingy (did the stimulator help?). Let me know how things go. Hope this was helpful.
Sharon :cool:

Thanks so much Sharon. I don't know if my insurance will cover it now or if I will have to wait until the three months have passed. That is apparently the time to conclusive delayed union. I'll wait and see if my doctor can get it authorized now. :D I think the cast will have to be removed. The pain has gone down so substantially from yesterday to today that I would rather wear the cast for a while longer and have so much less pain. It's not gone but SO much more tolerable. I think this is the first day I haven't had to take motrin!! :

JD, Did you read my previous post in this thread. Sorry I forgot to ask about the screws but I was reading on another site about the lapidus procedure (Why...I'm not really sure except I was trying to find an answer for you). It said the screws are not taken out except at the request of the patient and generally after 6 months and signs of definite healing. Hope that helps some. Sophie :angel:

When I had my triple fusion on the left foot, I had an internal bone stimulator. The battery pack was in my calf and the wires went down into my foot. I could feel it "go off" at first. After about two weeks, it didn't even notice it. I know my brother had an external stimulator when he broke his ankle. It would not heal. Every time he stood up, it would re-break. I know after he got his stimulator, it started to heal very fast.

I am sorry to hear of your set back. What a bummer. (I mean that) And yes, I think you need the wheel chair. It makes life so much easier.

Wtwct, I know you are still having problems and I'm so sorry. I am a little panicked about not knowing what to expect. I will have to look into wheelchair exercises in case I need to be nwb for any length of time. Any suggestions?? I'm a litttle petrified and a lot worried!! No driving for now. I wonder if the insurance will even agree to the bone stimulator as they say it's not a delayed union until 3 months and its just past 8 weeks. HELP!! Sophie :angel:

Hi Sophie - You're so sweet to look that up for me, when you've got your own worries :angel: Oh, I do hope you don't have to be NWB for 3 MONTHS!! :eek: Glad to hear that your pain level is down with the cast - that's ONE good thing, anyway!

6 months for removing screws???!!! :eek: :eek: Oh, Lord, I hope my pain level doesn't stay like this for that whole time! I'm almost positive that the pain I'm currently having is from the screws - my pod did say that the fusion sites/bones were healing nicely, and there was good bone growth there... :confused: I can't live with this pain for 6 months! But, I guess I don't have much choice but to hang in there and wait a while, to see if it will improve...

I'm so sorry you'll need to get a wheelchair again - how discouraging. :( I wasn't thrilled about using a wheelchair, but one thing I did like was... the few times that I went shopping, and used the wheelchair - I could zip around SOOooo fast!! :D I removed the foot-rests and used my good foot to push myself, along with hands on the wheels, and my kids could barely keep up with me. LOL! People would see me zooming their way in the wheelchair and they'd get right out of my way! LOL! You could try that for some comic relief ;)

I hope your bone stimulator gets approved quickly!

JD

:eek: :wave: Hi Sophie (((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))) Gosh honeyIam so terribly sorry about your set back I hope the time passes quickly for you Ihopeyou get your bone simulator son God Bless and take care Rose :wave:

Thanks everyone!! Well, it's nine weeks and counting for me! :yawn: I haven't had much pain this past week with the cast on and, of course, not walking on the foot has made the world of difference. I haven't got the wheelchair back yet either as I'm waiting patiently for the doctor's office to get back to me about the bone stimulator and ***possibly*** the length of time I'll be expected to use it....and whether I will need to be nwb for the whole time. I guess this time around I'm a little more laid back about it! Has anyone else experienced lack of balance while on crutches in the dark?? At night, I seem to have a hard time getting to the bathroom in the dark. The other night I fell right over :eek: ....HA! more bruises....oh well. Is it just me?

If there is anyone who could give me any idea of exercises I could do (nwb) I would really appreciate it. I don't belong to a gym....couldn't go anyway as I can't drive! :nono: Hope everyone is doing OK!! (JD, How's that pain now? Rose, How are you doing? Wtwct...When's your appointment? Jennifer...Glad to hear you are doing so well! Cinde...Hope you find a doc you can really relate to and trust...don't worry, you'll be back to tennis soon!) Above all else...listen to your doctor and FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS! Don't try to do more than what you are told to do! Some are allowed to do more than others but everyone is different....boy did I learn that!! Talk to you all soon!! Sophie :angel:

Oh YES!! I DEFINITELY had that no-balance problem on crutches in the dark! And I thought I was just a clutz! LOL! :D (Well, maybe I AM, but it's nice to know I'm not the only one!) ;) I had to turn a light on if I had to get up in the night, and kept a night-light on in the bathroom, as there was just no way I could keep my balance in the dark! :eek: One night when I thought I'd sneak to the bathroom without turning on a light, I fell and almost crashed into my antique glass china-cabinet (was my Grandma's) with all our treasured family heirlooms in it - THAT's when I decided that I NEEDED that light on if I had to get up for anything... I had been trying to go to the bathroom without waking up hubby - ended up waking him anyway, when I crashed into the wall while trying to avoid hitting the china cabinet :rolleyes: Definitely do the night-light thing if you need to, or even keep a flashlight next to your bad, so you can at least have SOME light - perhaps you can carry it in your TEETH??? :p

As for my pain: Gosh, if I wasn't already on strong pain meds for my back, I KNOW I'd be in pretty bad shape with the foot - it definitely still hurts *much* more than I thought it would at this point... but I do think *some* of it is continuing to improve slowly (ve-e-e-r-r-r-y slowly!) :rolleyes: Now the last couple days I've been having pretty bad swelling again... I just told my husband that I was going to have to call my doc next week if not better. (I think I remember saying the same thing last week!)

Sophie, did your doc ever tell you to take extra calcium and vitamin D? When I had spinal fusions, my neurosurgeons both told me to make sure I was taking multi-vitamin with calcium supplement, AND to take extra calcium & vitamin D as well. (Look for a supplement that has the calcium and V-D in one capsule, as the V-D aids absorption of calcium. And make sure you're drinking your milk! :nono: ;)

I'm glad to hear that your pain is relieved - that's good news anyway.

Hope you have a great week-end!
JD

Thanks so much, JD, for making me feel like less of a clumsy fool!! I do take a calium and vitamin D supplement. Please go slow on that foot!! Sometimes the bone looks healed but has still some healing to do. Any exercise ideas for the non walking?? Have a great weekend, too! Sophie :angel:

Hi Sophie: Hang in there. I agree with JD. You should take vitamines, Calcium and Vitamine D. Do you like Yogurt?

I think that when you get the bone stimulator, your healing process should speed up. I know it worked wonders for me. You had your mid-foot fused right?

As far as exercises: Earlier, like October, I saw someone post about exercises. They suggested getting the exercise tape called: Getting Better by Margaret Richard. I went on line and bought this tape. Some of it was hard like the hip exercises but, I managed to get thru it after a while. She works your upper body, lower body and abs. I thought it was a good tape. I think she has an exercise program called "Body Electric". All of these exercises are NWB. Check it out. You can also do leg raises in your chair, you can use small hand weights for your arms and if you can get down on the floor (sit on the sofa and slide down) and STRETCH. You need to stretch because your muscles tighten up from sitting or NWB.

I know that if you use your calf muscle more, the swelling will go down. O-Sorry I don't think that you can do that can you? I'm sorry skip that one DAH you are in a cast, that would be a little hard LOL.

I am going to have my MBA Implant removed on Thursday 1/26. The new Dr. said that it was not in all the way and he cannot possibly "shove" it in because there is so much inflammation. He said that he wants to give my body a rest. Of course I have been limping on it for four months, that probably didn't help. We will see, I will be back using crutches full time for a while.

And YES, you are correct. There is something about using crutches in the dark, also not walking well and doing it in the dark. My PT said something about you have less balance in the dark (something like that). I know you don't want to hear this but, I used a walker in the dark.

OK, I am going to complain. I have been trying not to use the pain meds, what a mistake. We are expecting heavy snow, my family calls and asks me to stop at the grocery store on the way home from work. Well, I did. I limped in and got everything they wanted, cooked dinner, did the dishes, fed the dog, started laundry, took out the garbage and what do you think THEY are doing. Well guess, they are all LAYING DOWN. My back is killing me from limping, my feet are pounding. The phone just rang and do you think that they will get up. HECK NO. I think that they forgot how to answer it LOL. It must be rough being a great walking person. LOL I am just sitting here and looking at all of them laughing to myself.

Just one more thing. (I don't know if we can say this or not) I went on a date last night, crutches and all. I have been recovering from surgeries for a full five years and my mother lives with me. She is ill. I have not been on a date in YEARS. Anyway, it was fun!! I had a good time.

Hey wtwct! :wave: I just went to read up on MBA implants - I'm so sorry that you are having to undergo another procedure. :( Once your foot heals, are they going to try again with another (smaller) one?

Congratulations on the date! :D I bet that was a lot of fun.

As for your family - someone needs to give them a good swift kick in the butt! :bouncing: (Maybe shouldn't be you, though, unless you have some good sturdy, rigid, thick-soled shoes/boot on!) ;) Boy do I know what you're talking about! :rolleyes: But as far as the phone goes... let it ring :D That's what answering machines are for, isn't it??? We figure WE pay the phone bill, so we'll answer it (or not) when/if we want to - that's what caller-ID is for! ;) If it's imporant, they'll leave a message... and if they call around supper-time, then it's almost sure to be a telemarketer :rolleyes: (I do answer if it's either my mom or my husband's - both widows - in case they need help or something)

I hope your surgery goes well on Thursday - please update us as you're able.

Have a wonderful week-end!
JD

Wtwct, Thank you so much. I searched and found (and ordered) the tape. Hope it gets here soon as my body is turning to mush! I couldn't even sleep last night because I couldn't find a way to relax the thigh muscle on my casted leg! I don't know maybe it's trying to atrophy or something!!

I know what you mean about the family. That is what I was talking about in a previous post! Mine are teenagers. Are you talking your kids or brothers and sisters?
I didn't have a midfoot fusion. I had a proximal 2nd metatarsal osteotomy and the 2nd tmt joint cleaned up. I have a plate and 4 screws. It was not supposed to be a HUGE deal. But I don't know if anything goes as planned. I still haven't heard from the doctor's office about the bone stimulator and I am still wondering if I should get the wheelchair back. I probably need a new prescription. I just can't do much with my hands already in full use. At least with the wheelchair (my family hated it...I guess they never thought of their mom this way) I could put stuff on my lap. You know....like glasses and plates strewn all over the family room like they are supposed to be there!!! I can't figure out the walker thing. I'd still have to hop with it. Who would have thought after 9 weeks and counting I'd still be nwb.
I have been reading about the bone stimulator. It is very expensive and seems still somewhat controversial.
I wish you all the best and will be thinking of you on Thursday! Good luck and be sure to let us know how it goes! Sophie :angel:

And CONGRATULATIONS on the date...I hope you had a great time...you deserve it!! :bouncing:

Hi Guys...9 1/2 weeks and beginning to feel like walking with 3 legs (2 being crutches) is the norm. Still waiting for some word from the doctor about authorization....and waiting patiently for the exercise video to arrive. Had a great time out at the football game yesterday....it was very difficult navigating the crowds but so much fun at the same time. I am SO TIRED today from all the crutching. Even from the car to the seats was a killer! And forget trying to get to the restrooms..up and down all those stairs, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world!!!

JD, How you doing...how's the swelling...don't push it...you don't want to end up like this...have you called the doctor. Any talk of PT???

Cinde, I hope you're feeling better today! PT is tomorrow for you!!

Cyclist, Are you still around? I know you were nwb for 9.5 and 10.5 weeks. What did you do to keep in shape?

Joll43, I am trying to be patient. I know I did the wrong thing by trying to walk through the pain!! This cast will keep me from doing that and I am on a mission to let everyone know to follow doctor's orders!

I heard they were calling the boot--Darth--because they say you look like Darth Vader wearing it. :D I wonder if I could come up with a nickname (ha...if nothing more than to pass the time) for this nwb cast.
Hope everyone is having a good day! Sophie :angel:

Alright: Now I have the "Hee-Bee-Gee-Bee's" LOL. I know that my surgery is still another three days away but I can't help it. Sophie, we can do crutches again together. Everytime I look at them, I want to set them on fire. Not to mention they are all worn out. I wonder if they come in colors LOL A nice Candy Apple Red would be nice.

I have already cleaned everything, got my books, have my prescriptions ready and did all the laundry. You know how you get right before surgery. I will hit the gym tomorrow and spend a lot of time there to try to forget how nervous I am.

Wtwct, I will be thinking of you on Thursday!! How long do you think you'll be on crutches? What happened with the wheelchair? I know you had a date the other night with the crutches but I thought you said you were using a wheelchair? With this implant out, are you then going to Baltimore about this foot, the other or both? Oh well, it's not good for you but at least I'll know I have company. :bouncing:
I'm expecting a call from my doctor today (this afternoon) as he does surgery this morning. I just need to talk to him and get a rough time frame of what is expected next. It doesn't need to be definite and I know it can't be...but at least a starting point. I'll let you know what he says. :confused:
Have a good day and try not to worry too much! We'll all be thinking of you (and I sure love this board for that!). Sophie :angel:

I am using a wheel chair but, I wanted some dignity so I went on the date with crutches. I did pay for that. My left foot was pounding. O-Well, I had fun any way.

I do not know how long I will be NWB after Thursday. I hope not to long. I will be using my chair most of the time but, I need the crutches to get in and out of the car. What am I thinking, I will not be able to drive. GOD.......... It will be another round of driving Miss Daisy. The cool thing about this guy is that he almost lost his leg in an accident. He is very understanding and all this does not seem to phase him. He said that you have to do whatever makes you better. He is right.

He sounds like a great guy!! : :D

I am not driving either and that seems to be the hardest part for me. I am waiting for my doctor to call today and I will ***hopefully*** find out what the plan of action is with this bone stimulator and an initial approximate time frame for the continued nwb status....I'll let you know later if I can Sophie :angel:

***News***Well i spoke with my doctor and when authorization comes through (hopefully next week at the latest) he will recast me with a window for the transducer and I will be nwb for "at least" 4 more weeks until he checks me again. So I have reordered the wheelchair as it looks like ***at least***another 5 weeks without walking for me! :eek: Hopefully everyone is having a good day! Sophie :angel:

That's great, I think that the stimulator is going to help a lot.

This is off the subject but, I saw a preview for tomorrow night on the Discovery Channel. There is a show called Building Body or something like that. They are going to show prosthetic limbs. There was a girl actually running. I think she lost her foot in an accident. I know this sounds dumb but, since my left foot and ankle is so trashed and in pain all the time, I mean how many surgeries can one go thru before they can't do anything for you any more. I wonder if any dr. has suggested this to anyone. I know this was suggested to me about two years ago.

In 2001 I was in Myrtle Beach on vacation and fell going down the stairs and dislocated my ankle and also cracked the bone at the lower end of the long bone where it meets the ankle. Fortunately, we were there with extended family and there were four doctors. One of them decided it had to be set immediately. That gave a whole new meaning to four letter words. He saved me a lot of problems, which I would have had from foot surgery, because I'm a diabetic. The cracked long bone didn't heal even two years later. That's when they put me on the bone generator. I wore it 3 hours a day and after 4 or 5 months and it worked. Never bothered me. I hope you have good luck with it.