Hi all! Boy I've been through the ringer....diagnosed with plantar fasciitis two years ago, in my left foot, three months after that healed, I told doc my right foot hurt too. He took xray and found a chunk broken off my calcaneus (you won't believe it was from carrying in groceries when I stepped on the stair sideways, I thought I had sprained it real bad), so I had surgery to remove it. That was a year ago....still couldn't walk without pain, so doc did fusion of the calcaneus and cuboid joint and now I'm about 6 weeks post-op and in a boot, still no weight bearing (I find out this Thurday if I can burn my crutches). But I'm still in a lot of pain...which is, I'm sure healing *pain*??? Anyone else have this type of fusion? Thanx. Di :confused: an

Dian,

I have not have that type of fusion, but at six weeks I am surprised that you have pain still. I wouldn't be optimistic about getting rid of those crutches quite yet either, if anything, you'll probably move to partial weight bearing. When you go to your Dr. by sure to mention the pain. It just does not seem right.

Good Luck. -eko

Dian,
I had both a cc fusion and a talonavicular fusion 5 years ago. My problem was instability in my foot/ankle after a bad injury. My os used a bone graft for this surgery along with screws. Luckily, everything fused well but it was a long recovery with lots of pt. I think I was 7 weeks nwb and then 6-8 weeks pwb. I did loose side to side motion in my foot. Did your os say this would happen to you? I am not sure why you are still having pain. As long is the pain is getting better and not worse, you should be okay, but definitely talk to your os on Thursday. Good luck!

Yes, they told me I would loose side to side motion. At the three week post-op visit, he was quite pleased with the fusion that was happening....it's real tight with the two titanium screws I have in there...

I'm a newbie, so I don't get some of the abbreviations....nwb is non weight bearing...what is pwb?

I'm actually looking forward to pt. I've been allowed to move my foot up and down....let's just say I'll never be able to point my toe like a ballerina ;p. I get pretty good at it and then it disappears....as always, I want recovery yesterday....I see on this board, I'm not the only one....we all must have patience....right?

Thanks! Dian :wave:

You are correct NWB is non-weight bearing. PWB is partial-weight bearing.

Patience is not my strong point either! I used to be very active in sports, and then one day I broke and badly sprained my ankle. I thought I was just going to be back in action after 6 weeks. Boy, was I wrong! Everything seemed to lead to other injuries and then after several surgeries I ended up with a fusion which like yours prevented me from side to side motion.
I am really glad your surgeon is pleased with your recovery. Just take it easy and dont rush things! If you get a chance to do some pt in the pool, I would recommend it. I found that I had to learn how to find balance without having that side motion in my foot. It is tricky! Good luck!

Dian,
Speak openly with your OS about your pain. Mine, questioned at the 2 week, said I might expect the post op level of bone pain (Needing narcotic) to begin dissipating into mid-range (NSAID with low narc) at 3 to 4 weeks, and down to tylenol only at 4 to 6.
I was off narc, on tylenol only at 3 weeks and change, and would have been at 2 weeks IF i had known the difference between the bone pain, now a bearable achy, throbby, only occasionally hard enough that I wish I hadn't thrown my "good" meds out, and the nerve pain, which is a hot, burning, squeezing, relentless pain untouched by any meds.
Tell him/her as clearly as you can the type, quality, and frequency of your pain (s), and also try to determine if RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), changing positions, activity levels, etc., have any effect.
What type of boot do you have? If you have one with air chambers, once you determine the cause of your pain, you may be able to ease it by altering your compression level.
Be open with your OS, and don't suffer needlessly. Regardless of "norm", and "should" or "should not", your OS will be your ally, helping to identify and relieve pain. Let us know!!! Kim