Well time to start a new thread...

I started PT last week, finally. Have my original therapist which is wonderful. It was almost like a homecoming since I had been there so long before the surgery. I am working on ROM and strengthening, ultrasound and e-stim, scar breakdown and nerve desensitization therapy.

Most of it is not painful but the nerve desensitization is a real bear. Very painful. Brought tears to my eyes and I am not a huge wimp. This part is going to be the hardest. I am discouraged at how week my leg and foot are. I find itt dificlt to do leg raises (no weight yet) and am perversely amused at how my leg quivers trying to hold it. 5-6 months of incapacity really takes its toll. My calf looks like a childs. In time this will all come back, but I have to remind myself this a temporary issue due to a long standing problem.

Tried out the brace while walking. My PT made me use the crutches and had a belt on for safety. Felt odd to be balanced as the boot makes my right/bad leg longer. My hips felt funny being level. I did it with no problem, but he was not happy with my knee hyperextending. Said it was due to calf, ham and quad weakness. Really concentrating on proper foot fall and gait. I just want o get from point A to point B - patience is not my strong point.;)

In the boot while not in PT (MD orders), but I cheat at home all the time, even walk w/crutches while barefoot. Not much pain at all, just rather stiff. Achiles is really tight.

I will attend PT 3times a week for 6 weeks; each session last about 1 1/2 hours or so. They are pretty flexible with the "time" and seem more interested in getting things done properly than in how much insurance pays for. What a nice change from most places, eh?

I do get a bit embarrassed when I see older folks or bigger 'scars' outdoing me, but I have to remind myself I had alot done to this ankle that it not easily visible to others. Perhaps I should tattoo my foot with a reminder to not compare myself to others - ha ha. After all, it is not a competition.

Have home eercises which I do, but hate the hip exercises. PT leaves me worn out in a good way and a bit painful. Had to take a pill after first full session (now I know why doc said to keep them for PT as I would want them)
Have plans to be in only the brace by Halloween. Gotta have a goal!

jane

Hey Jane!

Therapy...isn't is great? lol Glad to hear that you're over your ear problem and able to get started with PT. When I went back for the first time a few weeks ago, my therapist joked with me that he couldn't believe I hadn't been there in a whole year! I think this is my 6th go-round with therapy on the ankle. My PT told me that he wants to name a wing of the building after me, since I am such a frequent flier..lol

You're lucky...I've never gotten ultrasound or e-stim. My PT is very gung-ho with a git-r-done attitude and always jumps straight into strengthing, stretching, and ROM. I bet that nerve desensitization is painful! The only pain I have during PT is when I have to do eversion on the KinCom machine, and when my therapist stretches me out before I go home. I've been in PT for 3 weeks now and my calf at first was flabby and ugly, but now I can see muscle coming back, slowly. It just takes time.

I cheat all the time with the boot. I am too supposed to be in it 24/7, unless I am at therapy. I hardly ever wear it at home...but I do wear it when I go out because with my luck, i'd leave the house without it, and then run into my OS or PT somewhere and get in trouble. I may get to "boot the boot" tomorrow if my ankle tests out at least 50% strength tomorrow when my PT tests it.

My therapist keeps telling me how big of a procedure I had done (we both had the "never done that before" procedures)...so scars are no indicator of severity of condition! I proudly show off my ugly and scarred ankle...it's a trophy of all this ankle has been through! I am really stiff too, but my PT assured me that it will loosen up (not the repair, but the ankle joint itself). Like everything else, it just takes time.

Well, I am glad to hear PT is going well. Getting through this PT is just getting us one step closer to being able to resume our normal, mobility filled lives! When do you see the OS again? I go back Friday, and am hoping to hear that I can get released to go back to work soon.

Take Care!

Megan

Wow your PT sounds really high tech. I had OCD (microfracture) and Bostrom on 10 Aug 2006 and my PT just seems to consist of flexing exercises and not much more. They certainly don't seem to be interested in putting much time in or treating me anything other than a quick in, quick out 'conveyor belt' type patient :(

Jane,

Glad to hear you are progressing. Your PT sounds like a bear, mine was never that extensive, but then again you have been off of it for a longer time.

Don't rush yourself, do it right, but a little cheating it okay, we all do it.

Take good care, and here is to getting back to "normal."

~Ellen

Well, I have progressed to walking/gait training while my PT holds on to me with the dreaded belt. I am really off balance and left ankle rolls a lot. Had a bad time Friday - I had started to "play catch" while standing. Left ankle got really bad and my right knee consistently hyperextends. Ended up sprainig my left ankle, cranking the knee and strainig the ACL and PCL ligaments and cranking on the right ankle's repair job. What a mess I am.

Had to see the ortho Monday due to the injury. Now am in matching ankle braces and a custom knee brace. Told me the left foot needs to be fixed and both knees need to be repaired and cleaned up again (had bilateral knee ops 10 years ago and need two knee replacements). I swear it never ends! I look like the bionic woman wearing all this hardware - ha ha! I refuse to wear the left knee brace (gotta have something look normal)

I am now wearing the belt, the hardware and TWO SHOES (insert big grin on Jnae's face) while in PT and at home. If I am not belted and being held by my PT, I still have to use the crutches as I am very wobbly. I wear the boot/and left brace while out and about, with crutches for balance/support. Do the sit down/raise from a chair with no hands (can we say hello quads and hammies? Working primarily on standing up and maintaing/getting balanced while on the big foam mat or the carpeted floor. I stand with both feet apart, together or toe to heel. I spend a lot of time playing catch with the big yellow ball. Maybe I should call it "play therapy"???

Still get ultrasound and heat at the start, do exercises, do my gait training, do my balance/cath on the big mat and at the end I get e-stim and ice. You should see the size of my foot after PT - quite impressively puffy. Yesterday I was there 3 hours - once done, I couldn't walk on the right leg and spent all night propped up in recliner (and had a pill or two). The lfet ankle was sore too. I was a mess. Eegads, this is tough stuff.:p My whole body feels like I have done hours at a gym - even my gut somehow gets a workout doing this balance/proprioception stuff. So much for thinking I should join the Y.:jester:


Jane

2 questions for you all-

A: anyone else have their sense of balance and proprioceptive sense taken out by the injuries and have a tough time regaining it? If so, about how long till you had it back?

B: about how long should I wait until I get the left ankle repaired? Would you do the knees or the ankle first?

Thanks-
jane

Jane-

You poor thing! You remind me of myself: an accident waiting to happen! But at least you hurt yourself at PT...if you're gonna get hurt, PT would be the best place to do it! lol You've just had one setback after another..I bet ya never thought getting this ankle fixed would have been so tough. I also need to get my other ankle fixed, someday. It is quite loose, but doesn't bother me. I definitely wouldn't get it fixed until the other ankle is back to 100%, and it HAS to be fixed. After all you've been through with this ankle, I couldn't imagine you having to do it again. I've got issues with my knees also...I am congenitally knock-kneed which has caused the lateral cartilage in both knees to wear down. I've also been told i'll need bilateral replacements...but will do nothing about it until I absolutely have to (like when I can't walk b/c they're so arthritic). I guess if I was you, I would have whichever joint that was now causing the most problems to be fixed next. Just get ankle #1 rehabbed first.

The proprioception should come back...although I never got it back in my ankle after the first surgery, and it is definitely gone for good now after the second, but it should. My ankle is so stable now, I think I can function w/out the proprioception. Repetitive injuries do a number on the nerves (especially the peroneal nerves), but nerves so have the ability to regenerate, so i'd say just give it time.

Glad therapy is going well though. I may be done with mine next week. I get tested Monday and if I test out at 90% I get released. I am surprised i've gotten strength back so quickly...I guess going into all this being in good shape helped. I've started riding my bike again (PT told me not to, but oh well) and the past 3 days, I've ridden about 60 miles. My ankle gets extremely sore and stiff, but nothing I can't tolerate (I think I am becoming immune to pain..lol).

Anyways, please take care of these new injuries and have fun at therapy!

Take Care!

Megan

Hi Jane,
Sorry you got injured in pt! What a nightmare! I am currently in pt and mainly working on regaining strength and balance. The balance is definitely the most challenging part. I have great balance on my good foot - of course, since I have been on crutches for soooo long. On my bad foot, it seems like my balance is horrible! I really think strength and balance go together- you cant have one without the other. However, I will say that after having a fusion, my balance seems to have gone out the window!

Best of luck.

Diane

Diane,
Best of luck to you, too! Never appreciated being able to balance or place my foot correctly until this happened. Funny how this sneaks up and smacks us upside the head, eh?

I would say "Wanna race?" but we would spend all our time tipping over or crashing into each other - ha ha

Keep me up to date on how you are progressing. I like to hear how everyone else is doing (and I admit, compare how I am doing against the "norm")

jane

Hi Jane,
I think my os would laugh his head off if anyone called me the "norm". I cant tell you how many times I had just healed like everyone else!!! It is good to compare recoveries with other folks. There seems to always be someone who has been through the same stuff.
I got really scared over the last two days as I was transitioning from the boot to my sneaker full time. My whole foot above the fusion site seemed like it was on fire! I was afraid the last two surgeries had been for nothing!
Luckily, today my foot was much better today. It was still sore, but nothing compared to a few days ago.

Just wondering, do you ever expect to be in "nice" shoes again? I have given away all my high-heels, but I still have some nice shoes I would love to wear for work. I dont think it will ever happen, but I just cant seem to part with them!

Diane

I think transitioning is hard (and painful) also. I get kind of nervous about screwing things up - and I am usually fairly fearless. In fact, I am always pushing it, but the thought of going out and about with only the braces frightens me a bit, especially if I ever get to the point of no crutches. {I am in the boot out and about, in braces if in the house not doing anything, but still have to use the crutches}
I swear, I will gladly be able to chuck all this "equipment" in the garbage when ever I get to power on my own 2 feet like a human being! Alas, for now I the bionic woman according to my bestfriend.

I have also been ordered not to do the high heels again, but am keeping a pair or 2 just in case - for the times when you have to look good, like at a wedding or ball (but I imagine I will be ditching them the moment I get to the table). I am in sneakers. I am also keeping all my other shoes and sandals. "I can't get rid of this pair, or these etc" I suppose I'll have to go through them all once I am at my full recovery. They have told me I should be able to wear good quality leather shoes for work and such eventually, but to try and stay in sneakers. How dull - just how am I suppossed to look really good in a dress with flat shoes.

For now I look like a fool wearing sneakers with everything - even a my skirt and jacket. Even tonight my husband just burst into laughter - there I was wearing my pj's to get comfy, with my running shoes on.
Ah, the agony of de-feet...
jane

By the way - I have big, BIG news!

Today while we were playing catch on the mat I stood up on my own! It may have been for only a moment, but this is exciting to me. I had my feet apart and he helped me get my center then pretty much let go - and I held it. While it wasn't pretty, as I was weaving and bobbing all over the place, I didn't immediately fall over.

Even had a mini party as he brought me a king size candy bar as a reward (he knows I love chocolate) Makes the whole time I have been in rehab worth it.

I am as proud as a new momma :) :)
~jane

JUst got my latest set of braces (DJ Velocity ES) and they work great! I feel much more stable, especially on the non repaired foot. I am doing so well in PT that I am where they thought I would be in the next 2 months. I feel like I just got an "A" on a test!!

I think that with these new braces I will definately be walking on my own soon. I just got the ok yesterday afternoon to try walking about the house without crutches (in the new braces all the time), but to keep them nearby in case I need them for balance. Will have to see how it goes. I am now able to balance and walk from one end of the clinic to the other without needing to be "caught" by my PT about 75%+ of the time. Can you all see me doing the big happy dance? I did get the ok to also ditch the boot except for long trips like to the mall, etc. Hooray!!! I was beginning to think I would eventually be buried with crutches and a boot;) The other good news is that I have to buy new sneakers so that they better fit with the new braces. Hmmm, shopping - now that is some therapy, eh?

I am still on the squishy mat -now working on one foot in front of the other, heel to toe while playing catch with the theraball. A little bit ugly (ok, a lot ugly) but I am again making progress. At the end of all the various mat work I do bridging with a big theraball one legged - wow is that tough! But is is great for the hammies. I also do other leg stuff; where did my muscles go the last 9 months? Still do the ice and e-stim thing. I swear I go into PT feeling pretty cocky and fresh, but my legs and feet act like they are wet noodles at the end! :jester:

The nerve is really calming down and I believe it will eventually go back to being normal. I have accepted the fact that this may never go away completely and this seems to make me less frustrated witht he pins and needles all the time. I get this very tight, almost like I am going to rip something in the back of my ankle. Then it eventually makes a big snap/pop and hurts like all get out! Funny, it does give some relief once this happens. The OS who is covering for my surgeon thinks the Os Trigonum excision may have caused some impingement and scar tissue (for those of you who don't know, it was shattered and the pieces were embedded in the all the rearfoot structures for 5 months). Will find out for sure once my doc comes back (maybe the end of this month).

jane

Well Friday my husband and Carl (Physical Torturer) had a "chat" with me about my rules. I call them restrictions and groundings... I had gotten some of the details a bit wrong (hmmm, perhaps wishful thinking/hearing?) I can only go without the sticks if I am in a left foot brace and a right foot boot. I can walk in my braces only if I use both crutches. The discussion went something like this:

"Did you hear that? That means they have to be used. Not just near by, in another room, propped against a wall, etc! Otherwise the braces will be kept in the clinic. I am writing this in your records so everyone else knows too. Nod if you understand me." Jeez, they act like I need to be hit over the head or something - ha ha

But, I got something out of them; I can practice walking down my street if I take someone with me and use the crutches. So, this begs to be asked... does this officially make me a "street walker" ? :D :jester: :D

I got my new sneakers - had to go up to a mens cross trainer size 8 1/2 4E! I used to wear a woman's size 8.5 - 9 B. Talk about making room for baby! All in all, these new Velocity ES braces rock! I think it is next to impossible to roll an ankle in them, but they do have the hinges which let you walk/roll in a more normal gait pattern. I am so much more stable in them and they aren't too uncomfortable. So far, they don't even bother the nerve thing much, unlke the others. If any of you get them a heads up: buy thick Thorlo style socks - but yet again, a reason to get out of the house to do some shopping {and to think I was never a shopping type of gal, unless you count Lowes hardware).

Weel , I am now off to make coffee, do my exercises and go for a walk. Can you all see the big grin on my face?
jane

Jane...you street walker, you! LOL You always have me laughing. You've been so upbeat throughout your recovery...that is awesome! Exactly what part of your procedure has facilitated you to have to use crutches for such a long period of time? Be a good girl and follow all of your restrictions...lol Don't you just feel like a kid again. My mother came up with all of these post ankle surgery rules for me too...but they went in one ear and out the other. She told me today if I hurt this ankle again, I am on my own! I guess it's my no-fear attitude that has put me through everything I've gone through. As my OS told me "you can't live your life in a bubble...get out there and have fun!"

Isn't it depressing not being able to wear normal shoes? Now I am not one who wears anything stylish in the least bit, but I would like to wear something other than my new balance 991 sneaks. They are the only shoes that my ASO brace and orthotics fit in. I do cheat and go "naked" when I wear my cycling shoes when I ride though.

So your doc may be back in the country soon? That's cool...he will be so proud of the progress you are making!

Megan

I still have to use the sticks because my balance is not so hot and I fall a lot. I use them primarily for balance and not really for weight bearing assistance. They (docs, PT, husband) are worried I might really hurt myself (had some rather close calls), plus the left ankle is also messed up and won't get fixed for several months (like maybe summer). Personally, I think I would be ok most of the time w/out crutches but they are on me like white on rice. Hmmm, think it is because they are all men? I do just fine if I have a counter or arm to hold onto.

I swear by New Balance - maybe they should start putting gimps in the ads!

I can't wait to walk into his office and give him a giant hug, hearty thanks and do the "Welcome Home" dance.

jane

Oh ok. I thought you were still having to use them because of a weight bearing issue. I didn't think you had something in there done to keep you nwb for 4 months. Are you having the balance problem because of the inner ear issue that you had several months ago? My balance on crutches was awful. The first time I hurt my ankle almost 3 years ago was by falling down the stairs using crutches b/c I had a cast on the other ankle..lol

So you are going to have to get the left fixed now? Is it just loose b/c you're loose jointed, or did you blow it out? My right ankle is getting to the point of being as loose as the left one I had fixed, and I haven't injured it lately. I am so loose jointed. I won't get it fixed until it flops around like the other one did before surgery!

We need to get together and wear our new balances and pose for an ad! Wouldn't that be a pretty picture?

Jane, I am curious about the desensitization therapy, I start scar desensitization tomorrow with my PT is this the same thing? He had told me something a bit back about rubbing a towel over the scar over and over again? My scar is very sensitive, burns alot of the time and feels like it could split open, i know it cant but sure feels like it at times. My incision didnt heal until 8 weeks po. so this sounds like torture to me!!

Megan-
Ironically the left ankle was my worst of the two (many injuries ot both over the years that I never got fixed) before all this mess started. In fact, the left one rolled while walking which caused me to start to fall... so I lunged to the side to stay up on my feet; which totally blew out the right ankle for good. I should have lurched instead of lunged, eh? And to think I was walking in flat shoes in a conference room - but hey it wasn't dodging a squirell!

The balance thing is not from the ear problem (thank goodnessas 2 bought of that made me want to die). It was just the garden variety zero proprioception and the nerve damage that now causes my balance to be whacked. I look a bit tipsy but it is getting better. Needless to say, I am intimately aware of the texture of the ground :)
jane

Heidi-
I had scar breakdown and nerve desensitization during PT. It involved rubbing with a terrycloth towel over and around the affected area and scar, hot and cold treatment (apply heat, switch to cold, then heat, etc), E-Stim, trigger point and manipulation and a form of massage (firm pushing, rubbing & stretching to break down scar tissue). While none of this was "fun" it only really made me want to hit my therapist when the nerve was getting worked on. The other stuff was... let's just call it not exactly pleasant but nothing really painful.

For me the problem felt like my incision was going to split wide open, it burned (!) and it "pulled" like it was going to rip something. I had very weird colors on my skin and it frequently had a goofy temperature response - the area around it was frequently purple/red/brown but often hot (even after ice) yet some areas were as cold as ice for no reason. It had poor blood circulation and often felt either dead or numb/pins&needles. I often had a series of zaps like a hot wire (very painful) which ran from above the ankle to my last three toes. I am now on Neurontin 300 mgs 2-3Xday which was great for making it calm down along with the therapies above.

I got very discouraged about all this and saw no progress. I really dreaded "that part" of rehab but it did work. It just took some time (a few weeks) to see it working. I still am on Neurontin and will stay on it for at least the next year. I still get Estim and contact work, but not as much of the scar breakdown (I only have one spot that is still troublesome). The nerve damage (for me) has calmed down a lot pain-wise, but I still have balance problems (getting slowly better) and will most likely have one part that is permanent. I am told that most problems resolve fully insideof a few weeks to months. My affected nerves are several surface and subQ nerves, sural (had partial rupture during original injury and the surgery just inflamed things more).

I can feel the foot now, it is just duller than normal and often gets pins and needles, especially if it is touched. This mainly is noticeable to me when I cross my feet, put on braces, socks, shave, etc. I can tell you that it needs to move as it goes dead if it is still for too long. Kind of odd but my foot would jump about in the first few weeks of rehab - like a kid with a super ticklish foot.

Hope this is helpful and that your problem gets licked!
jane

Jane-

Next time it might be just as well for you to fall flat on your booty...lol Before I got this ankle fixed, I was rolling it in flat shoes too. Squirrels....hmmm..don't like em'! It's a big inside joke now with my family and friends. Any time we see a squirrel, we crack up. Gotta find some humor in it someway, right?

My proprioception is still pretty crappy too, but getting better. Sometimes when I am walking, I kinda lose sense of where my foot is. Does that make any sense? But the super stability I have now makes up for the loss of the proprioception a little bit. Last night I was in the kitchen and tripped over the rug and lost my balance in the foot, but the ankle held solid and didn't even start to roll. It was an awesome feeling, because before it would have just rolled up under me and I would have been in the floor. My therapist was telling me that as long as you have a mechanically stable ankle, you can re-teach yourself the proprioception in therapy. And mechanically stable ankles we do have!!

Megan

Jane , I hear you on the burning of the incision, mine has had a burning sensation since i came home from surgery and also feels like it could split open. My PT told me today that is was the nerves reacting to what has been done. My PT also didnt think i needed the scar massage and such but i am not so sure it feels very tight at times. he did rub it with a towel for maybe a minute or so today and it was tollerable. I asked him about good pain with healing and bad pain that something might be wrong but he really didnt answer me. I have been having alot of pain on the inside of my ankle where not much was done, my DR said it is residual pain but I am not convinced since i do have a cyst on that side that he didnt touch during surgery, said it would not be beneficial at this time!
Thanks for all your help!!
Heidi

Megan,
Yeah it makes perfect sense (no pun intended) to me. I do a lot of walking practice in rehab as well as heelto toe standing. I am not so hot. I either trip over my foot because I don't have a clue it is not where I thought it was or I wobble over like the old blowup Bozo punching bag when I am trying to heel/toe stand. I am REALLY bad at trying to walk backwards - my foot goes any old place put staight behind. Do you often have to look at your feet to walk? Granted, it is getting better and the new ankle braces and the "new" ankle are doing a good job of staying solid, thank goodness. That part actually feels a bit odd (but good) since it has been so long since I could trust that ankle to hold me upright.
Did anyone give you an idea how long it would take to get this skill back? I am told months, but that I will probably always have some degree of defect, especially if I am tired or not concentrating.

Heidi,
I hope you get tot he bottom of the pain. Has your doctor done any new (post OR) images? Perhaps is it just swelling and inflammation, but your thought of the cyst being part of the problem sounds pretty plausible to me. I personally would go ahead and do the massage, etc for the scar/nerve pain you have. It couldn't realy hurt if you feel comfortable with it. Many folks swear by rubbing and massage for their incisions, as well as to getthe numbness relieved. Just my 2 cents.

I was told good pain is either aching, fair amount of discomfort and soreness and/or pain post activity or rehab. Bad pain was explained as constant (nithing makes it better, including time) or sudden that is aggravated by specific movements consistently. Kind of like when you force something to much. I also have to watch it that I don't over stress or overload it (I am bad at saying "Enough", thus I have ended up getting hurt a few times). Bear in mind that I am 3.5 months post op so this may not be the same for you.

jane

NO, My dr. has not taken any new images of the ankle, kind of surprised he didnt. My last appt. with him was very quick and left me feeling alittle pushed through i guess you could say.:eek:
I have also found that when i do too much I hurt alot at the end of the day.
I work as a noon aide in my kids school so I am on my feet for 3 strait hours, the dr. put me out for 8 weeks and now i am back 3 days aweek for a bit. Needless to say being with 80 6 year olds on a play ground you dont have much sitting down time.lol
Heidi

80 six year olds!?!?
Good grief - that gives me a headache just thinking about it. It must be like trying to herd cats...
jane

Jane-

I do have to watch my feet quite a bit when I am walking, as sometimes I have no clue where the left foot is. Isn't it amazing how solid the ankle feels now? I was just so used to being able to turn it in at a ninety degree angle and dislocate it, it feels so weird for it to be "normal". My therapist told me to give everything a year. He said that at about the 3-4 month post-op mark I would probably hit a plateau, and then at about a year post-op I would back as back to normal as I was going to get. I know it took about a year after surgery #1 to get most of the proprioception back, but then I just went and tore it up again...lol

Megan

Didn;t say anything about it to you all, but last week I dislocated my left hip in PT (it popped back in once I was up). Wow, that hurts! They took care of me right away and are really protective of it right now but it is slowing me up a tad as it aches and is a bit weaker than normal. Ah, the joys of "If ain't one thing, it's another"

When does it stop? I am getting so frustrated! I make progress and then something goes wrong so I am forever one step forward, two steps back. Torked the right ankle yesterday - ow, that smarts. But the braces kept me from blowing the repair out (yeah brace!)

So now I am feeling a bit angry and sorry for myself.

On the good side, I kept asking when I could go out on assignemnt again (I do disaster relief/response). He (Carl, my PT) said we could try to see how I do on grass. I think he wanted to shut me up and stop me being so pigheaded since he kept telling me I wasn't ready ;) So off we went outside for a walk... I did pretty good IMHO. He had to catch me a few time and I seem to stumble a little bit now and again, but I think I shocked him that I did it as good as I did.:D Now, I realize I am not ready for assignment just yet but it is something we are working on. Besides, it is abreak from working on the squishy mat!

As a funny-You ought to see the looks from other patients when he takes a braced up, belted, gimpy patient outside. It almost looks like he is booting me me out of the place. Carl jokingly said to me "Let's go. You're out of here." as we headed out the door yesterday. We overheard one lady comment "Jeesh, they don't mess around. I hope they don't kick me out." We got outside and both fell out laughing!!

Anyway - some whining and some good news. I suppose I should focus on the latter, eh?

jane

Aww Jane! I am so sorry to hear about your hip and your ankle, thank God for braces! At least you are making progress though. I am so happy to hear how well you did on the grass. When I was finally able to walk again, I used the crutches 90% of the time outside, because of uneven terrain. It took about a week for my foot to remember how to walk like that, and just last week I was able to will myself up a grassy hill in a park near by. It wasn't an easy task as the squirrels had acorns all over the place, I leaned on my sister to get down the hill, but just kept thinking of it as progress. :) So, CONGRATS!

**Quick Funny Tale about the Squirrels**
The park near my house is about a square mile, with windy road that runs from start to finish. A couple of weeks ago, my sister and I were driving through the park and under some really high trees, when all of a sudden we hear thump. My sister slammed on the brake because there is a playground and a tennis court near where we were and she thought maybe a stray ball had hit the car, but we looked around and didn't see anyone chasing a ball so she let the car roll a little and we hear ::thump::, ::thump::, ::thump:: we were both freaking out and looking around, because it sounded like someone was shooting up our car (LOL). A few seconds late I busted out laughing as I noticed the squirrels were in the tree above us doing a 'ready, aim, fire' with the acorns at the car. We laughed the whole way home!! LOL..

Okay, hope that made you smile.. :) Take Care!

-Britt

That is too funny - they are out to get you!:D :D

Thanks for making me laugh-
jane

:jester: My sister and I swear that whatever these Squirrels drink in that park makes them evil... once we tried to have a picnic with our younger cousin, while we were baby-sitting, and we layed down the blanket and started to unpack the food in a previously empty spot of grass. After we had everything setup we sat down to eat, then I noticed that one squirrel was unusually close, then I looked around, and there were about 20 surrounding us. I mean like Vultures except on the ground, and they started closing in on us. You never seen 3 people pack a picnic basket back up, and run out of the park so fast. We laughed until we cried that day!

So if I ever go missing, and someone contacts you.. just tell them to check the squirrels!! hehe :)

-Britt

Jane-

It's neverending, isn't it? lol Hope the hip is doing better now. Maybe you ought to consider a career change and go into physical therapy. Then you could "therapyfy" yourself. lol I'm glad that you've been doing some crutch-free walking. It will just take time to get that balance and proprioception back.

Britt-

I cracked up when I read your story. I am convinced the squirrels are out to overtake the human race! When I went on my bike ride this morning, they were everwhere. I was talking with my friend at school yesterday and he is wanting to take me squirrel hunting (down here in TN we hunt just about anything that walks..LOL). I told him if we ever did then I would get my squirrel stuffed and mounted in a "kung-fu" squirrel position and i'd hang it over the mantle as a reminder of what squirrels are capable of.

Anyways, I've got to get back to cooking. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow!!

Megan

Hot Dog! Big stuff happened yesterday at rehab- I did the usual stuff and some increased work on steping on/off a block, etc; but the big deal is I walked "naked". First we tried taking off the knee brace then eventually he let me try some walking without the ankle braces. Even took a short trip outside without them. My foot felt 50 lbs lighter and oddly "free".

While it wasn't exactly what I would call normal or graceful walking it still was an awesome feeling! Honestly, it was pretty ugly and I fell a lot but I also didn't fall about half the time. Left ankle really shows that it needs work also, but all in due time. I think it (the left non repaired foot) was actually causing me to tip over more than the right one which was fairly solid, albeit a still a bit weak. Everyone was talking about it and coming to watch me perform. My PT said not to get too excited as it was 'just to gauge my ability for the latest docotr's report' - but, I am on my way!

I also got permission finally to walk without the crutches around the house if I keep them close by {hmm, been doing that a tad for the last week without telling him}. I can try going without braces, but only in rehab with his help {been trying that at home too}. I am hoping that pretty soon these old sticks of mine can be stuck in a corner to gather dust. Michael is happy but muttered that now he'll hear "Honey, where did I put my crutches? They are upstairs, in the car, etc." Ha ha He knows me too well!

I am so excited!!! Can you tell? Look out world, here I come!:D :D :D

jane
the two feet, two knee, one hip trainwreck

Oh, Jane!! What a glimmer of hope on a long journey! I am so excited for you.. it must feel wonderful to finally be able to do it! Hopefully, your recovery continues this smoothly! :) Gloat girl, you deserve it, CONGRATS!

:)
Britt

This is a long one but I have so much news...Saw my surgeon yesterday. Yes, he is back from Iraq and he looks great but tired. He seems to be in really good spirits. He was excited to see my foot - he said he and some co-workers in the sand have been following along via emailed reports from the other partners & my PT. Ain't technology great for some things?

Kind of bummed about the findings tho... Feet have been hurting more and more lately even though I don't fess up to it all the time. I have even found myself myself taking the odd Demoral lately. End result is that the two large OCD's in my right are not filling in satisfactorily and I have developed quite an excessive chunk of dense tisue/scar tissue ini the rear (in front of achilles). This is the cause of the intense pain and tightness that I said would snap/crack once in a while. He said I was fracturing or "ripping" the scar tissue and this was the cause of the bad rearfoot pain that would feel free-er once the pain subsided. You could even clearly see the scar tissue and at least 2 cracks/lines on the plain x-rays. At least I know it isn't in my head. I also have developed a large calcification which is resting right up against the joint line and he believes is getting stuck in there every know and again, as well as causing inflammation and pain. Got a steroid combo shot in left and right ankles - ouch.

End result is that he told me the scar tissue needs to be cut out and the calcification removed. Will most likely try to rform but there are things they can do to try and lessen it from getting as solid and large as it is now. He also is fairly sure the 2 big holes/OCDs need to have the fibro-cartilage areas removed and cartilage implant/transfers done (mosaicplasty). He warned us that this could occur since they were so large (but all I concentrated on was the "I can make you better" part of the consult months ago;) He reminded me that I was still looking at fusion but we both agreed to put that off as long as possible by doing patch jobs until nothing else works. Turns out the left foot needs a Brostrom job (yep, kind of figured this was true and was told so earlier). He is fairly certain it also has OCD issues and the audible snaps are getting more painful. I also have deloped a catching in the joint which he said is most likely were it broke free and floats around and gets stuck. It feels like stepping on a sharp stone and smarts right good. Also have a huge Os trigonum in the left which he said he would excise since it is also up against talar joint - after all would be in there anyway.

He said to try and use the braces as much as I could tolerate and he prefers 100% of time except while in PT (can do limited 'naked' time with right fot). He does not want me going without the brace on the left except for limited standing/balance work at PT. We have to concentrate on not completely blowing the left out until the right foot is at the one year mark to give it time to heal and strengthen more.
Nerve damage may be nearing the "good as it gets" stage but I can live with this as I can at least move foot and the constant fire type pain is gone for the most part. Pins and needles and limited sense of feeling will probably not go away completely. Work more on proprioception still. He said it has been "bad" for so very long that it will take a really long time to get it back and will always have some difficulty with placement of foot {but it has gotten a lot better, especially when I am in braces as they are also a medial/lateral brace with a limited dorsi/plantar flexion jointed AFO all in one). Knee is getting better but he told me what I already have been told several times... I new joints and ligaments. Hip is reaching it's breaking point so to speak. The repeated dislocations and subluxations are taking their toll, especially on supporting structures and they are rather loose and prone to pop out. Have to keep doing tons of those hip exercises (ugh) We agreed that let's do one thing at a time - after all I don't want to have t feet, 2 knees and a hip all done close together.

All in all it was an 'okay' visit, was just hoping not to hear what I did. At least he can help fix some things or I have at least got options to try. Still, it was good to be back in his hands since he knows my foot inside and out. Keep thinking positive Jane - at least it doesn't just flop over when I stand on it 100% of the time and I can weight bear even if it causes some issues.

Really good news is that he is happy with where I am and I can probably get rid of the need for crutches by beginning of the new year, maybe sooner. Hot Dog!:D

jane

.

Jane,
I'm so sorry to hear that you will need more surgery. do you have any idea when you are going to go for it. can he do it in one surgery, or will he have to do several? how is he going try to make it better in small steps? It seems as if we will both have to go from senior member to ancient member. haha..I mean time on board, not age. keep us posted on when you go back to see him and what more he has in mind. at least you can ditch the crutches (hopefully) January. One of the best things is a colapsable cane. it folds up so when shopping i can put it in the basket, yet pops and locks when I need it. hang in there, lots of hugs are being sent to you
mary
:angel:

Jane, A question about your cracking and popping, I am now 12 weeks post op and still swolen and cracking and popping alot , friends and family can hear it from feet away!! this esspecially happens when going down stairs. Sometimes it is very painful others doesnt hurt and is kind of funny because everyone stops to look to see what the noise was! I had just posted a new thread about still being in more pain than before my surgery and not knowing if all this is normal
I am see the Dr. in a couple a couple of weeks and am hoping for some answers!!
Good luck to you and hope everything works out well for you,
Heidi

the cracking is two different things for me, depending which foot we are talking about.

The left foot (not repaired yet) is caused by the OCD/fragments. It is sort of muffled but you can hear it if in the same room. Almost a click sound. It sometimes smarts a little, sometimes like holy he**. It will get fixed eventually. It happens randomly -I can't make it click on demand, but it only happens when ankle joint is in motion.

The right foot (operated on 7/21/06) is loud and sounds like a chicken bone being snapped in two or like a loud crack of the knuckles. It is caused by scar tissue breaking. The OCDs that need the tranplants and the calcification do not make noise but are painful to differing degrees. The "crack" hurts a LOT and can even bring tears to my eyes (and that's saying something). It feels as if I am ripping something inside before it makes the sound. It happens randomly but not every day. It occurs when foot is being moved or even when I just put weight on it while foot is still (like when I shift my weight). Oddly, after pain stops the ankle feels free-er for the rest of the day then slowly gets tight again.

You may have the same type of issue or perhaps what you hear is the normal scar tissue breakdown and synovial fluid pops common after any sort of trauma or surgery. Not sure what yours is like but I have to catch up on the posts (just got back from out of town)

Did any of this make sense for you?
jane

Mary- yep we are worthy of ancient status!:jester:

I am not sure of the which comes first for my drama... I do know he said he would like to wait until 1 year mark (July) to do the right foot so that the ligs, tendons, muscles, bone etc all heal up nice and strong. He said if I can't stand it or get to bad (or screw things up) he will have to go sooner. I agreed as I really would like to have a few months sans crutches befopre I have to get back to thwm. Besides I want the calluses on my hands to go away... He will do (I think) the transplants of bone and cartilage and the scar removal and calcification excision all at the same time on the right.

I am pretty sure the left foot waits its turn until the right gets all healed/rehabbed; so maybe 6 months-1 year after the future July 07 surgery? The left wil have the Brostrom, OCD and Os trigonum excision (and anything else there is) all done at the same time just like I did on the right foot back last July.

I prefer to get as much as possible done in one sitting so I will not have repeated down time for each separate procedure. He seems game as long as he feels it is safe. This is assuming my parts wait that long and I don't do something stupid to "force" an issue to get taken care of. He did say it was 50/50 on if the right or left ankles would wait that long as they are a mess. I definately do NOT want to have both feet down at the same time. I did have both knees done at the same time - but I was also 15+ years younger and my husband was also a lot younger & healthier back then.

The folding cane idea is a good one, I'll check it out. They keep trying to get me a quad cane for January but I have resisted looking like an "old lady" cause they are so big and ugly. Where did you get yours?

Jane

I have graduated to being allowed to use one crutch!
I still need to use two if I go out & about plus after PT (when I am toast:). I can go single the rest of the time if I keep the other one nearby. Still in the braces - learning to accept that they are a permanent thing for the foreseeable future.

Onward and upward. Yippee! :bouncing: :D :bouncing: :D

jane