Seven months ago I underwent a subtalar fusion. Two years ago I underwent surgery for repair of dislocated peroneal tendons. I also had a tendon release and a loose body removal from my right ankle. I suffered an avulsion fracture 5 years ago. I am now happy with the fusion, but I still have pain. My tendons stay sore, and I still have a deep pain in my ankle. The screw in my heel bugs me, and the anchors holding the tendons stay sore. The doctor cannot give a good reason for the pain that I am still experiencing. Is anyone else out there in my same position? I am 26 years old, and I walk like I am 70. My lifestyle has been dramatically changed. Any advice on how to ease the pain so that I can get on with my life???

Tristi: Although I cannot offer you any suggestions, I can empathize with you. I have a post related to my recently diagnosed calcaneal cuboid arthrosis (now requiring a fusion) following two prior surgeries involving a calcaneal osteotomy (fusion) that malunioned and required a titanium plate and 5 screws to hold it together. Additionally, I had bilateral gastroc tendon recessions with constant peroneal tendon pain. Now I live with constant pain in my peroneal tendon, tightness and limited mobility in my foot, arthritic conditions now requiring another fusion in August. I am 32 and also walk like I'm 70 and feel like I'm getting worse rather than better. I've come to the conclusion that once they start fusing, pain becomes a part of it. Ironically, my foot and ankle look great on film. I wish you luck and keep us posted on your situation. Paula

Thank you, Paula. I also empathize with you. It is just such a frustrating situation. My ankle also looks great on film. I told the doc just yesterday that I didn't care what the film looked like. Films don't mean anything to me...what is important is how I feel! I know that there is still something wrong, but no one can put their finger on it. I know I am not crazy! It is unfortunate that you must have yet another procedure. I wish you luck with it.

"Looks good on the films." "The doctor cannot give a good reason for the pain that I am still experiencing." "I know I am not crazy!" That's me six years ago after breaking my calcaneous. They also threw in - " And you have such a good range of motion!" Subsequently I learned a few things. Surgeons seem to know the mechanical part but are at a loss when it comes to pain. Soft tissues don't show up on x-rays. Pain that lasts 'longer than it should' is 'chronic pain' and needs to be treated by a specialist. I only found out that there were specialists when I demanded that my doc do something about the pain or find someone who could.
If the only treatment offered is for you to think happy thoughts you've found the wrong specialist and need to try again. What felt to me like a loose screw turned out to be a damaged nerve. What worked after limited success with shots, blocks, and meds was a peripheral nerve stimulator. Of course the cause of and treatment for your pain may not be related to nerves. You do have to find a doc or clinic that will start treating and attempting to reduce your pain.

Hi, Tristi:
I also had a sub-talar fusion 2 of them first one never worked no union not sure why doc was not sure why either kept having pain he thought it was scar tissue ended up having another mri doc wanted second opinion so i went to another doc for it he took a bone scan and found there was no union(also first doc took pin out after 6 months he thought that might have been the problem).wrong......ended up having another fusion with new doc (first doc didn't want to do 2nd surgery he said he was not comfortable doing it again). now it has been 6 months since 2nd one still have heel pain and ankle still hurts deep inside when i stand up after sitting for awhile have been going to pt 3 times per wk since jan-03 also use a bone stimulator 10 hrs per day not sure for how long. this surgery I also had a nerve removed that was hurt during first surgery now no feeling along scar area...also still in walking boot i am hoping to get it off in may (next doc appt). but not sure if he will let me out of it because of the pain i am having. this has been going on for 3 years now since original injury have been to 4 doctors only two of them could tell me the fusion was needed.
(work Injury)...sometimes i feel that it will never be better.also have a limp now i am hoping it will be gone in time with healing.......try to look on the bright side.........good luck Pam B........

What you said sounds so familiar. I am trying to look on the bright side. I know it could be so much worse. However, this does dramatically affect your life. I saw the doctor 3 weeks ago. He put me on a round of steroids and put me in this supportive brace. Of course, it didn't work. Not even a little. I'm sure a new MRI is next, but I don't know if I want to start the process up again. On the other hand, I don't know if I can live like this. I am wondering if I should just give it more time. Fortunately, my fusion does look to be solid. The doctor thinks the pain may be nerve or soft-tissue only. I have also developed a Morton's Neuroma in the same foot because of the way I am walking. Just what I need...more pain in that foot!! You hang in there as well!

Hi again Trista:
was just checking to see if anyone had replied to my first topic decided to see if you checked yours also.
there is allot more to my ordeal than i wrote earlier just wasn't sure if you were that interested. sounds to me like you have had your share also. If your doc wants another mri go for it sure wouldn't hurt. atleast you'll know if it's soft tissue problems I'm wondering though they told me the mri would be real cloudy because of the pins when i had my last mri it was real distorted around the area where the pin was so the doc couldn't tell if it was scar tissue or pin parts they say when you have the pins removed it leaves small metal artifact.?????this is why the new doc done a bone scan instead. I also have the same problem with walking feels like i aged 30 years for my age i feel alot older.(35 when this all started).38 now.also this time i have 2 pins next to each other.as far as the pain goes i don't get to much except when i first get up from sitting and when i stand on it for long periods of time. i take the vicodan that i received after the surgery but that is only rarely, i try not to take to much of it when i get to go back to work they will not allow it. maybe after a few more months you will feel better i keep telling myself this
some days are good some are bad but i think since it's only been 6 months since surgery i still have more healing time sounds like yours was about the same time.
i would really like to keep up with you on this just to see how you come out you are the first person that has even come close to what i have been through sure is nice to know i am not alone.........Pam B.......

I came across this site by accident while searching for info on subtalar fusion. I, too, have had bilateral ankle fractures and also the fibula fractured on the right. This was 3 1/2 yrs ago. Done the bone scans which showed many hot spots, the MRI looked OK and yet I have severe debilitating pain in this right heel and ankle. Doc is going to repeat the bone scan or MRI and see if there are any changes. He firmly believes that I have problems in the subtalar area and is talking about possible fusion. Said this would alleviate the pain and hopefully increase my functionability. I am 44 yoa and feel like the rest of you when it comes to walking. I just had my right knee repaired AGAIN and wondering if the ankle is increasing those problems as well. It worries me to see that those of you that have had a fusion still have pain. I was hoping maybe this would be my answer...then again, maybe it's not. Anyone notice any improvements after their fusion?

Originally posted by Peggy Ann:
I came across this site by accident while searching for info on subtalar fusion. I, too, have had bilateral ankle fractures and also the fibula fractured on the right. This was 3 1/2 yrs ago. Done the bone scans which showed many hot spots, the MRI looked OK and yet I have severe debilitating pain in this right heel and ankle. Doc is going to repeat the bone scan or MRI and see if there are any changes. He firmly believes that I have problems in the subtalar area and is talking about possible fusion. Said this would alleviate the pain and hopefully increase my functionability. I am 44 yoa and feel like the rest of you when it comes to walking. I just had my right knee repaired AGAIN and wondering if the ankle is increasing those problems as well. It worries me to see that those of you that have had a fusion still have pain. I was hoping maybe this would be my answer...then again, maybe it's not. Anyone notice any improvements after their fusion?

TO PEGGY ANN:
SORRY I MESSED UP WHEN FIRST REPLYING TO YOUR POST ENDED UP COPYING IT.
I HAVE HAD TWO SUBTALAR FUSIONS IN RIGHT ANKLE FIRST ONE NEVER WORKED SECOND ONE IS ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO NOW IT SEEMS TO BE GOING OK. THIS TIME I AM ALSO USING A BONE STIMULATOR SEEMS TO WORK I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WALKING BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING BETTER WITH TIME I THINK THOUGH THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOME SORT OF A LIMP MY FOOT DOES NOT FEEL THE SAME AS BEFORE WHICH I'M SURE IS TO BE EXPECTED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT PRETTY MUCH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE RESPONDED TO TRISTI'S PAGE ALL SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ANKLE PAIN AFTER SURGERY AND ALSO WALKING LIKE THEY ARE OLDER THAN BEFORE. I AGREE WITH THEM....GOOD LUCK PAM B.

I really appreciate all of the info you guys have provided. I don't feel so crazy and alone knowing other people are experiencing the same sort of problems as myself...not that I wish all of this on anyone!! I still have not decided what to do. I don't know if I will go ahead and have another MRI or just let it ride for a bit. I have had a couple of pretty good days this week. Actually, today I feel really good. I haven't done anything differently, so this gives me hope. This past weekend I went shopping at the mall, something I rarely do anymore, and it was ok. I didn't make it the whole way, but I did make progress from the last time I tried! I was swollen and in pain the rest of the day, but I have been worse!
The good thing is that the pain and swelling was back to normal by the next day. That is a definite improvement! Anyway, I'll keep checking to see how it is going for you.

Thanks for your comments and openess about what has occurred with you. I am sorry that you are experiencing this but am grateful that you willingly share it. I am still waiting to hear from my ortho doc. As things progress here with more tests &/OR surgery I will be checking back with you all. Any tidbit of information or advice may be helpful with my decisions along the way. Thanks!!

I am wondering if anyone has had a diagnostic block under CT scan guidance? Friday I am scheduled to have this done - he wants to be sure it is the posterior facet that is being injected with cortisone and pain killers. IF this works then it sounds like a fusion is in order for me. Is this painful? How soon would I begin to notice relief? The amount of pain I'm having now is intolerable.

Hello, iam replying to the fusion problem??? wondering if someone can give me some advice.... my left ankle is swollen where the leg meeets the ankle...have had blood tests, mri, catscan, orthodics, 3 injections, still swollen and hurts like hell.. walk like iam 70 but only 40.. one doctor and two specialist later still have the problem,,,,any advice????

To Peggy Ann;
Not sure what a diagnostic block is but I had a block of the seral nerve begore I had 2nd subtalar fusion to see of I sould handle the numbnes in the ankle area please let me know what this is????????

To Bluuga;
Have you had an mri or catscan yet to see what is going on is it soft tissue or bone problem????????

To Bluuga:
sorry I guess I messed up I see where you have had an mri and catscan. Guess my question is what what were the results of these tests??????????/ did the doctor let you know if you needed surgery or therapy??????
Pam B......

yes Pam, my last specialist has reccomended surgery, i go in on the 28th of this month to dicuss it, but reading what others have written, it sounds like the pain after surgery is still there.....this has been going on for over a year now,, kinda losing faith in the medical field seems like they just want to milk my ins,????

To Blugga;
seen your last response. I have been to 4 doctors for my ankle problems in the last three years and yes I do understand the pain problems but after surgery they were not the same pain problems as before. now it seems to all be in the ligaments and tendons also i have had a nerve blocked which am greatful for after first surgery I wasn't able to touch the sight around my scars very sensitive, also had a reaction to the steroid shots skin around scar sight is very thin now have to be very careful what i put on it.using a bone stimulator also 2 more months had 2nd surgery in november 2002 doing better now just had walking boot taken off 2 weeks ago still kinda hard to walk but am keeping the faith that i will be ok.(someday).
you just have to decide if you can take more pain for at least a year first few months after surgery really stinks but i just kept telling myself it will be better soon. life changes dramaticaly you have to prepare yourself for this. in my case i would probably do it again if i had to the deep pain in ankle before surgery was really bad. try to have people that will help after surgery at least for the first couple months you will not be walking at all. (hope you don't have stairs).I was in a wheel chair for 2 months was allot easier than crutches. Hope this helps you some let us know how it goes for you.....
Good luck to you..
Pam B.

In 1997, I had a head-on collision that left me with multiple injuries, the main one being a broken talus bone which is the main support bone. After pins and screws were inserted, I was laid up for about 6 months. As time went on, I continued to have unbearable pain in my foot, pain that was hard to describe because it was not always in the same place or felt the same way. Does that make sense? In 1998, I had a subtalur fusion and was told to stay off of it for three months which I did. After 10 months and over 200 hours of using a bone growth stimulator, I was pronounced fused and healed by my doctor. Well, guess what? I still have pain. I've had MRI's, contrast dye injected in my ankle, novocaine injected (?), been through a three week pain clinic and had second, third opinions of my foot. The last one said I will eventually need a total ankle replacement but to wait until they have perfected the surgery. I'm sorry to be the voice of doom. It's just that I am about at the end of my rope. Pain stinks!

Sorry took me so long to get back this. The diagnostic block the doc wants to do under CT guidance to be sure he is in the "posterior facet" area of the subtalar and inject a long acting steriod & pain med in this spot. IF I get pain relief from this then he figures he will need to fuse those bones. I'm set to have this done on Friday, May 23rd. I'll let you know how it goes. My ultimate goal would be to have complete pain relief but as I see it now, 50% would be a Godsend. I share the frustration of this with each one of you that is going through this. Some days I do better than others as I think the rest of you may be experiencing as well. What is the bone stimulator that you are using? The purpose for using this is what? Hang in there everyone.

To Pam; When you had the nerve block done, how did you know thats what you needed? and what were the symptoms???? its weird, but i will just be standing, or sitting, all of a sudden there will be a sharp pain like a hot knife in my , ankle joint??? u felt anything like that??????I thought it might be gout, tried gout pills that did nothing... was told Shark Cartlidge would help???? havent tried that yet, i cannot figure this problem out???? very healthy. but this situation has gotten me very confused,, i guess i will see what the specialist has to say!!!

To Peggy Ann;
I also had the steroid shot before surgery into the subtalar joint to see if I would have pain relief this was before they decided to do the surgery it was my last hope of not having to have surgery the first time.
I bellieve I ended up having it done twice it only helped for about a week then the pain would come back this is when the doctor finally decided that we should do the surgery. As for the bone stimulator I was told that it helps with bone healing it helps to stimulate the electrons in the body at the bone fusion sight promotes faster healing time I bellieve that it has helped me out alot have been using it since mid march -03 last xrays on may 5th looked really good. It works by magnetic field runs for 10 hours at a time.
hope i helped you can find more out about it by going to EBI Bone systems.com
Pam B.

To Blugga;
I had the nerve block done with second surgery I couldn't stand to have the scar area touched after the first surgery also the last two toes were numb after the first surgery second doctor thought that it was the seral nerve that forks off at the bottom of ankle one goes under foot the other goes to the last two toes from what i was told. when he put the shot into that area the day before second surgery i had major relief from sensitivity so i went ahead and let him move it up into the muscle of my leg. much better now it will be numb forever in the scar area also the last two toes but i can live with it. For the sharp pains you feel in the joint i also would get those pretty painful. after surgery i was told that it was something that goes along with it (phantom pain) is what the therapist calls it i haven't had it to much lately just once in awhile but when it happens it definatly stops me for a few seconds then it goes away.
Pam B.

Thanks Pam for the info. It's been helpful. I know this was not meant to be long term pain relief but more to know whether the bones should be fused or not. I was hoping, and maybe I will, get longer pain relief than you. Guess it doesn't really matter though because if I do get pain relief, I'm going forward with the surgery. I want my life back. I will check out the bone stimulator site you mentioned. I want as much info so when I see the doc again I can bring these issue up as well. 2 more days and waiting not so ever patiently I might say.

Pam: I just came back from having the block done. It took them some time & wasn't as painful as the pain I'm already experiencing with this foot. I have notice some improvement and hoping as the day progresses I will notice even more. Too soon for me to tell if this will do it. As the day goes on I will know more. I will post again to let you know how it is going and for anyone else in the same boat as I am right now. Everyone, hang in there.

ANYONE:
Those of you that have had the sensorcaine/cortisone injections into the subtalar joint, a few questions:
1. How long did the injections keep the pain away? OR
did it not even help?

2. Did anyone's ankle swell afterwards?

3. Did anyone get relief in the heel but have dis
comfort (can't really say pain) where they went
in with the needle (they went in MULTIPLE times in
my ankle).

On the good side: 1) the injection was not as painful as the pain I was having on a daily basis. 2) I am 90% better having had it done...that's a Godsend.

To Peggy Ann;
glad to hear the shot has helped you some. when i had it done i never noticed any swelling only where the shot was injected but that only lasted for about a day.
the shot itself (from pain relief) lasted for about a week then the old pain started again that is when they decided to do the first surgery. but it sure was nice not to have any pain for that week. let me know how you do. Pam B.

I will let you know how it goes Pam. Right now I'm in heaven!! Loving every minute of the day with what I would have to say is virtually pain free, or as close to pain free as one can get. OMG, I hope and pray this lasts longer than one week but doc told me the same thing, hard to predict how long it will last. I do need to speak with him this week and see about going forward with the fusion. After having this much relief I will not accept anything less - I just cannot go back to all the pain I was experiencing. If the fusion can help me reach this then I'm set, let's go!! Honestly, I don't know when I have felt soooooooo good!! My swelling is down today, took 2 days. Have a great Memorial weekend.

To Peggy Ann;
I am happy to hear the shot is working good for you I also hope that it lasts more than a week cause it does make you feel normal again. but just a word of caution if you go ahead with the surgery make sure you have enough time from work so you can stay off of it for at least the first couple of months I am pretty sure you probably have allready been told this by your doctor. also remember your ankle is going to be pretty stif for quite awhile. I have been out of the boot now for about two weeks but still have stiffness in the ankle due to not being able to walk for so long still going to therapy 3 times per week but it seems to be coming along but i feel i still have a long way to go. my rom is at 4 now the tp says it should be around 8 to 10 for a normal motion to walk also still have a limp but i know i am getting better the first time he took a measurment i was at a -2 that was in march i believe.
also the weather is nicer now so i can go outside that helps with the moods. it gets very boring staying in the same place day after day hope you like to read you will be doing allot of that. let me know how things go.
take care........Pam B........

Hi Pam. I started noticing a little discomfort, not really pain, on Monday evening (4 days after the injection). Today, day 5 and I'm back to where I was previously. Feeling a little blue today because of this. I left a message for my ortho doc that I need to see him THIS week. I, too, was hoping it would last longer than it did. Thanks for the warning about being laid up for couple months. We haven't discussed this in too much detail yet, wanted to see how this injection went. Now I wait for his response so we can meet this week and discuss surgery options. With this diagnostic block and having felt "normal" for a few days, well it's like dangling a carrot in front of me. . .I've had a taste and now I want more!! Good luck as you progress & I will keep you posted on my doings as well.

To Peggy Ann;
I read your post, sorry the shot never lasted longer. Have you had a chance to speak with the doctor about surgery yet? I sure hope you get the results you are hoping for. I am still doing pretty good it seems to be getting better all the time. next doctor appt is june 30 i am hoping that i will beable to return to work if only light duty i'm running out of things to do. let me know how things go for you good luck and take care......Pam B.

To Tristi:
Hi, haven't seen any posts from you lately.
how are things going for you.did you decide to let it ride for awhile or have you had the tests done?????
let us know......Pam B.

I am still here. I was surprised to see all of these posts! I haven't had time to check lately, but happened to this morning.
I am still riding this out. I have had some really great days! I have had some bad days, too. It rained last week for several days, and I was miserable! This was the first time I really noticed the weather having an affect on me. Boy, did it!! I was limping around like crazy. It is nice and warm now. I have been swimming these last few weeks for excercise. I have been really pleased with the benefits! I have noticed an increase in my rom. I think I have more motion than I should with a fusion. The swimming has done wonders for my calf as well. It was still very weak and atrophied from the surgeries, but I can see it coming back to life. It is hard to develop a calf muscle when you can't properly move your foot. I recommend the swimming for any of you. I can't do much other excercise, so I am really glad to have found this. I have been dealing with a morton's neuroma that has formed in this foot. The doc says he is not surprised I would get one since my gait is so affected by the change in the function of my foot. This little neuroma is very painful! I have not agreed to any treatment for this yet. I don't think I can stand any more injections! As for the tests...I don't want to do it right now. I am going to continue the swimming and see how that goes. I have this thought...I want to lose the 20lbs I gained since all of these problems. Maybe the pain will decrease a bit then. It can't hurt! I feel as though I have just about exhausted the medical help for my foot alone. Now I want to focus on my overall health and well-being. It is worth a shot!!!

One more thing..
The screw in my heel is still bothering me. It stays really sore. I am considering having it removed. My doctor says he can do it in the office! I am terrified of this! That darn thing is way up in my foot and he wants to take it out in the office! What do you guys think of that? Any advice on whether or not it should be removed? I have heard that you can have a whole different set of problems when the screws come out. I may be better off just leaving it in there. I don't think I am brave enough to have it removed in the office!!!



[This message has been edited by Tristi (edited 05-30-2003).]

Tristi: Glad to hear the swimming is working for you. I hope things continue to get better for you. I don't know what to say about having the screw removed, maybe those that have had the fusion can help you with that.

Pam: Thanks for the replies. I am just frustrated right now. I have not personally had the chance to speak with my ortho doc. Sent him a note and his nurse called me back, guess he wouldn't/couldn't work me in this week. One minute I'm not going to do the surgery, next minute I want it done. I just don't know what to do. Having a job where you're on your feet for 12 hrs a shift is killing me. I've been off work now since Apr 11th but it's not paying the bills and so I'm thinking I should just toughen up and go back to work. I think I'm driving myself crazy with this. Then I think, maybe I should go to the pain clinic & be seen there (2 months to get in there) but then if the injections don't last any longer than it did they won't do them more often and I don't want to be on pain pills. I can't be on them and work so then I'm back to have the fusion. I'm concerned about having the fusion and creating more problems or going through that & not be any better off. Did you go through same thing in deciding what to do? I'm going to get another letter off to my ortho doc and put my thoughts down on paper with him. It's easier to do it this way than speak with his nurse and hope she gets all the info I give her so she can relay it to him.

Trying to hang in there. Some days more difficult than others. I'm getting a hobby in case I do have the surgery...one stroke painting.

Thanks everyone. May we all have better days ahead.

Hi pam, went to the doc, on 28TH says im in a pickle... live with the pain i have, or have surgery for Triple Arthrodesis,, it makes the subtalor joint solid thus preventing side to side motion, but will stll have up and down motion, says when done 90% of pain is gone, but willnot be able to walk on uneven ground.... set up the surgery for the 27TH of july,,, gives me some time to make a decesion hhhmmm... hurt like hell for the rest of my life... or no pain, not be able to move my foot from side to side???? i think it will take some thinking on my part ...any thoughts from anyone?????

Hi Bluuga: I am in the same predictament as you. I, was pain free from an injection I received on May 23, 2003 but it only last 4-5 days. So, my doc says fusion would be the route to go & that I would lose the side to side motion as well. Said it's the "up & down" movement that is necessary for walking. On one hand I say go ahead and the other I say, wait just a minute. I have not been able to make up my mind on what to do. Those 4 days without pain was wonderful. Had plenty of energy to do things. Amazing what chronic pain does in draining one's energy. Good luck in your decision. Keep us posted on what you decide.

I decided to go ahead with the fusion. Date set. June 20th. Will let you know how things go.

To Peggy Ann & Blugga:
I was reading both of your posts today.I am feeling very sorry for both of you. I do understand where you are coming from about having or not having the surgery. I also went through this but where I am now I am glad that I went through with it.second one that is if i would have had to stay the way i was after the first one I would have to say noway. But now i am doing much better it is great not to have to wear the boot anymore 7 months now since surgery so if you both decide to go through with it expect to be off from work or any walking for at least a few months and yes you will no longer have the side to side motion just up and down for me this is going to be tough when i go back to work but i think i can survive. well good luck to both of you let us know how you are doing.
Pam B.

To Tristi;
Glad to hear you are doing somewhat better.I have a few questions for you. Are you getting any physical therepy at this time? Also how is it for you when swimming? does the ankle move very well I thought about going swimming but the ankle is very stiff not sure if my doctor would allow it at this point i still am in therapy 3 times per week but still no major work outs. as far as weight gain i have been pretty lucky only 6 pounds so far. i try to be careful about what i eat have cut way back because i am not working i feel i don't need all those extra calories at this point. but some days i do give in to cravings for you know junk food. my next doctor appt. is june 30th i am hoping to be a little stronger in the ankle before then and maybe he will release me at least to light duty. as for your pins i can't really say i had the first one removed and a month later was when the new doctor done the catscan and found i had no union at the fusion sight was never sure if removing the screw was a good or bad thing this time i haven't noticed the screw not that i am aware of anyway as long as it doesn't seem to be bothering me i feel safer just to leave them in. this time i have two going into the talus. as for getting the first one removed i went to an out patient surgical center had it done under anesthesia i was there for about 3 hours then sent home to recover was kept off it for about 3 weeks. that was in sept-02 had second fusion done in nov-02. let us know how you do take care.....Pam B.

Pam, thanks for telling it like it is. I know each one of us is different and our experiences will differ but it sure does help to hear the good and bad. I'm just frustrated with the whole situation...and I think you can relate. I'm becoming a little more at peace each day with the decision to go ahead with the surgery. Still nervous but really, what have I to lose? The pain? That would be a Godsend if lost that. I'll be in touch.

to Pam& Peggy, well its been ahwile since i have been able to respond, my surgery is still set for the 29TH of july... trying everything possible till then... have been seeing an accupuncteriest 3 times now,,30 needles in ankle for 20 minutes at a time plus boraxion {herbs in pill form} after session ankle feels better but next day after going to work and walking on it all day, swollen back up>>>> really sick of going thru this every day,, but still quite worried about the surgery?????? will keep trying the accupuncture till last moment,, nothing to lose right??? hope all is going well with everyone else!!! and may you all feel a little less pain soon"""""""

Hi Blugga;
seen your post. i sure hope that you are feeling somewhat better. i am doing ok have good days and bad i still seem to have some problems walking for long periods of time but i hope that it gets better. still have pt 3 times per week and also using bone stimulator every night. can't seem to get the pain on the inside of ankle when walking to get any better not sure what it is. it comes from the area of the pins but not quite that deep hope so any way. have doctors appt. on june 30 he will do an evaluation then. this is what he told me on last visit. i am hoping to beable to go back to work at least light duty but not sure if i can handle the walking that much i still have a pretty bad limp. now my muscles seem to bothering me in the upper part of leg maybe that is just from not using them for so long.(????). also my leg feels like it is shorter than the other will be asking doctor about this when i go see him. i still seem to not beable to pronate very well to much pain. pt helps with this. please don't be afraid to go ahead with surgery i would just like to let you know kind of what to expect as you go thruogh this after surgery. you will have good and bad days. i feel the good out number the bad as time goes by. well thats about it for now let me know how you are doing. take care.
Pam B.

hi pam, hope all is going well! and i hope everyone else is feeling well also;;; i have been thinking alot about this surgery??????? im not sure if i am going to go thru with it,,, after reding from others the new pains they have , makes me wonder if its worth it????? i guess iam worried about losing the side to side motion, not that i have much motion side side as it is... and its always swollen and hurts .. but specialist said it would not get any worse ,,, just stay the same for life?????? still trying accupuncture some wierd way i think its taking some of the swelling away but i think its just a bandade.. any way my surgery is still set for the 29 of july ...guess ill just keep reading and talking to others with the same problem till then!!!!!!! have a great day to all..!!!!!!!!

Greetings. I just thought I would let you know that today is the day. Surgery is scheduled for 1pm today. I just want to move forward with this and get on the road to recovery.

We've had bad weather this past week and my did my foot hurt. The weather had to made things feel worse. Because of that I feel that I am making the decision to go ahead with this in hopes of improving my mobility. When you can't walk, life is tough.

Hope all is well with those of you struggling with the same problem here (pain). May better days be ahead.

Peg

Hi everyone;
just read your posts (to Blugga). hope you are doing ok these days seen where your not sure yet about your surgery maybe by the time it gets here you might feel better about it i know it is a big decision but it is one you can only make. as of late i seem to be doing pretty well i seem to be getting around a little better as the days go by the stiffness seems to be letting up a little i still have a little pain on the inside of my ankle towards the area of the pins but i think it is still just healing in that area. i still have a limp though only i think it is just because of the pain i have right in that area. sometimes after sitting for awhile my ankle gets a little stiff but if i remember to stretch it before getting up i do pretty good. my pt recomended some different kind of shoes and i have been wearing them for about two weeks now and i really like them they have two pieces at the bottom instead of one it seems to help alot with the up and down motion also i feel i have more support for the whole foot. the up and down motion gets better as the weeks go by i still have no side to side motion but i will never have much of that as you already know this,but it really doesn't seem to bother me that much. i've learned to compensate for this. it has been 32 weeks now since last surgery and i think i have come a long way since then it is a long struggle but ifi had to do it again i'm sure that i would it does feel more stable than before surgery and that awful pain deep inside seems to be gone. no more crunching sound either that was a really weird feeling when walking it is something that was very unerving. please don't get me wrong i still have some bad days especially when it gets cold outside it seems to bother me more but i just try to keep as warm as possible that seems to help. i think that this will be one of the downsides. i have found a brace at the shoe store that keeps it pretty comfortable when it is cold it fits just like a sock i wear it over my socks because it makes my foot really warm it also helps keep the stiffnes down. (i can wear it in my shoes also don't notice it at all). i have a doctors appt. next week i think and hope that he will relase me back to work this way i will really know more about how much i will beable to take when walking and am hoping to beable to do my job again it has been a long time. hope this helps you good luck let me know how you are doing.
to Peggy ann;
by now you have had surgery hope you are doing ok
when you feel up to it let us know how you are doing.
Best Wishes to you
Pam........

Hi All!
I had the fusion 6/26/03 I don't regret it thus far. Still taking pain meds as needed. I was surprised at how much trouble I am having in getting around with no weightbearing on this right foot. Takes a lot out of me. Took me 50 minutes to get dinner in the crockpot which normally would have taken me 10 minutes tops before the surgery. By then I HAD to get back to bed and elevate this foot. The swelling has gone down, can see some bruising of the toes now. Recheck appt 7/7 when they will place me in a cast. MAYBE then I can place a little bit of weight and get around somewhat easier. . .see what doc says then.

I am bored. I tired easily. Think it's the stress of surgery, anesthesia and pain meds. Hope that improves each day.

Got to go and rest again now. I'll let you know how it goes.

Peg

Hi All!
I had the fusion 6/26/03 I don't regret it thus far. Still taking pain meds as needed. I was surprised at how much trouble I am having in getting around with no weightbearing on this right foot. Takes a lot out of me. Took me 50 minutes to get dinner in the crockpot which normally would have taken me 10 minutes tops before the surgery. By then I HAD to get back to bed and elevate this foot. The swelling has gone down, can see some bruising of the toes now. Recheck appt 7/7 when they will place me in a cast. MAYBE then I can place a little bit of weight and get around somewhat easier. . .see what doc says then.

I am bored. I tired easily. Think it's the stress of surgery, anesthesia and pain meds. Hope that improves each day.

Got to go and rest again now. I'll let you know how it goes.

Peg

Hi All!
I had the fusion 6/26/03 I don't regret it thus far. Still taking pain meds as needed. I was surprised at how much trouble I am having in getting around with no weightbearing on this right foot. Takes a lot out of me. Took me 50 minutes to get dinner in the crockpot which normally would have taken me 10 minutes tops before the surgery. By then I HAD to get back to bed and elevate this foot. The swelling has gone down, can see some bruising of the toes now. Recheck appt 7/7 when they will place me in a cast. MAYBE then I can place a little bit of weight and get around somewhat easier. . .see what doc says then.

I am bored. I tired easily. Think it's the stress of surgery, anesthesia and pain meds. Hope that improves each day.

Got to go and rest again now. I'll let you know how it goes.

Peg

Hi All!
I had the fusion 6/26/03 I don't regret it thus far. Still taking pain meds as needed. I was surprised at how much trouble I am having in getting around with no weightbearing on this right foot. Takes a lot out of me. Took me 50 minutes to get dinner in the crockpot which normally would have taken me 10 minutes tops before the surgery. By then I HAD to get back to bed and elevate this foot. The swelling has gone down, can see some bruising of the toes now. Recheck appt 7/7 when they will place me in a cast. MAYBE then I can place a little bit of weight and get around somewhat easier. . .see what doc says then.

I am bored. I tired easily. Think it's the stress of surgery, anesthesia and pain meds. Hope that improves each day.

Got to go and rest again now. I'll let you know how it goes.

Peg

Hi Peggy Ann;
so glad to hear you are doing well. one word of advice pleeeease listen to your doctor especially if he tells you no weight bearing he means it. it will be for your own good especially when it is time for it. (try your best to be patient you will thank yourself later on.) just have one question for you How many pins did he put in ????? as for me i went to the doctor on the 30th of june he gave me the ok to go back to work but can only stay on foot 1/4 of the shift not sure yet if they will let me do this i am hoping so just waiting to hear from them.also for more extensive therapy to get the soft tissues stronger. have to go back on july 30th he will then see if i am getting stronger and will change work restrictions. as the days go by it seems to be getting better.
take care of yourself and be good.
will write later
Pam B.

Hi Pam.
Thought my message went through but looks like it didn't (although my previous one came thru many times).

I had 2 pins/screws placed. Have some numb/asleep feeling to my little toe and the one next to it JUST ON TOP, the bottom of these toes have normal sensation. I figure this is probably due to some swelling. Did you experience anything like this?

Looking forward to getting my first shower here tomorrow. I am hoping the sleeve that I got for my cast 2 yrs ago will work now.

Peg

To Peggy Ann;
Hi, I am really surprised how well you are doing seems like you are getting around pretty well! i couldn't even get out of bed for three days it was hard just to use the restroom had to have help. as for the numbness yes i had the same problem after the first surgery and when i got the second surgery 2nd doctor split the nerve that goes to the top last two toes and put it into my calf muscle feels much better i will no longer feel the area from the scar to the top of the last two toes i thought it would bother me but it hasn't. I couldn't hardley touch that area before it would send a really weird feeling through it. he gave me a shot the day before to see if i could handle being numb it really was alot different though after he took the nerve out. hopefully this isn't the case with you it might just be numb because of surgery they told me after the first surgery sometimes it comes back ( the feeling). If you have anymore questions feel free to ask i will try to help when i can. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO YOU.......Take care Pam B.

Hi Pam.
Yes, I am getting around a little bit but sure is MUCH work. I have some friends that will come to get me and take me out for dinner tonite. Thank God I have the wheelchair now or I would have to pass on that.

I hope the feeling does come back but if it doesn't thats ok if the pain is gone. I'll let you know how Mondays MD appt goes.

Hope your 4th July is good as well.

Peg

Monday's appt went well. Xrays indicate good alignment. Got the foot casted and told I could bear a little weight, come back in 4 weeks. I feel so much more secure with it casted now...still hesitant to bear weight. Don't want to mess anything up. At least knowing I can bear weight eases my mind if I lose my balance and need to catch myself. I weighed myself this a.m., figuring I have lost some weight - turns out more than just some, lost 18#. I was surprised! I know walking on these crutches takes a lot energy.
Pain wise I'm doind OK. Just taking pain pill at night for a good nights sleep. So far so good..gladI made the decision to forward with this..time will be the ultimate decision though. The feeling in one toe is starting to come back. Til next time I log on.
How is work going for you & what type of work do you do?

Peg

HI PEG;
JUST READ YOUR POST. I AM REALLY GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE DOING WELL.I GUESS IT GOES TO SHOW ALL PEOPLE HEAL DIFFERENTLY. I AM THUOGH REALLY SURPRISED THE DOC IS LETTING YOU BEAR ANY WEIGHT ON YOUR ANKLE SO EARLY.BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD NO WEIGHT BEARING IT WAS ABOUT TWO MONTHS ON EACH SURGERY. AS FAR AS WORKING I WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND WAS REALEASED FOR 4 HOURS PER DAY ON FEET AND SIT DOWN FOR THE LAST 8 HOURS BUT THE COMPANY I WORK FOR DOESN'T THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO LET ME COME BACK UNTIL I HAVE A FULL WORK REALEASE SO I AM STILL NOT WORKING. (WHAT A BUMMER). I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK JUST TO SEE WAHT I COULD HANDLE.
AS FOR WHAT I DO I WORK AT A GOLD MINE I AM A MILL OPERATOR. (LOTS OF STAIRS AND LOTS OF MOVING ABOUT.)
HAVE WORKED IN MINING FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS NOW.(GOOD JOB). DEFINATLY KEEPS A PERSON IN SHAPE.
I RECEIVED A LETTER IN MAIL FROM WORKERS COMP I HAVE TO HAVE A VOCATIONAL/REHAB COUNCELOR MEETING NEXT WEEK THIS IS JUST IN CASE I WON'T BEABLE TO DO THE JOB I WAS DOING BEFORE INJURY. GUESS THEY TAKE A BACKGROUND CHECK TO SEE IF THEY CAN PLACE A PERSON IN ANOTHER JOB WITH SIMILAR WAGES OR SCHOOLING TO GET YOU BACK TO WORK I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA CAUSE YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. (I KNOW THAT I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER). I STILL HAVE GOOD DAYS AND BAD BUT IT SEEMS THAT THE GOOD ARE MORE THAN THE BAD. WELL GUESS THATS ALL FOR NOW YOU TAKE CARE LET ME KNOW HOW THINGS ARE GOING................PAM B.

Hi Pam. Yes, it appears thatI'm doing well. I have been having some pain yet, probably normal. Still have swelling in the foot. One toe has a little more feeling in it but still not back to normal. I trust my ortho doc but like you, everything I've heard is no weightbearing for 6 weeks. I don't know why I can bear wt. now. I'm really tired of staying in bed, only place where I can seem to get my leg elevated and feel comfortable.
I've gone through Voc Rehab consultation and I'm back in school to further my education. I have two more years and will then have my Masters Degree with hopes of teaching. I can no longer be on my feet for 12 hrs at a time. I not only have foot problems but knee problems as well as neck problems. So wish you the best in your voc rehab consult.
You mentioned in your earlier message that you no longer have the crunching in the heel . . I was so thankful to hear that!!! I've tried to explain to people that the crunching and grinding sound is like fingernails on the blackboard to me. I hope I no longer have it after this. My biggest concern besides the surgery not taking care of the problem but losing my job. I believe I have to be back at work by end of Sept. or I won't have a job anymore. That is my biggest concern. How soon after surgery did you drive again? Tomorrow some friends are going to try and get me out to lunch late afternoon. I think it will be a wheelchair day. Yesterday I went to lunch with a friend, out for 1-1/2 hrs and my foot was sore when I got home - didn't use the wheelchair. I did get a handicap permit that is good til Dec. 2003 - that should help. I'm a very independent person so being dependent upon others is driving me crazy.

Time and patience is what remains for now. I'm like many others, wanted it yesterday. Some one at a restaurant the day of my MD appt a person asked me what happened. Told her I had some bones in the foot fused..she said, I had that done and was on the crutches for a year. My heart sunk. I didn't have time to chat as I had to get to my appt but I would have loved to ask if she was happy with the results.

I should have kept a journal of this journey I'm on.
As questions arise, I'll be in touch for your opinion or your experience. Nice to have another person to visit with on this - thanks.

Peg

hi pam$ peggy, its been awhile , really starting to wonder about this operation??? it still is scheduled for 29th of this month nervous as hell,, guess wondering what will happen after the surgery..... quit taking the accupunctre,, now trying Viox, three days now, good news is swelling is down, but pain still there...talked to my surgeon he said, if i dont do it now, iwill be in to see him sooner or later, it will never go away.. iam still wondering how long i will be offf from work???? he says 12 weeks i think it will be alot longer myself??? well you ladies have no pain and good days!!!! i will stay in touch as the day draws nearer......

Hi Peg;
Just read your post. I don't know why but I am so surprised that you are even going out this early. You must be a very strong willed person. I am not sure what your doctor is saying to you about weight but from experience i don't think i would try to put to much weight on that ankle at this point. from what my second doc told me if you do this it will just take longer for the healing of the two bones (the joining part). and you could take a chance of loosening the screw/pins. I really believe that is what happened to me the first time i had it done was able to walk on it to soon never had a chance to fuse. this time i put no weight on it for about 2 full months also i never had a cast this time not sure why so i was even more careful about weight bearing but it hurt like h---- if i even tried to put that foot down. i never even went out of my house for the first month the swelling was unbearable at that time. i too used a wheel chair for about 3 months when i could get around a little better. was alot easier than crutches never had to worry about bumping it into anything cause that really hurt. I too am worried about my job situtation not sure if i will beable to do it i have until feb 2004 that is when the year is up since i worked last i am hoping that as time goes by i learn to adjust to the slow walikng. if not maybe there are other plans for me????? i believe everything happens for a reason. maybe a job change would be good. ???? just trying to look at the better side of things right now at least i still have good health. oh by the way i was on crutches for about four months total towards the last part i weaned myself off of them was kind of hard but had to do it. it just takes time some people are quicker healers. and it sounds like you are doing pretty well.as far as swelling i was told it takes about a year to go away i still get swelling sometimes i just have to ice it and elevate it for awhile and it goes away. i notice when it gets really hot outside i seem to get more swelling mainly around the scar area and top of foot. well i guess i'll go for now take care.. Pam B........

Hi Blugga;
read your post. I too was very nervous the first surgery i had. but once i was there getting ready it seemed to fade i just kept telling myself this was for my own good if i didn't want the pain anymore just a little more to go through. if i had to do it again i would this healing stuff sucks but the pain is preety much gone now just have to learn to walk again normal (somewhat). was told the very same thing before first surgery if not now i would end up doing it later so since i didn't want to be in the pain i opted for now. i believe it was a good decision at the time.
Good luck with your decision let us know take care.
Pam B.......

Hi, I have just spent the last 30 minutes looking over all the messages on this board. I think I am more scared now than before I started reading these messages. I am scheduled for a subtalar fusion this upcoming Tuesday, July 15. My situation of why I am having the surgery is a little different than the rest of you though. I was in a car accident 10 years ago when I was 19 and suffered a spinal cord injury and among other things, my right leg was smashed up badly. I have partial paralysis in my right foot only- which is amazing. They don't know if it was because of the spinal cord or the leg injury. I can move my foot up and down a little, but not really left to right. I am able to walk, but I limp a little and I get wounds on the bottom of my foot because of the way the foot is placed- it doesn't lie flat and I put all my weight on one area. Anyway, I have had so many surguries on my foot- tendon transfers, heel cord lenghtening- you name it. They are now left with this fusion. I got another wound in Jaunuary and it hasn't healed- I've been on crutches about 80 percent of the time since Jan- so I decided to go ahead with the surgery. I have never heard so many stories about all the pain that you experience with this surgery. And I wonder, is the pain more from your original injury or from the screws in your heel? I thought this would be a good choice for me because I can't move my foot left to right anyway, but now I am scared about the pain!

Hi Patrice;
Sorry we scared you so much, I don't think that is the way we were trying to come accross. We are just telling each other the things that go on with us after and sometimes before the surgery. I am sure you never expected the surgery to be pain free from the start. Yes it is painful but that is part of the healing process. By what you have already told us you have already had a fare amount of pain by injury and surgery. I don't beleive the pain we experience is from the injuries for me it is a total differnt kind of pain than before the surgery. The relief I feel after the surgery is much better than the pain I had before surgery. I don't beleive in my case it is the screws that give me the pain now I think it is just the long haul of healing. I believe it is the healing of the tendons,ligaments,nerves and muscles that have to heal now they have not been used noramlly for a long time so it is going to take some time to get working again. with me it has been three years since original injury so I believe time and alot of physical therapy is all I will need now. (IHOPE). I hope this helps you.....good luck
Pam B.......

Bluuga: I am 2 weeks post surgery now. I do not regret at this point going forth with the surgery. I have some pain but you know the pain I had previous to the surgery was so much more worse. The worse part of this recovery for me is that I can't stand to be house bound and dependent on others for things. I am strong willed and so I do go out when I have friends that come by. Ultimately the decision is yours as whether or not to go through with this. I am not as far out post op as Pam but what I feel so far is good. My foot still swells and throbs when it's been in the down (dependent) position for too long, otherwise I'm feeling nearly no pain. Good Luck in your decision. If you have any questions that I may answer for you please ask..fear is common, was I ever nervous before my surgery. Now, time and following Dr's orders will assist me through this recovery process.

Pam: Yes, I am strong willed. I take that as a positive..it's what got me to where I am today. I think you are pretty strong willed too. Yes, he said I could bear some weight but I am still no weightbearing other than putting the foot down for balance. I'm very cautious..don't want to go through this again if I can help it. Had a new cast put on today. The first cast was causing me some discomfort on the right side ankle knuckle area. My foot was quite swollen the day they put the first cast on and I think it has gone down some so there was some movement in the cast. Feels much better with this new cast. Still swells easily and that is when I know my foot needs to be up again, it throbs. I take nothing for pain except at night so I can get a good nights sleep. I'm praying for a speedy recovery so I will still have my job but if it doesn't happen, won't be the end of the world for me. Like you, I too, believe things happen for a reason. It won't be the first time I've been in this situation and had to change jobs. One more day down, ?? how many more to go before I am pain/crutch free. Just a matter of time.
Peg

Patrice: I'm sorry this board has frightened you. I was feeling that way before my surgery as well..I think it's normal to feel that way. The pain in my foot was so bad that I couldn't take it any more. This was a last ditch effort to stop the pain. I broke both ankles and the fibula bone too in the right leg Dec. 1999. Spent 6 weeks no weight bearing at all - both legs in 3D Cam Walkers and a wheelchair. I've had some problems with this right foot ever since. Ankles gave out on me at work and so this has gotten worse. The recovery is what I am finding is the most difficult for me. I cannot stand to be house bound and dependent on others. It's getting better each day for me. My friends try to get me out of the house twice a week and my mood improves greatly. Like I mentioned to Bluuga, I'm only 2 weeks post surgery so I can't say how this is going to be for me. So far, I do not regret it. Good luck in your decision as what to do, have surgery or not.
Peg

Thank you all for your replies. I am feeling much better today, and I think when I first came across the message board, I was already worked up and getting scared. I had just seen a website that showed the foot open during the operation, and that was a bit too much information! I actually talked to someone yesterday who had the surgery when he was 45, and he is now like 60 and just feels great! He said a year after he got out of the cast he went rock climbing with his sons-- but yet, he still has some problems climbing the stairs.. haha Anyway I am feeling more confident, and it will be worth it to go through a little pain to fix the deformity in my heel/foot- just to live a better life with a straight foot. My mom is coming to stay for a week, and my mother-in-law for the week after that, so at least for the critical 2 weeks I will have constant help. My husband is absolutely wonderful also.. so I am just focused on the positive things. Thank you all for you notes, and I hope your recoveries contine to go well for you. I will let you know how things go as soon as I am able. Patrice

Hi Peg;
sounds like your doing pretty well.Thats great.
I also only took pain meds at night I was afraid of getting to the point of not being able to go without them so i only used them at night so i could sleep haven't had pain like that now for a real long time.
I really don't get much pain at all these days only if i walk or am on it for very long periods of time and if i get to that point i take tylenol or an advil and that seems to help alot. i seem to get better all the time i think it is only going to be a short time now before i have the full use as much as i am going to get anyway. (not using bone stimulator anymore that is nice). doc says fusion is very good at this point. now just have to work on tendons and ligaments. pt really helps. have been exercising at home also some swimming but not to much the cold water is just a little to much at this point. i was off of crutches after about 3 months this time last time it was after about 2 months. at this point i am very glad to have had the 2nd surgery done it sure does feel alot different than the first one i had done. every now and then i have a bad day but not as often as before. i believe this time the pins took hold very well i do not feel them at all. as far as i can tell anyway. as far as driving i never drove much for about 4 months it just hurt to much. my husband and niece took me to pt for quite awhile i think after the doc gave me the ok for weight bearing is when i started to drive then it was only for short distances. now it doesn't bother me much only if i am going long distances then i use the cruise control (nice invention). auto pilot would be great also hahahaha.......by the way shoes were kind of a problem at first. the pt gave me a paper with alot of different kinds i think i have bought about ten pairs now my foot is alot different than before. the paper he gave has alot of different styles so i went to shoe store and bought a pair that was on the list what a difference it makes i had no idea there were so many different types of tennis shoes. i think i will donate my shoe store in my closet to the fish store (friends in service helping).i am sure someone can use them. when you are able to start walking again let me know if you have problems i will let you know what they told me. good luck to you and take care..
Pam B........

I too am considering the fusion surgery. Scared to death. I read your posts everyday, thank you for sharing as there is not one feeling you all have felt that i haven't. Had my husband read, told him every thought was also mine.
It will be Nov. before they will consider the fusion as have been told i Must Stop Smoking for three months before surgery. Are/Were any of you all smokers ??
Thanks again for all of you for sharing, it helps reading im not alone in this foot Mess..
paula

------------------

Hi Paula;
Sorry to hear that you have to go through this. What did you do that you have to have the fusion??? As far as the smoking goes listen to the doctor i was also a smoker and had to quit before surgery but i feel alot better since stopping.is a very hard thing to do just learn to chew alot of gum at first it helps. smoking constricts blood flow and since the ankle is so far away from the heart it is best to get all the flow you can especially after surgery at healing time. hang in there let us know how you do if you have questions feel free to write we will all help as much as possible.......
take care
Pam B.....

Hi Paula. Sorry to hear you have joined the ranks of the rest of us with this problem. Pam hit it right on the nose about the smoking issue. Good Luck to you . . it can be tough but can be done.

Pam: I am having a little bit of pain in the ankle itself. Did you experience some of this when it was healing? It's not the heel like I experienced before the surgery. I was told I could do some weightbearing but am now wondering if I'm doing too much. I had these same type of pains when the fractures were healing 3 yrs ago. Doesn't happen always when I'm up but often when laying in bed. Think I will back off on the weight bearing again . . just wondering if you experience something like this as well. Otherwise, everything is going well.

Peg

Hi Peg;
Just got home a little while ago went to do some shopping first real big shopping trip what a trip....
had some hip pain not sure why (left side) i guess it is because of the way i have to walk also the floor i was walking on was cement that always helps.....this is the first time i tried to walk for a long period of time really wasn't that bad had to rest a couple of times but it was better than i thought it would be.
my ankle seems to be ok not any swelling at this time. these new shoes really are great.
as far as your ankle hurting yes i did have that for about the first month it does go away after a while but very bothersome when it was real bad i just took a pain med (vicodin) it helps. also elevation above the heart.. sure sounds like you are coming along well though glad to hear this...p.s also ice pack helps...
good to hear from you take care ....
Pam B.....

Pam:
Glad to hear you are coming along so well this time. When it gets closer for me to start walking I'm sure I'll be asking you tons of questions from PT to shoes.

I kind of figured what I was feeling was probably normal. Yes, the ice packs and elevation help tremendously. My brothers stopped off at Sams Club the other day, told them I would wait in the car. I didn't have the stamina to walk on crutches through that place. They said they had wheelchairs inside, that I should go in as it was 90 degrees and too hot to sit in the truck. I did go in and one of the employees brought me one of those motorized carts to use. How nice. Might be able to do some of my own grocery shopping now so long as I have a driver to get me to the store. What a blessing it is to have one of them at the store to use for those that are less than able to get around.

May your progress continue in the days/weeks ahead. I'll be in touch.

Peg

Hi everyone!! just to let the new ones know!!!!! this is not a place to get scared of the problems we all seem to be having??? but to get inside info, from what we all have tried, or are trying.. me personally did not want the surgey. so have tried everything possible not to have it...my last resort was VIOXX ,,worked quite well for the first 6 days... then my kidneys ached liked hell, and my eyes started swelling shut...so back to no medicine at all and will probaly do the surgery in winter time. at least it wont be as hot out!!!! just some inside info.. i am 6ft1in..210pnds very active i walk around 6 miles pere day as the job i have reqires that... it is quite funny that my surgen feels i need no pain meds, because he only wants to give them to me after the surgery...wondering how he would feel if this was his ankle!!!!!! hope everyone is feeling good and may we all have pain free days...

thank you all for your good wishings. broke femur 3 years ago, so it has not helped the foot situation. Now knew acting up, so will see if knee or left over problem from rod and pins in leg. Then go from there after i get this information. So do not know much right now, except im miserable.......thanks for your notes, i ckeck in here every other day. Have a great day all. paula

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To Peg;
glad to hear from you. sounds like your just going through the first part so far so good for you. just try to hang in there you will have alot of good days ahead just try to remember this. as for me after my shopping trip my ankle was a little sore but seems to be good today. guess i should expect it. i have a doctors appt on the 30th of july i still feel about the same as the last time i seen him so not sure if he will give me a full work release yet. it has been really hot here and that sure doesn't help with the swelling at night i have been icing just to get some relief. (no pain). well take care Pam B.


To Blugga;
haven't heard much from you latley. sounds like you decided to wait on surgery. as for the doc not giving pain meds he probably just don't want you getting dependent on them it is very easy to take a pain med to forget you have all the pain. i went through 2 years of different kinds before they finally came to agreement that i needed to have surgery.i am very glad not to have to take them anymore i hated having so much medicine in my system not good for a person i'm sure. well take care let us know how you are doing
Pam B.

To Paula;
Just read your post it really sounds like you have had a real bad couple of years. are you getting any physical therapy for your leg and ankle at this time???? the pins you were talking about were they in the femur bone???? i am very glad my injury was just the ankle after reading your story. let us know how yu are doing and if you decide to go ahead with the ankle surgery. take care of yourself
Pam B.

I have now gone from 2 casts to a cam walker, 4 weeks post op. The cam walker is so nice as I can wash my foot and leg now!! The pains I was experiencing they felt were the nerves. Said you can get some funny pains when they are mending. Foot is still quite swollen and looks so different in shape than before hand...all due to the swelling. The more I'm up the more it swells. Hard to keep me down though. I am so looking forward to the next visit in 2 weeks time..take more xrays and hopefully get the word to bear more weight!! Each day seems to be just a bit better than the one before. No longer taking any thing for pain, not even at night. This is good!! Excited and yet nervous about being able to bear more weight and the idea of going without the crutches. Previous injury it took me forever to wean off the crutches...hoping this time it will go better.
Have a great day everyone.
Peg

Hi Peg;
sounds like your coming along well.(great).
the swelling you are having you will have for some time to come just part of the healing process i always felt it would never go away but it does just keep elevated when it gets real bad and use lots of ice it really does help. when mine would swell i felt that was my ankles way of telling me to slow down was hard but had to do it. has the doc started you on any pt yet? that also helps. well take care and be carefulllll. Pam B.

Pam: No PT as yet. I am thinking if all goes well on Aug. 7th then maybe I will be doing some of that. Last night I was trying to get my foot down to the bottom of the bed but the rubber sole on this cam walker prevented that from happening, it was stuck on the covers. I pushed a bit harder, didn't budge so I ended up throwing the covers off so I could move my leg. I am sore today from that push http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Live and learn. I do believe (before last nights incident) that the foot is feeling better as I am not panicking to put a little weight on this foot. I know my MD said I could bear a little bit of weight but I was always hesistant to do so.
I have a feeling I will have to deal with the shoe issue come Aug. 7th...that could prove to be challenging. I'll be emailing you again then.
Peg

Hi everyone. I had surgery on July 15, and not only did I have a subtalar fusion but I had a triple orthrodisis- which turned into 4 bones that they fused! I just misunderstood the name of the suregery, but knew it had something to do with ankle/heel fusion. Needless to say I was quite scared when I found this out on the morning of surgery. They fused 4 bones, even in my arch to lower the arch and I am doing great now. I had my 2 week check-up last week and it was straight! We all were so happy! God really worked through my doctor's hands because it was a lot more serious than I thought. I had pain mainly the first couple of weeks after surgery, but this 3rd week I have barely taken any pain pills.
I am lucky also because my mom brought me a walker with wheels and brakes that was once my grandmothers. The crutches were so hard to use, and this is wonderful. I can now roll around and cook for my husband and pick up a little bit.
I don't know what's up ahead when I am out of the cast and start therapy and walking again, but I know by the expression on the doctor's faces that life was going to get better for me.
I just want to encourage people to really research your physician before you sign up for any surgery. My doctor was named the best orthopedic in Dallas, and he is worldwide known. I got references from several doctors I had used in the past. I think that makes a huge difference in the outcome of surgery and the therapy plans that follow. Also remember that it's ok if your house is a mess, don't be trying to hop around and do something that could hurt you. It's only 3 months, and if you follow the rules you could have a very happy life. That's what I am hoping for. Good luck to everyone!

Patrice: Glad to hear you are doing so well! Hope you continue to have a smooth recovery! I had my surgery 2 weeks before you and seems to be going well. I am having a little pain now and not sure why. I see my MD in 2 days and hoping I would be done with the crutches. We'll see. I was casted for 2 weeks and then went into a cam walker. The cam walker didn't fit as snug in the ankle and heel area as I would have liked but just a couple days ago I took an old ace wrap and wrapped my ankle and now it fits in this brace so much better. Well, good luck and let us know how you progress.
Peg

I am so anxious for tomorrow a.m. I have my 6 week post op visit. Hoping to get some good news, like maybe wean from these crutches http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I have a lot of ground to cover once I get some freedom here. Feel like a kid in a candy store right now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

Hope everyone is have a good evening and better days ahead. I'll let you know what tomorrow brings in ways of post op news.

Peg

[This message has been edited by Peggy Ann (edited 08-06-2003).]

UPDATE: 6 week post op visit this a.m. and as the doc stated 'it looks marvelous'. Swelling and slight discomfort normal. Says can expect that for a few more months. Can wean from the cam walker or the crutches now, but not both. I guess I chose the cam walker over the crutches much to my surprise. Basically said listen to what my body is telling me and if I get pain, then back off, go back to the cam walker or the crutches as needed. See him again in 6 weeks.

So I did manage to get my foot in my tennis shoe although I'm not sure if I'll last in it all day or not. Try it and see.

I'm a happy camper today http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif
Peg

Hi Peg;
Just was reading your posts. Sounds like your doing very well glad to hear this. I have went back to doctor and also back to work now but not as easy as i thought it would be still have pain on inside of ankle not real sure why. i am hoping this is still part of the healing going on i still have a limp i can't seem to beable to get the stiff feeling in my tendon area to loosen up some days it feels real good other days it feels so stiff but if i soak it in hot water it loosens right up (?????). i sure hope that the limp goes away it keeps me from walking normal i am wondering if it will ever go away i know that my ankle will always be stiff i can handle that but this limp really sucks. so are you having pt yet since the doctor has let you put weight on your ankle. let me know how you do when you start walking am curious to see if you have the same problem with the limp and stiffness. i am really hoping that this is only temporary if not i don't think i will beable to keep doing the job that i have. will keep checking your posts and following your progression with this thanks for all your posts take care and good luck to you and your progression to walking......Pam.

Hi Pam! Wow! Back to work. I can only dream of that so far. Patience is not something I have much of when it comes to me, wish I could be as patient with me as I am with everyone else. The caregiver in me!

Well, I felt like I won the lottery yesterday. By evening I was pretty sore and so today I went back in the cam walker and using both crutches. Back to square one. Think I pushed it a little bit too far yesterday. My body is not only talking to me, it's screaming at me today!

He has not started me in PT yet. I'm not sure when that will begin. I asked about the swelling and pain on the lateral side of my ankle. He said swelling normal and this is basically a surgical or clean fracture of the calcanous bone when he placed those two long screws in. That 6 weeks out, my bones are still in the very early stages of healing and he expects this is bone pain. Hope he's right. It did a lot for me mentally yesterday to have more freedom but today freedom doesn't seem as important to me as comfort.

My boss called me yesterday. She is working on Septembers hours and wants to know when I'll be back. Quite honestly I don't know when that will occur. I told her I had hopes of coming back part time early in September but that I'm not sure that is realistic. After yesterday I'm sure it's not realistic. I need to get back to work before Oct. 11th so I still have health insurance and some income. Just a little bit of stress to add to the picture.

Sorry to hear you're still having troubles. Hope you can get to where you are walking normal. That is a problem for me too right now but then it's not easy walking with this cam walker right now either.

My voc rehab counselor's mother had this done and she walks good now, stairs still give her trouble but she was never able to return to work at the hospital, working on those hard cement floors. I'm thinking, 'lovely, wonder if I'll make it back' I too work at the hospital. Everyone is different so time will tell.
I'll keep in touch and let you know how it goes.

Peg

Oh my gosh Peggy, I can't believe you are already able to walk a little, even in the cam walker! My doctor will never let me do that.. He told me I would be in the cam walker (big black boot, right?) after 12 weeks!!!! Well, that's probably because I had more bones fused. Wow, you are so lucky.. Just take it slow, as I have learned that not rushing it is always best in these situations.
My husband and I have been trying to plan a little trip to Las Vegas, but it's so hard to know how I will be after the 12 weeks. We've been putting our vacation off all year because of my foot, so I said I don't care if I have to use a wheelchair in Vegas, we need to go have fun! But hopefully the black boot, cam walker, will work out ok. I'm glad you are getting along ok!

Hi Peg ;
just read your post was bored so started playing on computer. The pain you are having i had the same thing and was told the same as you were told bone healing. sometimes i think that is the same thing that i still feel when i try to do more than i am able to. i also push my luck sometimes and pay dearly the next day but i want things to heal so bad i forget sometimes. jsut be patient it will come. as for working i am jsut trying to make through each day so far have only 4 days in i have 7 days off now will give me a chance to recuop. then back for 4 more night shift. (much easier). stairs really suck mainly going down have to go down with foot turned hurts to much still to go forward but sometimes i try. don't want to get to used to using foot in wrong direction but just can't help it right now. well you have a good weekend take care
beeeeeee careful........Pam.......

Hi All: I went back to cam walker (the big black boot Patrice) and the crutches yesterday. Feel 'better' today, not great. This is a slow process for sure. It's making me a tad bit nervous regarding returning to work in another month to 6 weeks. Some way, some how I need to get back to work for mental and financial reasons. Doc has no 'magic' date for me when things will be normal. I know that but had to ask anyways http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

I took a pain med last night and wrapped my foot with an ace wrap to help keep the swelling down and make it more comfortable in that cam walker. For someone who was so anxious to get rid of these assistive devices, I'm not in so much of a hurry anymore.

Pam,I have noticed going down stairs that I want to turn my foot some as well. I have other orthopedic problems as well and had surgery to the knee on this same foot 6 weeks before the ankle was done. I will be needing a total knee somewhere in the not too distant future.

Pam, enjoy your 7 days off to recoup before returning to work. Patrice, I'm with you, go to Vegas in a wheelchair if you have to - go and have fun! I'm going to try and enjoy my last couple of weeks before classes resume (graduate school) on Aug. 27th.

Peg

Hi Peg;
Just read your post. I know exactly how you are feeling right now between wanting to walk ok and have no pain and financial reasons it is really hard. I had to learn though that sometimes you just have to tell yourself everything will come back in time i am very lucky that i have my husbands income and also i was receiving workers comp not as much as i was used to but close so money wasn't really a factor the insurance co. was very good about getting my checks to me ontime and also pay for all the traveling that i had to do my pt. is 25 miles away and my doctor is 280 miles away. Well i am doing pretty good these last couple of days not quite as sore as i was after working last week i think i will be ok with the working i am just going to have to learn i can't do quite as much as i used to and learn to take things a little slower i was just so happy to work again i think i just over done it well that was a learning experience for me. everyone at work was great they are all more than happy to help. (for now)..hahaha.
peg i also had the days like you are having now but believe me they will pass i feel bad for you that you also have to have knee problems but if you can possibly try to wait until you have healed from this surgery before going into another i do believe the body can only take so much which i am sure you know.
and i know now that it really helps the way you feel to beable to talk with someone who is going through the same things i never had anyone until i found this site on the net people who haven't been through this have no idea what is going on they try to understand but it is hard for them i do have alot of friends but it just isn't the same. since i found this site it really has helped to keep up the spirits. thank you.
(everyone who has written also)....(Thank You).....
well better go for now hope you have a good day...
Pam.......

Pam: THANK YOU for continuing to post. I do appreciate any feedback I can get. Yes, tremendous help having the opportunity to speak with others walking the same path as I.

This is my 2nd surgery. I had knee surgery 4-11-03 and ankle surgery 6-26-03. Frustrating but you got to do what you got to do to live.

This a.m. I took a tumble. I didn't actually fall but my crutches went flying. I ended up stepping on the operative foot pretty darn quickly in order to prevent me from falling. The sole on this cam walker tripped me up on the carpet. I am in pain now. Got the ice pack out and I'm going to apply that and rest for a bit.

My desire to return to work 1) I want to work; 2) I'm my sole supporter..have no other income to rely on. Do not want to apply for disability.

I am doing OK..Thank You for your support (and everyone else) with your feedback!!
Peg

Hi Peg;
sorry to hear about your fall. hope you are feeling ok i done the same thing only it was outside on the cement and it was raining lost my balance on the crutches and fell thought i broke my big toe had to have x-rays taken to make sure i never hurt the fusion it turned out ok only bad bruising. took a few days to feel better. hope you are doing ok. talk to you later. Pam.

Think I just bruised it as it did get better in a couple of days. Yesterday morming I woke up and could walk on it with no pain (unbelievable). That lasted 3 hrs. and now I'm back to having pain again and icing it. It was great. Nice to know someone else had a similar incident. I debated about going in when it happened but felt I would try icing it and see how the next two days went. Glad I did. If there had been bruising I would have gone in.

Have a great weekend everyone.
Peg

Hi Peg;
Hope you are feeling better. Well i just worked 4 night shifts (12 hrs). the first one was bad the last three went ok. Still not sure if I should keep doing this job. sure have alot of stiffness at the end of each shift but as soon as i get rest i feel pretty good i sure hope i am doing the right thing.(by working). still not to sure. i really am not sure if the stiff feeling will ever go away i have about two more weeks before i am supposed to talk with the doc maybe he can give me some info it seems to me each day is about the same still limp and can't seem to get the foot to do the bending like before it seems very tight on the right side towards the back. but am thankful there is no swelling which really suprises me after a 12 hour day. well thats about all for now need to rest will let you know.......Pam........

Hi Pam. Sorry to hear your struggles with work. My ortho doc doesn't like the idea of me going back to 12 hr shifts so I am thinking how I can do this. Would they consider letting you do some 8 hr shifts to see how that would go for you. I can hardly believe you have no swelling after that many hours!

I am doing better after my fall incident. I felt better the next day and then had another really bad day. Spent those days in ace wrap and my cam walker/crutches. This week now I'm doing better. I didn't use the cam walker yesterday at all. Surprisingly enough it wasn't too bad. I thought maybe I should wear it today but I'm going to try it again and see how far I can go today without it. Of course I wasn't on me feet much yesterday and so that made a difference I'm sure. I will do some walking today at college campus and so I expect this afternoon I will be back in the cam walker...that's OK. I need to know where my limitations are right now and won't know that unless I try.

How did your VR appt go or didn't you have that yet? I am doing VR and I'm so glad I am. I wish you well. Hang in there.

Peg

Hi Peg;
Just wondering how you are doing these days?
I have been working now for about 3 weeks has been going pretty good the last few days I think that my tendons and the rest are finally starting to understand that I need to walk I still have a limp and some pain but not quite as bad as in the begining. I did take advil a couple times a day to make it through but that seems to be easing also. I think all the walking has really helped also the stairs it gives me a chance to really work those muscles and tendons again. I feel that I will be ok with this now. (I just hope it keeps up). Are you walking on your own yet or are you still in the boot and crutches? Well I'll be checking back take care.......Pam......P.S have a nice holiday weekend.......

Hi Pam! I am so glad to hear that you are finally coming around with this. Back to work 3 weeks now - Awesome!!

I am still in the cam walker and using the crutches 50% of the time. I have ventured some without the cam walker and crutches but still have some pain when I walk. It's the bending forward of the ankle that gives me the grief. I think it's because with the cam walker you don't bend at all and so those muscles/tendons are LAZY right now. Because I am trying to walk more independently I have gone back to taking some pain meds on occasions. Honestly, in the last 4 days though I feel I have made great strides. My hopes are to be back to work in a month. I spoke with my boss and said "if I can get rid of the crutches but still need the cam walker would you allow me to come back?" She said, so long as the doctor approves and HR approves she has no problem with it and so long as I can get around in that cam walker http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif I'm hoping another month and I should be able to accomplish that.

Classes resume today for me. I need to buckle down and get back to business here!

Have a great holiday weekend. I'll let you know how things progress here. Next appt is late September with my ortho doc.

Peg

Hi Peg;
How are you doing? hope all is well with you.
I have worked a total of 1 month now still seem to be doing ok have a few questions for the doc today though. I have been experiencing some numbing in the other foot around my big toe i think it is caused because i put so much pressure on that side of my body to compensate for the sore foot. i still have some pain in the back of my ankle and inside towards the back i still think it is the tendons but not sure sometimes when i have been on it for awhile after i sit down it is hard to get the movement back where it doesn't hurt to walk seems like that should be easing but doesn't seem to be. i will be talking to my doc sometime in the next few days (i hope). will be off for 7 days now so i will get a bit of a rest work really is harder now will be talking to him about this also. i'm kind of thinking that i won't beable to do this job much longer if i can't get the pain to stop. some days are alot better than others. for your question about the rahab i did have an interview so they could get my profile as she put it but then i went back to work that was the last i heard anything she told me if it didn't work out with my job i would be refered back to her this way she already has an idea of where she could place me and it would go from there. the idea of giving up the job i have is really scary because it is what i know but change can be good too. well better go for now let me know how you are doing have a great day....Pam...
P.S by the way what are you going to school to do???
i really could use some help and ideas of things i could possibly do if i do decide this is not going to work. thanks Pam......

Thanks Pam for having me look at this. It sounds as though everybody has had a tough time with this surgery. I'm a type 2 diabetic and have neuropathy in that foot, so the doc is going to be watching my foot carefully when the surgery is done. We are waiting for the podiatrist to come on staff. I have already told the doc that if this surgery needed to be done more than once I would rather a replacement or if the damage is to extensive. This once a year surgery is getting ridiculous. ( Arthroscopic 96, complete reconstruction 01, arthroscopic synovectomy 02, and now this one in 03 ). I just want the surgeries to be over and done with. Just to think this started from a sprain in 93. I have been in the cam walker of and on since 01, I would love to chunk it. I am going to go ahead and have this surgery because the pain is just so bad on most days. I can't even play with my daughter. I am 32 and this has got to end.

To Kslittledevil;
I am glad to have helped you. hope this page helps others also. it is almost like a journal for me i print it every once in awhile just to beable to go back some day and see how far i have come since surgery.i was 35 when i first injured my ankle has been a little over three years ago. i am really surprised to see how many people have foot problems i don't feel so alone now. let us know how you do keep in touch......bye for now Pam........

Hi Pam ~
I know what you mean when you say you still have pain. I am experiencing that too. I have not begun pt yet but feel I need to. I can walk around in small areas like one room in the house without the crutch or cam walker. I cannot do any distance to speak of yet. I tried using just the cam walker and no crutch and that works OK so long as my foot is in it correctly, otherwise I have pain. I need to adjust it periodically during the day. The problem I have with the cam walker is that I am out of kilter with it and it stresses my back, hips, knees. It's like I need a lift on my other shoe to balance me out.

Today I would say I was having moderate amount of pain. Went back to taking the hydrocodone. It helps but then I start itching so I have to take benadryl to stop the itch and by then I'm tired from all the drugs that I need a nap. Grrrrrr.

I am not sure what to tell you with school. I am nurse that is going on for her masters degree in nursing. With this I hope to be able to teach or possible see clients like in a clinic setting. I wouldn't have to be on my feel for 12 hrs at a time like in the ICU where I presently work (or hope to get back to). I was a 3 yr diploma nurse and loved what I did so when this injury happened to me it crushed me. How do you go about giving up a job you love? For me it was the decision to go on for my bachelors and then masters degree as I know the bachelors degree would not get me off the floor from floor nursing. I hope I still work with patients as I love to meet and help people. Although, if I do teach at a University I would still be meeting people & helping them, just in a different manner.

I believe my short term disability runs out here in another 3 weeks. I will have to me with my employer to see if I should file the long term disability form now rather than wait til Oct. 1. I am sure I can go back to work for maybe 4 hr shifts once a week but not anymore than that. It will take me a few days to recover after being on it. The swelling is horrible yet! I don't see my ortho doc until 9/27 I think. Xrays last taken look great but I'm still having some trouble. I am having trouble with a finger as well, swelling, pain, limited movement. Had no injury. They are looking at the possibility of gout..great! One more thing to contend with. I'm trying to get off meds, not take more!
That's the other thing. I don't feel I can return to work if I'm still taking the pain med because you sure wouldn't want a nurse under the influence of drugs caring for you! And yes, it may help the pain but it does influence you and your thinking no matter what!

Did I mention that my school title I'm working towards is Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health? I'm going full time and hope to be done in 2 yrs.

Well, I'll keep you posted on any changes. Yes, it's so nice to have someone else to talk with about this foot problem. I know others try to understand the pain I'm in but I really don't think they do. Someone else walking in my shoes though knows so very well! So I thank each one of you having the same difficulties for posting here and sharing your feelings. It's nice to know we're not alone in this.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Peg

I was told to quit working for a while. I was a substitute teacher and enjoyed it. For time being I'm just going to enjoy spending time with my daughter and take each day as it comes.

Hi Peg;
Just read your post. We went on a trip to Montana my husbands mother was in the hospital for about a month wasn't sure if she was going to pull through but all seems pretty good now she had a bad fall and cracked her back a while back then some other things started and she ended up having a few surgeries she is 75 now and it seems at that age things really start happening she was sent home the day before we had to leave but she seems to be doing allright for now. as for me i feel pretty good still the same thing as far as the ankle goes i ended up using some advil while i was there but not as much as when i am working i talked to the doctor last friday from what i told him he says that i should give it at least three more months to heal some more since i had been off of it for so long it is going to take a little more time than usual. he told me he would send the insurance a paper stating that i am ratable now and we will go from there. i told him sometimes i feel that one leg is shorter now but if i wear a shoe insert it seems to make up for it he says that should be fine. the band that i found at the sport store really helps with any swelling that i get also keeps it in place i really do like it.
as for your schooling good for you i sometimes wish that i would have went to school after high school but at the time it just wasn't possible for me to do. (financial reasons). maybe something good will come of all this i really don't know yet.
am very glad to hear you can walk some it really will get better in time just keep up the slow pace for awhile try not to push yourself to hard i wished that some one would have told me that the first time. maybe things would have been different i really can't say for sure. i am really just glad that things are getting back to somewhat normal for me now. well better go for now you take care. Pam......

Im supose to have surgery as my calcanous can crumble it is also chipped the mri showed the bone is not firm and needs grafting. on the day of surgery it was cancled because my blood count isn't good. Well I have been in the boot 5 months and pain isnt bad really. I wear the boot to walk so I don't twist my ankle off the curbs and all. You all have been through so much I really am so scared. You all are so young too. I just turned 60 and am thinking maybee I should wait till it collapses. What do you think Pam Peg B T? Thanks Joyce

Joyce:
I'm sorry to see you here on this board but maybe we can be of some support for you.

My question to you is whether you had an injury of some sort OR whether you have a condition of osteoporosis. If no pain, what led to the discovery of this? How long has this been going on? You say 5 months in the boot, what treatments have you tried already? Could you give me a little bit more info?

Ask away, we'll try to help you make a decision but ultimately the of course, the decision is up to you as how far to go with this. More than willing to give you feedback and support, so please ask questions.
Peg

Hi Pam ~ Sorry to hear about elderly parent issues. That can be tough when you are so far apart. Hopefully she will mend - surgery is tough at any age but to me it would seem tougher when you get beyond 70.

Glad to hear you are doing OK. To be able to take just advil is good. I hear you about college education. I did not go after high school either, financial reasons (I could have gotten some grants then but was too proud to ask for assistance) and just not having some direction as to what I wanted to do. I decided at age 26 that I would go to school and have been taking some classes ever since. I had a bad knee injury that changed my life and made my nursing career difficult at best and then the ankle fractures happened and made it completely impossible. I love nursing and the only way I felt I could continue in this was to have a Masters Degree so I could teach or see clients in the clinic and such. I have 2 very full years of school left and I'm hoping to try to work 2 shifts a week as well. I have no idea of this will fly or not but have to try. I would hope that voc rehab can assist you in getting an education so that you can find something that will allow you to function as best you can. I am so thankful that is happening for me. You talk of insurance rating, is that a disability rating? I had to wait nearly 5 1/2 yrs to get mine with my knee. That helped me I'm sure with my voc rehab application. Best of luck to you with this. I'll say a prayer this moves forward with you.

Now, about where I am right now. Let me tell you, I thought something was severely wrong on Friday Sept. 12th. I went from full weightbearing to non weightbearing due to the pain. It was HORRIBLE. Back to the hydrocodone during the day & night and took it again Sat. a.m. when I woke up. Sat. afternoon came and I could walk nearly normal. I'm like flabbergasted. This is the first day I went without crutches or a brace. I was prepared for Sun. to come and be in so much pain as a result but I wasn't. I did take one hydrocodone that a.m. just as a precaution...I was great again all day. This was a huge turning point for me. I still can't believe it. It's Monday now, I feel great, minimal pain and I'm not going to take anything today just to see how it goes. To be free of the crutches and the boot, unbelievable is all I can say. I cannot explain why Friday was so bad and then Sat. was so good. God, I hope this is the complete turning point for me.

Well, the electrician will be here any moment so I best run. I'll try to connect here again in the next few days...with classes this week it may not be until the end of the week.

Peg

Hi Joyce;
Just read your post. I really couldn't tell you to much about the calcaneous surgery but from what i have read in this forum there are a few people that have talked about it (the surgery) to me it almost seems like the same kind of surgery just a little different the calcaneous is your heal bone and the subtalar joint sits right above that. this is the joint that i had fused it gives the side to side motion. I do agree with Peg that in the end the surgery will be up to only you. i also believe that if it is as bad as you describe that if it was me i would go ahead with the surgery just because if it does fail then you could be taking a big chance of having more things go wrong with the foot. (just my opinion). as for your age people seem to be living alot longer than a few years back i think it all depends on overall health you could be looking at least 40 more years of good living. try not to be so hard on yourself. i hope to live for along time to come (will be 39 soon). well take care. good luck to you. Pam......

To Peg;
Just read your post also. I know how you feel about the good days i also had those kind of days and sometimes still do. you think alright it feels almost normal and have a really good day then the next day back to square one and in few days you will have another really good day this will go on for a few months to come or maybe in your case just a few weeks since you have only had the surgery once it sounds like you are doing pretty well considering all the other things you have had to go through. sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what to expect when it comes to working. 12 hour shifts are a long time when you are doing it i hope all works out well with your job it really does suck when you like a job and are not able to do it. i do like my job also it is very physical at times but i seem to be handling it ok but i still wonder sometimes what the future has in store for me i know how i will be now and it kind of scares me at times just because i have to be so careful about the way i do things now no more jumping from things no more running when i need to it really does slow me down but i guess there is a reason for everything. well i hope your schooling is going ok keep up the studying (this what i always tell my daughter) have a good week will write soon..........Pam.......

Hi Peg;
I almost forgot; the disability rating is to see how much of a disability i have now that i had the surgery i'm not sure if it has anything to do with rehab. i am still under doctors care he says to give it at least three more months to decide if i can keep working in the job i am doing right now that if it stays the way it is then i might have to think about rehab. but that would be a decision i will have to make also the doctors decision if he thi