I apologize if this duplicates other questions but I am clueless.I hurt my foot in September and basically ignorned it because it wasn't too bad. It just bothered me to exercise and I have a little limp. My dad noticed over Christmas ( he's a doctor) and he thought it was a torn tendon. So, I went to the doc and the MRI says a complex partial tear of the posterial tibial tendon with some ancillary problems.The orthopod has set an appointment for me with a surgeon in two weeks.
I am freaking out for a multitude of reasons. My BF dumped me 6 weeks ago the day before my 40th bday and I have been seriously depressed since then so I don't look forward to being trapped at home and totally dependent upon my friends. So, if you will indulge me, I have a few questions
1. I work a lot and I travel a lot- how will this affect it?Most of my travel is air and some is international. How much time will I actually be totally out of commission? How long before I can fly?
2. What level of handicap adjustment will I need to make to my house? It is one story but I have step in tubs and a few stairs to get in and out of the house.
3. How long will I need crutches? I am notoriously uncoordinated- my nickname at work is stumbelina. Are any crutches better than others?
4. Are there any exercises that I can do to help get stronger for crutches?
5. Can I do any cardio exercises? I have already gained 20 pounds since this happened and as you can imagine, it's not helping the depression. I really don't want to gain any more weight.
All of this may be a little hysteria. I haven't even seen the surgeon but the orthopod said that he saw no resolution that wasn't surgical ( I am wearing the boot now).

Thanks in advance. I am really type A and as you can tell, I don't deal too well with the unknown.

Thank you :))

njvj,
Another "sufferer" and I are sharing some info about this on another thread.
There are some other threads that provide extensive personal experiences about this disorder and the surgery. I went to the church medical equipment rental place today and got several pieces of equipment. The essential one would seem to be the walker with a knee platform attached. I have practiced and this seems workable, but I don't have the pain factor to add just yet. It may not be so easy with a cast. My surgery will be near the end of January. I have crutches and a wheelchair as well. A potty chair by the bed may be essential for a day or two unless someone is going to be there on a regular basis.
I am so sorry about your physical loss and about your B/F as well. (Mine will be effectually absent during my surgery since it will not be "about him," but I am used to that.) I have put aside a lot of things to do while "down." I have a tendency to see the glass "half-empty," but per an article that I read recently, I have been trying to find at least one exquisite moment in each day. There are usually several, I'm glad to say. Sometimes it has been in a piece of cake (not the best place to find it!),and yours today can be in the fact that you have youth and "miles to go before you sleep." Some of us are on down the road. The best to you. CeCe

Hi Njvj

Sorry to hear about your bad time at the mo. I had the whole flat foot surgery in June last year which meant tendon repair and heel shift ( where they cut part of your heel off ad re-align it, yuk) Plus i had lost a lot of cartilage from my ankle bone...just to top it off.

As Cece said, there are loads of great threads on here about pttd etc. Please try and find the old ones as they have all the info you need...pages and pages of it!! All the questions you have asked will be answered on these threads and by lots of different people, so you get a broader view of all experiences, so no point me just rattling on.

Try not to stress too much about your possible surgery, easier said than done i know, but you will cope, b/f or not. Have a good read up on the other threads, ad if anything was left unsaid, please ask.

Good luck

Mazzie

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this.

I just want to reply to your question about bad foot/crutches training exercises. I've been going to a gym for the past couple of months, ever since I accepted that my ankle wasn't getting better any time soon.

Sometimes I swim laps, although my ankle pain limits even that. More often, I just lift weights. Bicep and tricep curls, chest press, crunches of all types, different back exercises, and (key to using crutches) lots of shoulder exercises. I've had a trainer show me how to do it right, so I don't get any more injuries:)

There are even a few thigh exercises I can do, so I don't lose too much muscle there.

I really like my results so far. I haven't gotten noticeably bigger, but my upper arms have no more sag in them, and I'm definitely stronger.

I even work up a sweat doing all of it. And, dear lord, but it makes me feel better about myself and my less than perfect physical state.

I had the surgery on 11/02/2007 The people here have been great ! There is a thread oh here that has more great stuff. I posted a list today that helped me prepare . Good luck and keep us posted.
If you cant find the other thread you can click on my name and go to the posts I have replied to and it will be there. God Bless,
Sabrina

Hi,
You asked how long you would be "out of commission". I guess I'm fairly typical in my recovery, so I'll tell you what I'm going through.

My surgery was October 10, and I was in the hospital for 4 days.
Once I was home, I was totally non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. Once out of the cast, I was in a "boot" for about 4, before I was told that I could start trying a shoe.
It is now January 11, which makes it 3 months out, and I am walking with one crutch, and with a shoe on my foot. I had to get larger shoes, with all of the swelling.
I have not yet been given clearance to drive (right foot surgery), which is the biggest issue. I cannot go back to work until I'm secure with driving, so I'm not planning on being back until the last week of January at the earliest (I'm a teacher).
So...it is a LONG process...don't expect to be up and around too quickly. I still have a LOT of work to do..but am making great progress.
It helped SO much to read the boards here to see that I am "normal" in my healing..
good luck!
Paula

HI, If your still checking this thread There are some great threads about this, seems it is a fairly popular surgery...lol. Hope all goes well for you and also hope the other things goin on for you become easier.
Sabrina

I had triple arthrodesis (fusing of three joints of the hind foot) and Achiilles tendon lengthening in early November. My recovery seems to have been textbook. I was non weight-bearing for the first 6 weeks. I tried to keep it elevated and iced for much of that time - that cuts both pain and swelling. I was eggshell weight-bearing for weeks 7 & 8 and am now into two weeks of partial weight-bearing. The last two weeks are to be full weight-bearing, with walker or cane for balance/back-up as needed. I would have to say that the pain post-op was a piece of cake for me. Perhaps it's my pain tolerance or the severity of the pain before surgery.
Preparing your home for recovery is essential. This includes:
raised toilet seat with handles
shower/tub transfer bench
knee support scooter
walker
lots of ice packs
Have plenty of easy meals available. If possible, have someone come in and warm and serve them to you. Make yourself a comfortable "nest" in your bed. I kept a plastic box in the bed with cell phone, pad and pen, comb, all medications, crackers (meds can give you a queasy tummy), chapstick, talcum powder, socks, reading material,... Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Provide yourself with distractions - TV, DVD's, magazines, video games, computer...
Three months seems like a very long time; but it's important to let the fusion heal fully. By the way, I read a book that did help with the spiritual and emotional nature of the recovery "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. You may have seen her on Oprah. I used some of her suggestions and visualizations from the India and Indonesia part of her journey.
Good luck to all.

Thank you all so much for your advice. It seems like there are a lot of variables so I guess I should wait until I see the surgeon on the 21st before I imagine the worst case scenario. I am trying to work out my arms as much as possible and watching my diet because I figure that every pound I lose is one that I don't have to drag around on cruthces.
Thanks again- I will let you know what the surgeon says.

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. It's nervewracking to have to wait for the appointment I'm sure...all sorts of things float through your mind. If you're thinking that your surgeon might talk about surgery, it might not be a bad idea to have some questions written down to make sure you find out all that you need to. If it does come to surgery, one thing I'd recommend looking into is a Roll-A-Bout or Turning Leg Caddy, which is a knee scooter. They are a lifesaver....I lasted 2 days on crutches (my arms and whole body just hurt), but w/ the scooter, you have one hand free. If your insurance would cover any part of it, you'd need a Rx from your dr. Good luck...I've been through this (last May) and will be going through it again with my other foot next month. The results are worth it...keep that in mind!

Thanks for all the good advice. Now I am wondering if I should consult with more than one surgeon. Evidently there is only one guy where I live who is recommended ( at least he was by the orthopod). I have an appointment with him but I want someone who does these a lot! So, I am debating making an appointment at the University Hospital 45 minutes away just to see if I get the same story.

Any thoughts?