This is for "jcpelly" if available

Can you site the pros and cons of the keller Procedure for a person 66? I am so confused about which procedure to choose. Apparently I have the choice......Basically I do understand the potential problems with the Keller and the implant and I am leaning toward the Keller because I understand the odds are better that I won't have a problem in the future, especially with specialy designed orthotics. Any thoughts?

Thanks for your time...

Golly, Stitcher, are you still agonizing over this? Thought you would have already taken care of this by now! Are you going to have it done in FL or wait till you go back north?

Hi Titchou

YES, I am still at it. :D I cancelled my surgery date last summer at the suggestion of my POD. He felt the joint was freezing up on it's own and my foot was actually feeling better. He mentioned it may never get any worse, but it has. By Oct. I decided to have it done down here and asked around for referrals, thus the different opinions. My husband isn't too impressed with medical care here in Fla but I have tons of friends that will drive me around if necessary during recovery.

I am inclined to have this done in PA. My Dr. up there is the POD for a major univeristy's athletic dept and very well respected. Living 1 hr from everything including the grocery store will be a pain in the butt though if I can't drive... (right foot).

I know you had a great result but I have no cartilege left and the joint is shot. I am also not in a position to travel to Phil or NY to visit a sport team specialist.

Think maybe I have a little anxiety issue going on here? ;)

Thanks for your interest.

Stitcher: Am glad you are still around but hate that you are still dealing with this. Whatever you do, I hope it turns out well. I know you've struggled for a while. Keep us posted.

Titchou

Stitcher,
I had the Keller Procedure done on my foot/toe 11/9. I am 8 weeks out now. I have dealt with an infection since the surgery, but I would be happy to answer any other questions you might have.
I feel my recovery has been slow. Part of that may be due to the infection, though. I started to walk in shoes last week. I bought a pair of Dansko clogs. I can walk in them without a limp. That is pretty amazing since I also have a fused ankle. I don't have the normal range of motion in my ankle, and no ability yet to push off with my big toe, so I bought a pair of shoes with a rocker sole. They really do the work for me. I am amazed at how much better I walk in them.
My dr says I will get flexibility back in the joint when the swelling goes down. Right now the metatarsal joint is very stiff and sore. I hope the Physical Therapy will help with that. However, first I have to get rid of this darn infection.
Keep posting and feel free to ask any questions you may think of.
Step

Hello Step,

How long after surgery did you get the infection? What a bummer. Also, what antibiotics are you taking for it?

Were you on crutches after your surgery? From what I've been told, the recovery isn't as long or as painful with the Keller....my Dr. puts you on Celebrex for 10 days and also gives a cortisone injection at time of surgery. He claims few patients have an issue with major pain afterwards.

I just had a cortisone injection last week and my foot felt WONDERFUL until yesterday! It didn't even last 8 days. Now it's more sore than before....

Last question....could you drive in your surgical shoe? If I do this in PA, I live on top of a mountain 1 hrs from everything. I will need to be able to get around. Hubby is very busy during the summer and I hate to impose except for necessities....I don't sit still well :)

Titchou - Thanks for your input. I always enjoy hearing from you.....you've been extremely helpful to people on this board. You know I'll be in touch!

Keep making good progress, Step. Sounds like you're on your way to better days....

Hi Stitcher
I was diagnosed with the infection 20 days after my surgery. They had kept me in the hospital immediately following the surgery for 48 hours to administer Vancomycin through the iv, since I had a history of infection. It is a bummer because just 2 weeks after stopping the antibiotics December 27, the infection is back. I just had an MRI last night to see if the infection is in the bone. We'll see what happens.

I was not on crutches after surgery. I had the pins sticking about an inch to an inch and a half out of my toe and I walked with my surgical shoe beginning immediately after surgery. My dr wrote me off work for 2 weeks, but I bet there are a lot of people who recover more quickly. Because my ankle is fused, I have an increased amount of swelling and pain than the average patient, so it takes me a little longer to recover. Recovery was much easier than I had thought it would be.

I was able to drive with my surgical shoe. I didnt think that was hard at all until the day I was diagnosed with the infection because the swelling was so bad in the toe and the whole top of my foot there was a lot of pressure. Other than that, I have been fine driving the whole time.

Keep posting, so we know how you are doing. I hope everything goes well for you!
Step

Thanks so much for your input, Step.

I don't go back to PA until May and I have a "must attend" graduation for my neice at UNH May24th. SO, I either wait and have it done up there the end of May/early June or find someone down here and try to have it done ASAP so I can be somewhat recovered before I leave.....Problem here is that the PODs I've seen here want to do the implant or fusion....guess I need to look for an older one!

Why did you have to have pins in your toe? How was THAT coming out? WOW and were they protected well so they didn't stick out and get bumped?

Thanks again......Hope your infection clears up soon....

Thank you so much for answering.

Now, If I was YOUR 66 year old Mom, :D what would you recomend for her?

Your input on this board is excellent. Please don't leave....

Thanks again.....

Stitcher, Please see my new thread "floppy Toe - Post Op" for an update.

For Dr. JCPelly,

Want to thank you so much for your input. You may have read elsewhere that I have decided on the Keller mainly because I have also decided to have this done when I return to my summer home and because Diabetes runs in my family. I am fearful of having any foreign material in my foot if I should have a problem with my sugar. Over reacting? Maybe.....My Dr. up north also recommends the Keller and has great success with it. Sorry to say I am not real impressed with health care here in the south and most every office I contacted only did the titanium implant

Please Continue "lurking" on this board and to offer your expert advice and or opinions. You do a nice job explaining everything.

Thank you...