WorldWalker
11-01-2008, 11:31 AM
So I'm currently across the pond doing a study abroad. I have been having trouble with my feet since I was a child. The doctors suggested surgery but I was not looking forward to being cut up at the most active point in my life and orthotics worked and I grew out of them. I lived an active life by swimming and bike riding and little walking or running. I got around mostly by driving around. I didn't start having problems until last November when I transferred from comm. college to a University with a larger campus which required a lot of walking on my part. I had gone to a more conservative doctor who wound it up with tape and told me to take Aleve for a week and get back to him. It worked and I put it in the back of my mind really taking Aleve if it started up. Early spring it stopped working and I was concerned at the discomfort I felt from walking and the pain afterwards. I would miss class in the summer because it hurt so much and people thought it funny that I took a bus down the street or would take an elevator to avoid stairs. In late August of 08 I found out I have Stage II right posterior tibial tendon insufficiency and would require surgery. (He had also mentioned at this point there was a 40% bone displacement or something) I didn't have enough time before I left in Sept. so I told him I would have it when I returned...in June. Though I'm trying to return earlier in April or May because I've had such trouble. He said the surgery would consist of the following: Gastroc recession, Medializing calcaneal osteotomy, Possible lateral coloumn lengthening, & Flexor digitorum profundus transfer left. He had emailed me the following details:
"The surgery has three goals:
1) Make the calf muscle the right length - To do this we make a cut on the back
of the calf and make a cut in the tendon that is too tight so that it can heal
as long as it should be
2) Put the bones back into an arch - To do this we make 2 cuts in your heel
bone to reposition it. Sometimes we have to take some bone from your hip to
put into one of the cuts
3) Replace the tendon that no longer works - We borrow the tendon that bends
the very tips of your toes and reroute it to make up for the one that isn't
doing its job right now.
It is a same day surgery. You will be in a cast, on crutches for 6 weeks.
Then you will go into a boot for another 2-3 weeks as you start your walking on
that foot and that is the point where you will have some physical therapy."
Is there anything you guys could say about these procedures in regards to scars, pain, recovery, complications, suggestions for toughing it out until next spring/summer. I've already got orthotics that are attempting to help to no avail and I think just having to wait so long and having such trouble is making me think on it a lot. So maybe by talking about it I can put my mind at ease and enjoy myself more while I'm in the UK. The doctor has told me not to worry since I'm 20 and that should help with recovery but here I am still worried.
"The surgery has three goals:
1) Make the calf muscle the right length - To do this we make a cut on the back
of the calf and make a cut in the tendon that is too tight so that it can heal
as long as it should be
2) Put the bones back into an arch - To do this we make 2 cuts in your heel
bone to reposition it. Sometimes we have to take some bone from your hip to
put into one of the cuts
3) Replace the tendon that no longer works - We borrow the tendon that bends
the very tips of your toes and reroute it to make up for the one that isn't
doing its job right now.
It is a same day surgery. You will be in a cast, on crutches for 6 weeks.
Then you will go into a boot for another 2-3 weeks as you start your walking on
that foot and that is the point where you will have some physical therapy."
Is there anything you guys could say about these procedures in regards to scars, pain, recovery, complications, suggestions for toughing it out until next spring/summer. I've already got orthotics that are attempting to help to no avail and I think just having to wait so long and having such trouble is making me think on it a lot. So maybe by talking about it I can put my mind at ease and enjoy myself more while I'm in the UK. The doctor has told me not to worry since I'm 20 and that should help with recovery but here I am still worried.
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CheerAngel
11-01-2008, 12:46 PM
Hi WorldWalker, I can't help you much here 'cause I've not had surgery done on my foot. Unlike you, I have high arch(pes cavus) and my doctor also asked me to go for surgery. In the end, I cancelled it but am still under his care as he wants to monitor me. And like you, I have feet problems since a child and my feet hurts everyday. I can't wear a lot of nice shoes, so am stick with sport shoes + orthotics. Orthotics, taping, physio, nothing much helps me... but I'm still not confident to go ahead with the surgery. My surgeon says success rate is 80% for my case and it would be a major surgery. Then you will not know if the pain will be gone after surgery. I ask myself, what if the scar is sensitive and will hurt even long after I have recover. What about the metal implants in my feet, whether they will hurt or effect me after surgery. As bones will be broken, whether it will heal/join back properly... if not, more surgery. Infection is also another worry... I'm still young and don't want my life to be affected by the surgery if the outcome is not as good as I want it to be.
My surgeon also says that my ankle has tilted due to my feet problem.
Have you seek a second opinion? Don't rush into surgery if you are not comfortable and confident enough. And if you do go ahead with the surgery, make sure that your surgeon has a lot of experience with that type of surgery.
All the best to you! :angel:
My surgeon also says that my ankle has tilted due to my feet problem.
Have you seek a second opinion? Don't rush into surgery if you are not comfortable and confident enough. And if you do go ahead with the surgery, make sure that your surgeon has a lot of experience with that type of surgery.
All the best to you! :angel:
hurts2walk
11-01-2008, 01:15 PM
Welcome WorldWalker. There are many of us here that have had the surgery you are describing. Do a search on here for PTTD and you will learn plenty. I have lived with flat feet and problems/pain for years and I have to say that surgery may be your only "cure". As scary as it sounds, you can get through it!
WorldWalker
11-01-2008, 03:03 PM
Thank you for the Welcome you guys. I do plan on having the surgery but waiting another 6-7 months is going to be tough for me right now. I've been searching this board for a while as a guest. Right now I'm on pg 80 of 200 something for foot problems reading peoples various surgeries and recoveries and looking for tips and how they felt and coped with it. However I finally posted because I know though they have one or two of the same procedures, each one has different factors such as age, weight, gender, lifestyle, what other things may play a factor, location etc... I do appreciate that people are already responding! : )
Also your from MN, that's where I'm from and will have my surgery, what have you found recovery to be like?
Welcome WorldWalker. There are many of us here that have had the surgery you are describing. Do a search on here for PTTD and you will learn plenty. I have lived with flat feet and problems/pain for years and I have to say that surgery may be your only "cure". As scary as it sounds, you can get through it!
Also your from MN, that's where I'm from and will have my surgery, what have you found recovery to be like?
Welcome WorldWalker. There are many of us here that have had the surgery you are describing. Do a search on here for PTTD and you will learn plenty. I have lived with flat feet and problems/pain for years and I have to say that surgery may be your only "cure". As scary as it sounds, you can get through it!
scribytoo
11-01-2008, 11:54 PM
Hi WorldWalker. I'm 7.5 weeks into recovery from a triple arthodesis which is the bottom-line surgery with PTTD - fusing of the bones to reconstruct my arch. I dealt with the pain from either rupturing or straining my tendon for at least 4-5 years from orthotics to a boot and an Ankle-foot orthotic and Pt. I finally decided to have the surgery and had it Sept. 2. I'm 57 now and have worked long, hard hours on my feet most of my life.
The surgery I had was painful for the first few days (very, very painful) until I was able to get my pain meds regularized but has not been very bad since the first week except for those instances of nerves being re-awakened. The recovery is expected to be between 10 to 12 weeks completely non-weight bearing. I am due to get my cast off on Nov. 18 and get into a boot. Then hopefully gradually adding weight and eventually PT. Thus far, the hardest thing has been being stuck in the house but many others have written that they've returned to work on crutches, etc. I have a few various reasons why I'm not on crutches that probably stem from my age and general health concerns. If I were on crutches, I would not have felt as limited.
It is a long recovery but I am looking very forward to getting my life back. I have learned a lot about myself and how much I hate giving up control during this time. And I've learned that the people on this board are great support. We will all be able to offer lots of advice about setting up for and getting through the recovery, if that's the way you go.
Linda
The surgery I had was painful for the first few days (very, very painful) until I was able to get my pain meds regularized but has not been very bad since the first week except for those instances of nerves being re-awakened. The recovery is expected to be between 10 to 12 weeks completely non-weight bearing. I am due to get my cast off on Nov. 18 and get into a boot. Then hopefully gradually adding weight and eventually PT. Thus far, the hardest thing has been being stuck in the house but many others have written that they've returned to work on crutches, etc. I have a few various reasons why I'm not on crutches that probably stem from my age and general health concerns. If I were on crutches, I would not have felt as limited.
It is a long recovery but I am looking very forward to getting my life back. I have learned a lot about myself and how much I hate giving up control during this time. And I've learned that the people on this board are great support. We will all be able to offer lots of advice about setting up for and getting through the recovery, if that's the way you go.
Linda
hurts2walk
11-02-2008, 03:30 PM
WorldWalker...another one from Minnesota! That's cool. I think you will be having a few more/different procedures than me but I wil tell you about me anyway!
I am a female, 42 years old, not overweight, and in pretty good physical shape (except for the feet of course). I pretty much wore my feet out over several years. When I got around to the MRI this past summer I had ruptured posterior tendons in both feet. So my procedures were tendon transfer (used the FDL) and a calcaneal osteotomy. I had day surgery and they did a popliteal block (which I highly advise you to ask about). I was put in a half cast/splint at first that was wrapped up in an ace bandage. Yes, the first few days were very painful. I took the pain meds for just under 2 weeks. I had staples (33 in all) removed at 10 days post op. After that I had an aircast/boot. I was non weight bearing (NWB) for about 6 weeks. I am now just past 8 weeks and and I am walking without crutches about half the time. My other foot is in so much pain (as it awaits it's surgery) so it had been nice to start walking and take some stress off of that foot. I see the doc this week and will talk about physical therapy with him. I was glad that I had the surgery at this time of the year in MN so I would not miss the wonderful BUT short summer weather!
It is a long road and I can't even think about the other foot surgery right now but I know it will have to be done. I really had no choice...you can only live with the pain of bad feet so long!
I am a female, 42 years old, not overweight, and in pretty good physical shape (except for the feet of course). I pretty much wore my feet out over several years. When I got around to the MRI this past summer I had ruptured posterior tendons in both feet. So my procedures were tendon transfer (used the FDL) and a calcaneal osteotomy. I had day surgery and they did a popliteal block (which I highly advise you to ask about). I was put in a half cast/splint at first that was wrapped up in an ace bandage. Yes, the first few days were very painful. I took the pain meds for just under 2 weeks. I had staples (33 in all) removed at 10 days post op. After that I had an aircast/boot. I was non weight bearing (NWB) for about 6 weeks. I am now just past 8 weeks and and I am walking without crutches about half the time. My other foot is in so much pain (as it awaits it's surgery) so it had been nice to start walking and take some stress off of that foot. I see the doc this week and will talk about physical therapy with him. I was glad that I had the surgery at this time of the year in MN so I would not miss the wonderful BUT short summer weather!
It is a long road and I can't even think about the other foot surgery right now but I know it will have to be done. I really had no choice...you can only live with the pain of bad feet so long!
smile2006
11-02-2008, 06:05 PM
I'm about 11 weeks post-op from tendon transfer, debridement and a calcaneal osteotomy. I tore my posterior tibial tendon with a fall down the stairs back in February. I didn't see a doctor until this July which was stupid. I'm an active person and just assumed I had an injury that would eventually heal itself. I would lay off activity and it would get a bit better but the more I was active the more painful and swollen it became. It's likely in the time I waited the tear became worse and worse. I was late stage II when I saw the doctor. I had surgery just over a month after intially seeing the doctor. I had an MRI to confirm the tear and luckily my insurance didn't require any of the conservative measures. I guess what I would say if you have to wait for the surgery make sure to take it easy and not make the problem any worse. There comes a point when they can no longer do the procedures you indicate because the condition has advanced too far. At your age, you don't want to have your foot fused. I will say that the surgery took the pain away so there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm full weight bearing and am able to ride my road bike again outside at this point. I dont regret having done the surgery even though the casts and crutches were very trying at times. The first three weeks were the worst due to swelling and pain in having my foot down but things got better quickly after that. I was lucky in that I got into a walking boot at about 5 1/2 weeks and was full weight bearing immediately. Good luck to you!
WorldWalker
11-05-2008, 08:38 PM
Smile2006, Foot fusion? What exactly is that? Also I'll be contacting my advisors and teachers to see if I can do my finals early to go home and get this taken care of as soon as school winds down this year. I'm hoping for mid April instead of June. Hurts2Walk please keep me informed on your progress as I hope all is well. So far I found walking around a huge city while I was away the last couple of days ok, but I am taking your advice and being fair to my feet and giving them rest as best possible. Which I think is very hard in Europe when you want to travel a lot. Has anyone had the condition get worse? If so how did that get treated?
LisaBdot
11-08-2008, 01:41 PM
Hi guy,
I don't match your profile, but I had very similar surgery to the one you've got ahead of you. I'm very glad I did it and only wish I hadn't waited so long. Do read PTTD Surgery posts for lots of great advice about coping with recovery.
In the meantime, though, can you get a walking boot from your doc? That will take a lot of the pressure off your ankle. You can go back and forth between the boot and your athletic shoes worn with orthotics, depending on your level of pain. It's a useful stop-gap measure.
I'm envious that you're in this wonderful European city! It would be a shame to miss out on a second of it. Get a boot and enjoy yourself.
sending a hug,
Lisa
I don't match your profile, but I had very similar surgery to the one you've got ahead of you. I'm very glad I did it and only wish I hadn't waited so long. Do read PTTD Surgery posts for lots of great advice about coping with recovery.
In the meantime, though, can you get a walking boot from your doc? That will take a lot of the pressure off your ankle. You can go back and forth between the boot and your athletic shoes worn with orthotics, depending on your level of pain. It's a useful stop-gap measure.
I'm envious that you're in this wonderful European city! It would be a shame to miss out on a second of it. Get a boot and enjoy yourself.
sending a hug,
Lisa
WorldWalker
12-26-2008, 06:04 AM
Hi, I posted a month or so ago in regards to my flat as a pancake feet. At the moment I wanted to start a new thread but it wont let me for some odd reason, so I'm posting on my old one. I wasn't injured just born with them and my doctor wants to go through flat foot reconstruction. I'm a college kid and I'm wondering if I should do it despite the spring semester starting up (My program isn't working out so I'm returning to MN so I don't want to have too many negatives from it especially knowing my feet are falling apart) I've come up with ideas how to still be active in class until I can endure just the 2-3 hours outside of my house to go to class. So far I've thought of sending someone to record lectures, getting a wheel chair to make getting there easier, asking for a lot of help and possibly when I'd be more up for it crutching my way into class. I was hoping you could tell me at what week did you guys feel you could endure an outing for a few hours because I remember reading some of you went back to work? I'd be 6 Weeks NWB 2-3 PWB-FWB and PT. The want to do a tendon transfer, put bone back into the heel and lengthen my achilles tendon. Also, how has it been for people recovering in the winter weather?
Note: Since we last spoke they suggested PT to help make muscles strong and adjusted my orthotics but it's still not helping.
Note: Since we last spoke they suggested PT to help make muscles strong and adjusted my orthotics but it's still not helping.
aed2113
01-06-2009, 02:17 AM
Hey,
I'm a college freshman and just had my fourth reconstructive foot surgery. I'm not sure that they were the same surgeries but we seem to have about the same recovery times. My first surgery was more difficult than the others just because I had never been on pain medicines so i didn't really know what to expect. I tried going back to school after about a week but I was still taking some stronger medicines....to say the least I didn't do that again. i pretty much learned not to go out for extended amounts of time until I was off anything more than extra-strength tylonol. Another thing that has helped me is that before going back to school make sure you spend some time sitting upright with your leg in the posotion it is going to be in, I know I couldn't always have it elevated at school and that made it feel alot differently than it does when I'm laying in my bed.
My second and third recovery times were alot faster just because I knew what to expect and when to start weening myself off the pain meds. I had to use a wheel chair after the second surgery but I really tried not to let these things limit what I did.
I know it sounds dumb but I'd say once your past the first two weeks you're gonna be ready to do everything. It might not be as easy but I went to school, I went on a vacation with my friends, went to prom...trust me I've done it all.
Luckily i have a pretty long winter break so i'll only have to be on crutches for a few weeks when there but I'm not even that worried. Oh and when it comes to to boot...you can do ANYTHING in it so don't even worry, whatever you do don't lock yourself in a room and not do anything because it it...(we're too young to be that depressing :) )
I'm a college freshman and just had my fourth reconstructive foot surgery. I'm not sure that they were the same surgeries but we seem to have about the same recovery times. My first surgery was more difficult than the others just because I had never been on pain medicines so i didn't really know what to expect. I tried going back to school after about a week but I was still taking some stronger medicines....to say the least I didn't do that again. i pretty much learned not to go out for extended amounts of time until I was off anything more than extra-strength tylonol. Another thing that has helped me is that before going back to school make sure you spend some time sitting upright with your leg in the posotion it is going to be in, I know I couldn't always have it elevated at school and that made it feel alot differently than it does when I'm laying in my bed.
My second and third recovery times were alot faster just because I knew what to expect and when to start weening myself off the pain meds. I had to use a wheel chair after the second surgery but I really tried not to let these things limit what I did.
I know it sounds dumb but I'd say once your past the first two weeks you're gonna be ready to do everything. It might not be as easy but I went to school, I went on a vacation with my friends, went to prom...trust me I've done it all.
Luckily i have a pretty long winter break so i'll only have to be on crutches for a few weeks when there but I'm not even that worried. Oh and when it comes to to boot...you can do ANYTHING in it so don't even worry, whatever you do don't lock yourself in a room and not do anything because it it...(we're too young to be that depressing :) )