stepbystep89
03-13-2009, 11:31 PM
I had a subtalar fusion 12/1/08. I have 2 screws inserted through the bottom of my heel that go through the subtalar joint to the front of my ankle. I have been full weightbearing for about 6 weeks and weaning into a shoe for the past 2-3 weeks. Since last Friday I have had a growing pain - well 2 pains actually - one on the bottom of my heel that at times is excruciating and makes it impossible to walk after about 15 minutes (and it starts immediately when I put my foot on the ground). The other pain is in the front of my ankle where the screws come out - it is especially tender to the touch.
Therefore, when I walk in a shoe or barefoot - my heel kills me. When I wear the boot, the front of my ankle is so tender I can't hardly stand it.
I don't really know what could be causing this pain this late in the game. I mean, if it was closer to surgery, I may think it was infected or something.
Is it possible that the screws are working their way out?
I would love to hear from anyone who hasd experience with how that feels and what was done to correct the problem or anyone else who has thoughts to share.
Thanks!
Step
Therefore, when I walk in a shoe or barefoot - my heel kills me. When I wear the boot, the front of my ankle is so tender I can't hardly stand it.
I don't really know what could be causing this pain this late in the game. I mean, if it was closer to surgery, I may think it was infected or something.
Is it possible that the screws are working their way out?
I would love to hear from anyone who hasd experience with how that feels and what was done to correct the problem or anyone else who has thoughts to share.
Thanks!
Step
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emmie54
03-14-2009, 01:53 PM
Step,
I know someone on another board who had a similar problem. They went in and re-screwed them. I would definitely call your doctor as you want to be sure. I would think with a fusion those screws need to be just right!
Let us know what happens. Take care. :wave:
I know someone on another board who had a similar problem. They went in and re-screwed them. I would definitely call your doctor as you want to be sure. I would think with a fusion those screws need to be just right!
Let us know what happens. Take care. :wave:
stepbystep89
03-14-2009, 02:32 PM
Thanks Emmie! The strangest thing is this morning things feel pretty good. I'm able to walk anyway! :) I called the dr's office Friday afternoon and left a message, so I suppose I will hear from them Monday. I'll keep you posted.
Step
Step
stepbystep89
03-16-2009, 10:09 PM
I haven't heard back from my surgeon yet, and honestly I am getting very frustrated. I am now 14 weeks out from my fusion, and I still cannot really enjoy any amount of activity. I just want to be better! I want to be able to walk or to stand for more than 10 minutes without all of the pain. I can't believe how much it still hurts AND I am still on pain meds!
Thank you for listening to me complain!!
Step
Thank you for listening to me complain!!
Step
shelleybutn
03-17-2009, 11:38 AM
step, you are so early in your recovery i wouldn't freak out yet. if you just had it in december....you are only 4 months. i wasn't even out of boot yet! i didn't feel amazing until month 9 and am doing pretty well now. my surgery was last may. (triple arthrodesis, fusion)
the screws can irritate things, my 2 in my navicular bone are irritating the tissue and may need to be taken out...but not til a year.
i remember going thru lots of new pains in those early months. they will come and go and eventually will be gone. hang in there. it's probably just normal pains.
shelley
the screws can irritate things, my 2 in my navicular bone are irritating the tissue and may need to be taken out...but not til a year.
i remember going thru lots of new pains in those early months. they will come and go and eventually will be gone. hang in there. it's probably just normal pains.
shelley
stepbystep89
03-17-2009, 06:00 PM
Thank you Shelley!
I heard from my os today. He is going to have me fitted for an orthotic (donut) to put in my shoe for cushion. We'll see how this works. I am making the appointment as soon as possible, so I can get active. I am just disappointed with the limited activity I am able to do. I am currently unemployed and would love to do some spring cleaning! ;)
I heard from my os today. He is going to have me fitted for an orthotic (donut) to put in my shoe for cushion. We'll see how this works. I am making the appointment as soon as possible, so I can get active. I am just disappointed with the limited activity I am able to do. I am currently unemployed and would love to do some spring cleaning! ;)
shelleybutn
03-17-2009, 10:55 PM
it will come....just takes some time. remember...one year to be 100%
stepbystep89
03-18-2009, 12:24 AM
Yes, I understand 1 year to be 100%. My concern is that after standing on my foot for only 15 minutes my pain escalates to an 8 or a 9 with every step and that is WITH pain meds. That seems a little extreme to me.
Can a person get a stress fracture in their heel? I have always heard about them in the smaller bones in the foot. I'm not sure they could happen on such a large bone....
Step
Can a person get a stress fracture in their heel? I have always heard about them in the smaller bones in the foot. I'm not sure they could happen on such a large bone....
Step
emmie54
03-18-2009, 01:20 AM
step, I would definitely see your doctor about that. No, you shouldn't have that level of pain. You need to know if there is a problem with the screws. but to answer your question, yes, you can have a calcaneal stress fracture. They are not very common and given the fact that you have screws I would lean more toward that being the problem but I'm just guessing. I would get this checked out soon, though. Sounds like you're in a great deal of pain with this. Let us know what happens.
emmie
emmie
shelleybutn
03-18-2009, 11:47 AM
step, you can get a stress fracture in your heel, i see a few every year in my athletes (i am a certified athletic trainer, so i fix injuries for a living). hope you get it figured out.
stepbystep89
03-19-2009, 05:19 PM
Thanks to both of you!
Shelley, what are the symptoms of a stress fracture? Does it hurt all the time?
Shelley, what are the symptoms of a stress fracture? Does it hurt all the time?
emmie54
03-20-2009, 01:31 AM
step, I'm not Shelley (:=) ) but I did have 2 stress fractures (not in my heel) one in the second metatarsal and one in the fourth - not at the same time thank goodness! How both of mine started was a weird tingly feeling in a specific spot. It progressed to slight pain when weight bearing to pretty intense pain when weight bearing to even throbbing at rest. The area of pain felt about the size of a half dollar. Calcaneal stress fractures may present in a different manner but that's how mine were both times. Also, the area of pain was very tender to the touch.
shelleybutn
03-20-2009, 11:20 AM
deep achy pain, even while resting it will still ache. and usually tender to touch, if you poke around the area. heel ones are a bit deeper, but usually it's the achey all the time part that red flags us.
emmie54
03-20-2009, 01:25 PM
shelley, just fyi, my PT is the one who diagnosed my stress fractures both times before I went to the doctor. Both times I was rehabbing from surgery when they occurred. I thought it was just my usual aches and pains. The ultrasound sending me through the roof was a big clue, too!
stepbystep89
03-22-2009, 03:58 PM
Well, I have good news, then. I tried swithing my shoes to backless tennis shoes and it seems to have done the trick. Although my heel still gets sore and tender after being on it a while, it is not as bad and no longer hurts when I am resting.
Thank you for listening to me and for helping. I have recovered from 9 surgeries and am very familiar with the normal (and abnormal) aches and pains. I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all, but I just mean that I am pretty in tune with what is just the expected recovery challenges and when something is actually wrong. This time, I was really concerned something was going on around the entry site, but it looks like my intuition was mistaken.
I am so grateful to have this board to come to when I am unsure. It sure helps for peace of mind and for encouragement when things get rough.
Thanks again! :)
Step
Thank you for listening to me and for helping. I have recovered from 9 surgeries and am very familiar with the normal (and abnormal) aches and pains. I don't mean to sound like a know-it-all, but I just mean that I am pretty in tune with what is just the expected recovery challenges and when something is actually wrong. This time, I was really concerned something was going on around the entry site, but it looks like my intuition was mistaken.
I am so grateful to have this board to come to when I am unsure. It sure helps for peace of mind and for encouragement when things get rough.
Thanks again! :)
Step
emmie54
03-22-2009, 05:22 PM
awesome, step. Hope you continue to feel better. FWIW I still prefer backless shoes and wear them 95% of the time. I had my screw out (one large one in back of heel) but it still remains tender to the touch. It takes a couple of years for the hole to fill in after it's removed. It's just a sensitive spot even though my last MRI showed it as just a tiny little tunnel.
You have had 9 surgeries?? wow! I thought I was bad at four. Mine were PTT, Peroneal repair, Hardware removal, Arthroscopy/debridement. If I choose to have the Tarsal Tunnel release (a big IF) that will be five and I just don't know if I can bring myself to do it. How on earth have you handled NINE??
You have had 9 surgeries?? wow! I thought I was bad at four. Mine were PTT, Peroneal repair, Hardware removal, Arthroscopy/debridement. If I choose to have the Tarsal Tunnel release (a big IF) that will be five and I just don't know if I can bring myself to do it. How on earth have you handled NINE??
stepbystep89
04-07-2009, 07:33 PM
I am sooooo frustrated today! Another painful day - I feel like my heel is splitting in half and the outside of my ankle is burning too. Man, I am a mess. I think I am super frustrated because here I am - laid off from work - home all day - perfect time to get housework and projects done - and i can't get up to do any of it! Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!
The only way I have managed through nine surgeries are the following things:
Prayer
Very strong support group - family and friends
Church Friends - bringing meals and checking on me
Patient Husband - swears he doesn't get frustrated bringing me sodas and making me something to eat
Helpful Daughter - she loves to do something helpful!
Venting on This Board
Hope - no matter what has happened in the past I continue to have hope that this surgery is going to be the one to fix it! Some people think I am naive, but it is times like this that my eternal optimism is an asset! ;)
Thank you for always listening to me!
I got my heel doughnut the other day. It really does help for the spot on my heel that is really tender. It's a little tough to get situated right inside my sock, but it does the trick. The man who makes my orthotics said it was interesting that he had made quite a few of them for my doc lately. hmmmmmm is it a coincidence?
Anyway, just thought I would check in and vent a little bit. I always feel better after I let some of it out.
Step
The only way I have managed through nine surgeries are the following things:
Prayer
Very strong support group - family and friends
Church Friends - bringing meals and checking on me
Patient Husband - swears he doesn't get frustrated bringing me sodas and making me something to eat
Helpful Daughter - she loves to do something helpful!
Venting on This Board
Hope - no matter what has happened in the past I continue to have hope that this surgery is going to be the one to fix it! Some people think I am naive, but it is times like this that my eternal optimism is an asset! ;)
Thank you for always listening to me!
I got my heel doughnut the other day. It really does help for the spot on my heel that is really tender. It's a little tough to get situated right inside my sock, but it does the trick. The man who makes my orthotics said it was interesting that he had made quite a few of them for my doc lately. hmmmmmm is it a coincidence?
Anyway, just thought I would check in and vent a little bit. I always feel better after I let some of it out.
Step
emmie54
04-08-2009, 01:56 AM
I never heard of a heel doughnut but it sounds great. If I end up having my right one done I will check into it for sure.
Pam Beeson
04-08-2009, 09:39 AM
Hello:
Just have a few ?s posted on another thread but had no response will try here.
what does oats mean? have had 3 subtalor fusions was injured in 2000 had first fusion feb 2002 never had union was redone in nov 2002 had no problems until a year ago started swelling thought i might have pulled something had doctor do an x-ray showed fusion came apart again. had another fusion and bone graft (cadaver bone) done on feb 2-2009 still in cast for 4 more weeks doc wants to start weight bearing in cast last two weeks says should beable to walk with out crutches by the time i see him on may 8 will get cast off then. tried to put some weight on it but cast seems to be pinching on top of foot where he took out old screws have one screw now in bottom of foot also have bad burning sensation on side where fusion cut is seems like the cast is rubbing on it sure doesn't feel very good. bottom of foot is still very tender not sure if i will beable to walk as soon as he says but will give it a try. can't wait to get cast off. thanks for any info.
Just have a few ?s posted on another thread but had no response will try here.
what does oats mean? have had 3 subtalor fusions was injured in 2000 had first fusion feb 2002 never had union was redone in nov 2002 had no problems until a year ago started swelling thought i might have pulled something had doctor do an x-ray showed fusion came apart again. had another fusion and bone graft (cadaver bone) done on feb 2-2009 still in cast for 4 more weeks doc wants to start weight bearing in cast last two weeks says should beable to walk with out crutches by the time i see him on may 8 will get cast off then. tried to put some weight on it but cast seems to be pinching on top of foot where he took out old screws have one screw now in bottom of foot also have bad burning sensation on side where fusion cut is seems like the cast is rubbing on it sure doesn't feel very good. bottom of foot is still very tender not sure if i will beable to walk as soon as he says but will give it a try. can't wait to get cast off. thanks for any info.
stepbystep89
04-09-2009, 05:50 PM
Pam,
From reading other threads, it looks like you have found a place to get your questions answered. I apologize, but I really don't know anything about the OATS procedure. Out of all the surgeries I have had on my foot and ankle, I seem to have avoided the OATS.
Please keep posting and let us know how things are going for you. I am especially interested in your subtalar fusions. Did you have any indication on the second fusion that something may go wrong in the future? I am just scared that my dr tells me now that things are great only to find out in a few years that the union has split (or however you want to word it). I am sorry if I am not comunicating this very clearly. I just don't want to go along thinking I am good from now until I die and then find out in 10 years that I have to go through another major procedure. I'm sure you can understand.....
From reading other threads, it looks like you have found a place to get your questions answered. I apologize, but I really don't know anything about the OATS procedure. Out of all the surgeries I have had on my foot and ankle, I seem to have avoided the OATS.
Please keep posting and let us know how things are going for you. I am especially interested in your subtalar fusions. Did you have any indication on the second fusion that something may go wrong in the future? I am just scared that my dr tells me now that things are great only to find out in a few years that the union has split (or however you want to word it). I am sorry if I am not comunicating this very clearly. I just don't want to go along thinking I am good from now until I die and then find out in 10 years that I have to go through another major procedure. I'm sure you can understand.....
Pam Beeson
04-14-2009, 12:08 PM
stepbystep89:
sorry it took me so long have been checking the wrong thread. for an answer to your ?
no I had no idea this would happen again. I hadn't had any problems with ankle since (nov-2002) last surgery until may of last year. It just started bothering me and just got worse over a matter of about 2 months. so I had some x-rays done thinking it might just be some muscle or tendon problems turned out the fusion came undone. not really sure why doctor thinks maybe it just wasn't fused well and the job I do didn't help matters.
this time things feel alot tighter inside the ankle had a bone graft done sure feels different than the last two almost the same as the other ankle. still have another 3 weeks in cast he has me putting weight on it now but the cast really irritates the sides and top of my foot can't hardly stand it at times just keep it elevated to get the feeeling to go away I hope I can make it another 3 weeks my doctor is 300 miles away.
really hate the drive my husband has been great (again) through all this very patient.
I just prey that this is the last time this happens but when you can hardly walk it gets very frustrating. hopefully he will give me the boot in may (8th) next appt.
sorry it took me so long have been checking the wrong thread. for an answer to your ?
no I had no idea this would happen again. I hadn't had any problems with ankle since (nov-2002) last surgery until may of last year. It just started bothering me and just got worse over a matter of about 2 months. so I had some x-rays done thinking it might just be some muscle or tendon problems turned out the fusion came undone. not really sure why doctor thinks maybe it just wasn't fused well and the job I do didn't help matters.
this time things feel alot tighter inside the ankle had a bone graft done sure feels different than the last two almost the same as the other ankle. still have another 3 weeks in cast he has me putting weight on it now but the cast really irritates the sides and top of my foot can't hardly stand it at times just keep it elevated to get the feeeling to go away I hope I can make it another 3 weeks my doctor is 300 miles away.
really hate the drive my husband has been great (again) through all this very patient.
I just prey that this is the last time this happens but when you can hardly walk it gets very frustrating. hopefully he will give me the boot in may (8th) next appt.