janewhite1

Hi, sorry to hear you're having trouble with your feet. Feel free to join us down on the "foot problems" board--it's lively there!

Last thing first: The x-ray that didn't show it. It's a funny fact that x-ray and even MRI just don't work as well on feet as they do on other areas of the body. There are too many parts, they're all small or tiny, and they're all critically important. Also, sometimes stress fractures or hairline fractures don't show.

Your other questions, you'd have to ask the surgeon. The screws might be permanent, or they might be removed, or it might be a "take them out later if they bother you" situation.

They might want to do both feet at once, especially since recovering from the surgery on one will increase strain on the other. However, don't do both at once unless you have family who can help look out for you and a reasonably accessible home, no 4th floor walkup.

Recovery would depend on your case and your surgeon's protocol. You might be able to walk a little right away in a hard-soled surgical shoe, or you might be forbidden to bear weight for a month or more.

Be sure and ask the surgeon all those questions, along with "what are the risks" and "how long should I be off work or other activities" and "what is the expected outcome?"

Surgery to pin together a fracture that isn't knitting is pretty routine. Not fun, but not the worst thing in the world.

Also, have you considered a bone stimulator? They really do work, I understand. Do you know why you have the stress fractures? Do you have osteoporosis or another medical condition that puts you at risk?