Update: Surgery!?!? - Foot Problems Message Board

MFord1206 · 07-20-2006, 09:42 AM

So, here's the verdict...just got home from the doc. The good news: the cast is off. The bad news: the ankle is just as loose as it was 5 weeks ago when the cast was put on, and he said no amount of physical therapy would help (i already knew that!)

So, I get to go under the knife again. This time my doc is going to use me as his guinea pig to try a new procedure that he was taught at a conference last week. I had him write down what he was going to do and it says "Split peroneal tendon lateral ligament reconstruction with possible tendon allograft". It sounds alot to me like the Chrisman-Snook, but he said that it is a totally new procedure that just came out.

He is hoping that he can use my own peroneal tendon to split and use for the repair, but if mine is too scarred or too small, he will have to use an allograft from the bone and tissue bank. He said he will be prepared for both, but hopes he can just use my tissue, because there is an infection risk using the cadaver tendon.

Anyways, now I am just looking at dates to see when the best time to schedule this will be. I am looking at the week of August 14th or so, because that is 2 weeks before school starts. That will leave me with only 2 weeks at school to be on crutches (he said 4 weeks nwb). I really need to be able to be on my feet at school because we have clinicals (which start in October) where you're walking around all day long. So, I can't afford to have it done during school.

He was going to put me back in a boot, but decided just to let me wear my ASO lace up brace in a shoe because he doesn't want my leg to atrophy any more than it already has. He did say to pull out an old boot for a couple of days if I need the extra support.

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know how my appt. went.

Megan

eko · 07-20-2006, 04:21 PM

Well, it doesn't sound like there are surprises, except for wanting to use you as a guinea pig. I'd have mixed emotions about that one, but it would all depend on how competent I felt the doctor was and my relationship with him. Do you get a discount or extra special treatment for being a guinea pig, there's got to be something extra in it for you.

I wish you all the best with your surgery. Keep us updated on this new procedure.

~Ellen

Beekermlady · 07-20-2006, 06:33 PM

Megan,

The only positive thing I can say to you is...at least you weren't surprised. But I also wanted to chime in to remind you that my doc also used a part of my peroneal tendon to reconstruct the ligaments in the ankle. Of course mine was already split. Last appointment he said he was really impressed with it, and told me that the body tends to accept it's own parts more then foriegn parts... (like America and cars huh?? LOL) When he got inside it was a real mess for me, but he told me that having the part of the peroneal tendon really made his job a little easier! So.. it seems from the description and what he wrote down for you, that your surgery is going to be very similar to mine. The only difference I believe is that you have no tendon damage right?? I guess that would make up the difference in our NWB time period...I will be 1 day short of 7 weeks when I get the cast off next Thursday!!

Well, I just wanted to let you know that I feel for you and I am soooo sorry that you had to wear the cast for all that time without any improvement

Hugs are being sent your way! Dumb squirrels LOL Hope you are in good spirits..

-Britt

MFord1206 · 07-20-2006, 07:02 PM

I am not too concerned with my doc wanting to try this new procedure on me. I am very confident in his skills, and was very pleased with his work that was done previously. I also have a really good doctor-patient relationship with him because I have been going to him for quite some time. He is supposedly the best foot and ankle ortho in the area...I personally believe that he is.

I am really surprised that he didn't want to get an MRI before he does the procedure, but he is certain all that I did in the bicycle crash was just blow out the Brostrom, which meant tearing the ATFL and CFL...again! I'm just hoping that he will be able to use my tendon, because of all the risks involved with the allograft.

He did say that I will have a much bigger incision this time. My scar from the brostrom is only about 2 inches...he said this one will be around 6 inches, and run behind the fibula and down to the fifth metatarsal. I am going to have an ugly scarred up ankle...guess my dreams to be a foot model are over...LOL

I do have one question...has anyone that has had ligament reconstruction surgery done it with an epidural instead of general anesthesia? I am a little hesitant to do it under general because a couple of months ago, I had a colonoscopy done under general and instead of waking up 15 minutes later, I woke up 8 hours later in the ICU...so I am just a little scared. I have had general other times though with no problem. My doc did say he would be willing do it with an epidural instead, but the thought of that scares me to, because I have had many lumbar punctures before and they are extremely painful--so I am just between a rock and a hard place with this.

I am going to call in the morning to see about a date. I am looking at either the first week in August, or the week of August 14th.

eko · 07-21-2006, 05:58 AM

Epidural or General, I have had nothing but problems with Epidurals (2 C-Sections). If you previously had no problems with a General, what did they do different the last time that you had a problem with it? Something was different. I know the last time I had surgery under a general was the first time ever I woke up with a headache and nauseous, but I was at a different hospital with a different surgeon. In talking to my Primary Care Doc, she said it could have been just a different med used. But if I were you, I'd be concerned to, waking up 8 hours later in ICU.

In regards to lumbar punctures and an Epidural, who did your LPs? Generally anesthesiologist are pretty good at putting in Epidurals.

It would be nive if you could talk to the anesthesiologist prior to surgery to help with the decision.

-Ellen