Failed Talus OCD Drilling - Need OATS - Foot Problems Message Board

kimberp · 04-27-2008, 10:37 AM

I'm sorry to say that I just found out I need to join the OATS club

and need your advice and expertise ... your help and advice got me through the drilling, and I just learned on Friday that I now need OATS...

I had drilling of an talus OCD (7mm x 9mm x 5mm deep) back in October 07 and since I'd say January, the pain when walking has gotten worse than it was before the drilling.

We took an MRI of my ankle and it did fill in with cartilage, but my OS said that the quality of the cartilage matters and that it must be soft and that is what is causing my pain as he doesn't see any other reason I should be in such pain. Just to make sure though, he gave me a shot of lidocaine in the joint and said if I didn't have any pain, then the pain was definitely the OCD ..needless to say I had the best 6 hours of the last year and walked like a human, went up stairs like a human and pain free for those 6 hours (but boy did I pay the price when it wore off - yikes!)

I need to go back to my OS to talk about details but what I do know so far is that I will need an osteotomy and he said a cast/NWB for 8 weeks and he will be taking the plug from my knee.

For those of you who had this, can you help me with the following questions:

1- how long were you kept in the hospital and how did they control pain? (for drilling they kept me overnight and gave me morphene shots in my hips every 4 hours .. don't want that again.

2 - for those of you who had drilling ... how does the pain compare to that?

3 - Did you go from a cast to a boot? and if so, how long for each?

I honestly don't know what questions to ask him as I was not only stunned from hearing this, but partially excited that my foot felt so good with the lidocaine in it.

If anyone has a list of questions they put together that would be great as I honestly don't know what I don't know.

Thanks you all for your help once again ... I was hoping not to join this club, but looks like I will be a member

SkatersDad · 04-28-2008, 03:15 AM

Hi Kimberp

My son age 16 had failed OCD Drilling in April 2006 and had a 9mm allograft inserted in April 2007 via Osteotomy Diagonal through medial profound of Tibia with three screws)

Daniel had anesthesia put a very small catheter in behind his knee which blocked out the nerves in his ankle. Not sure what you do about pain in the donor knee site. Because of his age the OS wanted to use a donor cadaver bone instead of a autograft. Both are pretty common surgeries now and the cartilage is hyaline catilage so once its healed your good to go. He was 6 weeks NWB which if I remember was actually closer to 7 weeks. He started PT in June for about 4 months and stated ice skating again in October. When I look back I think the second surgery was a little more discomfort than the first but the recovery was lees painful over the months. The cut through the Tibia heals very quickly (6 weeks like a broken bone and its fine.

Best wishes for your surgery and a return to Full Activity.

akirka · 04-28-2008, 10:59 AM

Hi Kimberp

I'm 14 weeks out from OATS, knee to ankle graft. I had 2 plugs, 10mm and 8 mm taken from my knee. I was in the hospital 2 days and never had morphine. They gave me shots of demerol and lots of oxycotin. I was such a zombie that I couldn't stay awake long enough to feel pain. But my pain was not too bad. They did put a drainage tube in my knee which was gross and probably the most uncomfortable thing I experienced. However, I had no bruising, small swelling because they did that. My foot had a nerve block before the surgery and it lasted a long time. I then had to ride in a car 2 days (9 hours) to get back home. I was still looped on drugs and so it wasn't too painful. Just keep up with the pain medication and don't try to be tough and you'll do good. I really have to say I didn't ever experience terrible pain, just hot burning.

My Dr.'s seem to be pretty extreme compared to others on this site. Maybe because my defect was so big, but I was NWB 12 weeks. I had a cast 6 weeks and then a boot for another 6 weeks. It was absolutely wonderful to get out of the cast and into the boot. So far my knee is good - it gets stiff in the morning and is tender to kneel on, but walking is fine, I don't notice it.

Let me know if I can help with any other questions!

Abby

kimberp · 04-28-2008, 07:50 PM

SkatersDad - I have to admit, I've read all the stories on how Daniel is doing and am glad to hear that he is back to his youthful active self. Thanks for the information on his experience .. the more I know the better I can ask questions.

Abby - Unfortunately for me, we found out at the time of my drilling that for some reason I cannot get the nerve block done. 5 doctors dug around in the back of my knee for what seemed like hours and last thing I remember was crying asking them to stop .. I ended up getting an epidural. (I ended up finding out the my nerve was too 'deep' for them to reach) so unfortunately the nerve block is out for me, which I assume means another epidural.

The drain in my knee does not sound pleasant but I am glad to hear that the pain isn't tremendously worse .. I am also a bit concerned about having a cast since when I had the splint after the drilling, I experienced some panic attacks as I felt a bit claustrophobic ... not sure how I am going to handle that .. perhaps ask for anxiety meds for 8 weeks?

I made an appt with my OS to learn the details on Friday and hope to plan the surgery for mid August.

I will keep everyone posted on this continuing 'saga' but am glad to hear Abby that you are doing well. I have been keeping up on your experiences and what I have read had certainly helped.

Thanks again SkatersDad and Abby and I will certainly keep reading (and maybe posting more questions after Friday!

Kim

mirchanon · 04-29-2008, 07:13 AM

hey kimberb, sorry to hear that you need OATS.
I haven't had OATS myself but from what I've gathered on this board,

- some people stay in the hospital for a few days afterwards to recover
- people are generally NWB for 3 months (12 weeks)

I'm not sure about how bad the pain is but with the medication I think you can endure it. Goodluck.. let us know how it goes. we're here to support.