Has this happened to anyone else after PTTD surgery? - Foot Problems Message Board

hey19 · 06-18-2008, 02:29 PM

It's been a long time since I've visited these boards.... I see lots of new names!

Here's my situation and question..... I'm six months out of my second PTTD surgery and now I have a beautifully straight "new" foot that I've been walking all over creation with. Since April when I began walking on my own again, I noticed I kept kicking things with the surgery foot, but didn't think too much of it until I broke a toe. THEN I started wondering if it was because I'm not used to my newly-configured foot... maybe it was just getting in my way. NOW I'm pretty sure that's the case because I kicked a step going upstairs... I tripped and fell... and broke my hand on Monday!!! Now I have to have surgery tomorrow to put a pin in this oblique fracture that is all misaligned.....

Has anyone noticed their new feet and/or gait causing trouble??.... or maybe I'm just a KLUTZ!?? HAHA!!!

emmie54 · 06-18-2008, 09:56 PM

Hey, Kristin. Good to hear from you. So sorry about your hand. I have noticed I am clumsier than I ever was (and that was pretty clumsy to start with). I think it is, as you said, the foot is different than it was. Also, I think it is different than the other foot, too. We are made to walk on two feet that are made the same. when one is "off" whether good or bad, it throws our gait off. My theory, anyway.

emmie

janewhite1 · 06-19-2008, 07:58 AM

Your nerves and brain need to learn how to deal with your new foot, you may want some advanced PT. I do some difficult balance exercises. What's difficult? Something hard but doable for you, basically.

I also did these things where I had to walk along a line, placing the heel of one foot touching the toe of the other (like a balance beam, but safe on the floor). Practice going up and down steps. Eventually your nervous system will learn how to handle your body's new geometry.

emmie54 · 06-19-2008, 03:00 PM

While Jane's suggestions are good, if you have had one foot realigned and the other one isn't and especially if the other one is progressing along the path of the first one, then your two feet are indeed different, which causes gait issues. I have one that is perfectly aligned and one that is pronating. I did all of those exercises and was in PT for 6 months following surgery and I still trip over (strangely) the "good" foot. I have to concentrate on proper proprioception because it just will not come naturally.

hey19 · 06-20-2008, 08:23 AM

I'm so glad I asked this question because I just felt plain old stupid tripping up that step. Also, I broke a toe a couple of weeks for what is probably the same reason. I will listen to your helpful hints and tips. I think that maybe a bigger shoe size doesn't help either. Hard to believe that at this age I have to learn to walk all over again!