18 weeks post triple arthrodesis and heel pain - Foot Problems Message Board

lovelyladi · 05-21-2009, 07:23 AM

I have been posting for a while...had TA Jan15. Surgeon says everything is going well (fusing)and said I can be full weight bearing and start to use cane.

However...I have s lot of heel pain weight bearing and my PT says I cannot move to cane (nor do I feel able) until I can walk without hanging on my walker because of pain. Surgeon says will probably need to remove a screw from my heel but cannot do for months yet as I must be completely fused

Question...can I get used to the pain enough to walk with a cane. Any ideas?

Shelly

shelleybutn · 05-27-2009, 09:24 AM

have you tried a gel heel cusion? i remember having lots of pain in heel at first too when i started walking more out of boot. it went away.

hurts2walk · 05-27-2009, 08:49 PM

[Question...can I get used to the pain enough to walk with a cane. Any ideas?
Shelly[/QUOTE]

You should not have to get "used to pain" in order to walk...........try the gel pads....are you in a boot?

lovelyladi · 05-28-2009, 12:56 AM

I still wear the boot when I go out ...sort of a protective mechanism. I wear some large New Balance (wide) sneakers with a spenco insert around the house or orthopedic sandels. Nothing is really comfortable...I seem to have a lot of swelling unless I spend the day reclining with my foot up.

Pt says I really should not try walking unaided until I can stand on the surgery foot for 30 seconds with the other foot raised. Heck, I haven't been able to do that for at least 20 years and still cannot on my good leg.(I am 61 years old) Part of the problem may be that I hurt the knee with the bad foot

I shall purchase gell heel pads in the next day or so...certainly wortha try.

Thanks for the advice

Shelly

canuck46 · 05-28-2009, 08:43 AM

Lovelylady, I just went to Dr. am post 11 wks. He took xrays and said everything looked good. He said I should try walking without crutches in boot. My balance is too bad so he said to start using one crutch then eventually go without. Also said I could use tennis shoe with crutches in the house. I can't fit into any of my tennis shoes so I will try the crocs. I still have pain but in my ankle area when I try to be full wb. Also get swelling in foot. I am just about same age as you and also have bad knees so I can understand. I can start pt but his protocal with pt is for non wb because he doesn't want to "screw up" his great work!! Any suggestions from you or others on how to get over fear of walking again. I think that is my problem. Take care, Mar