I am new here. Just found out my daughter (12) needs: Evans calcaneal osteotomy, cotton osteotomy, and a procedure to lengthen her Achilles' tendon. On both feet. Her left is worse than her right. Dr will do one foot at a time. My daughter wants to have it done ASAP so she can just get on with her life. She also is very anxious about it, so the sooner it is done...the better for her mental health. So the dr said most patients will do the first door when school gets out and then the 2nd during Christmas break (at the beginning so that she would have 2 weeks to recover).
She wants to do it now. If she does, how long would she have to stay home from school? I was thinking 2 weeks? Is that reasonable? Obviously we would discuss this with the surgeon... But thought I would ask those of you who have gone through it. Would she be able to get around on crutches at school or would a knee scooter be better? Or a wheel chair? I know her friends would gladly help her out.
We were really hoping the orthotics and PT would be enough.
Well I'm 19 and I had my first surgery at 17, then another at 19 and I'm having my 3rd right before I turn 20. I can understand her wanting her life back, I just want to be able to go to work and not have pain after standing for 4 hours but, its hasn't happened yet. This 3rd(and my final one) should make it happen. I started having issues with my feet at 12 too but an OS said he wouldn't do surgery on me because there a chance my feet could change with growing. So I waited and I moved and found my OS now who's awesome. Are you guys using an OS or a pod?
As for 2 weeks, I would say she would need more. Some schools do home & hospital type thing where a teacher comes 3 times a week for like 3 hours. I had to do it when I was out for half a year in 9th grade. I would ask and see if her school has it. Its a very good way to keep up with school. It was free atleast though my school.
The pain for me was pretty bad for the first three weeks but I have a very low pain tolerance.
__________________ 1/24/11 accessory navicular bone removed
Well I'm 19 and I had my first surgery at 17, then another at 19 and I'm having my 3rd right before I turn 20. I can understand her wanting her life back, I just want to be able to go to work and not have pain after standing for 4 hours but, its hasn't happened yet. This 3rd(and my final one) should make it happen. I started having issues with my feet at 12 too but an OS said he wouldn't do surgery on me because there a chance my feet could change with growing. So I waited and I moved and found my OS now who's awesome. Are you guys using an OS or a pod?
As for 2 weeks, I would say she would need more. Some schools do home & hospital type thing where a teacher comes 3 times a week for like 3 hours. I had to do it when I was out for half a year in 9th grade. I would ask and see if her school has it. Its a very good way to keep up with school. It was free atleast though my school.
The pain for me was pretty bad for the first three weeks but I have a very low pain tolerance.
You poor thing. You have been through a lot. I took her to many OS when she was younger and they all said to do nothing but wait until she was fully grown. But a year ago she complained about pain so I took her to a Pod. This pod made orthotics and had her do PT before recommending surgery. He sent us to another pod for the surgery as he didn't do many surgeries on flat feet. I have an appt for a 2nd opinion with another Pod on Thursday.
I have yet to hear back from the principal on what can be done for missing school.
I would go to an OS for the surgery or atleast there opinion. Cause if she is doing surgery and not done growing I'm not sure how it could affect her foot later on. I know that's why most say to wait until they have stopped growing. I was a size 8.5 when I was 12 and I still am..so I didn't grow much and was the same height. But it all depends on when she started. Its good your asking around though. Its good to be informed.
Like everyone else said I would plan for summer if it can be done then. Cause it would be less stressful and then have the other one done the next summer. Cause you do want to make sure the right or left whichever she's getting done first has healed.
I use a wheelchair to get a lot when I have surgery. My dr. didn't want me using a knee scooter cause I am very accident prone. So he said fully sitting is the safest for me.
__________________ 1/24/11 accessory navicular bone removed
Hi, just thought I'd say when I had to take my son to a specialist one time about his short statue he said girls normally stop growing once they start their menstrual period and that guys can continue to grow until their early 20s.. Cathy
Yeah my pediatrician at the time when I was 12 was fairly sure I was done growing snice I hadnt gotten taller and my shoe sized hadn't changed much since I was 10 but, sometimes you can grow a bit more after and I think thats why they want to be sure. I'm not sure what would happen if you had surgery and then grew more...I wonder what there reason is for wanting to make sure you done growing
__________________ 1/24/11 accessory navicular bone removed
I would go to an OS for the surgery or atleast there opinion. Cause if she is doing surgery and not done growing I'm not sure how it could affect her foot later on. I know that's why most say to wait until they have stopped growing. I was a size 8.5 when I was 12 and I still am..so I didn't grow much and was the same height. But it all depends on when she started. Its good your asking around though. Its good to be informed.
Like everyone else said I would plan for summer if it can be done then. Cause it would be less stressful and then have the other one done the next summer. Cause you do want to make sure the right or left whichever she's getting done first has healed.
I use a wheelchair to get a lot when I have surgery. My dr. didn't want me using a knee scooter cause I am very accident prone. So he said fully sitting is the safest for me.
I think there is a different mindset between OS and pod. The pod told me that had I brought her to him at age 7 or so, that the surgery would have been much easier and less involved. Her growth plate is closed in her foot. He said she might grow another shoe size but that the surgery wouldn't be damaged by that ( her feet haven't grown in over a year though...she is still growing taller).
Aft hearing this from him, I have lost my trust in OS. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get a 3rd opinion from one. Think I will wait to see what this other pod says on Thursday.
The only thing is I think OS has more education than a pod and most likey more experience then a pod. So thats why the mindset might different. I mean pods are good, my mom uses one for conservative measures but, I think OS should be the ones you go to for surgery. Its just because most of them have more training and have done more of these surgeries. Though im sure there are so really good pods around.
You could also look for an OS who specializes in foot and ankle disorders. On top of the schooling to be a surgeon they are also required to do five years of study in residency at a hospital specializing in foot and ankle disorders, along with a required one year of specialized foot and ankle studies
Just something to consider when looking for another opinion. My OS is a foot and ankle specialist who works in(or with) sport medicine.
__________________ 1/24/11 accessory navicular bone removed
I love my podiatrist and I also love my orthopedic surgeon. But they have had different pathways in education. The orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who went to medical school. The podiatrist went to podiatry school. There are differences in the amount of education they have had. And if you use an orthopedic surgeon I would definitely opt for someone who specializes in foot and ankle. Just my small opinion.
#2 (pod): said to have the MBA implant and lengthen her Achilles
#3 (pod): ditto as #2
#4 (ortho): said the pain was all in her head. Didn't even take X-rays. Wants my daughter to see a psychologist so her brain knows how to deal with pain. This was a pediatric ortho at a children's hospital that only does orthopedic.
So again, I have lost faith in ortho's. my daughter was in tears when we left the ortho office. She couldn't believe he thought she was making up the pain.
The MBA implant is removable and doesn't cause permanent change. We feel most comfortable with this approach. We can always have the evans calcaneal and cotton osteomy if the MBA implant doesn't work.
Most likely going with surgeon #3. She is pretty young but has done the most implants recently (in residency). She also looked at my sons feet (9 yrs old) and he is headed in the same direction as my daughter. She is putting him in orthotics to try and prevent any more movement. He complains of his legs hurting, and she said that is a symptom of the over pronation. Hoping to avoid surgery for him.
We have vacation scheduled for spring break and will schedule surgery for the end of march for her first foot. Talked with the principal about it today and they will make accommodations for her.
#2 (pod): said to have the MBA implant and lengthen her Achilles
#3 (pod): ditto as #2
#4 (ortho): said the pain was all in her head. Didn't even take X-rays. Wants my daughter to see a psychologist so her brain knows how to deal with pain. This was a pediatric ortho at a children's hospital that only does orthopedic.
So again, I have lost faith in ortho's. my daughter was in tears when we left the ortho office. She couldn't believe he thought she was making up the pain.
The MBA implant is removable and doesn't cause permanent change. We feel most comfortable with this approach. We can always have the evans calcaneal and cotton osteomy if the MBA implant doesn't work.
Most likely going with surgeon #3. She is pretty young but has done the most implants recently (in residency). She also looked at my sons feet (9 yrs old) and he is headed in the same direction as my daughter. She is putting him in orthotics to try and prevent any more movement. He complains of his legs hurting, and she said that is a symptom of the over pronation. Hoping to avoid surgery for him.
We have vacation scheduled for spring break and will schedule surgery for the end of march for her first foot. Talked with the principal about it today and they will make accommodations for her.
Oh wow...a OS really said that? I've never heard a doctor talk like that ever...I mean my dad jokes "that the pain is in my head" but that's joking and well he's not my doctor. I would cry too if someone said that to me.
Well good luck with the surgery. The end of march isn't to far away. I'm glad the school is willing to work with you guys
__________________ 1/24/11 accessory navicular bone removed
Hi, wow, what a hand to be dealt with as a parent! And I have mixed emotions about saying this but I made my mom take me to the dr 3 times (i have all my medical records from my childhood) times because of aching legs. I remember them aching soooo bad at night. He told her they were just growing pains.
I now have fibromyalgia, makes sense, huh? There have been several folks who've said that too. Hopefully his wont be bad.
Glad you guys have been able to make final plans than in itself takes a big weight off.
And the school is working with you too, great! Best of luck please keep us informed, cathy
Thats what i lived with for three and a hlaf years people telling me its all in my head and making me feel stupid and cry all the time. Till i found my recent ortho at least but i dreaded those words and got so upset when i heard them as it really did put doubts in my head.
Hope all goes well with your daughter and best of luck
__________________ Surgery done! Fibula bone manipulated and pinned into place plus ligaments repaired. Not sure of all details of whats done till see ortho
Hi happy2try, I am also new here. I am really very sorry to know the pathetic situation of your daughter. I suppose it will take more than 1 month for her to recover and also it all depends upon the strength and ability of a person how they deal with the circumstances around them. This surgery would no doubt make her to miss her schools as said by Pescav for 6 months.
I just had surgery to reconstruct my ankle and foot because of flat foot. It turns out that I have an accessory navicular bone in both feet which eventually led to my arches breaking down. My foot was all mis aligned. Surgery was recommended 2 yrs ago, I got 2nd opinion then and decided to try orthotics. They helped and continue to help my right foot, but the left just got worse. I was born with the extra bones. I remember as a kid spraining my ankles all the time...my mom said I had weak ankles. I couldn't do sports much because I was always spraining ankles...I thought I was just a klutz. But my arches weren't fallen yet, so I didn't have that pain yet. But I have had pain all my adult life with my feet, leading to knee pain and eventually 5 knee surgeries. So maybe it is best to have this done while your daughter is young and recover quickly.
The procedures I had done are at the bottom of my post. Very invasive. I had it done 13 days ago and had my first post op visit yesterday. All is healing well, and I got my temp splint removed, saw my incisions and got put in a cast. I am non weight bearing for 8 wks. I get the cast off in 5wks and get a walking boot and can start bearing weight gradually.
I will admit that my first week was hellish. HAVE to keep up with the pain meds and keep ahead of the pain. But after about 5 days or so, I didn't need my pain meds any longer. Every once in a while, I get twinges and take some Aleve. But it is soooo important to elevate and rest and ice. Even with my cast on, I am always sitting and elevating. My doctor told me that I can drive anytime I feel up to it now. And I can return to work March 4..that is a few days shy of 4 wks out of work. And he wants me to do half days the first week, to ease into it.
In my opinion, if your daughter does well after her surgery, I don't see why she couldn't get back to school within 3-4 wks. I would say that the wheelchair would be her best bet for getting around until she can start bearing weight just because of all the books they carry, etc. I am renting a knee scooter and it's great to have for right after surgery. But I will eventually have to switch to crutches. Once I get to start bearing weight, I have to have the assistance of crutches because they don't want you bearing full weight right away. I, too, feel that it would be asking a lot for her to do both foot surgeries in the same year. But she's so young, she may be up for it..depending on how her first one goes. If I was told I should to my other foot by the end of this year, I'd say forget it! But then, I'm 51 ys old and that makes a huge difference.
Good luck with whatever you decide. It sounds like the school will work well with you for the time she has to be off if it's other than summer time. By the way, my daughter also has the extra bones in both her arches...she had the surgery too, not quite as involved as mine but had to have PTT done. She was 24 and in the AF at the time, She is really gald she did the surgery because now she is back to her running and other athletics she loved to do. She convinced me to do my surgery.
__________________ LAURA 2/6/13: Cuneiform neck lengthening, Calcaneus Osteotomy, Brostrum procedure, Peroneal tendon repair, accessory Navicular bone excision, Gastrocnemius Recession
Hi, I can't remember if anyone said toile sure the first foot is healed really well before having the 2nd foot done because its going be bearing all. Her weight at times and she'll be hopping on on it too
