bilateral triple arthrodesis

11-05-2006, 08:55 PM

Hi i am new to this thread and i am trying to find some answers for my husband. Maybe someone has the same problem that seems to be extremely rare. Here is his story:
When my husband was about 11 he started having extreme pain in his feet which lead him to having to crawl just to go to the bathroom. He was then examined by a doctor at childrens hospital in philadelphia and that lead to a triple arthrodesis in his right foot. He then had the same surgery 5 years ago on his left foot he was 25 then. The doctor never sent him to therapy which i now think he should have been told he had to go. Anyway these surgeries have never relieved any pain and at times (which is very often) he says it feels like his foot is broken and he limps alot. He says the pain in his feet is constant and some days it is worse than others but the pain NEVER goes away. But he never complains, he goes to work everyday which intails alot of walking and standing at times. The doctor told him he had about 10 years left on his feet and that was 5 years ago. He doesn't complain about that either. He just jokes about it and says things like, well you'll just have to wheel me everywhere. I feel bad and just say "no problem honey". Anyway i just want to see if there is anyone out there who has had this problem and see if there is anything else that can be done. please help we are desperate. thank you all

11-06-2006, 04:39 AM

You don't say what the diagnosis is. That would help. Also, what kind of doctor did he go to?
And what bones were fused?

11-06-2006, 08:54 AM

We never got a diagnosis from the doctor. I honestlt don't know what bones were fused together, i do know that he also has screws in his feet. I never get alot of information when we go to the doctor, i guess that is why i am trying to get answers on this board. Why didn't his doctor ever send him to therapy after the surgeries????? As far as doctors, we have been the a specialist (surgeon) and a regular podiatrist. don't know where else to go!!!

11-06-2006, 02:05 PM

triple arthrodesis is fusion of the calcaneus, talus, cuboid and navicular bones to construct an arch. Usually done for people with severe flat feet/severe pronation. Depending on what the original problem was there may or may not have been some ligament/tendon work done at the same time. Some people have the achilles tendon lengthened as well. I find it very surprising that there would be no PT ordered since it's a major reconstruction and you need to learn how to walk all over again and being so immobile through the recovery the muscles atrophy significantly. You need to get a good set of current films and if there is any way to track down the previous doctor get the medical record including his notes and operative reports. Pre op x rays would help too. Do a search and find a foot and ankle reconstruction specialist. There are very few good ones in the country but in this situation you need to find the best. There is an organization ASAMILE that has some of the finest minds and most progessive methods and if you contact anyone from there they may be able to steer you in the right direction in finding an expert in your area. Good luck and keep us posted.

11-06-2006, 03:45 PM

I have had a triple fusion on the left and a tendon repair on the right (which has torn). I know that you need a lot of PT after that kind of surgery. I agree that you need to see a specialist for this one. I think that Dr. Mark Myerson in Baltimore is very good. I also think that Dr. Anand Vora at Northwestern in Chicago is very good also.

He very well might have a stress fracture. After a triple fusion, you are prone to these as your joints are fused and some of your shock absorption is removed. The other joints have to take the brunt of that. It could be that other joints in his foot have become bad also.

Let us know what you decide.

How does he do with balance? I know that my balance is off because I do not have to side to side motion.

11-06-2006, 10:47 PM

well we had a drs appt today and he said that his other joints do take the brunt of everything but that there is no arthritis and that it is most definitly a torsal coalition that he had when he was younger and thats why they did the surgery when he was little and the second surgery on his other foot 5 years ago. He stated that there is nothing else to be done without other complications except meds. He stated the last last last resort would be to have cortisone shots but my husband is saying no to them right now. The foot he had surgery on when he was younger is not aligned properly and the doc said he could fix that but thats not the foot that is bothering my husband most. the foot he had surgery on 5 years ago is and the doc said he doesn't understand that and said that nothing shows up on the xrays. so again he is just told that there is nothing that can be done. so he says he is done with doctors because he has been to so many with no results that are worth anything. i don't pity him but i feel bad that there is nothing that can be done. anyway the doc put him on anti inflamatories and told him to get these orthodics that are much more sturdier and won't let his foot move as much as they do with the other orthodics. thank for all the input i greatly appreciate it.

bilateral triple arthrodesis

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