Sorry for the ridiculous lag time on my blog. I suppose it's a good sign. Life has moved on and I've become very busy. But I feel a certain responsibility to put an update out here.
The surgery, for the most part, has been very successful. If you have read through my blog, then you will know that I actually had 3 procedures done during my surgery. 1) the arthrodesis (fusion), 2) an osteotomy to create an arch and 3) a lateral column lengthening to straighten my foot out.
The fusion went perfectly. The pain, the discomfort and weird sensations have all disappeared. The fusion and osteotomy combined have given my foot a very "normal" appearance. When I walk barefoot through a puddle, I make a foot print with an arch now. Very cool.
The limited mobility in the joint has been completely tolerable. Occasionally (very infrequently) I'll slightly lose my balance on that foot and have to steady myself, but it's not a problem at all. Very normal.
The third procedure (lateral column lengthening) has unfortunately been problematic. It seems the correction has placed too much stress on the joint just ahead of the calcaneous and it has become inflamed. I return to the surgeon every few months for a cortisone injection to reduce the inflammation. Since the joint is so tight and the inflammation is so great, the shot really really really sucks. I mean it hurts...brings a tear to my eye. But honestly, after the shot, things are fine for several months. Most likely, however, this will ultimately result in a second surgery and a full triple fusion. Which, I am not looking forward to in the least. I'll do shots as long as I can.
I also had a very mysterious pain in my heal that has faded over time, but became difficult to tolerate for a period. Initially the surgeon thought I had developed fasciitis, and then thought there was a scar tissue problem. I eventually had a friend, who is a physical therapist, suggest that I had a knot in my calf muscle that was pushing on a nerve that created a pain in my heal. I started massaging my calf each evening before bed and the pain has decreased significantly.
The pain in the lateral joint has kept me from really taking the foot for a true "test drive." Nobody really wants to hurt themselves. But I have played baseball a bit with my boys and can run the bases just fine. (I don't run flat out, but jogging is okay.) I walk my dogs and go to amusement parks and am able to live my life. When I have a fresh cortisone injection I can get out and cut grass, move heavy stuff around the house and do all the things I would normally do. When the pain returns, I take it easy until I can get into the doctor.
All in all, things are better. It's not what I had hoped for, but for those living with a coalition, you know that any improvement is a big deal.
Thanks for all the emails and posts.
5 comments:
Thanks for the update!! I did a video on YT about my procedure and mentioned your blog-hope you dont mind-so that others can more easily find your site. There are so many people out there looking for information on this issue and the surgery/options. As i type this, Im laying here with my black casted leg propped up on pillows. All in all, my procedure has been good and I should only be in a cast for 4 weeks as opposed to 6. I started a blog about my process as well. Thanks for the inspiration and sorry for the long note!
WOW...I just recently discovered that the excruciating pain I've had in my foot since around the age of 16 (I'm currently 41) after extended walking or standing or other activity, is the result of "tarsal coalition". With limited activity or even limited regular exercise my foot is fine. But extended standing or activity renders me disabled.
I have gone to many Dr.'s over the years and I FINALLY have a diagnosis.
Now the question is what to do about it. As I've gotten older the pain comes more frequently and is more and more debilitating.
I look forward to educating myself via your blogs and other sources to determine the appropriate form of treatment.
Given most days I just have dull ache...I am hesitant to inflame the issue with surgery. However, if the chances are good of recovery I will consider.
Any info is appreciated.
Thanks jeff
You have a wealth of knowledge about tarsal coalitions and your surgery. I have an ankle coalition as well. I had such a hard time finding information about it that I started a facebook group to get others with an ankle coaliton together and talking. It would be great if you would join and share your information and support for others going through the same problem. Ankle coalition support.
Great blog! I started my own since I have symptoms which are a little different.
mytarsalcoalition.blogspot.com
Awesome blog Chris, I really mean this. I have my surgery for my tarsal coalition in 6 weeks and I'm looking forward to having it done so I can improve the quality of my life!
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