Mid foot fusion - at wits end
Posted , 2 users are following.
I have suffered with arthritic pain now for several years following a fracture and a Metatarsal dislocation which together with an ancient fracture in the mid foot where I had a collapsed flattened arch and arthritic overgrowth has meant I've struggled with intense levels of pain when walking for years.
The x-rays look great and seem to show my foot has fused and there's no sign of the 2 screws moving on the x-ray, the incision cuts have healed well and are barely noticeable, but I do still have a small amount of swelling in the foot but most of the swelling has gone down, throughout my 3 months in plaster I was surprisingly comfortable. I didn't get on with the boot due to plantar fasciitis, so following my last checkup I just started walking, which I hadn't really done before.
Problem is ripples and shooting pain which last a few seconds where incisions are and where the screws are which start when coughing, peeing, sneezing, breathing deeply, flexing my ankle or foot when seated and moving my legs whilst seated or in bed. My 2nd toe is now slightly higher and in a slightly different position and feels uncomfortable when I have my feet up, in bed or when I'm kneeling, but not noticeable walking, but it's left my bemused as to why something like coughing or breathing deeply could affect pain levels in the foot and is this normal? Has anyone else had a similar experience and how did they cope and what after trwatment did they get for it? What I will be asking at my next hospital visit is whether this will improve in time or if it's something I will have to live with - any advice on coping strategies will be greatly appreciated
1 like, 2 replies
linda35818 lorraine64086
Posted
You're not going to like my answer. The nerve endings are probably the problem. I have to tape my second toe down to keep it from "sticking up". The tiny metatarsal bones can be hard to heal. I had surgery last March 10th, only to repeat it this march 7th. This time they used cadaver bones to replace the ones that didn't fuse in 2016. If I could give you just one piece of advice, it would be...Stay down! Don't try to rush the healing! I've been a "slug" this time. The only time I'm not prone is when I'm wheeling myself to the bathroom. Otherwise I'm lying down, or sitting on the sofa with my foot elevated. We only have two feet, God knows we probably abuse them more than any other bones in our bodies. Good luck.
lorraine64086 linda35818
Posted
Thank you for sharing your experiences, you sound as if you've really been through the mill and had a really tough time so I'm sorry. it hadn't occurred to me pre op any toes would sit differently in my foot post op but it sounds like you've had the same experience so may be it happens. I haven't tried taping imy toe down as it only becomes uncomfortable when I've got my feet up, kneeling and in bed, not walking!. I agree it's probably nerve endings but I'm not sure if the source of the nerve problem is in my back or where the incisions and screws are, or both, so I will definitely speak to the doctors at my next clinic appointment as I need to find some effective painkillers. I do hope things work out for you. I bought an Iwalk2 off eBay to walk with whilst in plaster as it's a metal peg leg with a lower leg support you strap on but it took 8 weeks for me to teach myself balance on it getting around the house wso I also used it together with the Zimmer frame but I've seen others with a knee walker so would recommend them as it limits the potential for accidently putting one's foot down and weight bearing before the foot has fused. Yes, I'm 5 months post op now so am trying to get life back to normal but I guess you're right it's a long haul but I still spend a of time when not working sitting with my feet up. Best wishes and hope everything goes well for you this time.