Upcoming Midfoot fusion

Hello. I hope you’re having an all do well with what you’re going through. My question is did you have to take painkillers at home and what was safe to take? I’m unable to receive help from my pulmonologist and of course surgeons don’t know. Thanks fipor any help.

How did it go for you?

One ankle surgery surgery and broken fibula repair in 2012 after bad fall on ice. Then a collapsed arch plate fusion in 2021. I now have a huge right ankle and foot so my feet are completely disproportionate. So much nerve pain. Can barely walk to my mailbox and back. My balance is terrible as my left foot has over supination (turns in) and between the two problems, I look like a drunk when I walk. No one wants to touch my foot now due to the severe damage done. Includes a photo of left and right foot. Now they’re saying I have complex regional pain syndrome due to my lumbar fusion and left hip replacement. Never thought I’d be in this terrible predicament at age 58. Was playing volleyball into my late 40’s and now I can barely walk. Taking pregabalin for the burning nerve pain, but anytime I walk, I’m in bad pain. What a life 🙁

I have had a fused big toe 8 years ago, along with a peroneal tendon repair and removal of the sesamoids on my left foot. That was done after a failed bunionecotomy. If I could go back in time, I would have never had the bunion surgery to begin with. Having the fused toe has impacted my gait causing pain in my “good” foot along with idiopathic neuropathy. I continue to go to various PT people and have just found a specialist for feet. She says there’s no muscle in my left foot and it’s a bag of bones. My daughter, an acupuncturist, advised me to go to a foot yoga session this past Sunday. It was sponsored by Foot Collective organization. They taught us all kinds of stretching and strengthening for feet and legs. Feet are the basis for which the legs and there up feel. Get feet in shape, and the rest should feel better too. I am convinced and plan to follow through. As for the peroneal tendon repair…that felt much better. I had a tear on the outside as well as up the ankle. The one up the ankle however, they did not remove all the stitches, so to this day, I have these little lumps that can be painful if a boot top or something rubs on it. I was told it would require a “surgery” to get them removed at this stage. Anyway, I would never have bone repair to my feet. Tendons, possibly, bone fusion - absolutely not. Doctors never tell you about living with the aftermath. The cure is worse than the ill sometimes. Good luck to you and hope your procedure goes well.

So sorry to hear about all of your issues. I'm realizing how much whatever happens with the feet happens with everything else as well. My surgery was done on July 24, as scheduled. A few days before the surgery I decided not to have any fusion done and I'm happy that I made that decision. I had a peroneal tendon repair because both tendons were severely shredded. I also had a calcaneal osteotomy, a procedure that involves cutting the heel bone, moving it over to align with the leg, and securing it with two screws. I have extremely high arches, so the surgeon also lengthened my calf muscle to allow the arch to go down somewhat--I hope. I am now six weeks post-op and still non-weight-bearing. I'm very thankful that the pain hasn't been as severe as I anticipated. I have a good support network, but I still get bored and lonely from just sitting around the house. On 9/19, I'm scheduled to have the cast removed and then begin weight-bearing as tolerated. I anticipate that it will be some time before I can walk without pain. I'm shooting for late November before I can do that. Bottom line--so far, so good. I wish you all the best as you deal with your foot issues.

Best for your recovery as well! It is amazing, well really very logical if you think about it - that the feet are the key ingredient to everything else on up - even shoulders. I wish I knew then what I know now. Hope all goes as planned for you.

I recently had a similar surgery as I could no longer walk on my left foot. The podiatry surgeon repaired my bunion hammer toe plus working on my arthritic mid foot . I have a plate and screws plus a pin with addition screws to stabilize and give me a normal foot again. I did not have a choice. I’m full of arthritis and my foot surgery will slow me to walk again. Be prepared for 6 weeks or more in your boot. GOODLUCK

Did an orthopedic surgeon specializing if foot issues perform your surgery?

Yes. My doc is an orthopedic surgeon who only deals with foot and ankle issues. He's very good and comes from a family of physicians. I feel very fortunate to have him practicing in the small town of only 8,000 residents where I live.

Awesome. I found one in St Louis MO , an hour away, so I'm lucky too. My regular orthopedic surgeon would have referred me to him if needed. Fortunately my condition resolved enough for now.