The Conservative Cave
The Bar => The Lounge => Topic started by: BEG on December 02, 2009, 03:05:07 PM
-
I went to see an Orthopedic Surgeon for my bum foot from my stroke today. They call it drop foot and I had a slight case when I first had my stroke but it is getting progressively worse as the years go by. I found out that they can fix it! I have lived with walking on the side of my foot since 1995 and I could have had it fixed a long time ago. If you were to see me walk you probably wouldn't notice but I have a heck of a time walking. Forget running, that is impossible for me. My achilles tendon is getting progressively tighter too. My big toe tires to compensate for my weak muscles on the other side of my foot which causes it to stick straight up at times and my other toes want to go down.
They are going to transfer muscles from the strong side of my foot to the weak side and do something to my achilles tendon which is really tight. I am really excited about it. First I have to see a neurologist and he is going to do some test on my foot to assess the motor strength (it's called an EMG/NCV RLE). The surgeon said I wouldn't be able to bare any weight for two weeks on my foot then I will be in a "boot" for a couple of months and back to "normal" in about 4-6 months. I think it is worth it so I can walk normally. He also gave me a night brace to start to stretch my achilles tendon. I will have to do physical therapy but in the end it will be so nice to be able to wear any shoe I want and to be able to walk normally.
-
That is really good news.
Damn.
I hope it pleases God it all goes well for you, BEG.
-
:II:
-
great news BEG! I have a bum leg (crushed when I was 14) and while I can walk normally, I have had problems off and on for years. I tell myself that I'm lucky to be here on two legs at all but yeah, I can totally relate! It may seem like a minor thing, but it's not. Congrats!
-
Oh that is great news!
-
great news BEG! I have a bum leg (crushed when I was 14) and while I can walk normally, I have had problems off and on for years. I tell myself that I'm lucky to be here on two legs at all but yeah, I can totally relate! It may seem like a minor thing, but it's not. Congrats!
How did you crush it Dixie?
-
BEG, I just went through every bit of that. MY ortho referred me to a neurologist, who, in turn did a tip to tail MRI and found several problems. After the MRI was an EMG. I'm waiting to see a neurosurgeon to correct my spinal issues before I proceed with the foot doctor. A week from tomorrow, I will see the neurosurgeon. The EMG kind of sucked. I hope that you have a high pain tolerance!!
-
They are going to transfer muscles from the strong side of my foot to the weak side and do something to my achilles tendon which is really tight. I am really excited about it. First I have to see a neurologist and he is going to do some test on my foot to assess the motor strength (it's called an EMG/NCV RLE). The surgeon said I wouldn't be able to bare any weight for two weeks on my foot then I will be in a "boot" for a couple of months and back to "normal" in about 4-6 months. I think it is worth it so I can walk normally. He also gave me a night brace to start to stretch my achilles tendon. I will have to do physical therapy but in the end it will be so nice to be able to wear any shoe I want and to be able to walk normally.
I had a similar problem with my left leg as a child. I had the tendon in my left ankle lengthened and had to wear a hip-to-heel cast for a few weeks, followed by a month or so on crutches. It sucked. Bathing was a freakin' production because you can't get any of the cast wet. Not to mention if your knee starts to itch, you're ****ed.
I remember setting my crutches aside one night before bed, excited that I had my cast off. I tried to put weight on the leg and fell over like a wet noodle.
-
BEG, I just went through every bit of that. MY ortho referred me to a neurologist, who, in turn did a tip to tail MRI and found several problems. After the MRI was an EMG. I'm waiting to see a neurosurgeon to correct my spinal issues before I proceed with the foot doctor. A week from tomorrow, I will see the neurosurgeon. The EMG kind of sucked. I hope that you have a high pain tolerance!!
I wish you wouldn't have told me that. :( But I do have a high pain tolerance but I would rather not know about it ahead of time.
-
I had a similar problem with my left leg as a child. I had the tendon in my left ankle lengthened and had to wear a hip-to-heel cast for a few weeks, followed by a month or so on crutches. It sucked. Bathing was a freakin' production because you can't get any of the cast wet. Not to mention if your knee starts to itch, you're ****ed.
I remember setting my crutches aside one night before bed, excited that I had my cast off. I tried to put weight on the leg and fell over like a wet noodle.
Stop telling me these things.... :bawl:
-
By the way Thor, what is so painful about the EMG?
-
Stop telling me these things.... :bawl:
Has your doctor mentioned physical therapy after the surgery?
-
Has your doctor mentioned physical therapy after the surgery?
Yes, I will have to have PT after.
Ok I looked up the EMG procedure. Some say it hurt like hell and others said it was barely uncomfortable.
-
It's a bum leg party! I'll take a picture of my knee and my ankle when I get home. :lmao:
My left knee points in at a 45-degree angle on top of the Frankenstein-type scar the tendon surgery left. This was over 20 years ago, so maybe they've come up with something a little neater.
-
It's a bum leg party!
BTW, I got an ACL that has been acting up.
-
By the way Thor, what is so painful about the EMG?
I had two different things done. One was just shocks. Those weren't so bad. The other was a nerve conductivity test done with needles. Those hurt quite a bit. I don't like needles to begin with, but getting them right in the muscle and then contracting said muscle became painful.
-
It's a bum leg party! I'll take a picture of my knee and my ankle when I get home. :lmao:
My left knee points in at a 45-degree angle on top of the Frankenstein-type scar the tendon surgery left. This was over 20 years ago, so maybe they've come up with something a little neater.
He showed me where they would cut me, it will be in three areas and the incision aren't going to be very large. I'm trying to stay positive here, now I'm getting nervous.
-
He showed me where they would cut me, it will be in three areas and the incision aren't going to be very large. I'm trying to stay positive here, now I'm getting nervous.
Being able to walk normally will be worth it, just keep that in mind.
-
BTW, I got an ACL that has been acting up.
Ok..so this may seem minor to you guys...but for the first time in my life...I got an ingrown toenail on my right foot....it is painful...I don't want to go to a podiatrist...I'm trying to treat it with antibiotics and hope to nip it myself when the pain goes away. I think there may be an infection because just touching that part of my toe is very painful. I can walk and wear shoes fine though as it is on the inside part of the toe.
Anyway, sorry, I know it is minor compared to the subject of this thread..
-
No hawkgirl is isn't trivial! those suckers are painful!
BEG - when I was 14, a drunk driver ran over me. My left leg was nearly ripped off. I was riding with my dad on his motorcycle and a car t-boned us. My dad is such a careful driver. Never had a ticket, never sped, never so much as changed lanes without signaling. We always teased him about driving like a granny. His dad was a police captain so he came by it honest.
The day of the accident, we were driving about 20MPH and just going around a curve when a guy creamed us. Drunk as a skunk and on parole. My dad was hurt too but no broken bones.
It took several surgeries and 2 years of recovery before I was back to normal. I am so blessed to be here.