Hi SBarlizo,
It's been awhile since I have posted here regarding my foot. I did post once about a month or so ago and it was never responded to. It has now been 10 weeks post op and today I went to the dr. He took mx-rays and said that I can take the Air Cast off and use my regular shoes!! It is still sore, more than with the Air Cast which protected it more, but I assume that in time it will get better. I CAN'T WAIT!! It has been a l-o-n-g 10 weeks and I have endured a lot, but my hope that his will permantely make foot pain a thing of the past. I return to the dr in 6 weeks where he will take x-rays again. When I saw hime today, he said it was hard to tell if the toe was fused - it seemed because the fusion was behind the pins in the x-rays. He did say that he saw some fusion though in the area to the dies of the pins and felt it was safe to go back to my regular activities.
I'll let you know how it progresses.

Andrea

Dear Andrea
Good to hear that all is well, and that things are getting better. Remember, slow and steady.

Sincerely,
SBarlizo,dpm, cped
foot.com expert

Hi Sbarlizo,

I have a question? The dr said that I could wear my regular shoes or whatever is comfortable. I told him that I only have one type of shoe as I have a very hard time finding shoes because my foot is really wide. Since I was able to take off the Air Cast and wearing my regular shoes my foot hurts when I walk and I am limping. I figure that it will take awhile fot the pain to go away, but it is harder to walk weaing the shoes than the cast which must have given my foot more support even though it also was sore after walking too much. I think I might wear the post op shoe I wore afer the chilectomy which doesn't put as much pressure on the side of my foot. Do you know how long it takes before walking ibecomes less painful? The dr said the swelling could take 6 months to go down. I think that's why the shoe feels so tight.
I also didn't ask the dr about when I can get back on my bike. I would love to, but I am worried as I favor my right side and to tart the bike or get off i would automatically put my right foot down first (this isthe foot I had fused!).
I would appreciate if you could asnwer this post ASAP.


Thanks.

Andrea

Dear Andrea
Most likely your foot may still be swollen. You will need to wear a shoe that will help to accommadate for the swelling, such as a running shoe. The pain you are experiencing may be due to post-op related symptoms or at times pain may also be related to the amount of swelling on the affected foot. I would ask your doctor if bike riding is an appropriate activity at this time.

Good-luck,
SBarlizo, DPM, CPED

Hi SBarlizo,
On Friday I left a message with the surgeon's office regarding some questions on my foot. The dr is in surgery on Monday's and Tuesday's so I will wait to call again until tomorrow afternoon.
I am wearing the post op shoe I had from last time which is much more comfortable than my regular walking shoes (SAS). They are the only ones I can find wide enough for my foot. Right now with the post op swelling they are too uncomfortable to wear so I am using the post op shoe. Even with that I am limping a lot!! I've decided to take Tylenol on a regular basis for a couple of days to see if tht helps with the pain while walking. One of the questions for the dr is can I now use Advil. He had previously said not to as it can interfer with fusion. Have you heard that too?
As much as I'd love to get back to bike riding, I will hold off until I can walk. I know taht I'd need to be able to start and stop the bike with my feet and wouldn't be able to do it right now. I also want to get back to swimming, but it's the going to and from by foot that is holdding me back. Even if I took the bus 2 stops I'd still be wlking about a 1/2 mile between either end both ways.

Thanks for your assistance!!

Andrea

Hi SBralizo,
I spoke to my dr the othe day regarding my foot still hurting quite a bit when I walk. He said that when I see him next, on July 6th, he will take more x-rays to see how the fusion is progressing. He mentioned on the phone that he may use a electirc bone stimulator at home. Can you tell me about that? It is fustrationg to not be able to walk normally or without pain in almost every step by now. It has been almost 3 months now! ARRRRGGGGGHHH !
I may wear the Air Cast this weekend to see if the foot feels better when I wear it, al;though it will be hard because it is suppose to be really hot and hmid here and the Air Cast is so hot.

Please reply AAP. Thanks.

Andrea

Dear Andrea
Bone stimulators are actually commonly used devices used to help stimulate healing across a surgical or fracture site. Your doctor would have to make that diagnosis following x-ray films and physical examination.

Good-luck
SBarlizo, DPM, C Ped
foot.com expert