confused about my flat foot reconstruction

[lexi468]

Hi:)

   I recently had a flat foot reconstruction(June of this year) and I still have quite a bit of pain.My surgeon says that everything looks good,and the "pain"I am experiencing is all in my head.I was very hurt and confused by his reaction to my complaints,so needless to say,he had me in tears.
After I left his office,I made an appt.with my PCD to talk to him about my condition,and symptoms.He ordered an X ray,bone scan,and labs.My X ray looked fine,however my bone scan showed abnormal increased uptake in the calcaneal area,and my labs were slightly elavated.(WBC,CRP,and ESR)Now,from what I hear a bone scan could very easily show increased uptake because my surgery required bone graft,and hardware,also my labs could be elaveted because of the surgery.
  Now since the bone scan results,and the lab results can be easily explained away,why am I experiencing these symptoms?

They are:

Burning,sharp pains
throbbing constantly
strange, SUPER sharp pains that happen out of the blue
tingling,numbness out of the blue.

I am so confused about why this is happening,and why my surgeon won't listen to me.The symptoms stated above are VERY painful,and I would like to get to the bottom of this.

For now,my PCD has me on 800 MG of Ibuprofen daily
started me on a regimin of Neurontin( confusing dosage...I'm sure you know)
and Norco 7.5/325 for Physcial therapy(go 4 days a week)

Can you please help me out?

Thanks so much for your time!!:)
lexi468

[smo2smr]

I have had my left flatfoot reconstruction as of Aug, 2006.  I am in pain constantly.  I don't know about anyone here (SO Please respond if this is you)....i am having more pain with the "follow-thru" in my gait.....when your toes "push off,"  This has been since the surgery.  I don't know if the ostomy site just isn't used to having such a "straight foot" if you will, but I am having MORE pain than BEFORE my surgery.  I am almost ready to get a lawyer, that is so upset i am.  I realize Bones take longer to heal.  I know I have SURAL NEURITIS....that was already confirmed on a test with a specialist.....

My doc put me on a TENS unit, which only works while on.  Once I take it off, the pain is still there.  My new therapy (which I started) is acupuncture.  BUT, at $60 a time, it adds up quick (NO COVERAGE ON THAT THRU INSURANCE....go figure!!!).

URGH...I have really just had it...ya know?  I am sick of docs saying "do this" try this, it COULD be this or that or the other.....

I have been working out by weight lifting, but it sometimes doesn't "lift the spirit."  I am really trying to just forget the pain, but I cannot.

Please help if you have any suggestions.  I have had about every test there is.  The new doc that I am seeing suggested the tens unit over surgery as the only way to get rid of the neuritis would be to move the nerve into my calf...which would make me numb in my foot.....WHO WANTS THAT?  I AM A 30 YEAR OLD WOMAN......WHAT THE HECK!

[lexi468]

Thanx for the reply again;)

    Yes it does help.About the only difference between your therapy/pain management and mine was the pain pump,and the whirlpool:)

    I used to have a high tolerance for pain,then I think that with weight gain,and the work that I was doing just finally made me give in.Some days(most everynight)I would be in tears.Not a pretty picture for sombody that dreaded the thought of anybody knowing that I was in pain.

    I went for quite a long time(10 years or so)just"dealing"with it.Refused to go to the DR,etc.

    So I guess I am just bummed that I am still having pain after a procedure that is supposed to help it.I know that it is unrealistic to expect things to be honky dory only this far out from surgery,but what really got my goat was my surgeons utter apathy.It really hurt and upset me.And the thought of having to go to my PCD to get answers, and relief(somewhat) after getting a procedure that I will be paying for for a long time(literally$$$) actually P***** me off:(

  Anywhoo,I better get off my soapbox, and go to bed.Thanx for letting me vent:)



Take care:)~
  lexi468

[footpatient]

Pain management initially included a pain pump for the first 4 days following surgery after that I was on Vicodin for about a week then I switched to Tylenol (extra strength). I have a high tolerance for pain and don't like taking pain meds so don't feel bad if your pain is substancial and requires more. The therapy schedule was pretty intense (and time consuming) 3x week. The visit would involve the following (a lot of what I tell you cxould be done at home with modifications). First whirlpool tub moving the foot around "writing the alphabet" in the water, then theraband (basically a pilates band) doing side to side, up and down (only one part of the sequence requires someone to hold the band), riding the stationary bike (recumbant style), toe raises, towel toe curls, basic runners calve stretches, single leg balance, leg presses, followed by soft tissue massage, ultrasound, then ice. The whole sequence took about 1 1/2 hours each visit. Hope that helps

[lexi468]

Thanx for the reply:)

I was curious......what kind of pain management/therapy plan did your surgeon have you on?

lexi468

[footpatient]

The pain that you are experiencing sounds quite normal. In any major surgery such as the reconstruction your body needs time to adjust to the new and improved foot positioning. Our bodies adapted to the old painful way and has a hard time adjusting back to a more normal one. I had a reconstruction surgery and it was about a year and a half of that kind of pain that you described. The increased uptake in the calcaneal area is pretty normal and more than likely you have the beginnings of something called post-traumatic arthritis (if your reconstruction was necessary due to an accident) or generalized arthritis. Sometimes if the pain persists you will need to have the hardware removed 6 months to 1 year later (your physical therapist can talk to you more about that). Honestly the best thing you can do is stay in good shape (or try to get in better shape), stretch often and don't over do it. Another thing that is important is to get custom orthotics and good solid tennis shoes (I recommend the nike shox for stability..try mens as they have a wider toe box). Best of luck with your recovery