Last Update

This will be my last post on this blog. I removed the Hyprocure implant and underwent a calcaneal osteotomy, lateral column lengthening and cotton osteotomy on my right foot yesterday. My new surgeon told me that the implant was loose, and essentially moving around in my foot (probably contributing to the foot pain I was having).

I just want to let everyone know that there is a risk of the implant coming out, and that you may want to consult with an orthopedic surgeon if you're feet are really bad to determine if the Hyprocure is a permanent enough solution for your feet.

Take care everyone!!

The Surgery Failed But Best Believe I Am Trying Another Option

I realize that it has been awhile since I updated this blog but my circumstances have changed so drastically that I have to provide an update. In December 2013, I started having pain in the posterior tibial tendon of my right foot, which runs along the inside of the foot. Initially I ignored it, refusing to believe that I was having foot pain again. A month later (January 2014), the pain was so bad I had to go to a Dr. to get orthotics made so that I could walk. I put the orthotics in my shoes and that provided some relief.

Over the next few months (up to May 2014), my feet degenerated slowly to the point that I was having the same pain that I had before getting the Hyprocure surgeries. I decided to go back to my doctor in Queens. He told me that the screws in my feet were beginning to come out and that I had essentially lost all of the correction. He advised trying again, but this time putting in a bigger screw. Needless to say I was disappointed, and I decided to seek a second opinion.

I then saw a Doctor in New Jersey who confirmed that the screws were coming out and he advised that I put a smaller screw in my feet. This was when I realized that I should probably seek outside counsel. Long story short, I went through an independent service called Best Doctors who evaluated my medical history and provided me with an expert report. Some quotes from the report are:

"I was able to review postoperative x-rays of the right foot, which shows a sinus tarsi implant that is questionably in the sinus tarsi."

"If he has a congenital flatfoot deformity simply putting implants into the sinus tarsi is less than optimal treatment. This would do very little in a 24-year-old to give him permanent relief of his problems."

"The bottom line is the surgery has failed. It was not well conceived. I would suggest he obtain a CT Scan..."

As the quotes above tell you, this may not even have been the correct diagnosis for my feet. I found a doctor at the Hospital For Special Surgery and am having flatfoot reconstruction done tomorrow. My procedures include a calcaneal osteotomy, lateral column lengthening and a cotton osteotomy. My right foot is up first. This procedure is much more intensive and recovery takes about a year on each foot (although I can have surgery on my left foot in 5-6 months as about 80% of healing happens during that timeframe).

I am disappointed but to be honest, not discouraged in the least. I am excited by the prospect of having pain-free feet, because I had it for a moment, and that was definitely the happiest I have been in life. I am also thankful to have health insurance, and a great job that allows me to cover my out-of-pocket medical expenses, some people are not so blessed.

God is good and now I am going to go pray that tomorrow is the day that a new miracle begins in my life. Best wishes to anyone out there on the journey to happy, healthy feet. Don't give up!!

Psalm 71:14 - "As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more."

Update!!

        Hello!! It has been awhile since I have posted an update and I apologize, but better late than never. The past couple months have really tested my patience and my resolve to remain encouraged despite how my body was feeling. To be honest, I thought as soon as I had both of the implants in my feet, I would be off and running. A little naive I know, but I tend to believe for the brightest outcome possible. With that being said, I have made substantial progress and am filled with so much hope when I think about how far I have come. 

Back in May (my last post), I had removed the brace from my right foot and was walking in shoes without orthotics for the first time in my life. Walking may not be the correct word, I was attempting to put one foot in front of the other in a controlled manner (it didn't look pretty). I did not have much pain in either foot, but I had a really difficult time walking in a normal motion. In hindsight, I realize it was my body getting used to the realignment but at the time I was a little frustrated with this stage of the healing process. 

At the same time, I was experiencing a lot of pain in my left knee, specifically the IT band (a piece of tissue that connects the hip to the kneecap). Initially, with every step I took my left knee would pop and it would burn after short stints of walking. This continued for several weeks but began to improve, albeit extremely slowly. My parents recommended I visit a physical therapist and in June, I started going for therapy twice a week. I explained my condition to the therapist (he had never seen a case like mine) and he watched me walk barefoot for a few moments. He could tell my leg muscles were extremely weak and tight and consequently, it was putting additional stress on my joints (specifically my knee) when I walked. He immediately told me to start stretching for ten minutes twice a day and I started therapy the following week. 

I underestimated how difficult physical therapy could be but it was exactly what I needed. My therapist had me complete exercises to strengthen my hips and quads at the beginning. Exercises included the resistance bike, one-legged wall sits (ouch!!), weighted hip raises, leg press, single leg bridges, among many others. After every session I was completely wiped after pushing myself to the limit for about an hour and a half. Slowly but surely, my therapist added to my routine, making it more difficult as the weeks flew by and I became stronger. Increasing resistance on the bike, making me hold wall sits for longer and adding new exercises were just some of the challenges the therapist threw my way. Soon I was jumping and going through speed drills with a stepping block. This process has reminded me that transformation rarely takes place overnight but with a plan and consistent effort, you can chip away at whatever stands in your way. I haven't yet started running but that is next on the agenda. 

In terms of pain in my feet, I have none in my left foot and the occasional ache in my right foot (the second foot that was operated on). I am believing the right foot will be pain free similar to the left. The difference is literally night and day. Over the past couple months I was able to participate in a number of activities that I wouldn't have been able to before. In July, I went to the beach and was able to walk barefoot on the sand for miles (a miracle!!). In August I started going to yoga with a couple coworkers (a major challenge but that would be a blog post in itself) and was able to hold various poses barefoot. This month I went to a music festival over two days and was on my feet for a majority of the time both days. My feet felt great and although they grew tired after 10 hours of standing, it was nothing compared to the pain I experienced previously. This weekend I went hiking for over two hours on difficult terrain and up/down steep hills and it felt great, I wanted to do more after we had already finished. I am so thankful because just a year ago I wouldn't have been able to do any of these things and it is only the beginning. I am not sure how long I will need to go to therapy for but I am trusting God and believing for full restoration of my body no matter how long it takes. Also, my family and friends have been amazing throughout this journey and I am so grateful to have them in my life. I will update this more frequently going forward (at least once a month).

Verse of the day: "Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."

Psalm 66: 8-12

Making Progress...It's Undeniable!!

Greetings! It has been awhile since I have updated this, but I come with good news. It has been 2.5 months since I had surgery on my right foot and a little over five months since I had the first surgery on my left foot. To say that things are going well would be an understatement. I am walking around without orthotics in my shoes (which doctors told me would never happen) and I have no pain in my feet (which is foreign to me) but I can definitely get used to this. A couple weeks ago I was able to walk into a shoe store and buy shoes without needing to put my insoles in them first, something I hadn’t done in more than ten years. God is good. For real. Make no mistake, the journey has not been a piece of cake, but if I had to go through it again I would not hesitate. Although I have no pain in my feet, I am still getting used to walking now that I am using muscles in my legs/feet that I didn’t use before when my feet were misaligned.

I do have lingering knee discomfort, when I walk my knee pops, but I should note that it is only when I wear dress shoes for work. I think I need to buy some new shoes, but as a precaution, I scheduled a session for physical therapy this week. I am not sure I need it but I think it would be helpful to go through strengthening exercises for my knees and the rest of my lower body. I will do a better job of updating this (at least once a month) because although I have made a lot of improvement, I know that I still have a ways to go before I am running/jumping. I am not quite where I want to be but thank God I’m not where I used to be. I am so grateful. 

Verse of the day: “But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
1 Corinthians 15:57

One Down, One to Go!!!

Four days ago I had the Hyprocure procedure on my other foot (the right one). Thus far, things are going smoothly. I must admit that this process is much easier than my initial surgery when I had no idea what to expect. I had my ice packs and medication ready to go, my fridge stocked and the path to my couch fully cleared so I could immediately lay down once home from the hospital. My expertise with crutches from the first operation has served me well this time around. I knew how to use them before, but my shoulders have developed endurance from the last time around, an unintended benefit. The procedure was exactly the same as last time; same doctor, same anesthesia and I even saw the same nurse in the pre-op room. Right after the anesthesiologist put the drugs in my IV I passed out, and when I woke up it was all over. I actually thought I woke up during the surgery but it was just my doctor taking out the stitches from my other foot – that would have been terrible. The nurse was there to greet me with some ginger ale and crackers. I had never been so happy to see some Canada Dry and saltines; I was really hungry from having not eaten since the previous evening. Afterwards my mom and godmother drove me back to my apartment, but we managed to get lost along the way. I’m pretty bad with giving directions and apparently I’m not much better right after surgery.

The past few days have been pretty peaceful. I haven’t had much pain, similar to last time. I have passed the time working from home, watching TV, and reading some. The first two days were fine, but now I’m starting to get a little restless; my back hurts from sitting too much (I can’t complain though). I am looking forward to walking next week when I go to see the doctor.

As an update, my left foot (which I had the operation on three months ago) feels and looks amazing. I have no pain from putting all my weight on it, something that would have been impossible literally three months ago. Obviously, I am not fully recovered but I am really glad I made the decision to get this procedure. Things are only going to get better and I will be sure to document it here.

Verse of the day: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this” Psalm 37:5

Right Foot Operation is Tomorrow

Some time has passed since I updated this but I come with good news. It has been a little under three months since I had the operation on my left foot and it has healed really well. I do not have any pain in my foot at all, and am no longer wearing insoles in my left shoe (miracles are happening!!). I do still have discomfort in my knee but I think it is a function of my body getting used to the new, aligned position.

I am getting the operation on my other foot tomorrow and am pretty excited to move forward with the process. I know exactly what to expect this time around so I feel this should be even easier than the last one. Also, I can think of worse things than being confined to the couch for a week. I am super grateful for what’s about to transpire tomorrow and am looking forward to the day without crutches, canes, insoles or pain. That day is coming soon. God is good for real.

Verse of the day: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26            

8 Weeks Out

Today marks eight weeks since the surgery on my left foot. I can already tell that my life is changing drastically. A week and a half ago I was able to take off the brace and simply put my foot in a shoe. No orthotic (i.e. custom arch support), just my foot inside of a sock inside of a shoe. I haven’t done that in more than ten years. It feels good! It also feels different, but I am welcoming this period of adjustment with open arms. I have no pain walking or going up and down stairs. I can walk full speed, but I do take it easy when going down stairs. I am really thankful and in awe at how well my foot is responding to the device. Additionally, my knee pain is fading, another great sign. Things are looking up!

I spoke to the doctor last week and am scheduled to have my other foot operated on next month. I am in a bit of an awkward stage right now because one foot is corrected and the other isn’t so when I stand barefoot, my right foot starts hurting but the left has no pain. Needless to say I am excited to move forward and have the operation on my other foot. I am amazed at how quickly things are coming together. This is something that I have been dealing with for quite some time now and for it to be resolved in a matter of months is crazy to me. I know I’m not near finished yet but there is light at the end of this tunnel. Super super thankful and hopeful.

Verse of the day: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8