Anyone had foot/heel/achilles surgery....I'm SO scared!

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Specializes in NICU, Peds, Med-Surg.

Hi....I am sooo curious how many of you will respond! I have a LARGE protruding bone spur on my posterior heel, plus achilles tendonitis. It does NOT hurt all the time, but on the days it does.....OUCH! The bone protrudes enough that I HAVE to wear open back shoes all the time now.....even bought clogs for work.....

Surgery is a VERY big deal to me, especially because it's about 3 months of healing....and uhhh.....it's my FOOT....kind of a big deal!!! :bluecry1: The doc even said the spur could come back, and since that area has a poor blood supply, healing takes longer......My other option is an orthotic, which of course won't heal the problem....

How many opinions did you get before you "took the PLUNGE" and did the surgery? I'm DEFINITELY getting at least one more opinion!! Also, did you use a Podiatrist or an Orthopedic surgeon? Did you need physical therapy? Did your spur grow back? :confused:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I am curren tly on medical leave recovering from Haglund's deformity (technical name for the spur on the back of the heel) and a gastroc slide. I have about 1/2 inch of bone removed from the back of my heel and they had to stretch my Achilles tendon so I would be able to walk. I had a problem with heel-cord tightening that made the stretch necessary.

The healing is not too bad. Of course, I suffered with the pain for two years (I wouldn't recommend waiting that long) and by the time I had the surgery it was constant burning. So, for me the surgery was a godsend.

I have just started the PT afterward so I can't comment on that part yet.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I have bone spurs on both of my heels. The pain had gotten so bad that some days I could not work. A friend told me about these inserts and I thought why not? I tried many different kinds prior to these with very little relief. She swore by these and I do now also. There are 3 different inserts, low, med, high and you work up to the high level. About 2 weeks with each level. Once getting to the high level it was still about a month before I was pain free. It's amazing, I would never have believed it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Walkfit-Orthotic-Shoe-Insoles-Walk-Fit-Reduce-Pain-Sz-F_W0QQitemZ220276584321QQihZ012QQcategoryZ155191QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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Specializes in everywhere.

I am also on medical LOA for tendon cutting, removal of bone spur on my right foot. On my left foot had my bunions reduced/pin insertion. Also, on my left little toe, had a bone removed to hammer toe. It has now been three weeks and healing is very slow and difficult, and painful to say the least.

I hate this! But, it got to where I couldn't work due to the pain. I am still wearing the aircast boots, ambulation is slow and painful. I can't put any weight on my right foot, can't bend my left toes, swelling is a constant issue. I still have sutures in my right heel, due to come out next week (I hope).

Let us know how you are and what you decide.

I had gone through physical therapy, had special inserts made for my feet, did all the exercises recommended, and still had to have surgery. Sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm hoping to be able to back to work as a circulator, but also had other options if that doesn't work out.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I'm hoping to be able to back to work as a circulator, but also had other options if that doesn't work out.

Good Luck!

I'm sooo sorry CathRN about how you've suffered agony with your feet. I'm glad you're hoping to go back to work and have other options just in case. You go girl! (but not too fast)

(((((((HUGS)))))))

Hope you're feeling better soon :nurse:

Binkie

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