Foot Update

Saw the doctor a week ago. She is not satisfied with my progress or the lack thereof. Go figure. I'm not either.

I am currently not experiencing any pain in either the toe or tendon when at rest. This could be because she insisted I start back on the 800mg of Motrin three times a day. She wants to keep at the inflammation that builds in the tendon. I'm worried a bit about my liver, but she says I should be okay -- that 2400mg is not that much. Sounds like a lot to me.

She did more x-rays to be sure everything was where it should be but found that when she fused the big toe joint she set the toe a bit low of the ball which is what is causing me the pain when I walk. We are currently working on 'tweaking' my orthotic device to try to alleviate this. I think I'm getting close to where it needs to be, but will give it a while to be sure I'm walking properly on it and not compensating.

She loaned me a T.E.N.S. unit which uses electrical stimulation to reduce pain and inflammation and I am doing some at-home treatments along with those I get at PT. The stretching is getting better but still not where I was a month ago. I'm trying to be patient.

The doctor and I spent an hour and a half discussing my foot, the pain and the options for alleviating it. She mentioned surgery again to break and realign the fused joint. She also mentioned unfusing the joint but had to research and see if this has ever been done before. She also wants to to a steroid injection at my next appointment so that I am 'comfortable' for the holidays. Mike will be coming to my next appointment since I am so bad about injections and needles. We'll also discuss the surgical options since he is involved in this as I am. I really don't think I'm up for doing any more surgery.

I hope tweaking the orthotic is the right track here because I don't like the alternatives.