For years - seven to be exact - I was told I had scar tissue on the ball of my left foot and the pain it caused was addressed with steroid shots, custom inserts, laser treatments, Mercaine shots, and physical therapy. Only physical therapy had any lasting effects, but it only put a band-aid on the problem. Since nothing done had any lasting results and after two podiatrists and an orthopedic surgeon, I made an appointment and met Dr. David Alford of Southern Bone and Joint. While he had access to my x-rays from previous physicians, he took some of his own and immediately found the problem.
A little history ... aside from the constant discomfort walking on the ball of my left foot, my middle toe started curling - known as a claw toe and my second toe began turning unnaturally. I didn't really think the toes were causing the pain, but Dr. Alford explained I was walking directly on the bone which is why it hurt. The scar tissue diagnosis was flatly incorrect. Dr. Alford continued to explain we could start with a non-invasive approach by trying to correct the claw toe with a toe loop (see picture below) to see if it would help. I returned in two weeks, the loop was removed and within moments, the wayward toe returned to its claw position. Surgery was my only option if I wanted to walk normally again.
I should note here that being a youngster of sixty-five, I was not ready to throw in the towel. I want to walk around the block without days of misery. I want to walk in the yard with my grandchildren and take my dogs for a trip around our local lake. I want to work without such discomfort that my evenings are spent tending to my sore foot. I was not, by any means, ready to give up.
With only two visits with Dr. Alford, he recognized something in my foot that no one else had. He wrote down what was wrong and wrote down the name of the surgery he was suggesting. He said, "Mrs. Wyse when you finish researching all this, you let me know what your decision is. And, I did.
His diagnosis was metatarsophalangeal joint synovitis. And, his answer to correct the problem was a Modified Clayton Forefoot Resection.
It was a big decision for me, but I'd already dealt with this for way too long. I made the decision to go ahead with the surgery. Years of babying my left foot began to cause discomfort in my hips, knees, and lower back ... I was too young to throw in the towel and reduce my daily activities.
The toe loop worked so long as I was wearing it, but once removed, the toe returned to its claw-like position.
The pins are four and a half inches long. and the hyperextended position of my four toes prompted a question to my physician who assured me they would return to a more normal position after the pins were removed and that it was necessary for healing.
Also, my big toe was expected to return to a more normal position as was my little toe which appears to be "looking" to the left.
After the stitches were removed ... still heel-walking in a surgical boot which continues to cause some discomfort on my other foot and, of course, my hips, knees, and lower back. But ... looking forward to walking normally soon.
So, after walking with the toe loop and a surgical boot to remove the pressure from the ball of my foot for two weeks, and years of walking off center to relieve the discomfort on the ball of my foot I continue to hope it will return me to normal.
So, I'm back to work - part-time - and am still booting it / heel-walking. May 4 is when my foot will be x-rayed again with full pressure on the ball of my foot to make sure Dr. Alford is happy with the position of everything. Oh, a week ago, the pins were removed (after 4 weeks). My husband recorded the removal (boy, I didn't think I was so whiny!):
A little history ... aside from the constant discomfort walking on the ball of my left foot, my middle toe started curling - known as a claw toe and my second toe began turning unnaturally. I didn't really think the toes were causing the pain, but Dr. Alford explained I was walking directly on the bone which is why it hurt. The scar tissue diagnosis was flatly incorrect. Dr. Alford continued to explain we could start with a non-invasive approach by trying to correct the claw toe with a toe loop (see picture below) to see if it would help. I returned in two weeks, the loop was removed and within moments, the wayward toe returned to its claw position. Surgery was my only option if I wanted to walk normally again.
I should note here that being a youngster of sixty-five, I was not ready to throw in the towel. I want to walk around the block without days of misery. I want to walk in the yard with my grandchildren and take my dogs for a trip around our local lake. I want to work without such discomfort that my evenings are spent tending to my sore foot. I was not, by any means, ready to give up.
With only two visits with Dr. Alford, he recognized something in my foot that no one else had. He wrote down what was wrong and wrote down the name of the surgery he was suggesting. He said, "Mrs. Wyse when you finish researching all this, you let me know what your decision is. And, I did.
His diagnosis was metatarsophalangeal joint synovitis. And, his answer to correct the problem was a Modified Clayton Forefoot Resection.
It was a big decision for me, but I'd already dealt with this for way too long. I made the decision to go ahead with the surgery. Years of babying my left foot began to cause discomfort in my hips, knees, and lower back ... I was too young to throw in the towel and reduce my daily activities.
The toe loop worked so long as I was wearing it, but once removed, the toe returned to its claw-like position.
The pins are four and a half inches long. and the hyperextended position of my four toes prompted a question to my physician who assured me they would return to a more normal position after the pins were removed and that it was necessary for healing.
Also, my big toe was expected to return to a more normal position as was my little toe which appears to be "looking" to the left.
After the stitches were removed ... still heel-walking in a surgical boot which continues to cause some discomfort on my other foot and, of course, my hips, knees, and lower back. But ... looking forward to walking normally soon.
So, after walking with the toe loop and a surgical boot to remove the pressure from the ball of my foot for two weeks, and years of walking off center to relieve the discomfort on the ball of my foot I continue to hope it will return me to normal.
So, I'm back to work - part-time - and am still booting it / heel-walking. May 4 is when my foot will be x-rayed again with full pressure on the ball of my foot to make sure Dr. Alford is happy with the position of everything. Oh, a week ago, the pins were removed (after 4 weeks). My husband recorded the removal (boy, I didn't think I was so whiny!):
Now that the pins are removed my foot has, though still a bit swollen, taken on a whole new look ... my big and little toe have returned to normal! Yes, I'm still booting it which is why I can't have those toes painted yet :(
Once I'm released to physical therapy on May 4 my first stop will be to my pedicurist! I will be in physical therapy primarily for gait training. After walking incorrectly for several years, it'll be nice to walk correctly!
Last Monday I was evaluated at Advanced Therapy and was beginning the road to a full recovery by the next day. I've had two therapy sessions and I'm already feeling stronger and more balanced. Learning to use the 3-point landing position is a little tricky for me, but it is working with a bit of effort.
Once I'm released to physical therapy on May 4 my first stop will be to my pedicurist! I will be in physical therapy primarily for gait training. After walking incorrectly for several years, it'll be nice to walk correctly!
Last Monday I was evaluated at Advanced Therapy and was beginning the road to a full recovery by the next day. I've had two therapy sessions and I'm already feeling stronger and more balanced. Learning to use the 3-point landing position is a little tricky for me, but it is working with a bit of effort.
Photos