Hi,my name is Kris.
I was born in 1966, the youngest of five children. When I was nearly a year old my father noticed that when I crawled I kicked my left leg out to the side. They took me to the Doctor, tests were performed scans were taken and I was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. My “type” of CP was Spastic Hemiplegia, meaning affecting one side with tight, rigid, or jerky musles. You can visit the website at www.ucp.org to learn more. I was placed in double braces, the old leather and metal ones with a bar between the legs, and my parents were given theraputic exercises to try to train my bones to grow correctly. Thankfully, I have no memory of this period in my life, but I imagine it must have been terribly hard on my family. When I could walk, I was placed in one brace, the left leg, and made to wear orthopedic shoes special ordered from Bakers. There were no pretty shoes or sandals and no going barefoot in my foreseeable future. My childhood however, played out sweetly. I had a wonderful, loving family who treated me like I could do anything I put my mind to and for the most part that is exactly what I did. I had achilles lengthening surgery when I was seven and after that wore my brace to bed for one year. At age eight, I got my first experience of going barefoot in my yards dew-laden grass. What a day that was, exquisite. Life for me after that period went great. I did not excel at sports because of balance and coordination problems, but found other things to fill my days. When I was twelve I actually started taking dance lessons, tap, jazz, and ballet. I found soon enough that dance was a wonderful outlet for me and while I still had some issues with balance and coordination, I had become a master at the art of compensation. I had learned over the years how to appear normal by altering the way I moved. So dance I did for five years and at the age of 18yrs, my parents sent me full of hopes and dreams for broadway, to a summer course at the Philadelphia College of The Performing Arts. I spent several weeks there with other dancers and knew that my destiny was not Broadway. It was not the CP, it was that I realized that I could not and would not eat, sleep, and live dance. I graduated high school with less than stellar grades, attended county college briefly, and at 19yrs, married my best friend. Six months into our marriage I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. I had lost control of the right side of my body, motor control, ambulatory problems. I was like Igor, dragging my leg, the right one this time. I handled things well I think, but lets face it, I was screwed medically. Two major diseases and the resultant illnesses that manifested in the wake of said diseases. Truth is, during that time I suffered a near deadly bout with double pnuemonia, a stroke, and the appearence of new symptoms that stemmed from the non-progressive Cerebral Palsy. Those symptoms began only mildly some ten years ago now I am 42yrs old and can barely walk. I went to visit my current Dr. and expected him to repeat what I have heard in the past. He instead said I think I can help you. This is what he is going to do. Achilles Debridement, FHL transfer, long and short toe flexor release, and and calcaneal ostectomy. I invite people who are like me, struggling with new problems as I age that are directly related to a medical condition, Cerebral Palsy, that is considered non-progressive. Doctors no very little to nothing about this problem. One of my CP friends said that her doctor said that 15 to 20 yrs ago this wasn’t an issue because people like us didn’t live long enough to see these problems. I guess we shouldn’t have to nerve to live so long.
Thanks,
Kris
Achilles Debridement, FHL transfer, (long and short toe flexor release), and and calcaneal ostectomy.
Hi Kris,
Thank you for sharing your story!
I don’t have CP but I had the surgery you are about to have and I am doing great, being 7 weeks post op today, at 47yrs old. I am also the youngest of 5 and from PA. 
Congrat’s on getting to your 40’s with CP! This was a disease we read about only in our “Pediatric” nursing course, years ago. Wow, we can certainly learn so much from you as a survivor.
I think your blog is unique and necessary as this surgery is fairly new and but the recovery issues are about the same. I deleted my blog because I didn’t think I belonged here, since my Achilles was reconstructed, not ruptured. I, like the others on this list, was heading towards a rupture if we didn’t take care of the ongoing issues we were experiencing. Let me be the first to welcome you here! These are big decisions…..people provide a great service here to help each other, thanks to Dennis and the now over 200 bloggers. If you want to see my photo set about my surgery,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marilynrd/sets/72157607546971964/
Drop me an email there if you don’t see my Achilles Set, and I will send you it. Everyone’s recovery story is unique and depends on so many factors, including their baseline health issues, and mental health to endure recovery. I look forward to reading your progress.
You seem like an incredibly strong guy and I wish you well.
No one wants to “sit on the sidelines”….as Doc Ross says….best of luck! I hope your Doc can help!
May God Bless you
Marilyn RD
marilynrd - It would be great if you wanted to continue posting about your Achilles reconstruction experiences here. It doesn’t have to be Achilles Ruptures per say.. I think it would help others who are going through this type of surgery.. like kris.
Not sure if this is really the appropriate saying.. more the merrier.
If you change your mind, let me know if you want me to reactivate your blog.
I’ve updated the main page, everyone is welcome to start a blog here..
not necessarily just limited to ATR: http://achillesblog.com/
Thank you so much Marilynrd and Dennis,
I don’t truly fit in the the ruptured achilles population, but I didn’t fit anywhere else as there is so little known about this rising condition. I did feel a sense of connection because as Marilynrd said, our surgeries are similar. I commend and thank you Dennis for altering your main page as you have. There are more like me out there than one would imagine. Not only are CP patients seeing these new developement, but also those who suffered Polio as a child and lived a realitively good life until near the age of 40. I am getting lectured from all sides on my decision to delay surgery until Jan, they have all seen the Misty Mae video and my own hobleing about…anyway, thanks for your responses and support.
Kris
kris - no problem! Thanks for sharing your story, and keep us posted on your progress.
Kris,
Welcome to the “club”! Although your situation has more variables than the others, my guess is that the procedure and recovery will be pretty much the same. For me, the value of this site has been preparing me for what to expect and “coaching” me through the recovery. I think your participation will be mutually beneficial.
Thank you Toddryan. The surgery is something I look forward to as a means to an end, hopefully of my difficulties with walking. This site has proved a Godsend to me in terms of experiences and what to expect. I will definitely post my progress post surgery. I do wonder about anesthesia(SP?) My doctor says general but that seems like a broad definition. Thanks for your comment and kind wishes.
Kris
Kris: You are truly an inspiration. You have an amazing amount of courage.
I am about 13 weeks out of a similar surgery to what you will be having. I am doing well and much better than I expected. I don’t have many health problems, just really really short Achilles tendons and really really long leg bones. There are several on this web site who have had or will be having this surgery. I love coming here and just reading what they say. It really helps not to feel alone.
Thanks for being here and posting your story. I am looking forward to reading more from you.
-Smish
Wow, if anyone can come through this ordeal smiling it will be you. I will be watching out for your progress. You are such an inspiration.
CP is a difficult one, my son has mild CP in his shoulders and neck making it difficult for him to write, unfortunately as you cannot tell he has a problem by looking at him when he was at school children made fun of him because his writing was so poor, he also has lots of other problems as well including slight ’special needs’ difficulties and general health issues, but like you (he is now 30) he just keeps going.
I wish you well when you have your operation.
Good luck
Annie
Thank you Smish and Annieh for your kind responses. I don’t know how much courage I possess, but I do know that strong support from family and friends has certainly been my strength. I know many people with varying degrees of MS and some wear their disability like a cloak and focus so much on what they can’t do that they never learn of the many things they can do. Others like myself, accept that life will be different in some ways, maybe even crippling, but life is still out there to be experienced and our spirits can only be crushed if we allow it. Annieh, good for your son! It sounds like he rose above the teasing and embraced life in spite of the obstacles. As he is now thirty, I would advise him to start being more aware of the areas impacted by the CP. I was about 32yrs when I began noticing a decrease in strength and mobility in my foot and ankle. He will need to be his own strong advocate with doctors should he start seeing a doctor due to any physical degeneration. I spent ten years going to doctors and having them tell me I was just getting old. It took a near complete inability to walk for someone to finally do something. If he can catch and treat any changes in his condition early, he may be able to avoid any unnecessary misery. Most doctors are uneducated about the secondary problems associated with aging with conditions such as CP and childhood Polio. Hopefully he won’t have any problems at all, but if he does, tell him not to back down if a doctor becomes dismissive of his concerns. I wish him lots of luck, sounds like he has a good mom and like me, lots of support. Smish, I am glad to hear that you are doing well after your surgery. Was your condition caused by anything or were you born with it? Did it cause you problems during your growth years? And I must know, how did you cope with being off your feet for so long after surgery? I think I’ll go nuts! LOL. It was good to hear from you both and please stay in touch. I’ve never done a blog before and am not really sure what to do, but after learning that others in my situation, aging with CP and the problems we are having, I thought it should be brought to light. Thanks again for your well wishes.
Kris
Kris,
My situation was really the perfect storm. Part of the problem is the way I was born and part of the problem is that I abused my body with over training and sports. My doctor said that had I not done any sports I still would have had to have the surgery but it would not have happened at as young of an age. I figure, since a person heals easier the younger they are, I am okay with having this happen now rather than 20 years from now. I did have some problems growing up but I dealt with them as they came.
I ruptured my right side 2 1/2 years ago. I didn’t take that too well. I have changed my perspective enormously since and so far have been doing okay. My second surgery was July 28 of this year. I spent 5 months in a cast this year too. The cast is finally gone and I have been in 2 matching shoes for about 3 or 4 weeks. It feels really odd.
As soon as I have my right leg under me I have to have this done to my left. My poor family. I hope this is all over with after I take care of my left side. At this point all I can say is, oh well. Sitting still use to only be accomplished with duct tape and a straight jacket. Now I sit still a lot, or else I pay for it.
I am glad I had the surgery. I could tell the very first time I put on a regular shoe and tried to walk, that my leg was fixed. Tears of joy was an understatement. I am ready to be done so I can get busy in life again. This time I will be smarter. When is your surgery planned for?
-Smish
Hi Kris!
Glad to see you are getting the support here! I periodically check in to get my inspiration and setting up my blog is still on my “to do list”. Thanks again, Dennis!
I am 11 weeks post op this week! My tendon is more sore this week because I have been really increasing my activity I think: gardening, walking, swimming…..but it is sore A LOT! Icing it is important still. My hubby hears: “did I do the right thing?” when I get frustrated with my “rehab” pain, due to increased activity. I am not used to sitting still! I didn’t have any swelling until this week when I was pretty much on my feet more than ever and noticed the change in pain with the increased activity. In order to go back to work, I need to be able to stand on my feet for 12 hours as an ICU nurse. …I am not able to do this and have been exploring other alternatives, as it is a hard job to do as one gets older anyway. The staffing levels have only gotten worse and the appreciation is less but I still miss it so much.
My biggest struggle is trying to stick to a diet and this was a problem before the surgery. Decreasing weight (for those overweight) is crucial. I KNOW that….but doing it is another story. I thought competitive tennis would help but didn’t like the “core work” that I needed to do and in the end, I really did abuse my body by playing everyday without doing the dieting and core strengthening work, thus causing tendon injury. Playing on “10″ year round USTA tennis teams, was ridiculous. I should have taken half of that and put my energy into to personal training….not as “fun” but worth it to prevent repetitive injury.
Perhaps now I have the incentive to change and your story is very inspirational when you have already recovered so much from your underlying problems. BOTTOM LINE: no matter what the “hitory” is….each new medical problem is another challenge to finnally get to optimal level of wellness for each individual. Dealing well with it will only help with the next challenge ahead! Some other lady on this site had dealt with chemotherapy in the past and I found her very inspirational too! I hope to hear her latest. (Can you tell I miss nursing so much…seeing my patients recover?)….sigh….. Medical care has changed so much too and learning the “system” is an education in itself. It would behoove everyone to clarify their benefits, and really check out the people who are treating them to make proper choices. It is great you found this site to monitor months before your surgery to prepare!
I plan to get a personal trainer this week (same fee as the copay of the PT which was more lame) to help increase my activity which will hopefully increase my desire to eat right, to make the exercise all worth while. The pain/soreness in my AT every day should be more of an incentive than ever before! Each one of us are where we are for different reasons, but hopefully we are taking one step further to the path of wellness, on a better road this time. Nothing is an overnight cure and it took us awhile to get where we are so it takes awhile to recover. One doesn’t just “pop” their tendon, by a fluke.
I love the resources here and nothing is better than personal stories, keeping in mind that every person has their own individual factors. The good news is that I am able to almost raise my heel as much on the left now as the right. The constant soreness concerns me but again, my Doc said to give it 8 months. I haven’t been wearing my boot either. I have gotten back to my volunteering and tried to deny the “rehab” work this week…note to self: continue to rehab yourself while adding your work or you will be back to square one! Life is a balance act! I still need proper rest/elevation periods!
Delaying your surgery is YOUR choice, especially since you didn’t rupture. (one advantage for us “nonruptures”!) It may help to begin in a new “insurance” year too! I delayed my surgery until after tennis season was over, and my husband was more available to help in August. (Many in DC take vacation in Aug when Congress is out too). My concern was also that New Residents start in July…but my Doc said his Fellow was staying until Aug (no residents involved) and it was done at his outpatient surgery center anyway! Perfect!
I really should not have gotten the last cortisone shot as it did make me feel “cured” and play another tennis season only to make my problem worse. Next time, I go back out there to play, I want to have my weight down more and my core body strengthened, or I just can’t afford to do that to my body again.
I have learned so much being “temporarily disabled” for the first time in my life! I too like the saying….go forth and recover! Have a great week everybody and please continue to share what you learn along the way!
MarilynRD
Thanks Kris,
I will make sure any changes in him will be dealt with. He has severe excema as well as CP and other problems which means he is on steroids and antibiotics quite a lot and as such he has regular blood tests at our local Hospital, he has a good Doctor, newly qualified and he has faith in him. Also because of all his other problems he seems to very closely involved with his progress.
His hospital doctor has come out of retirement to take over extra weekend clinics so between the ‘old school’ doctor and a newly qualified GP then I think he should be OK.
Regarding antibiotics there is concern that taking them for long periods can cause problems with achilles as well, several posts on this website about that subject. So I will get him to mention about longterm use of antibiotics when he next visits hospital
Look after yourself
Annie
Smish,
You sound like someone with passion who went after what you wanted and are now paying for that passion. I agree though that dealing with what you are going through now is best done at the age you are. Your recovery will be more complete and hopefully less traumatic than it would for someone my age. I think you will be on top of your game soon because of your age and positive attitude. It is hard on our families, but remember that as much as they are there for you, you in turn will always be there for them. Family is like a blanket, it is the very definition that we wrap each other protectively and lovingly in that warm embrace. MarilynRD, my goodness dear but you do push yourself. I know it must be hard for you, a very active and competitive person. Think of this time as your opportunity to connect with beauty, solace, and quiet. Soon enough you will be back in the game, so this time of healing might be your chance to explore things in your life that you might not otherwise find time to contemplate. You certainly inspire me to believe that my own impending surgery means real hope where before, I had little. My best wishes to you.
Annieh, your response concerns me the most. I hope I did not come off as telling you what you should do regarding your son, or even coming across as condescending, my experience has made me hyper-sensitive to such issues. It sounds like your son has a good team of doctors and of course, you on his side. Forgive me if I sounded like someone telling you what to do, it was not my intention. Again, thank you all for your responses.
Kris
Kris: I can say for sure that I went after my passion hard. I never thought of that as a positive until I read your post. I always felt guilty thinking I was being selfish. I imagine that had I not gone after my passion, my feelings at this point would have been much worse. My husband is an amazing support. He has picked me up, brushed me off, and set me down running so many times. The guilt I felt was always self inflicted. He was even willing to help me compete in Tae Kwon Do even though he knew I would probably get kicked in the head a lot. (It wasn’t too bad)
I still have some nerve issues from this surgery. I will be very happy when that goes away. (I still believe it will go away) But my foot is working really well. My Achilles area feels pretty stong and I am still kind of early in my recovery.
What is next for you? When are you planning your surgery? Are you feeling okay about it?
-Smish
Smish,
It sounds like you do have a loving and supportive family and that is important. Next for me is the holiday season, hosting each one and trying not to rupture my achilles while getting through it. My surgery is scheduled for 01/06/09. Family and friends think I am foolish for waiting, (probably true) but I want to get through the holidays and hopefully recover in a much quieter and calmer environment. I feel mostly positive about the surgery. I went through so many years of dealing with one medical drama after another while trying to raise three kids. I really don’t want to deal with any more dramas like that and the surgery I pray, will prevent a whole new series of struggles. Sometimes I feel downright excited at the prospect of what the surgery may enable me to do and that makes me feel hopeful about the future. Every now and again I sink into a maudlin mood and worry myself over the surgery and recovery. That doesn’t happen often though and I usually snap out of it quickly. The surgery is the day after my birthday so I look at it as a sort of rebirth. I appreciate your posts. It is nice to connect with others who are dealing with their own problems, knowing that others feel empathy for you makes one feel less alone.
Take care,
Kris
Hey Kris,
You neglected to tell your fellow bloggers about the positive aspect of your cerebral palsy, according to the doctor lo those many years ago. Your doctor then said that since your brain motor function is less productive than the average person, your intellectual brain function should well be higher than the average person; hence, your mother and I should just wait and you will become an intellectual phenomenon in no time at all. We’re still waiting, dear….
Over the years you have displayed a high level of common sense though - for which we are eternally thankful. We are glad you have found friends in your blogging effort - friends who, because they experience difficulties so similar to yours, may better understand what you are going through. Good friends, great kids, and a loving husband - the marks of a winner dear. Now, when that forecasted intellectual prowess finally arrives, you’ll be absolutely incredible. Hugs’n smoochies, Dad
Ha, ha, Dad. I like to think of myself as highly clever after-all, being “THE FAVORITE” out-benefits being the intellectual any day. More perks.
Love, Kris
Kris,
Have you picked a PT yet? I spent an hour (at least) on the phone with my insurance company yesterday. I cannot believe how a PT facility can tell you “we accept your insurance and you have unlimited coverage” only to get a bill from them for over $2000 because they were “noncontracted” with Aneta which reverts to 70/30 of “reasonable and customary”. Of course they are not r & c. Specifically ask if they are CONTRACTED, and what they itemize the charge for each modality: E STIM, Massage, PT ect Also, ask if the PT’s are “aides” or certified, also…if you will work with the same one. My guess is that you have already been there, done that with other health issues, but I would love to hear your experience.
Cheers,
Marilyn
Smish—thanks for the nutrition advice…I did get through yesterday with more RAW foods than ever. Today is a new day to try again. The hot tub for both massage and heat is the BEST thing working for me right now and I feel my tendon getting stronger every day!
Marilyn, did i understand you to say that you had suture anchors put in to repair your achilles? Please tell me more. These were used in my repair (to attach tendon to heel bone). Are you having to “hard cast” longer? Any problems so far?
Bill
Bill,
I had the tendon detached at the heel bone, debrided, lengthened, excess bone in my heal removed, then had the tendon reattached using a bone anchor. (Doesn’t that just sound like SO MUCH fun?)
Every surgeon’s protocol differs. Mine believed in early mobilization, so I was in a splint for 2 weeks, then non-weight bearing in a boot with heel wedges that I could take off for range of motion, bathing, sleeping. I took out one heel wedge each week for 4 weeks until I was at 90*.
I am a little over 6 weeks now and was cleared to start walking with the boot on for the next 4 weeks. I am allowed to start PT at 8 weeks to really let the anchor to the bone heal well before stressing it.
My surgeon explained that the anchor to the bone needed time to “callous in”, much like a broken bone needs time to heal. He is slower to let me become active where I’ll stress the attachment than a standard ATR repair in mid-tendon.
I’m not having any real pain in the tendon where it was debrided or lengthened, but the heel pain is pretty good. I feel pain at the tendon attachment - general intense ache - when I walk, and it aches where the bone was chipped away on each side. Interestingly, the bottom of my heel is sore, too. At 6+ weeks, tylenol and advil together takes the edge off.
I want to return to an “Achilles intense” sport of riding horses in marathons where my heels are hyper-flexed repeatedly in the stirrups for 6-10 hour races. From what Dr. C has told me, I’ll be ready to start riding just in time to have the next foot done. Somewhere around 4-6 months
Linda
Hi Bill, (and Kris, Horsinaround, Smish, Annie!)
Yes, I had the same surgery: Achilles Debridement, FHL transfer, and calcaneal ostectomy. I am 47 and play on many USTA tennis teams….hope to be back in Spring. The tendon is completely cut and extended (mine was a V to Y lengthening) and it is lengthened with a graft tendon from the side of the foot, and anchored back in the bone (mine was tunneled). I had a post op cast removed in 7 days, and in a boot (dialed to -1 for the first 4 weeks with NWB) The next 4 weeks was dialed to 0=90. So, yes, 4 weeks post op i was told to loose the sticks at 90 degrees. I can do heel raises but not single heel raises at 12 weeks now.
I didn’t rupture but some who have had ruptures and their surgery doesn’t go well, have this surgery as their “re-do”. It is pretty amazing and I am grateful for the surgery, as it cured my “bone spur and pain with that pre-op”. The MD I spoke with offered it to me in December after other modalities didn’t work for my heel pain. I thought about it for the next 8 months!!! I am glad I did it and I know I will be more so by April (my 8 month post op!).
But there are days when I do really push myself, and then have increased pain, soreness, whatever. People who have had this “reconstruction” have reason to be in pain with a little more being done to them in the OR. The negative is that you can’t bend your great toe, as fully as before, but your foot compensates, and you have two scars. Doc Ross says he has seen people have an achor that needed to be removed. (yikes) I have one anchor and it was “tunneled” so hopefully it is cool to stay.
I hope I answered your questions. (I didn’t have a cast )
One thing my PT said is that Ultrasound can’t be done because the anchor would heat up …which the ATR’s folks seem to have done in rehab. I took Percocet, Vicodin, daily for the first 6 weeks…call me a baby but hey, it worked for me!
I only had 7 PT appointments and am doing my own thing….(including e-stim,massage, nu-step,and the other exercises everyone talks about)…I didn’t find the service I went to for PT was worth my time or insurance co-pay unfortunately. I plan to pay a personal trainer who is certified, when I get stronger and find one I can work well with and has a good reputation.
The rehab is a rollercoaster of ups and downs but overall I can’t believe how much faster the recovery is than I thought it would be. Keep posting on your progress, Bill. I like to read the stories. My biggest issue is weight control….I was so active before, that I am starting to gain with this sitting around, and being bored…..not that I was a barbie doll before ! HA HA the exercise for my fingers typing just isn’t enough.
I have read my new camera manual backwards and forwards and slowly getting more activity every day…..and it is a great excuse for having a messy house.
Cheers!
Marilyn RD
Kris! Hope your Dad doesn’t always abuse you like that!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marilynrd/sets/72157607546971964/ Here are my pictures of my foot surgery and if you can’t find them, feel free to send me a flickr email. (sometime I forget to set it to public when I add stuff) Happy to help.
Hi everyone: This is “momofboys” again. I’m not sure where to post this question other than under comments so here goes. My surgeon just phoned me and suggested that I may want to have the Topaz treatment which is a non-invasive debridement of the tendon. It only requires 2 weeks in a cast followed by the boot for I’m not sure how long. Since I don’t have the complete rupture I have been wondering if my surgery did not need to be as extensive as the full blown invasive procedure. The problem is I now need to make a decision and I don’t know enough about it to make it. My surgery date for the invasive surgery is Dec. 8th. Can anyone give me some insight into this procedure? Has anyone had it done? Please help!
Thank you so much!!!
Momofboys: I had the Topaz treatment done. It was done to me during surgery so my leg was opened up completely. I had debridement as well as Topaz. Topaz was not explained to me as a debridement but more as a growth stimulator. I also had my Achilles lengthened and my heel bone sanded down. (I ruptured and had surgery done 2 1/2 years ago but only a reattachment was done then.) My doctor also had to take out some non-dissolvable sutures left in my Achilles from 2 years ago. The Topaz treatment was done directly to my Achilles, not through the skin. Maybe it was done that way because I had to be opened up anyway. What all is your doctor suggesting to do for the surgery on Dec. 8th?
-Smish
marylinrd,
Thanks so much for the information about PT. I had not thought that far ahead but will keep your information in mind when the time comes. Welcome all others who have posted, good to have you here.
Kris
Marilyn, thanks so much for the information!! I play (played!) league tennis (ALTA, USTA) in Atlanta. Can’t wait to get back. Funny you would mention your camera manual… I’m thinking about trying to figure out how to load and edit some super 8 video film on a DVD. Yeah, I want to make movies while i’m sitting around with my leg elevated!! Anyone got any suggestions about a “how to source”??
Later, (by the way, any golfers out there 3 weeks post op?)
Bill
Bill,
How to make the perfect omelet. Nobody ever gets it right. Julia Child, one of my heros, knew how to make the perfect omelet. Maybe you can find one of her demonstrations and then demonstrate it for us.
Kris
Smish: Finally someone has heard of Topaz! From what the doctor mentioned he is only going to do the Topaz procedure and than I will have 2 weeks in the cast and 2 in the boot. I don’t know anything else. He will now not be shaving my bone spurs off either which he was going to do along with the achilles. I just hope it works….Since I don’t have a full rupture and I can walk (with pain most of the time) but walking none-the-less I had really been wondering if the full blown achilles surgery was more extensive than I needed. I just hope I am fixed after this!
Lisa: I don’t know how Topaz is suppose to work on bone spurs but I say go for the non-invasive approach first. If you can avoid being opened up down there it’s a good plan. When will your doctor be doing the Topaz procedure?
The way I figure it is this; just in case, someday you do have to have the fully invasive surgery, I think it will be easier to deal with the struggles it may present because you will know that you did everything possible to avoid it.
When I had to make the decision on whether or not to do my 2nd surgery, I knew I had tried EVERYTHING known to man. This helped me immensely as I deal with some side affects from surgery.
Hang in there!
-Smish
Hey Kris… maybe I’ll take a shot at that!
Bill
click on this link to get more interesting blogs
Dear author, thank you for this helpful and interesting article! I have read it all very attentively and i really hope that more people will read it in future.