AllBodySurgery.com
Foot surgery for teen?
I am 16 years old and looking forward to having a foot surgery in a couple months for my severely overpronating (arches that fall flat because the ligaments are too loose) feet. Trust me, I have tried and considered EVERYTHING before thinking about this surgery, I have tried orthodics but they are not strong enough to help the extent of my problem, I have considered waiting without it but I am usually in pain at the end of the day. I got tendonitis in the posterior tibial tendon from my condition and have been in a wheel chair off and on... I crawled around the house sometimes and now I'm out of the wheelchair but I really can't do much walking without pain. If I don't get this surgery, I would be confined to wearing splints up my leg and strong orthotics and I might have tendon / joint damage. I have seen 3 docs and 2/3 reccomended surgery, one reccomending a bone graft surgery on the outside of the foot to strengthen it and prevent it from outwards motion and collapsing. ... so anyway I was just concerned because one of the pediatrists / foot surgeons suggested that I try more aggressive orthotics / leg splints and wear these for the rest of my life... the 2nd pediatrist said that he could not make orthotics strong enough for MY case, and the 3rd surgeon said that I should def. have this done. Sorry this is long but it is a difficult decision and as much as I want to have better feet i don't want to jump into a decision I might regret because this is my body and surgery is serious and irreversable... what do you mean, I ask for comfort? I am not looking for sympathy, I am looking for help making my decision.... thanks...
Public Comments
- this kinda makes me sad because i have the same thing. what is it that you ask? for comfort? i wear orthodics ...but most the time i neglect them since i love flip flops! they'll make sure you're asleep before you take the surgery. i hope you feel better. my doctor told me that i had to be on a braces for about 6 months or so if i did the surgery. is it true? i forgot.
- i hav flat feet 2 nd i should get surgery but im too afraid and i albolutely hate crutches and i dont wanna hav my ffoot in a cast fo lik 2 months especially over the summmer but in your case it soudns rly serious and if u dont get it it will rly screw up ur adult life so i would definetly recomend this for you...good luck i hope u mak the right decision :)
- i didn't have the exact same problem but had foot problems with my achielles, walking was painfull, and i spent 4-5 years in pain, trying a lot of different suggested solutions.. heel supports (i have high arches and really prone to tendon problems).. physio, splints, stretching, hot and cold therapy.. and lots more. they could not work out why i was in pain (so you have one up on me) all the MRI's and ultrasounds came back with.. was servere inflammation up the achielles but no apparent reason for it.. (i never had any injuries leading up to it) anyway.. after 4-5 years of shuffling around doctors, i found one orthopeadic surgeon who wanted to operate.. (just open it up and take a look .. as no scans could define what was wrong) and its been 5 months now since surgery.. and the Pain is GONEEEEEE... the tendon is still tender, but i can walk. .no limp, no impact pain.. i am really really grateful that i had the chance to have it fixed. sometimes you have to make a harder decision, but for a chance for it to be a little better, it may be worth surgery. i went in not knowing the extent of my surgery.. as they didn't know if they had to do a tendon graft, shave the bone, .. strenghten the bone.. they had no idea.. the scar is quite large (5 inchs up the back of my foot) but the freedom to walk. without pain.. would do it again in a heartbeat.. good luck.. hope all goes well... (if it is causing you grief at 16, it will possibly get worse as you get older....)
- It sounds like you have researched your options well. Sometimes conflicting opinions from doctors can muddle your decision, but only you know what you are willing to live with and be able to choose from the options before you. If you still do not think you have built trust with a physician then see another until you do ... it's your body, your health & your life.
- After reading all your condition---& I'm no doctor--- I worry a little about Podiatrists....I prefer a good Board Certified Sports Orthopaedic Surgeon. I think you should consult with this kind of doctor...who will not try immediately to pass you off to a podiatrist, but will suggest you have good MRIs. Let me suggest a shoe. Go to a Nordstrom store or Bloomingdale store (I mentione them, bcz they'll let you return your shoes for a full exchange for any defect and sports stores won't.... Ask to be fitted in an all white New Balance "Rollbar" 'walking' shoe. (about $90) I'm on my 7th pair now. These shoes are not the New Balance athletic shoes found in athletic stores (which are about $40 to $50. Please don't confuse them---and please get an opinion from the Orthopod I recommended above. Blessings on you.
