Has anyone had any experience with surgery to fuse bones in the midfoot? I am aware that it has a long recuperation time but is it a game ender as far as running & triathlon are concerned? FYI, I am 65 so running isn’t an intense activity. Milos Kostic I am not.
Thanks
I had my sub-talor joint fused and a plate put in my arch to hold it up 3 1/2 years ago. It took 9 months of pretty intense therapy to get me back to running. I did a marathon last fall and did Ironman Louisville this year on it. I had to completely change my running form and really work a lot of little muscles to hold form and I still can’t run on uneven ground but flat ground I can run all I want. Which is much better than not running at all
Beau Brink
You need to be a little more specific with regards to what joint(s) will be fused. Since midfoot fusions are almost always a salvage procedure and the result of severe arthritis/trauma, it can make running very difficult.
I am still waiting for a call back from my ortho so I can’t supply the name of the joint. If I hear I’ll post.
I was told the PT tendon is ruptured & the foot has collapsed.
No pain. Faithfully wear my orthotics. Run/jog slowly.
Thanks.
If you have no pain and are in rigid orthotics, why the need for surgery at your age?
The Dr. is not pushing surgery at this point. My concern is causing further damage. I am not anxious to be off my feet for 6-10 weeks. Just don’t want to stuck with having to use a walker 2 years from now.
The Dr. is not pushing surgery at this point. My concern is causing further damage. I am not anxious to be off my feet for 6-10 weeks. Just don’t want to stuck with having to use a walker 2 years from now.
Understood - what you need to realize is that an arthrodesis (fusion) surgery in the rearfoot (whether TN joint, subtalar or CC joint or a triple where all three are done) is primarily a salvage procedure. It is used when enough joint damage has ensued that all other tx options are ineffective in dealing with pain and/or instability. We don’t have joint replacement for these joints like larger joints of the knee/hip/shoulder. Most people do not run well after major rearfoot fusions (esp a TN joint fusion), so if you can jog now, avoid the surgery for sure. If you are in so much pain you can’t or using a walker - then you can still do the same surgery. That won’t change.
Thank yoy very much. That is very helpful. I appreciate the information you have provided.
Rroof and I usually sing the same song. At 65 (no offense intended, I’m close) the degree to which this affects your daily life would be important. If, without significant inconveniences, you can get accomplished what you wish, postpone the surgery. Once it’s done, there are no “take backs.” We have yet to devise much of a revision procedure if your activity level isn’t what you’d like it to be.
I’m not saying that you (we) need to keep that seat at the Canasta table warm at the Senior Center, but there’s a reason that there are 75 racers in the 35 - 39 year old age group at you local sprint triathlon, and only 2 in the 65 - 69. We break. So I vote for doing the least surgery you can to keep going.
John
Thank you. I’ll postpone the surgery & keep going. I have no choice. I don’t know how to play canasta.
See, you may not get the quick fix answer you seek but you haven’t lost your sense of humor!! Well done.
First you deal 11 cards to each…
Maybe darts would be more your speed.
John