Foot Surgery

To start at the beginning...I have been having pain in my MTP (big toe) joint for several years. I had gone to an orthopedic twice in 2 years where they shot me full of cortisone and sent me on my way, never really telling me WHY I had arthritis in my joint.

Cut to them not taking my insurance anymore and my husband having a good experience w/ a podiatrist for his plantar fasciitis, I went and got a 2nd opinion w/ said Dr. He explained to me that my 1st metatarsal was elevated (I was born this way) and this was causing impingement in the joint, giving me a bone spur and arthritis. He wanted to give me an orthotic to correct it. I was not a fan of this idea since insurance didn't cover it and I would be paying several hundred $s for something that may not work , could only be worn in certain shoes, and didn't really FIX the problem.

After speaking with a coworker who had a similar problem, I decided to go to a foot & ankle specialist for a 3rd opinion. Yes, we all know surgeons love to cut. Well, he suggested that I have the Youngswick procedure done. This is similar to bunion surgery (except that I do not have a bunion). They cut your foot bone and remove a piece so that it can drop down in proper alignment. They then put a screw in to hold it in place. This prevents and further degeneration of the joint. As much as I didn't want to get cut open and go through the healing process (especially w/ a 20 month old underfoot and not being able to drive for 6 wks!) I decided this was the best option for my active self.

So here I am 3 days post-op and feeling way better than I expected. I have to thank my mom, sister and especially my husband who have been helping me take it easy. Because they have been helping me I have been able to elevate & ice almost constantly and my pain is now (after the first 24 hrs) manageable w/ only Alleve!

Next week I am planning on trying to lift some free weights/do some form of exercise in the basement. I refuse to use this as an excuse to sit on my @$$. The Dr said it will be 8-10 weeks before I am back to normal so for now I am going to do what I can!!