cheilectomy-diary

Progress, progress, progress! Vacation week and I loaded the bike on the car ready for a week of driving, cycling, camping, kayaking and hopefully, walking. Well, let's just say, I'm glad I packed the bike!  The good news is, I was pretty much able to enjoy my vacations (hols for the UK audience) without hinderance. The only bit I didn't manage was a walking trip. I can walk around all day pretty much without issue, but to actually go for a walk is - not ready for that yet.  It's been hot again, and I've been doing the exercises and icing a fair amount. I used the bike to do shops and get around. Kayaking was fine - before the op, I'd get burning pain from the spurs if I used my toes to anchor myself in the kayak, but there was also the pain of turning the toes downwards to accommodate the feet - remember, I have knee problems the same side as the foot, which prevents me being able to comfortably turn the leg outwards to allow the toes to sit sideways. But now w

Have come away on holiday - a three hour drive in a manual car with plenty of motorway queuing, which went fine, though the under part of the MTP joint was a bit achy by the end. I'm hoping to be able to do a little walking next week, but for this week I'm happy pootling around on the bike.  At home I'm in a cheap pair of flip-flops. I couldn't bear flip-flops before the op - the bit between the toes drove me mad. But I reckon the numbness I've still got on that toe, or the op itself, is making it fine wearing them now. I actually think they provide some good PT as well, as the toe performs a little dorsal flexion - sort of gripping the sole - as I walk in them.  I was able to be pretty much back to normal at the weekend, with plenty of time on my feet, swimming and kayaking. I'm using the bike mainly rather than walking, which I would have done before the op. Otherwise, I did a lot with very little pain or discomfort. The beach here is very stony and there'

At the 1 month milestone my first impressions are that I am doing better than I thought I would be. I've resumed driving in a normal trainer shoe and that's fine. It's only been short journeys so not sure what a long journey would be like - but, hey that's what cruise control is for.  Wearing sandals around the house now - my crocs rub on the new skin where the incision wound is, and it's too hot to wear socks at the moment - but do need supportive trainer shoe (my orange buddies) for walking any distance. Moving around the house easily and generally feeling less discomfort than before the operation. The toe doesn't ache at night like it used to, nor do I have pain like I did when I walk (the underside of the MTP joint is still a little tender - and swollen - and I can lie on my front (on the front of the foot where the bone spurs were) with no pain at all now. Mornings are easier when I first get up - bar the rather odd feeling on the outer part of the foot.  I

I've started swimming again - yay! - and the salt water has helped move the incision wound into a better place. No scabs now, just a fresh pink line of new skin. Been walking more in a pair of new trainer/walking shoes a half size up from what I normally wear with a thick sole.  Walked to the park and around a small circle for the first time since the operation. Did the walk in 40 mins - usually takes me 20 - and I just concentrated on trying to make the gait as normal as possible. Hobbling around over the weekend took it out of the knee and made the foot pretty fatigued.  Getting around on the cycle now - shopping, visiting folk, getting to the beach.  The biggest thing at the moment is the sensation I get underneath the MTP joint. It feels like I'm stepping on a big wadge of something. I'm guessing this will be swelling. It probably takes around 6 weeks for bones to start to be healed. I had an osteotomy and a screw in there, so it's probably this not settled yet, and

Today I got a letter from my consultant podiatric surgeon confirming my "uneventful recovery" from a right-sided 1st MTP joint cheilectomy with proximal phalangectomy, and conditionally discharging me. To celebrate, I've ordered a new pair of shoes. I've been going through my shoe wardrobe and reluctantly realising that my days in my lovely leather soled Loakes, Brogues and Chelsea boots are probably long-gone. In reality I haven't been able to wear any of them since I had the accident on my foot three years ago (bar the recent funeral of a dear friend - and then I had to send the mourners on while I hobbled my way from the church to the wake in my brogues).  Maybe one day, I'll be able to wear them for special occasions. Meanwhile, a different approach is needed. A sturdy sole, supportive and cushioned - and some modifications to the flat leather soles I've been used to. I've decided (rather reluctantly) to invest in a pair of rocker-soled sports shoe

It's the 3 week mark and it's been a busy weekend - well, it's all relative. I've been able to get on a bike - lowering the saddle so I can easily put my foot down. It's been more a case of rolling along at walking pace than actually 'cycling' - the foot feels too fragile to go straight off out of the traps onto the road in case of any sudden mishaps that could mean mucking up the osteotomy before it's healed.  On healing, the incision wound is finally sealing up and looking less angry. Still haven't gone swimming - still looks like it needs a little more time to scar properly before risking the water (submerging the skin, risk of tearing, and infection from sea water). Hope that changes this coming week. I can't feel the top of the toe near the incision at all - it's numb. Hoping that changes.  Doing the exercises as directed - push and pull until it's uncomfortable twice a day for 5 minutes. I was able to walk the dog to the park and ba