Before and After Pictures

The Old Joint.

 

 

Before X-Rays (See previous Blog about the various fragments, fractures and dislocations). 

Bottom Line, the yellow line (2) is where the Distal Phalanx is Fractures and dislocated.

 

 

The New Joint.  Well, not a joint anymore! 

 

The final product!  The joint between the distal and proximal phalanx is now fused.  One can see the old joint is slowly disappearing with new bone growth.  The screw is there permanently.  The fragments (#4 & 5) above were removed, as those two little buggers were causing the most pain. 

 

Therefore, I suppose I have one less bone in my body than before.  I have just a First Phalanx- rather than a First Distal Phalanx and a First Proximal Phalanx!



Weight Bearing!!!

Weight Bearing!

It is Wednesday, March 28th 2018.  First come the X-Rays then the check up.  I am so looking forward to actually walking as normal as I possibly can and wearing normal shoes.  The X-Rays did make me a little nauseous, the 2-inch screw in my foot/toe is a weird feeling.

The scars are not too bad, but my foot is still a little swollen, especially where the tendon had to be cut and fixed.  The doctor said that is where the pain will focus on- the stretching and movement of the tendon as I begin to walk and improve the range of motion of the ankle/foot/toes.

Left:  A close-up X-Ray of my Right Toe with the screw and joint fused.  Right:  X-Ray of my entire foot. 

X-Ray from the side showing the screw in the bone fusing both the Distal and Proximal Phalanx of the Right Hallux.

 

 

Pre and Post pictures are amazing to see.  The broken fragments are gone, the screw is in place, and the scars already somewhat fading.  I am now able to walk as tolerated with the help of the crutches. Dr. C said that for this type of surgery there is good pain and bad pain. 

 

Good Pain- the pain I feel at where the joint was and the screw is located.  Feeling chronic aching throughout the day is good.  It is the bone growing together and that is good.  The bad pain would be if this chronic ache turning into a stabbing, pinpoint pain.  this would mean the screw is moving or the broken bones are moving.  That is bad!

 

Bad Pain- where the tendon was cut, fixed, and reattached.  Dr. C said this will become the worst pain of the whole procedure.  As I work on walking and stretching the ankle and foot, this tendon is now shorter than before due to the trauma and repair of the tendon.  It will take time to slowly stretch and work out the scar tissue.  And it has to be done!  This is where the Pain is Gain, must stretch it to strengthen it. 

 

And Dr. C was absolutely right!  Walking heel-to-toe is VERY PAINFUL!  Even on a rubber track!  It is easy to avoid walking normally by walking on the side of the foot, but that will lead to potential stress fractures on the side of the foot.  So, take my time, take my pain meds and have patience.

 

My first walk pace was very slow.  Quarter Mile Time:  4:29, 4:16, 3:53, and a 4:01.  That would be a two-mile in about 33 minutes.  Not even close to passing the 2 mile run! 

 

And I since I put on the uniform in 1991, my personal APFT Commitment remains the same:  NEVER DO THE 2.5 MILE WALK!