Second Time is a Charm (There is no Try, only Do!)

Here We Go Again, Same ol' Stuff Again!

Well, the revision surgery is this Thursday, 20 September.  Pain has increased over the past few weeks, and the X-Rays from two weeks ago, along with my pre-op exam with Dr. C shows why.


The joint that was fused with a screw is moving.  The joint move when I walk normally, which is not supposed to happen. 


The X-Rays show that the hardware is moving around: 


FINDINGS: There is no evidence of acute fracture, dislocation or destructive lesion. A single screw is noted through the first interphalangeal articulation. There is increased perihilar hardware lucency involving the screw within the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx of the first toe.


IMPRESSION: Postoperative changes. Increased lucency surrounding the screw within the distal aspect of the proximal phalanx of the first toe. This is suspicious for hardware loosening/osteolysis.


IMAGE COUNT: 3 Attention Patients / Service-members: If you have questions or concerns about the results in this report, Please contact your ordering provider or primary care team.


The surgeon said it is like two pieces of wood that are screwed together.  The screw is countersunk in one piece of wood, but the distal end of the screw is coming out and moving.  And when the distal end of the screw continues to move, it has to be removed and replaced with another type of screw or plate.


So, this time around, it will be a different fixation type- staple/plate/screw.  It all depends on what she finds when she get into the joint and removes the screw. 

Vegas Baby!

Based on my exhaustive research, there is a <8 30="" abuse="" after="" and="" closer="" diabetes="" did="" don="" drugs.="" factor="" failure="" for="" fortunately="" have="" i="" if="" is="" jogging="" my="" nbsp="" not="" obese="" of="" only="" p="" probably="" rate="" requires="" revision="" risk="" smoke="" soon="" surgery.="" surgery="" t="" that="" the="" then="" this="" to="" too="" type="" walking="" was="">

Doctor's Orders

This time I will be extra-conservative, and Dr. C is emphatic our plan of care will be, too.  I will be in a hard cast post-op and for the first six weeks of non-weight bearing.  I will not cheat!  I will not even do a toe-touch with the cast! 

Or Else...

Dr. C said that this is the last attempt to fuse the joint.  The risk for complications increases each time a surgeon goes in and disrupts the vasculature of the joint area.  So, this time it will work...