Coping With Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Hi! my name is Carmella I have suffered with foot problems for almost fifteen months. My journey started in September 2006 with one family doctor, a podiatrist and three orthopedics,and one neurologist. I was diagnosed with plantars fasciitis, heel spurs and went through multiple injections in my feet. Also I was wearing a night splint boot at night for the plantars fascia which was very uncomfortable to sleep in. During the day I wore bledsoe ankle supports with all shoes and heel cups for the heel spurs I wore dansko shoes for work and school because Dr Patis wanted me in the same type of shoe.

After about four month with my podiatist I was refered to a orthpedic in Powdersville,SC. It was here I was also treated for plantars fascia, metatarsalgia which is inflamation of the metatarsal area top of foot. I also recieved numerous injection here as well mostly on the top of my right foot and one in the first metatarsal head where most people have bunnions at. After about five weeks of getting the injection and not having longer relief from shots the doctor decided to place right foot in a cast for four weeks to stabilize arch in right foot. The cast came off no relief from that my foot was weaker than ever. Anti-inflammatorys did not seem to help pain pills were just temporary relief.

I was then put in a cam walker for support of my foot and ankle for about three weeks, and then refered to the second orthopedic doctor which would have suited myself to have never met him. I then went back in a cast for ruptured plantars fascia four four weeks with more pain medication and anti-inflamatorys. I went back four weeks later cast came off I honestly did not think I could bare weight on it at all I just sat on the table and cried I was really getting discouraged at this point because the time was near for me to graduate from Greenville Technical College.

The doctor asked me if when my foot was in the cast did it hurt? I told him yes! a he replied ” IF IT HURT IN THE CAST THEN THAT IS AS GOOD AS IT IS GOING TO GET!!!!”. I stood there crying in complete desperation for help I ask him there is nothing that can be done? no surgery! NO it would only make it worse once you’re foot gets cut. I just stood there crying I did ask the nurse for all my x-rays and doctors records I was not giving up I went back to my podiatrist and talked with him.

He was so understanding and compassionate and had his nurse to call and scheudule appointment with another orthopedic and scheuduled a nerve conduction on both feet, and ordered a ultrsound and MRI I had the nerve conduction on October 26,2007 did not know anything at this point the doctor’s office gave me a appointment for January 7,2008 for results so kind of them…

On December the 18,2007 I had a appointment with another doctor. That day I meet a man who had a strong desire to want to help me walk to where I wasn’t in pain. He told me after looking at x-rays medical records that he felt like my results from the nerve conduction would be where my answers would be. They faxed over results and it was then and there the results were concussive I had tarsal tunnel Syndrome in both feet the right was the worst,however the left would also need surgery as well. The doctor wanted the surgery done before christmas I begged him to please let me get through christmas and he did.

I had the first tarsal tunnel release done in January 4,2008. It was rough I’m not gonna lie the pain was awful for the first week I mainly stayed in bed other than going to bathroom. The crutches were the worst I feel several time just could not get my balance good. When I went back to the doctor five days later,and they changed the dressing I thought I was going to throw up and next I thought I would faint when I saw the incision and stiches I think the cut was about four to five inches long and about 23 stiches. the weeks to follow was long and the nights were longer. All I could do is sat around with my foot elevated and ice on it from time to time. I think I was on crutches for about seven weeks then went into a came walker til I could bare weight on the right foot completely.

Fourteen weeks later April 11,2008 I had surgery on the left foot I think I would rather died than to go back through all that again. The sitting kills me I have nervous energy I have to be doing something all the time I’d rather do anything than watch television. I was more so limited than before because I was still recoporating from the first surgery and scarred I would mess that foot up. I was on crutches for about four weeks until I could go in a cam walker for about three to four weeks. Once I was able to walk on my own I was able to start physical therapy for about ten weeks and learning to do exercise’s at home.

It is September 1,2008 and I am still in physical therapy for the second time. I have to go to the doctor on 9/23/08 to see if I can be released to work. I’m starting to see my results now from the tarsal tunnel release surgery my feet don’t burn, sting or ache anymore. I get caught up in the healing process and forget how painful this tarsal tunnel really was I would do it ten time over again anyday.

I thank God for my surgeon for giving me back my feet so know I call them HAPPY FEET!!! Its so scary to feel like you can’t walk I have been so guilty just assuming and taken for grant it I’m supposed to walk. Walking is truly a gift from God. GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE CONSIDERING THIS SURGERY!!!!!!!!