Monday, June 28, 2010

The Foot

I went to a Podiatrist today to talk about a.) my bunions, and b.) the pain in the bottom of my foot I was having.

Pretty encouraging doctor visit, I will say.  Both can be fixed.  One easier than the other. 

The pain in the bottom of my foot is indeed tendinitis.  It's caused by the second metatarsal being overloaded because of the way my first metatarsal pushes over.  In other words, my big toe is pushing toward my second toe and causing the tendon to become inflamed.  The fix?  Modify my orthotic with a little pad. 

I'M CLEARED TO RUN!!!


He could clearly see I have bunions, that was an easy diagnosis.  (Right now my main concern is my right one - it is the one giving me all the pain.)  How bad are they?  Clinically, they're bad.  After getting X-rays however, medically they are not *that* bad.  In other words, they look a lot worse than they are.  That my friends, is good news.  The fix?  Surgery!  My bunion will be cut off, the big toe broken (cut) and straightened and two screws inserted.  Now if that doesn't sound fun, can you tell me what does?  This surgery will have me out of commission for FOUR LONG WEEKS.  I'll be able to put weight on it in a week but can't do anything "active" for at least four weeks.  I will wait until the fall to have this done. 

I have a running date with a friend and her dog in the morning.  In the mountains, of course!

"MED2010" Accountability:
06/25 - 3.35 mile walk, Yoga class
06/26 - 2.5 mile walk
06/27 - 2.5 mile walk
06/28 - 3.35 mile walk, 13 mile bike ride, Yoga class


Until later.............

13 comments:

Looney said...

Congratulations on being able to run again! My wife has some foot issues too, but I can't convince her to go to a podiatrist yet. She did the pad modification and it helped a lot, but things still aren't right.

Unknown said...

I'm glad you can run again right now. and it sounds like you're planning to schedule surgery at a time more convenient. Doesn't sound like fun, but fixing those bunions will be good in the long run.. :-)

ONEHOURIRONMAN said...

I have heal spurs and I am going to put off having a knife put to it as long as possible. Maybe some day, technology will be advanced like Star Trek and Dr. McCoy can wave a magic device over my heal and make me better.

Glad you can run...

AshleyR said...

Sounds like good news all around! I'll be wishing you luck on your bunion surgery this fall!

Iris said...

Ouch bunions - a reminder from my ballet days. Surgery will take time but you'll feel so much better down the road!

RBR said...

Great news about the tendonitis and that you are cleared to run, but I am sure sorry to hear about the impending bunion surgery.

We will have to hook up for a run soon :)

Katie A. said...

Whew! Glad to hear you cleared to run for now!! Too bad though about the surgery - hopefully after that you won't have anything to worry about for a very long time!
Enjoy your running date!

René said...

Great news!

Aron said...

YAY for being cleared to run!! the surgery doesn't sound fun, but hey at least it will fix things right?

Irene said...

I'm so glad you've been given the OK to run! Tendinitis is a royal pain, but at least you can get past it. Surgery is never fun, but the up side is that when you're healed you'll probably have physical therapy to make everything work as it should, AND that will be a good thing!

Southbaygirl said...

Only 4 weeks? Wow!! My aunt has to have bunion surgery and her doctor told her something like 4 months!!! So 4 weeks is fantastic!!!

leslie said...

Coincidentally, I was asking about bunions at a dr appt this week. My dr said that surgery should be done when the pain makes it worth it, as there's no benefit to doing surgery early. And she said 4 weeks for recovery. I've got them on both feet -- just started within the last year. So you are not alone. I'm glad you get to run again!

Joanne said...

Great that you can run again, but what a bummer about the bunions.
Still, once those 4 weeks of healing are over, you're back to running - no bunnion problem - all down hill from there.
Good luck.