Monthly Progress Report for Kristin T.

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This record is for Kristin T. treated by a Podiatrist. The surgery was on 08-01-2001.
Email: k.j.tremmel@worldnet.att.net

First Entry: Date: 08/04/2001 . . . Pain Level: 5 . . . Activity Level: 5 . . . Satisfaction with surgery: 9
Today I am 4 days post-op and have already dtermined that this was the best thing I could have done. I am still on crutches and expect to be for a few weeks, but the foot is already more flexible and the pulling feeling is gone, even with the dressing still on. I have some flouroscopy pics of the spur and WOW! was it huge. I also have pics of after it was taken off, and it looks like a normal heel. Even this soon, i can put weight on my toes and the ball of my foot. The heel is a bit sore, but then there is raw bone there. Still on painkillers, but less so than before. Overall, i am not in any more pain than one would expect for having your foot roto-rootered. I have done the shots and exercises and night splints thing for 3 years and this had deteriorated to the point where I could not work. I am expecting to return to work, light duty of course, in a weeks or so and to be back on my feet in a few weeks....will keep y'all updated....

Date: 08/13/2001 . . . Pain Level: 2 . . . Activity Level: 7 . . . Satisfaction with surgery: 10
13 days post-op...got the sutures out on day 9...already off crutches and walking on it in regular shoes. Only thing is that I have to have shoes on to walk. No barefeet whatsoever. I won't fib..this is painful surgery but fortunatly the worst of the pain subsides quickly. At this time, the only trouble I have is walking long distances (like if I have to park the car a block or two away) and going downsteps is a bit quirky but that gets better every day. Looking forward to getting back to work....will keep you posted on my progress.....

Date: 08/21/2001 . . . Pain Level: 1 . . . Activity Level: 7 . . . Satisfaction with surgery: 10
Wooohooo!!!...Back at work, pain lessens every day. I do feel like my ankle is a bit unstable but that is generally after I have walked farther than i am supposed to. Can walk around barefoot a little, but should not be doing so per dr's orders. Worst thing right now is the nonstop itching of the incision site as it heals. My fifth toe seems to be a bit restrained in movement. I don't have the flexability in that toe that I had before the surgery, but heck, if that's the only residual effect, than I am not complaining. Looking forward to getting back to the part of my job that entails standing all day, and doing without being in pain....

Date: 09/29/2001 . . . Pain Level: 1 . . . Activity Level: 8 . . . Satisfaction with surgery: 10
its now 2 months post-op. I am done with follow-up visits to the dr. My foot is feeling wonderful. If i poke at where the incision was, it is a bit tender, but that is really the only odd thing. I can walk barefoot, although I probably should'nt. I am back at work and have discovered that I can haul butt down the hallway (I work in a hospital) when I need to and I am not in pain. I am back to bicycling for exercise. I am a bit reluctant to do distance walking or anything like that but I might start short bits on the treadmill and test drive the foot. My arch is a bit tender and I feel it if I don't wear good shoes but I tend to shy away from lousy shoes anyhow. Good quality sneakers, Birkenstocks and flat dress shoes are all I wear now. it is so nice to not have to plan when I get out of bed in the morning, to not have to be sure i have something to grab onto. Having this surgery was one of the better decisions that I have made in my life.