Th other day I was on PubMed ( a resource for medical professionals and researchers) and I found an article relating to accessory navicular surgery. Unfortunately, this study is in Chinese, so my school won't let me have a copy, but I was able to get this summary of how successful it was for people in China. I hope this helps people who were trying to find more information on the surgery. If I find more studies, I will post them as soon as possible.
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Hello everyone! I've been a little bit busy with rotations and work, so I apologize for this late post. It has almost been 3 months since my surgery on April 21, 2017. I am happy to say that I am feeling much better in comparison with how I felt previously when I did have my accessory navicular bone. Before the surgery, I used to feel a lot of pain from standing and that pain would carry over even when I get off my bad foot. Now, I do still feel some of that pain upon standing too long, but once I get off my bad foot, the pain goes away. That's right, the pain from standing too long that would linger has gone away and I would say that alone is a victory. I am still trying to do my exercises and can now stand on the operated foot by itself and heel raise for about 2 seconds. It does not sound like a lot, but trust me... it is a big improvement. Anyways, once again, if you read this blog and like it, please share and feel free to comment, I will respond as soon as I could.
This week I decided to spread last three physical therapy sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I asked my physical therapist to train me hardest this week, since next week I officially start school again. I am able to balance on my operated foot (the right one) for more than thirty seconds without falling. I started doing lounges and squats for the first time in about five years. In three of the pictures posted, that is me doing a squat on a Bosu Balance Trainer (half a blue yoga ball) with the aid of using a pole to grab onto when I lose balance. I just performed 50 minutes of these exercises targeting my foot and my foot is not sore. So far, the one exercise that I can't perform is balancing on my operated foot and doing a heel raise. I am doing my exercises everyday and I'm hoping that I will be able to do more eventually. Even though Friday is my last day, I will be posting after that so you could see how it is after surgery.
My 5th physical therapy appointment was my last approved visit, so I had to request an authorization for more and it was approved. Yesterday was my first session of the new five sessions approved. It's been about 2 months since the surgery and I am walking without the use of any equipment like crutches or ankle support wraps. I am only able to balance on the operated foot by itself for about five seconds then I fall to the side. I know this is a process, so I've been practicing the exercises that the physical therapist gave me yesterday. These exercises include walking only on the heels for a minute and then only walking on my toes for a minute. By doing those exercises I am strengthening my ankles so that I will be able to balance on my foot longer. Also, this Sunday when I worked, I did experience discomfort standing for my eight hour shift while wearing my ankle brace. However, when I did come home and remove the brace, the pain was relieved. I suspect that the discomfort is coming from my brace because I may be overcompensating the support I need, so this Thursday when I work graveyard, I will not be wearing my brace and type my experience. Lastly, I noticed a spike in visits on my website, so to all visitors, feel free to write to me!
This Friday I went to see my podiatrist for my last appointment and discussed about my foot with him. I started walking without limping wearing my foot brace a few days ago and have been doing my exercises from the physical therapist. I am now walking without my brace and have not experienced the pain from my arches, although my foot gets sore after walking over 4 hours. So far my weight went from being 155 lbs to 175 lbs and my blood pressure is still at 110/70 mmHg. I'm happy with this as I have been trying to gain weight for years and have been unsuccessful. Today, I get to go back to work and see my co-workers again, so I am excited! I will have my last physical therapy appointment tomorrow.
Today, I went to my 3rd Physical Therapy Appointment. I have been doing all the stretches and I'm walking with less of a limp. The physical therapist gave me more exercises to do including more calf stretching and biking. I am very excited about the biking because before the surgery biking would help me with pain I experienced from the accessory navicular bone. I am feeling better about walking even though it has been 30 days since the surgery because I am not feeling pain in the same place of my foot. I will keep posting videos on YouTube to hopefully reach out to more people debating about getting this surgery.
Today, I went to an appointment with my podiatrist. He gave me the best news which was that I did not have to wear the boot anymore!!! I am now wearing the same brace that I was when I had pain with my accessory navicular bone previously. I am also now allowed to drive and could wear the shoes that I was wearing previously. At the end of the appointment, he noticed that I was walking with a slight limp, he addressed it and told me to try to walk better. Next Monday I have a physical therapy appointment and will post my progress. So far I do not experience any pain walking, but I feel weak in my right foot when I walk. I'm thinking this may because I have not used those muscles in quite awhile.
Yesterday I went to my second physical therapy session where the physical therapist started out with massaging the muscles near calves. I told him that I am starting to walk without the crutches and asked if that was okay. He replied that I should let pain be my guide, so I am officially off the crutches and am starting to walk with only my black boot. He gave me more exercises to do which include gripping with my toes and stretching against a wall. It is exciting to start walking without crutches, but I will be a lot more content when I get off the boot and start driving. This Friday I see my podiatrist for the last time and he will give me a brace instead of a boot and hopefully tell me that I could drive.
Today, I went to my first session of Physical Therapy which was more of an evaluation. The Physical Therapy accessed my foot and how far it could stretch in multiple directions. After the session, he gave me 3 exercises to work on. The first is called "the windshield wipers" and what I do is put both my feet on the ground while sitting and move them towards and away each other in the motion of windshield wipers. The second exercise is the ankle ABCs and what I do is sit down with my foot dangling and try to spell letters of the alphabet with my big toe. Lastly, ankle pumps where I lay flat and bend my foot up and down at the ankle joint. I am now bearing weight on my foot with crutches and next Friday I will be receiving a brace to put on instead of this heavy boot I have been wearing.
Today, I went to my podiatrist to get my sutures removed. Half an hour before the visit I took a Norco 5mg/325mg for pain prevention. He was very happy to see that I have been healing well and told me that I could start walking without the crutches once I am comfortable. All I have to do is wear the black boot and in 2 weeks, he stated that he will give me a brace to wear instead. This Monday I will be starting Physical Therapy with an evaluation and will keep you posted then. Until then, have a great day!
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Leonel Garcia Jr.I made this blog to talk about my experience with Accessory Navicular Syndrome |