History - Part II

Life after my first surgery was amazing. As long as I wore my orthos, I had no pain. It was the first time in my life I was able to wear cute dress shoes (orthos velcroed in!), heels, etc. I was lucky they were able to give me two styles of orthos - one short, for dress shoes and another longer pair, for sneakers.

It took a long time (at least a year) but I was able to run, walk, workout just like I used too... maybe even better/harder than before. We eventually moved back to Buffalo, popped out two beautiful girls, and then...

I had post-childbirth-I-need-to-workout-again syndrome.

After having kids I did what any mom wants to do. Loose weight, feel confident and buy cute shoes (not necessarily in that order). I started wearing even more styles, including flats (with my orthos, I swear!) AND I started running... alot.

It was my own fault. I remember the beautiful day in early May 2012, about 1.5 miles from my house, on lunch hour, when I felt it. It wasn't good, but I kept going (because that's what gymnasts do!)

I ran a few more times that week and things went from "I might have done something," to bad words.

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it... I did something bad so I halted all activity and went to see my primary in Buffalo who immediately sent me to a podiatrist again.

It took over a month to get an appointment. In this timeframe, I went to extreme pain on a daily basis (5-7) and couldn't do a lot of my daily activities, like walk the girls, walk to the beach, etc.

I won't say the podiatrists name, but I did not like him. From the first day, he did not get what my issue was. He read my op report from the first surgery, but he just didn't get it. He kept having me try new braces (I spend around $400 on them) and nothing even improved the situation. He didn't think I needed PT (diagnosis=tendonitis) and did not feel an MRI was warranted. After three appointments and another $300 in new orthos, I switched to UB Orthopaedics.

Of course, it took me another month or so to get an appointment there. It was now nearly September. Thank goodness Brian works in the same hospital as the office - he was able to get me in on someone's cancellation.

My summer was not fun. I had to get rides down to the beach, I was in constant pain so I couldn't chase the girls around... it really just was not good timing.

My first visit with PA Karen Thomas was wonderful. Right from the start she understood my foot and I. She had a feeling right from the start that I re-torn the tendon, but we both agreed that before scheduling anything drastic, I should try some PT.

One month into PT there was no improvement, so an MRI was scheduled. The MRI showed a 2" split tear in the posterior tibial tendon (I KNEW IT!). Surgery was immediately scheduled for November 5 (tomorrow!!!)