Charcot Foot

[junebugtraveler]

Hi,
I have had CF since Nov. 2007 and have been on bedrest (2m months) and in a cast since then (left foot). I have been watching and reading and I have yet to hear a sucess story! Has anyone who had surgery had a sucess they are willing to tell us about??? I am due for surgery in 2 weeks and I'm not ready to commit until I hear AT LEAST one sucess. I'm 56 years old and have just found out I have it in my right foot too.
June

[flosemae]

BOY, I WISH I COULD TELL YOU I HAVE...I HAVE BEEN TOLD I AM AT TO HIGH OF A RISK TO HAVE THE SURGERY...I STAYED IN A NON WT BEARING BOOT FOR 6 MTHS AND AM WEARING A BRACE RIGHT NOW...I AM ALSO 56...MINE IS THE LEFT FOOT RIGHT NOW AND MY RIGHT FOOT IS DEFORMED AND THEY THINK THAT I HAD CF IN THE RIGHT AND NO ONE DIAGNOSED IT...PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING WITH THE SURGERY ...I AM ABLE TO WALK SHORT DISTANCES NOW , BUT MY LEGS AND HIPS HURT REAL BAD WHEN I DO WALK ....I PRAY YOUR SURGERY IS SUCCESSFUL AND YOU DO WELL .... IT IS HARD TO FIND FORUMS THAT TALK ABOUT CF...AND I CHECK THIS ONE TO SEE HOW EVERYONE IS DOING AND IF ANYONE HAS HEARD OF ANY THING NEW... THANKS FLOSEMAE

[Tj12761]

June,

Did you have the surgery??

I can be found more readily here:
http://www.dlife.com/diabetes-forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=12615&sid=2ed6860402d7afb7db1f6b0bd3b45d2c

Tj

[junebugtraveler]

Thanks for your interest. I still have not had surgery. Left foot still in boot(cast) It's sure getting old! I wear compression socks and right foot is involved now. Lost 50% more feeling and can hardly walk! Dr was checking with insurance to get new brace and stop the cast. It's been 3 months and just got the word the insurance will cover it. Dr decided no to do surgery when I asked him about the fact that I read somewhat that 68% of the people that have the surgery still end up losing their foot. I didn't like those odds.
Still waiting to hear of someone who has had sucess!

[Tj12761]

June,

Sounds like you were reading old information on the surgery. Hubby's doctor said that 30% may develop a complication of the surgery; which includes those like Hubby who had a very mild infection at the pin site which was cleared in 2 days with an antibiotic.

We have seen many success stories at the hospital center where Hubby went for his care and surgery! Several who have had surgery and some who have been in casts or CROWs the whole time who have gotten back into shoes without surgery. The doctor even asked if we would talk with others there who were undecided about the surgery which we have done to let them know what it involved both for Hubby and for me as his caretaker. Hubby was even interviewed along with his doctor for a promotional video for this center.

This center, in Eastern Pennsylvania, is the only one around that cares for Charcot patients. People come here from Philadelphia, Northern PA, and New Jersey to be seen.

You can read about hubby's surgery here: http://www.dlife.com/diabetes-forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=12615&sid=54ed707a14a68733a23434d07a35f22f

He recently stopped in to see his doctor 2 weeks ago when he was in the area and the doctor says he has healed beyond doctor's expectations!

His is truly a success story!

[nepaica]

No success for me..........just pain.

CVonsider yourself lucky I was only 41 when I got it.

[Tj12761]

How long ago was that? How are you doing now?

[nepaica]

I am 43 now and have moderate to sever pain every day in my right foot. My foot hardly moves and I can barely walk.

[Tj12761]

Were do you live?

Talk to your doctor about gabapentin and fortical. The doctor here has been using both successfully with Charcot patients.

[nepaica]

[quote="Tj12761"]Were do you live?

Talk to your doctor about gabapentin and fortical. The doctor here has been using both successfully with Charcot patients.[/quote]


I do take gabapentin. My doctor has me on fosamax for the bones.