Discussion Topic |
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 25, 2010 - 02:59pm PT
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Several people have asked about, and asked to see photos from the second bunion surgery. I had the second surgery on March 15th, three months a day after the first.
Having it then meant my students got one class day off (they were psyched) that extended their Spring Break. That means I get 2.5 weeks of foot-in-the-air time to let the hoof heal.
Like I mentioned in the last thread, Dr. Shonka (the surgeon) says bunions are like snow flakes, and that extends to the surgery and recovery as well. I thought he was just providing a reality check since I felt so good about the first surgery.
But of course, he was correct. The one was totally different. Though not bad at all. And if possible, this foot seems to be healing much faster. I stopped with the crutches at about a week - last time, people had to pry them away from me at 2.5 weeks.
Before the gory-to-some photos below, first the x-rays.
The after x-rays:
Today the stitches came out. So complete with bed-head, off we went to Dr. Shonka's office...
Anyhoo, all is great. I should be in a normal shoe in 2-3 weeks and ready to climb in about 6 more. Thanks for all the well-wishes from everyone. Don't be afraid to get this sort of work done if you are thinking of it...
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reddirt
climber
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:05pm PT
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Crimpie:
at what point did you say, no more & make appts for Sx?
Whatever details you may have to offer could help clarify another person's decision.
Thanks for posting!!
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:11pm PT
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All right Crimpie! Lookin' good!!
Git them feet back on their... uh... feet.
Glad it's going well.
g.
p.s. Nice pillow hair. :-)
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 03:14pm PT
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Actually, my pain level made the decision for me. We were in Potrero Chico climbing/hiking in February '09. One day while there, my foot was just killing me. I figured it would just get better. But it didn't. It got worse and worse seeming like I crossed a magic threshold.
I started being unable to do any sort of hiking because it was so painful. Bike riding became difficult/impossible. At about mile 12 on the bike I would be riding with one foot only because the left (worse) foot couldn't handle it. So I put the bikes away. And them all climbing except outside edging was impossible. Try that technique all the time! I stopped leading because I never knew when I'd be on the verge of tears and barfing from the pain.
So I made the doctor's appt. in about August of 09. His recommendation was surgery. My 'deformity' is a moderate one, one that responds well to surgery. Waiting until one has severe bunions (how anyone can handle the pain is beyond me) means a more serious surgery, longer recovery, and possibly a less-positive outcome.
I knew I needed about two weeks of little to no weight-bearing so I scheduled it for the Holiday break in Dec.
Between Aug and Dec, I was a pure couch potato. I was a slave to the feet.
Hope that helps.
edit: Find a great foot surgeon. Ask around. See other people's post-surgery feet. Remember that people who had it done years ago had a different sort of procedure and likely don't recall it fondly. Here in Boulder, everyone talks about Shonka so it was easy. It was easy to find post-op people who had it five years ago and rave. I liked Shonka's reputation, but also that he himself is an active guy who 'get's it'. Nothing worse than a surgeon who looks at me and see a 45 y.o. woman. I want them to see a very active person who wants to stay that way. Plus, I like that he specializes in feet an ankles. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wonder if you couldn't call Shonka's office and ask for recommendations for surgeons in your area that have his skill level. His website if it is useful:
http://www.facboulder.net/
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Largo
Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:25pm PT
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I don't get it Callie. What's with the right hand incision, between the second and third toes.
That looks like it hurts! Hope not too bad.
JL
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 03:35pm PT
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Good call. The little incision by toes 3/4 is to remove a neuroma. I had one in each foot. They are scarred nerves, and pretty common. They can hurt like crazy too! Imagine with every step walking on a sharp rock.
While he was in there dealing with the structural and soft tissue issues of a bunion, he whacked out the pesky neuroma as well. I think they are pretty common among climbers. I won't miss mine!
In the recovery room, they brought over the neuroma for us to see. They have been described as looking like little clams...and they DO! Hilarious!
edit: Oh, and with this scarred nerve junction removed, it means permanent numbness of toes 3 and 4. Not 100% numbness, but like they are deeply asleep. This can come in handy for climbing - especially cracks I think. :)
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reddirt
climber
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:39pm PT
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Have you noticed a big change in pain/huge relief on your left foot? or is it too early to tell?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 03:50pm PT
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Reddirt: I experienced less pain during the recovery - and I mean the minutes hours and days after surgery - than I did before. Before, the feet would wake me up at night. Many nights I couldn't bear the weight of covers on my feet. It was instant pain relief and it's stayed that way.
Prior to surgery on the second foot, I was back in the gym and was not limited at all. I was climbing at my pre-painful-foot level.
Instant relief. Instant.
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Carolyn C
Trad climber
the long, long trailer
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Mar 25, 2010 - 03:52pm PT
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I've been putting off bunion surgery for years. I'm still afraid the surgery will make the pain problem worse. Glad to see your positive trip report.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Mar 25, 2010 - 04:33pm PT
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I'm glad you're doin' well, Callie.
But you gotta stop puttin those apres surgery pics up.
I almost lost my lunch lookin at those. . .
ewe!!!!!
:-)
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Denise Umstot
climber
Princess of the El Cap Bridge!
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Mar 25, 2010 - 05:02pm PT
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Glad it went well! You will be climbing in no time yay!
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MisterE
Social climber
Across Town From Easy Street
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Mar 25, 2010 - 05:02pm PT
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Excellent, Callie! You'll be as good as new in no time!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
Erik & Skip
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Dirka
Trad climber
SF
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Mar 25, 2010 - 06:09pm PT
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Heal up!
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Mar 25, 2010 - 06:16pm PT
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congrats on the surgery-- sounds like it turned out well.
a few weeks of vitamin e, and you can make a few extra bucks running a foot fetishist website.
heh
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 07:03pm PT
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Heh heh!
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Mar 25, 2010 - 08:23pm PT
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Eeewwwww!
Good healing to you!
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Rick A
climber
Boulder, Colorado
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Mar 25, 2010 - 08:25pm PT
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Callie,
I skipped right over the surgery pics with eyes closed, so I can't comment.
But hope you are recovering quickly and well.
Rick
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 25, 2010 - 08:41pm PT
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Three new cat dresses just today! :)
I'll resist posting the photos. Heh heh!
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Mar 25, 2010 - 09:29pm PT
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Thanks for the trip report . I might need to get this done and it was good to hear your perspective.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Mar 26, 2010 - 12:35am PT
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Hi Callie. Glad to hear the second event went well. I hope you told Dave that it didn't, though, and have now got him waiting on you hand and... uh... foot.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
Will know soon
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Mar 26, 2010 - 02:51am PT
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Great tr for all those that need to have this information. What a trooper you are. Glad all is mending nicely. Continued prayers for healing and fun time back on the rock. Peace, lynne
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Mar 26, 2010 - 09:49am PT
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I hope you told Dave that it didn't, though, and have now got him waiting on you hand and... uh... foot.
Hey, that's a great idea. Work it girl!!! :-)
(I'm pretty sure Dave is already taking care of this)
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Mar 26, 2010 - 09:56am PT
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Crimps have you considered making dresses for your feet?
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Off White
climber
Tenino, WA
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Mar 26, 2010 - 10:20am PT
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This is all very interesting. I've had a pretty severe bunion on the left foot for 35 years, but no pain and I've always climbed okay with it. Now the neuroma in the right one, that's a different story...
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F10
Trad climber
e350 / Bishop
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Mar 26, 2010 - 11:38am PT
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Sounds like all is going well,
Thanks for the photos, made me jump a little while I was having my breakfast
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Mar 26, 2010 - 11:44am PT
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A friend of mine has had bunions on both feet removed but now needs neuromas that were discovered afterward removed. She's curious as to how that part is working out.
She's a pretty good ice climber too. Anyone have any experience with that after neuroma removal as well as how it effects rock climbing?
We need to get our rope gun back in the game.
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L
climber
Training for the Blue Tape Route on Half Dome
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Mar 26, 2010 - 12:04pm PT
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FrankenFoot is actually looking better than it's twin this time...or is it just my faulty memory, Crimpie?
Glad you're through the worst of it and getting back to adventuring sans hooves. ;-)
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2010 - 12:33pm PT
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You make the call - did the surgery put me in the running for being a foot model? :)
As far as getting neuromas removed, I doubt it'd keep her out of the game long. It's just that smaller incision, snip snip snip, stitch stitch stich, and bit of healing. Like I mentioned above, the 3rd and 4th toes are then in a state of numbness (like when your arm goes to sleep), but they function perfectly well. And given they way climbing can hurt your feet, the numbness is a bit welcome! I would think having them removed would only improve climbing. Neuromas are really painful.
Anyone who just had neuroma surgery know better?
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Mar 26, 2010 - 12:56pm PT
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Glad things are turning out well.
If I needed bunion surgery I would want a podiatrist/surgeon that at least has redpointed a few elevens.
Fortunately I have known one since he was in college.
Ron Killian is about to be a father for the fourth time now. His first son! (I tell him he should name the kid after me).
So if any of you considering surgery are ready to take a little trip to Lake Havasu send me an email if you want his contact info. He's the best.
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Mar 26, 2010 - 01:10pm PT
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Hey Callie, glad things went well for you....see you guys out here for the Bridwell event? PERFECT weather that time of year!
Peace
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2010 - 01:14pm PT
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We won't make the Bridwell event unfortunately. I'll be at the university and I recall Dave has some event already planned. I can't remember what event though. (Hydrocondone haze clearing slowly...where the hell did all these cat dresses come from??).
Sorry we'll miss it and miss seeing everyone. We'll be out there eventually this year though! We'll have to get together...
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mrtropy
Trad climber
Nor Cal
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Mar 26, 2010 - 02:13pm PT
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This is kind of a cross post but in case you miss the other one. My wife's feet look just like your pre surgery feet and my brother can't wait to get in there and start cutting.
Foot surgery related-Little brother is a foot doctor.
Not a bunion but I think soon he will do my wife's bunions.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2010 - 02:15pm PT
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Those are most excellent. I would love to have video or still shots of my surgery. Especially the bone saws (ew) and the soft tissue manipulation. very cool stuff!
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pc
climber
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Mar 26, 2010 - 02:17pm PT
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eeeeeYuck! Those last photos look like a mouth with teeth growing in that frickin' foot. Aliens!!!
Glad it turned out well Crimpie. Speedy recovery.
pc
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2010 - 02:46pm PT
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BWAHAHAHHAAAA!
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Mar 26, 2010 - 02:52pm PT
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I had a surgeon tell the gas passer to knock me out once,
because I kept trying to sit up and watch :-)
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Lissiehoya
climber
Saint Louis, MO
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Mar 26, 2010 - 05:05pm PT
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I had that surgery on my right foot while I was teaching high school. I too did it right around vacation so I could have enough time to heal and my best friend lent me the entire series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD for my recovery time (though actually the most vivid memory of that time I have was watching the live coverage on CNN of a smokestack in the Vatican during the papal election).
Anyway, I'll probably have to get my other foot done at some point.
Also: nice UMSL sweatshirt!
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 26, 2010 - 05:41pm PT
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You know what they say.... You can't spell SLUM without UMSL. Hardy har har!
p.s. I just got to wash my foot for the first time. Exquisite.
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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I just had bunion surgery yesterday. I can't wait to try out the new foot!
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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How do you scare a nerve?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 9, 2010 - 09:52am PT
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Let us know how it goes Leeper - got any photos?
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Will do Crimpie.
No pictures yet; I see the Doc next week and I will take pics then.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 9, 2010 - 11:37am PT
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Cool. I look forward to seeing them. I still look at my new feet and they don't look like *my* feet. Wonder when they will?
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HighDesertDJ
Trad climber
Arid-zona
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Bunions are sexy when Crimpie gets them.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 9, 2010 - 11:42am PT
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To scare a nerve, you scream "boo" really loudly! Haha
To scar a nerve, you pinch it between two bones for a long time. :)
Thanks DJ. :)
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ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
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Foot fetishes?? Hope everyone recovers well and returns to climbing soon.
Peace
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Thanks Ron. This foot problem is the only thing holding me back from the el cap quad. oh yeah, that and I suck.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Glad to hear that the surgery and recovery have been successful!
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Jul 14, 2010 - 07:06pm PT
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Here's my foot 1 week after surgery.
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pc
climber
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Jul 14, 2010 - 07:19pm PT
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Bad joke alert...
Out of curiousity, did you guys name your bunion's, Paul? ;)
Hrrk, hrrk,
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Jul 14, 2010 - 08:32pm PT
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Can you get your feet shaved down so you can wear Sportiva's?
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Jul 22, 2010 - 02:17am PT
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Got my stiches out and here are some xrays
just before the stiches came out
x ray before surgery
x ray after
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 22, 2010 - 09:41am PT
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Awesome! Wow, your foot looks way better than mine did (i.e., no blood and rainbow bruising). How is it feeling? Can you feel the screw? I could feel one of mine for some time (creepy and a little painful) but I've since gotten used to it.
Two more months - at most I bet - and you'll be having fun again. My feet were happier with road riding before they were with many climbing moves. Straight-down weighting was okay from quite early (with decent hands). Smearing of course has been the hardest, but it's getting there. I've not the guts to even look at a crack yet. :)
When you look down, does it look like your foot? Mine still don't. I expect to see my hooves and yet, some nice looking feet are there.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Jul 22, 2010 - 09:55am PT
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EEEEEWWWWWWWW!!!
Gak! I thought my finger was scary!
Ms. FrankenCrimpie and Mr LeeperStein.
Holy BunionSlice Batman!
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 22, 2010 - 09:57am PT
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Well, let's see some photos of that finger then!
edit: Whoa - I'm missed Leeper's previous post while I was in the tropical paradise of Houston. Very cool. I see your rainbow bruises now. How is it feeling? Is foot two going to get it too?
edit edit: Jaybro, part of my surgery was chopping off the big bump. It can be done! That probably more than anything changed the way my hoof looks.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Jul 22, 2010 - 10:21am PT
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Ahh, it's nothin' compared to hoof-fest over here.
But, it's still effed-up so it compares somehow....
Sweet little deconstruction number eh?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Jul 22, 2010 - 10:28am PT
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AAAAAHHHHhhhhhhhhh! Blarghonaut! Oh man that had to have hurt. Sphleeephlzzz. Ugh.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Jul 22, 2010 - 10:34am PT
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About 3 hrs later when that morphine hit my carotid arteries for the first time, it got a lot more manageable.
It was easy to understand how those combat vets got too fond of that stuff...
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Jul 22, 2010 - 10:51am PT
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Ewe, you pick your nose with that?
Blarghonaut? Ha ha ha that's a crack up.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Jul 22, 2010 - 10:58am PT
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Hope this doesn't interfere with anyones digestion.
Mmmmm stew meat.
I can tell you a thing or two about morphine fondness.
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survival
Big Wall climber
A Token of My Extreme
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Jul 22, 2010 - 11:13am PT
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Hoh Mahn!!!
We're bustin' out the gross goodies now eh?
I can tell you a thing or two about morphine fondness.
Do you remember the first time it hit those carotids?
The weird thing was, that there was a strange odor sensation that came with that hit.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Jul 22, 2010 - 12:34pm PT
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After my first reconstruction it took a few days before the morphine did more than trim the ragged edges off agony. Then it started to feel like a cool breeze inside my tortured synapses. Ahh sweet relief. After two days I was intimately fond of sister morphine. But then, after seven dopey daze I started having horrific hallucinations. You know those little triangles that you use to hoist yourself up with in a hospital bed? Well in my repeating nightmare of being buried alive I would thrash all my clothes and blankets off and then snap those hangars like twigs. This happened almost every night. In the mornings I would be all dressed and neatly tucked in with a new trapeze handle like nothing happened. I was completely unaware of what occurred at night until the morning of the twelfth day.
I was finally semi ambulatory. Crutching with great effort down the hospital corridor I was taken slightly aback by the intense triple take given to me by a cute candy stripper. "What" I asked? Figuring that my ventilated hospital gown must be askew. A little sheepishly she replied; "I didn't recognize you with your clothes on". Well you can imagine that piqued my interest and stirred my imagination. So, adjusting my stylish flap back nightie I suavely asked "HuH?" She was the lovely Florence Nightingale who had been assigned to my morphine induced indiscretions. She filled me in on all the hilarious shenanigans I had been unknowingly apart of like a few of the nurse's betting pools. But that's another story. With this knowledge in hand so to speak I had a few nights with a very different kind of dream. But that's also another story.
By comparison to my first rebuild, my twelfth rebuild, a total knee like the one pictured above, was a piece of mince meat pie. The pain treatment protocol sure has changed for the better. Now they don't let you crash and plead like they did in the dark ages.
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Jul 22, 2010 - 03:40pm PT
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Crimpie,
not alot of pain. I think I can feel the screw, just not all the time, I wonder if the temp makes any difference? Yeah when I looked at my foot yesterday at the appt, it didnt seem like my foot.
I posted a video on facebook of my stiches coming out; can you post videos here. I'm on facebook under scott leeper for anyone that wants to check it out. God I miss climbing and running!
bring on more disgusting pictures!!! is that your knee? did you just ask the doc for a picture>? my god, what happened to your finger??!!
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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Jul 22, 2010 - 03:43pm PT
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Crimpie,
no plan on getting the other foot done, I havent had much trouble with it.
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philo
Trad climber
Somewhere halfway over the rainbow
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Jul 23, 2010 - 10:37am PT
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Bunion bump.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Jul 23, 2010 - 11:45am PT
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Wow, I had no idea a bunion could be so serious. Looks like it turned out well for you and you'll be able to get normal rock shoes on again soon. Congrats and heal up.
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S.Leeper
Sport climber
Austin, Texas
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I got the green light to start driving again and I start my rehab next week.
Crimpie, are you climbing cracks yet?
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 5, 2010 - 05:50pm PT
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We've been on the road so I missed a lot of this. Philo! Cover that up!! Gnarly.
Leeper - the feeling of the screw has gone away for me. Maybe the same will happen for you.
The status on my feet (doesn't feel fair to call them hooves any longer) is this.
1. Can road ride like maniacs. We rode Tioga Pass, and all the around the Eastside. We rode the Ancient Bristlecone Hwy (dear god, what grades!). I road this morning up Rock Creek Canyon a ways and looped on the Crowley Lake road. I can ride all I want. I can ride as steep as I want. Getting back into my riding shoes made all the difference with their support. Feet are 100% for this happily.
2. Can hike like a maniac...(well, a whining maniac). Haha. BrassNuts loves the rapid uphill hiking. In fact, he's on Bear Creek Spire this morning. My feet can do it just fine. This does not stop me from whining though. :)
3. Climbing is still a mixed bag. I put my feet in a crack the other day and they didn't hurt at all! That was amazing. They are happy in the gym. I just still cannot smear with them unless I have decent hand holds where I can pull with my arms as I push with my feet. Moves that require primarily foot pushing on smears are grim. I think this means that granite is out of the question still. I tried climbing at Crystal Crag, Dike Wall, Clark's Canyon, ORG (one successful TR there), Cardinal Pinnacle (site of successful foot in crack moves though the overall effort was grim given all the smearing), Tuolumne (OW OW OW - peanuts!), and I don't even remember where else right now. Pretty much failure across the board. This is where the psychology of it is difficult. In my head, during a pout-fest, I retired from climbing. Then I did the route in ORG, so I've reconsidered. I just remind myself they'll keep improving and I'll be crushing and whining in no time. :)
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Mike Bolte
Trad climber
Planet Earth
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Thanks for the update Callie - it is a slow road it seems! We just missed you guys up there in the Meadows it seems (came back on Tuesday).
I'm limited to about 3 pitches in climbing shoes a day with the Morton's neuroma so am planning on surgery after the climbing season and before skiing this Fall. May call your guy in Boulder.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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likely facing the same ordeal with a bunion and neuroma. Any advice on surgeon preference? orthopedic or podiatrist? My med clinic wants to refer me to a podiatrist...but my insurance will also cover a self referral to an orthopedist.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 5, 2010 - 06:20pm PT
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The guy I went to is a Podiatrist. I didn't even realize that until afterward. I went with him based on recommendations. Maybe some folks out there know the bunion guys in the S.C. area.
Anyone?
And perhaps you could call my doc's office for a recommendation is as well (Shonka at 'foot and ankle care' in Boulder).
Good luck with it all! I don't speak of it, but the neuroma removal in both feet went perfectly. Zero pain there. Nice not to have that any longer.
We are still around too. We'll be in Tuolumne tomorrow actually. Dave will be climbing and I don't know what I'll be doing. Hopefully I'll see some of you there!
edit:
I will say that many folks - PTs included - said they preferred podiatrists. Take that for what it's worth.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hhey there all, say.... just wishes you all the best, as you go through these (or are still recovering) foot, leg, or knee troubles....
as you know (and some don't always realize)... once you can't around well (even for a little while) the obstacles that suddenly are in looming, even in your very home, to keep you out of life's main-flow trails...
stairs, and even steps, seem to not be friendly any more... :O
get well soon, and keep on overcoming, if you are still in the process, and may you get to out and play, walk, shop, visit, and more importantly, climb, soon...
god bless...
:)
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 5, 2010 - 06:53pm PT
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What I learned to fear from foot surgery:
8-year old boys
dogs
stairs (and my house is full of them)
No joke. :)
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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crimpie-- meadows sounds like the last place you ought to be climbing. head over to column of the giants. long as you can heel hook, you'll be ok.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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As long as Paul Bunyan and his axe weren't involved...
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crøtch
climber
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Hi Crimpergirl,
Nice running into you & BrassNuts @ the Tuolomne grill. Enjoy the rest of your Gen4 vacation!
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 27, 2014 - 04:43pm PT
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Bump. Wonder how Leeper's feet are doing. Anyone else go in for the surgery. Hope you've had as good an outcome as I did.
Survival - your photo on this thread still causes a terrible physical reaction for me! Blargh!
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wbw
Trad climber
'cross the great divide
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Aug 27, 2014 - 06:47pm PT
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You bumped this at a good time for me, Crimpergirl.
I've lived with bunions and Morton's neuroma with both of my feet for several years now. I try to manage the pain with rest, gel toe spacers that I use each night before going to bed, and hiking a lot slower than I once did. I can handle the pain to a certain extent, but it is becoming increasingly frustrating when the head and legs want to go fast, but the feet want to go slow. After climbing the Saber in July, every single step on my right foot was a new adventure in pain tolerance on the hike out. . we're talking hot-knife-jammed-into-ball-of-foot pain on each step for a couple of hours. I've resisted surgery because I fear I may blow my brains out with the inactivity during recovery (just kidding, but I fear I would honestly drive my family crazy.)
I'm on a deductible health insurance plan these days and I'm pretty sure if I chose to pursue surgery, most of the cost would be out of pocket. Do you remember what the bill was for one foot with the bunion and neuroma surgery? If I had one less excuse to not have surgery, maybe someday I'll actually get it done.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 27, 2014 - 07:32pm PT
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Something that became obvious in hindsight is that for a few years I had gradually been changing behavior - bigger and bigger shoes, slower and slower hiking (to no hiking), etc. I THOUGHT I knew how much I'd changed, but once is was over, my behavior modifications were going on for much longer than I recognized.
When I did my surgery, I paid for my own insurance - BCBS with high deductible (5k or 6k). It was worth it though. I'm going from memory here, but I think with ALL the bills (Shonka/surgeon, anesthesiologist, deductible, hospital, etc.) it was about 12k TOTAL. I hope some others can chime in with their costs because I don't really trust my memory. I do trust that it wasn't more than that. I do recall thinking the surgeon was WAY underpaid for what he did. Not sure that is helpful.
I hope you can find some relief.
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