I am interested in getting feedback from anyone who has experienced a calcaneal osteotomy (without bone fusion) and whether they are now pain free after one year and able to return to things like running / jogging for say 5km without pain or subsequent swelling. I would define that as a significant success.
The searches I have done online give a lot of feedback and details of significant problem issues / severe pain for the first few months and even up to one year post-op. I gather, however, that the healing process can apparently take up to 12 months. I'd therefore be particularly interested to see feedback from those who are beyond this initial first year healing phase or see any links that covers this post op period.
I am not sure of the guidelines on this but, if it is allowed, I would be very interested in any surgeon experiences and recommendations or useful web links. Many thanks in advance for anyone able to offer any feedback. Here are some more details.
I was born with what are commonly termed flat feet with the left foot issue being more acute. I wouldn't need an op on the right foot. The left is quite extreme and the genetic condition has got worse though very recent years. I have, however, got by for 50 years (I am now 55) without any pain or problems and have played a lot of sport.
I think the supporting ligaments have now become damaged and stretched to an extent that exercise, orthotics and physio will not correct. I still play singles tennis at decent club and league level and intensity but the ankle swells and a day or two free from sport is required after playing. I could not do jogging and running as these are more high impact.
It's a dilemma regarding whether to proceed and have the operation because the reasonably mild aching pain and associated swelling doesn't incapacitate me to the extent compared to the issues I have read from some others who have had the operation.
As mentioned, however, the off-putting online feedback I have ben able to research appears primarily to be patient experience prior to a full one year healing period is completed. Also, I can only see my issue getting worse and I suspect the current inward angle of the foot might create an arthritic condition in the next few years if I avoid surgery.
It would obviously be good to be pain free and able to do things like jogging so it would be helpful to hear from anyone who has had the operation and have found it a success. I would define success as being able to do jogging for say 5km and play sports like tennis without subsequent swelling or pain after a year or so post operation.
I had an MMI scan recently (findings below) but obviously it's not performed weight bearing. I have no idea whether more minor operations are able to rectify the findings and thereby get a successful outcome and avoid the major surgery involved in a calcaneal ostomy :-
“There is an osteochondral defect at the medial talar dome measuring 0.54 cm. There is likewise an interval appearance of cystic changes at the medial malleolus. There is thickening of the anterior talofibular and deltoid ligaments.
There is an os trigonum.
There is tendinosis with tenosynovitis of the tibialis posterior. There is fluid surrounding the peroneus brevis and longus at the level of the calcaneus.”