Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-)

scrappintoee
Prolific Pea

Posts: 8,621

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 11:15:48 GMT

Quote

Post by scrappintoee on Apr 20, 2016 11:15:48 GMT

I am realllllly hoping this is going to be the case for me!!!!

I'd LOVE to hear from those who've also
been able to, and/or of course, anyone you know who has!

Aside from some other painful issues I have going on (but they don't require surgery---yet---), I am
praying that I won't have to have surgery to get rid of my very painful "Haglund's Deformity" (the
medical term for a large swelling on the back and side of my heel.....due to Insertional Achilles Tendonitis.

Some of you may have heard it called "pump bump"----named that because one of the main causes
is from wearing heels. I haven't worn heels in SO long, it's hard to imagine the days in my 20's when
I wore cute heels and dresses all the time when I was a bank teller

My wonderful PT can't tell me if surgery can be avoided YET, but he's doing all he can to at least get
the PAIN decreased, and also, as he said "break up" all the swelling that's caused by the lump. I had
NO idea that the fluid in the bursa (which is probably the main reason for all that pain) could be massaged, broken
up, medicated, etc!

They start with electrical stim with my heel wrapped in lovely heat. Then I do a bunch of exercises, followed
by achilles and heel massage, (LOVELY !!!!), then he takes this instrument and rolls it along my achilles and
heel (it hurts a bit SOMETIMES, but not too badly). Lastly, he uses "iontophoresis" (spelling?) where a medicated
patch is applied directly to the back of my heel for 2 hours.

The heel is still usually painful ---ALL THE TIME--- ranging from mild to SEVERE, if I do too much walking. I hope to be
able to go back to swimming laps, as soon as my stupid HIP lets me.... But in the meantime, I try to think positively
and hopefully no surgeryyyy on the heel ! Arrgh, the recovery period is not only long, but with OTHER problems I have,
just being able to get from chair to bed to potty and back after heel surgery would be REALLLY difficult !!!

I feel so sorry for those who can't get PT for many reasons! I'm blessed that our insurance

allows more visits per year than many other companies, (accd'g to my PT). That makes

me wonder----how do people with NO insurance / money to pay for it recover after a major surgery/ stroke, etc???

I'd love to hear your story

PeaNut 24,213
November 2001
Posts: 6,081
Layouts: 106

scrapaddie
Drama Llama

Posts: 5,090

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 11:24:24 GMT scrappintoee likes this

Quote

Post by scrapaddie on Apr 20, 2016 11:24:24 GMT

Neither therapy nor cortisone helped me and surgery was done..... It has been more than 15 years and I'm still pain-free, although the Spurs have returned on at least one side

lana
BucketHead
Pea 8,908

Posts: 721
Layouts: 7

LavenderLayoutLady
Persistent Pea

Posts: 18,717

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 11:28:20 GMT scrappintoee likes this

Quote

Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Apr 20, 2016 11:28:20 GMT

I have no experience, but just wanted to send positive thoughts and best wishes of healing to you! I have foot pain, and I know how hard it is to deal with. It's not like you can just not walk, ya know?

**Note to readers** If I'm "liking" your sad post, it's because I'm trying to say, "I hear you. I'm listening. Your voice is valid." Not that I enjoy your misfortune.

*Stop the glorification of busy*

PeaNut # 544,018

Refugee # 1009

gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher

Posts: 4,091

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 11:49:13 GMT via mobile scrappintoee likes this

Quote

Post by gsquaredmom on Apr 20, 2016 11:49:13 GMT

That you are willing to heal with pt speaks volumes. Lots of people choose surgery because they think it's faster rather than giving their bodies time to heal.

What does your doctor say? Your pt's opinion is important, but your doctor knows the line between surgery and no surgery. I don't know anything about your condition, but I have avoided neck and back surgery through conservative measures and a dedicated doctor and PT.

Stay dedicated to your healing and stay hopeful.

Are there shoes or orthotics that would help? Are there things you can do at home? Would a TENS unit be possible and would it help?

Good luck.

lisae
Prolific Pea

Posts: 8,257

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 11:55:07 GMT annabella and scrappintoee like this

Quote

Post by lisae on Apr 20, 2016 11:55:07 GMT

For my back, we discussed surgery to remove a bone spur after the first round of PT failed. I asked for a second round and after that things were much improved and I have so far avoided surgery.

Good luck! Sometimes surgery truly is the best option. Just shop around for the very best surgeon for your particular issue.

My website: www.lisaecherd.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisaecherd/
My YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/LisaEDesign
Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/LisaEcherdArt

crazy4scraps
Pea God

RefuPea #1619

Posts: 31,874

Site Supporter

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 15:24:28 GMT scrappintoee likes this

Quote

Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 20, 2016 15:24:28 GMT

I'm sorry you're having to deal with all that! It's definitely not fun.

I ended up having surgery for the osteoarthritis in my foot because the pain from the bone spurs in my big toe joint was unbearable (and I was lucky that the damage already done didn't require fusion of the joint), but I did go to PT for the OA in my lower back and it has helped. I keep doing the exercises my therapist recommended and hopefully that will help long term.

I waited way too long to get my foot looked at in the first place, to the point that my only option was some kind of surgery either now or later. I'm glad I got it out of the way now while I'm still young enough to bounce back fairly quickly. It was starting to really affect the level of activity I was able to do, and I figured the longer I waited the worse off overall I would be because I'd just be that much more out of shape.

Miracles shouldn’t be Plan A

I’ve got mountains to climb and I don’t need a backpack full of rocks.

luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher

Posts: 4,428

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 15:35:03 GMT scrappintoee likes this

Quote

Post by luvnlifelady on Apr 20, 2016 15:35:03 GMT

I am working on home PT right now for a knee injury. My copay is $70 each time so I'm tyring to do most of it at home. I've been super busy with other stuff lately and need to get back on it. My knee is weird. 80% of the time it feels almost normal but without warning, it will hurt like a mother! I would love to get back to line dancing but right now that feels like a pipe dream.

CarolinaGirl71
UnstopPeable

RefuPea #769

Posts: 2,160

Have you avoided surgery thanks to Physical Therapy? :-) Apr 20, 2016 16:10:29 GMT scrappintoee likes this

Quote

Post by CarolinaGirl71 on Apr 20, 2016 16:10:29 GMT

I had a partial tear of my achilles tendon - I was set up with a surgery date, then decided to try PT first. It did eventually work, but it was a long process. I wore a walking boot and had PT for about 3 months, then I had exercises to do at home. For a long time, I could only wear Dansko clogs, because of their stability. During this time, I had a massage, and I think the massage therapist did some damage when she tried to release the bump in the tendon (it was not on my heel but higher up). This slowed down my progress, but I think after about a year and a half, I could start wearing most shoes. (not heels, before or after). I'm glad I avoided the surgery, but it took much longer than I thought it would.

Knee deep in the water somewhere

PeaNut 217,388
August 2005
Posts: 5,395
Layouts: 0
Loc: Some Beach, Somewhere