Hey Tom . . . this is from my Mom

[Guest guest]

Tom, if you wish her email address you may email me privately and I will pass

it along. : ) Hope this helps you.

Dear Tom,

I hesitate to say but I am presently your same age. lol I have had both

my ankles fused with the procedure known as Triple Arthrodesis. A very

competent and talented podiatrist performed my surgery. Prior to the surgery

each

and every step was total torture. I was the classic case of the CMT foot. My

feet and ankles were so rolled that I was walking on my ankle bone by the time

I had the surgery.

The surgery was drastic I admit but it gave me relief from each painful

step. I was in a cast for a total of 3 mos. (3 mos. less a week on the second

one, I will explain later). I have other problems as I am a spinal cord

damage too so I could not hop as others may be able to do. I spent most of my

time

in bed for the first few weeks as you are not supposed to but any weight on

it at all. I have a book list I can recommend! I got up and down to the

bathroom using a walker putting little or no weight on my operated ankle and I

progressively ventured out to church etc. as the months went on. I was very

careful to not put weight on the operated foot, just put it down for balance

because of the spinal cord damage. Each ankle has about 5 huge screws thru it

to

allow it to fuse.

I suffered not too much pain in the healing process, however, I think CMT

patients are used to pain so I have a high tolerance as you probably do. I

do not give up and keep on going the very best I can. My ankles still get

tired and start to burn or ache if I am on them too long but the severe pain is

gone. I am not sure what the addition of the spinal cord damage has

contributed to this condition and the after affects. I want you to understand

that I

go shopping now and can walk much better without pain after the surgeries. I

no longer get tears in my eyes when my husband has to park the car far from an

entrance to wherever we are going.

I use a cane to walk because my balance is shot but that is the only

reason. The procedure gave me relief from pain, increased and secure mobility,

and a lot more freedom. I wear Birkenstock shoes most of the time which also

aides in the stable placement of my feet on the ground. I am able now to walk

on uneven ground with more ease.

When I had the second ankle done, last year or so I think, I took MSM

from FreeLife. My doctor was shocked that my bones had fused 1 wk sooner than

he

expected and the cast was OFF 1 wk earlier. I do not know if that was the

reason but I only can tell you that taking MSM was the only thing I did

differently. My surgeon was surprised and I was thrilled. Even one week was

exciting

to have the cast off earlier. I am up for whatever works.

I told my daughter that you may email me directly if you wish and I would

be glad to answer and further questions you may have. I hope this helps you

to make your decisions. Take care and God Bless You.

Candy