Benefits and Risks of Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hey Everyone,

Several recent emails write about the benefits of surgery, so I thought I might

offer to share some info. I had major reconstructive surgery on my right foot

2-7-05 with excellent results. Dr. Greg Horton at Kansas University Med Center

is an exceptional surgeon. I have the typical extreme arch, hammer toes, and was

almost walking on my ankle.

He fused the ankle, straightened my big toe, flattened my arch, lengthened the

Achilles tendon.

Prior to the surgery I could only walk with a double upright brace on both feet.

This past fall I hunted quite a bit, walking in the woods, with the double

upright on my left foot and an in-shoe brace on my right. It was an absolute

delight..

Prior to the surgery I had all but given up hunting.

On 1-9-05, I had similar procedures on my left foot and am home recovering. Dr.

Horton says everything went well. This recovery is already easier than last

time. Pain is easily managed with medication, I roll around in my wheelchair,

and can access almost everything. To manage the swelling I need to keep my foot

elevated so cannot sit here at the computer for long periods. If the outcome of

this surgery is as good as the first, I will be a very happy man. My feet, of

course, will never be perfect, but they are

close enough!!

I would be happy to answer questions anyone has about the benefits and risks of

such surgery.

Tom

[Guest guest]

Tom,

This is this great news! It's nice to have freedom. My Dad was a hunter too.

Spencer's feet were just as you described yours to be. He had surgery on both

feet but did not have the ankle fusion part of it. Spencer is glad he had his

surgery. He said walking around on the side of his foot the rest of his life was

not an option.

[Guest guest]

Yeah Tom-So glad to hear these wonderful results. I'm seeing Dr. Horton at

the end of Jan myself. I fractured my left big toe back in Sept and my toes

were fused yrs ago in Florida. My internist is concerned b/c I haven't healed

and she can't see on xrays where my toe was fused.He is one very busy doctor.

I'm lucky to be seeing him in Jan and not having to wait until April!

Barb

[Guest guest]

Barb,

Hope you have a good result from your consult. If anything can be done, rest

assured Dr. Horton can do it. He is a straight shooter--very matter of fact in

his style. And it takes months to get an appointment with him. I can't say

enough good things about him. Good luck.

Tom