Re: surgery for high arch

[Guest guest]

Sue,

When a doc starts giving " odds " out that a surgery will or won't

work, I run. So he says he " can do it " , OK so he can do his job, but

then he's telling you the surgery * may * not work - because of YOUR

muscle tone. Like he's saying " I'lll work, you'll pay me, and if it

doesn't work, it's not because of me " . I would not ever see a MD

with ethics like this.

Do you really feel he knows the CMT foot and the person with CMT?

He may possibly be referring to some kind of tendon surgery, it is

hard to say. Did you ask him EXACTLY what he will do and get him to

draw a picture of what he'll do.

I will tell you that my childhood tendon surgery did involve some

arch lowering, but it was so long ago and the MD is deceased.

May I suggest you get 2 or 3 other opinions from Foot and Ankle

orthopedists, ask all the same questions, and learn of their

methods; you may find different MD's will use different methods.

How can your doctor state that " most people with CMT have more

muscle " ? Has he seen all of our feet here at ? Multiply about

1,1712 X 2 and I bet you'll find quite a range of foot muscle tone -

much to broad to ballpark a specific range.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

So do you think I should go through with it or not? I am scared. I

really don't know what to do. Do you know anyone who has had this

surgery.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I can't tell you what to do, but if this was me about to face foot

surgery, I'd get several opinions and proceed with caution and I would

take my time making a decision.

I can't remember if you wear AFOs or not, or if you have tried in-shoe

custom orthotics. Mine are actually molded up to not only support, but

to cushion my arch and toes.

I don't know what to say, if your arches hurt, perhaps firmer support

would be helpful. Meaning some sort of orthotic device and shoes that

work with it.

Whenever I am scared I take it as a good sign. That way I won't make

hasty decisions. If I was scared of foot surgery, I'd wait until I had

ALL the facts, surgical methods, had every question answered and was

confident I had chosen the best surgeon. I used this same sort of

reasoning for my back surgery 5 years ago and it worked out very well

for me.

CMT feet are so special and demand extreme care and the very best

medical care at all times. I can't remember where you live, but if you

want I can recommend 2 MDs to consult with, both Foot/Ankle

Specialists, here in So. Calif.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Info:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001261.htm

http://www.mdmercy.com/footandankle/conditions/higharch/charcot_marie_t

ooth.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?

db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=AbstractPlus & list_uids=6724453 & query_hl=1 & i

tool=pubmed_docsum

[Guest guest]

Hi , You should post more often. Will you have your other foot done?

My son and I had the same surgery with great results.

[Guest guest]

Hello Sue,

This is my first post ever, usually I am just a lurker. I have CMT

type 1 and I just had this surgery done on my right foot in July. I

had my arch brought down and my heel moved over to align it so I

would not roll my ankle as much. I am happy to say that I am glad

that I did it. I feel I have more stability. I also had all toes

(which were hammertoes) fixed on that same foot. I came through with

no problems. When I did have this surgery done, the downfall was not

being able to put any pressure what so ever on that foot. Because I

don't have very good balance for crutches, I used a wheelchair to get

around for about six weeks.

I can't say that this surgery is for everyone, but I did trust my

doctor because he does know about CMT. Good luck to you in whatever

decision you make.

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you. For you response. I have been thinking about this for the

past weekend. The thing that I have been thinking about is that if I

don't get the surgery and some where down the road I get worse and

then I wished I had done the surgery I would be so mad at myself.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Sue,

I have had both arches lowered plus quite a few other procedures. The

arch surgeries were the best thing I ever did. I had the first one done 7 months

before the other. He stretched my Achilles tendons also because I could not put

both feet flat on the floor. Still seems strange to be able to walk across the

floor barefooted! Best of luck to you.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, I will have my other foot done. I probably won't have it done

until this summer. My husband, myself, and children are going to the Caribbean

in June....so I will definitly wait until after that.

I am 41 years old and I was diagnosed with CMT type 1 about 3 years

ago. Although growing up, I was always falling down, terrible

balance, couldn't really run, could never roller skate, etc... No

doctor not once had ever mentioned to my parents about anything being wrong. I

always just thought I was uncoordinated. lol I also have scoliosis that I

wore a Milwaukee back brace for four years. I have hyper-extended knees and the

typical CMT feet. I do get the burning and tingling, sharp needle poking pains

that I read on this board that other CMT'ers get. I know of noone else in my

family ever diagnosed with CMT or know of anyone that has problems with balance

like myself.

I do possibly think my 16 yr. old has CMT. He has high arches on his feet and

also is not very athletic. He can roller skate and has better balance than I

did growing up though. But at this time, I don't feel I should have him tested.

He is aware of everything and he also does not want to be tested at this time.

Sorry I got off subject.......but yes, I am happy I got my foot

surgery and definitly will be doing the other foot.

Have a great day,