Turns out, I never had the surgery.
A week before my surgery I found out I can’t fly for 2 weeks after the surgery (it’s a blood-clot risk apparently). I had a trip planned 10 days after the surgery that I didn’t want to miss, so I decided to delay my surgery to the end of the summer.
During the months leading up to my new surgery date, I decided to push the limits of my foot by running occasionally (just 1 mile at a time) and it actually ended up making the pain almost go away! I even ended up learning how to surf at the end of the summer, which I could not do a year before (even walking barefoot on the beach hurt before). So I ended up canceling my surgery for this year. I still wear orthotics, but I don’t anticipate needing surgery now.
I’ve received a number of emails from people that either were considering the surgery or have had the surgery and were wondering how my recovery is going. Since I never had the surgery I can’t speak to the recovery, but if you are one of those people that either is considering it or has had it, please feel free to leave a comment on your experience, concerns, etc. so others can learn & comment on their own experiences.
I had a medial sesamoidectomy on March 26th (4 days after yours was scheduled), 10+ months after the original injury. I’d been wearing orthotics for 8 months with no improvement (still in pain after walking >1/4 mile, no athletic activity other than swimming). Original fracture was from playing ultimate frisbee on turf (had been sore for a month) + propping open a heavy door with my foot (last straw before seeing the doctor).
Recovery took a while (started PT in May, jogged for the first time in early September) but I’m now much better than I was pre-surgery. Played my first game of ultimate in early November (without any orthotics), and am feeling close to full speed though the foot still gets sore after heavy activity and doesn’t quite have full flexion. Good luck to anyone getting the surgery. In hindsight, I recommend getting a “non-conforming boot” as a conservative treatment (my doc prescribed orthotics, which never helped that much; got the boot to wear after surgery and wished I’d had it before). If that doesn’t work, full recovery is definitely possible post-surgery; I highly recommend PT as you’re likely to run into some injuries related to inactivity (I’ve had a few hamstring strains and an ankle sprain along the way).
Hi,
Good to know you are doing well with the Surgery. Could you please tell me what is a “non-conforming boot” ?
Thanks
AG
That’s what my doc called it — it’s a black velcro boot with a sole made up of little hexagonal pads. You remove the pads under the area of injury to shift the weight elsewhere. The closest I can find online is the “Pressure relief shoe” on this site:
http://www.monroebiotech.com/products/shoes.htm
I also had a medial sesamoid removel. I am 8 weeks out. I am glad to hear that it gets better. Most of my swelling is down, but limited movement in the big toe. I get sharp pains from the removal site. Very painful. I was fortunate to have the surgery done from the top. I would not want a scar on the bottom of my foot.
I guess this is a long time injury to heal. When I had knee arthroscopy. I was in good shape within two weeks.
My Aunt had her knee replaced and was up and walking without a cane by 8 weeks. I will continue to go to PT and stretch even thought it hurts!
I am hoping for a good summer.
Hey PR,
How is your foot doing now? I am thinking about having the sesamoid surgery, I fractured my sesamoid over a year and a half ago and am getting frustrated by the fact that I am always somewhat in pain, especially if I don’t wear sneakers 24/7
I had a medial sesmoid removal in January. The doctor used pig bladder powder and my body rejected it. The bone was removed out the side of my foot. It never healed and I had to have a second doctor fix the incision and clean everything out again in March because I got MRSA. With both surgerys there was not enough skin to cover so i have no tissue between bone and skin on the side of my foot. I cant even touch the side of my foot with out nerve sensations shocking my foot. I am unable to even wear a tennis shoe. This was the worst surgery. I DO NOT recommend this to anyone. The pain I have after is worse than before! I had problems for 4 years before i decided on surgery. I would be in pain before from activity but now I can’t even walk the next day. My doctor was highly recommended. You never know how much you need you foot till you cant use it. I have pictures on a timeline and I can answer any questions.
Wow – so sorry to hear it led to infection and a 2nd surgery for you. I’d never heard of pig bladder powder, they just removed my sesamoid with no attempt to regrow it. Came back to provide one more update: 1.5 years after surgery I have occasional stiffness but am otherwise able to run, play sports at close to the level I could before the injury. Obviously I feel very lucky, and as your experience shows, this is definitely a procedure with risks.
I’m scheduled to get the surgery a few weeks from now. My sssamoiditis started 3 years ago, after a running injury. I could barely walk for two months, but then it seemed to get better with rest, so I didn’t see a doctor. It flared up again after nearly a year and then kept coming back every time I ran even a few steps, or walked uphill, or jumped, and left me in pain for weeks each time. I saw a GP, got some images and a diagnosis, then went and saw a podiatrist, who tried putting me in a boot to take the pressure off entirely for two months. Did no good, so the next step was consulting a surgeon. The surgeon was hesitant since sesamoid surgery can go wrong, and sent me off to a sports physician to try platelet rich plasma injections. They seemed to help bring the swelling down each time, but didn’t stop it coming back again. (PRP has all the hallmarks of an awesome placebo, so I don’t know if it actually did anything). The physician sent me to a second podiatrist, who had some orthotics made up for me. After a few adjustments, they helped a bit, but not enough, and caused other problems with my feet and balance. So back to the surgeon, who says unless I want to try expensive exoerimentl stem cell treatment, surgery is the only remaining option. And it will probably work. I really hope so!