Has anyone had experience w/ surgical correction of shortened tendons/muscles together with foot/toe deformities due to PN? I have some genuine ?'s re: the procedures themselves and success rates particularly as PN progresses. This looks more and more to be the option open to correct or at least reduce some of my problems but I want to be certain before I commit particularly since both feet and all toes need a fix.

Also, any recommendations for skilled surgeons would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Alkymst

something else? I do know that the achilles is connected to...and all that?

Here are some sites I've pulled in that quarter, but IF other stuff is needed gimme some key words?

http://www.nismat.org:80/ptcor/eccentric_achilles/

http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/encycl...treatment.html

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050901/811.html

http://www.achillestendon.com/Footwear.html

If need be, I've a distant in-law of sorts who's a podiatric surgeon in FL I could always beg and ask....

My last round of PT after given the GO after knee fracture lay up..I started walking in my Crocs...WHOEEE! I do NOT recommend that. AT ALL! It was the front of the ankles-the tendons and muscles that went into serious overdrive in terms of contraction pain upon use. Thera-bands on a regular basis and some versions of the exercises above helped...but it took about 7-12 days before I was not one yelping camper.

Do marble exercises for toe-tone too. I can't DO the toe-towell things my toes are too short! Of use? or do you need more?

BTW-OUCH and DOUBLE OUCH! That is a hurt almost as bad as the concrete-deep-fat fried nerves burning! It does not let up...ever. -j

Who has told you this would be helpful,and they forgot Dancers.
What tests have you been given to make you think you need this.
Could you please tell us if you would.

Thanks dahlek for those posts Sue

Dahlek,
Thanks for your reply and the links - I'll check them out and I'll trade you a bunch that I've collected on the same topic.

Alkymst

ShineySue,
thank you for responding - I must admit to my complete and relative ignorance about Dancers.
thus far 2 physical therapists, 2 neurologists, and 3 podiatrists have independently arrived at the same conclusion - it will take me awhile to gather data - what were you thinking that might have been overlooked?

Alkymst

Thanks again for the links - I read them this morning and they were very informative. I'm happy to say that I've been following a multiple exercise regimen that combines most of the ones described in the links together w/ more specific ones designed for me and my back issues. I've been doing these now for >3years (not all because of PN, lumbar problems 1st) and have had several "refresher" courses w/ the physical therapist. Unfortunately, I'm not making progress, rather finding it difficult to maintain status quo as things slowly degenerate (no pun intended) .
Some of the links I'll trade you follow - hope you won't have a need to use them but if so maybe they can be of some small use to you - they have been very helpful to me. I have others too.

http://www.seafordfootcare.com/problems_hammer.html

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw143427

http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4702/4702te1.pdf

http://www.dynomed.com/encyclopedia/.../Claw_Toe.html

http://www.wheelessonline.com/ortho/claw_toes (this orthopaedic textbook was really very helpful for me)

http://www.podiatrynetwork.com/r_hammertoes.cfm

Thanks again for the links and many pain free moments to you

Alkymst

Is this the 'flexible' type or 'fixed' type of toe issue?

I looked for specifics and they don't seem to be in super-abundance on the distinctions and when the situation becomes one for surgical necessity.

One of these sites has a chart for hand 'manipulation' stretching gently at first [VERY gently I'm assuming] that seems promising...

If you can at all, try the toe/marble/pick-up thing. After 7 weeks off both feet [mostly] I had a zero toe strength...All I could do was smush the marbles inbetween my toes and the work out was getting the toes spread and flexible enuf to let them go...after two weeks it was amazing how a little practice helped my toe, foot, ankle and leg strength.

I would start off gently tho, 10 marbles one set of pick them up and get them in a dish x3 and work your way to do more 'sets'. Do NOT try to do a lot all at once...the pay-backs are worse than the initial problem!

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/booklet/vi...pcategory=Foot

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_brkntoes_rex.htm

Hope this helps start to get you 'flexing'! - j

Dahlek,
sorry for the confusion, what were once somewhat flexible are becoming more and more rigid now - the toes still bend but w/ a lot of effort and discomfort. I've tried the marbles and towels for a long time, as in months and made no progress w/ either - my toes curl so much that I can't retrieve anything. I also take each toe and all of them together and bend them backwards as far as possible to stretch the tendons - same effect as doing toes stretches or hamstrings on the edge of a stair - tried those too.
the complication here is that the big toe has been sreiously pulled out of alignment, .i.e back and to the left or right depending on the foot, because of the tendon shortening - net result I can no longer straighten my toes or feet at all. this is why I feel like

Dahlek,
I read the 2 links for the toe and foot exercises - very nice and well illustrated - makes repeating them much simpler. Of the many exercises that I've tried and I fail at many because I can no longer straighten my toes or either foot.

However, ones that seem to help but are also the most painful are to pull all the toes as far down as I can - this really strectches my shin and follow that by bending the toes backwards as far as I can. For most people I'm told this should stretch the plantar fascia but mine is so tight now it has no affect. Actually the joints in my toes hurt much more from this. The toes themselves still have a little mobility but they are becoming rigid.

I was hoping to get some ideas about soft tissue vs bone surgery and the pros and cons of each before my only option was the more involved bone surgery. Thanks again for the links - they've all been very good ones.

Alkymst

Sorry Alkymst sorry for coming off so crabby,but Sjogren's Syndrone is
in a flare up,and 2 more new Drs.
First of all thanks to both of you for the wealth of information. When well
meaning Mom's start far to young children into dance lessons,all kinds
of nasty's happen to feet and toes. Many professionals dancers have
to retire at the ripe old age of hmm 28.
Have you tried the Dorsal Night Splints,I use them and the hand ones when
i can get them on without screaming. I can't pick up marbles,although i use
to. I try to do stretching exercises everyday but my toes are starting to
look like A's pictures and my Aunt Nellies toes. They just don't bend far
enough down or back. And i use to save a lot of time picking things up
up with those toes. My Aunt ended up having to have metal splints put
in 3 of hers,she couldn't get one foot in a shoe.I asked if it hurt she said
NO,but she's a tough 91 yr. old, also she's back out in the garden again.

It seems like you got a lot of yes's and have been doing your research,
and thinking things through A. I can't even get up and down on a
scale without falling on my but. Ahh for the good old days and all
that. Please post and keep us up on what you might do.And thanks
again to you both. Crabby Sue