Hi.

We just came back from the podiatrist. Dr. Baird is such a hoot. And such a nice guy. Alan sits down and Dr Baird begins. He said "Alan, We discuss your case all the time and last night we came to the conclusion that we can't operate on the bone that is causing your ulcer. It's actually two bones and if we reposition them or shave them down, your gait would be off big time"

So I look at Dr. Baird and said (I kid you not), "Why can't you just take out the bones and put an implant in or something like that, that won't impinge on the ulcer and he won't get the ulcer anymore". (It's not a stupid question and I'll explain why).

So I continued "I have a friend who had Hallux Rigidus" (It's called Big Stiff Toe) and she was told that if all the treatments don't work, she might be a candidate for the operation. I looked up the operation on the internet and they can actually put an implant in the big toe."

He laughed his head off and said "well, someone would have to invent this and we'd name it after Alan". I said "You could name it after you"

We laughed over this. He's very very nice. So this is what they have decided to do. Alan is to get some kind of shoe (I believe it's called an Oft Loading Shoe (he showed me in the catalogue but with my memory for names, forget it)

It's a post op shoe that people use with Plantars. Or something like that.

The inside of the shoe can come out in little pieces so you arrange the shoe so the ulcer is not pressing on anything. I said "sounds good to me".

We will most likely have to pay for the whole thing but really, it's been 11 months with this re-occurring foot ulcer so at least he'll have a good chance for it to heal. The only other option is a wound treatment center where Alan would have to live for some time until the ulcer heals.

So we are going with the shoe thing first. So Alan ordered it and it will come to the doctor's office next week. We hope!!!

So there you go!!

Thanks everybody. Now let's just hope they send a pump for his IVIG next week.

Melody

Melody,
I found this. http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/1770 Is this what you are talking about?

Billye

And this one Melody: http://www.medismedical.co.za/foot_care.html

Billye

That's it!!!! The second one you posted, ending in foot_care.html. By Royce.

That's exactly what the doctor showed us.

I clicked on the link but it doesn't tell you how much it is.

Well, whatever it cost, we are getting it. I mean, if it works, it will make life a whole lot easier.

You are a genius to find it so fast.

Melody

Just spent a lot of time searching and researching in my past years. Glad I could help, Melody.

They don't tell you the cost because it's a medical prescription only and that info is only available on that site to medical professionals. I may be able to find more.

Here you go: http://www.ankleshop.com/products.asp?cat=405

The cost may vary from site to site and doctor to doctor.

Billye

Billye, I wish I'd worn some of those for my knee and before that ankles/feet! The stuff I got was cheap/expensive and abrasive...I wore my sports brace for the knee and my 'river shoes' to support my feet.

Melody - I think your doc is right in his approach, only as I know and know of many diabetics who've had ulcers...and spending 'time' in a hospital to 'cure the ulcer' is probably worse overall for Alan's health and well-being. I mean, it's all bed-rest....in a hospital....full of sick persons [some really sick] and he would be without the comforts of home [including your cooking] nor the ability to move and be as active as he is at home.

Since he's not getting worse, and I know you are giving him the best care, Alan really is best in treatments that take pressure off that irritated area to let IT heal on it's own.

Foot surgery is nothing to be taken lightly ever. when immune-compromised one has to be super cautious? Home with my OWN known germs is far better than the who knows what? in a hospital- at least in my book..

Hugs to you and to Alan [only if he doesn't blush too much] - j

Nah!!! he doesn't blush.

But it's funny that our feet burn at the same time. We were riding home on the bus and I go to him "are your feet burning"?? and he goes "yeah, your's too??" and I go, "Oh yeah". The clouds outside started to form, the sun went away and all of a sudden, there was a downpour.

It's like I'm a weatherman. I am taking my b-12 methyl, but brother, when the humidity, and the weather is not cooperating!!!! man oh man. I hate neuropathy!!!

mel

I 'm glad to here he's not getting the operation,it worried me.
Bob is feeling good,he's not complaining and moving around
much. better. Just got some pictures of my grandson and my
son,i think they like each other,there both smiling.

Well Alan got his pump and no operation,the weather follows me
around to.. Take care Sue