Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 On the contrary, before I had both my achilles tendons lengthened age 11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. After the ops I could. Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet is particularly bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of my feet. Gives me a very odd gait!!! Nina Bristol, UK --- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:25:38 -0500 Subject: Re: Gait problems. Sender: Brande To: tetheredspinalcord Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord Message-ID: <0c3f01c46ab2$47233870$6501a8c0@Brande> I don't think it is either, generally speaking, that is. Maybe it is because he was just off of it for soo long. Me Nebraska, USA mymocha@... son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on this foot. Is this common with a broken bone or is this a complication from spina bifida? Not Medical Advice. We Are Not Doctors. Need help with the list? Email kathy@...,michelle@..., rick@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Hi Nina, Can you give me some info on the heel cord lengthening surgery that you mentioned. My sons orthopedic surgeon has mentioned my son may have to have this surgery. (We go for an MRI next week to see if any of the foot issues might be associated with a retether.) The way the dr. talked this was a pretty routine surgery and he would be in a cast for a few weeks. Did you have surgery on both legs at the same time? Any info you can give would be very much appreciated. I am completely in the dark and my son is so confused on why he can't run and walk like he did several months ago. I'm praying that it is because he was off of his foot for so long and not retethered. In a message dated 7/16/2004 3:39:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Nina Bunton writes: >On the contrary, before I had both my achilles tendons lengthened age >11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. After the ops I >could. > >Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet is particularly >bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of my feet. Gives me a >very odd gait!!! > >Nina >Bristol, UK > >--- Begin Forwarded Message --- > >Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:25:38 -0500 > >Subject: Re: Gait problems. >Sender: Brande >To: tetheredspinalcord >Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord >Message-ID: <0c3f01c46ab2$47233870$6501a8c0@Brande> > > >I don't think it is either, generally speaking, that is. > >Maybe it is because he was just off of it for soo long. > >Me >Nebraska, USA >mymocha@... > >son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on this foot. Is this >common with a broken bone or is this a complication from spina bifida? > > > > > >Not Medical Advice. We Are Not Doctors. >Need help with the list? Email kathy@...,michelle@..., rick@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 I also walk funny. Before my first untethering, I walked like a duck because my one leg was shorter than the other. Now, when I'm tired, like Nina, I walk on the outsides of my feet. I can't wear anyone else's shoes because they feel so weird to me. Mine wear the way I walk, and everyone else's shoes have a much higher outer edge than my shoes do! It very well could be a spastic muscle causing his foot issues. If it hurts really bad, I'd go to an orthopedic specialist. --- Nina Bunton wrote: > On the contrary, before I had both my achilles > tendons lengthened age > 11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. > After the ops I > could. > > Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet > is particularly > bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of > my feet. Gives me a > very odd gait!!! > > Nina > Bristol, UK > > > son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on > this foot. Is this > common with a broken bone or is this a complication > from spina bifida? > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Joking here, in our family we have relatively short legs anyway (nothing to do with TCS or achondroplasia, just genetically and inherited shortness!), and my dad always joked that he and I have " duck's disease " Now with the TCS, I have " crooked legs duck's disease!!! " - oh well - it made me laugh (and I need that right now...) Nina --- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 06:39:42 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Gait problems. <fwd> Sender: Weaver To: tetheredspinalcord Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord Message-ID: I also walk funny. Before my first untethering, I walked like a duck because my one leg was shorter than the other. Now, when I'm tired, like Nina, I walk on the outsides of my feet. I can't wear anyone else's shoes because they feel so weird to me. Mine wear the way I walk, and everyone else's shoes have a much higher outer edge than my shoes do! It very well could be a spastic muscle causing his foot issues. If it hurts really bad, I'd go to an orthopedic specialist. --- Nina Bunton wrote: > On the contrary, before I had both my achilles > tendons lengthened age > 11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. > After the ops I > could. > > Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet > is particularly > bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of > my feet. Gives me a > very odd gait!!! > > Nina > Bristol, UK > > > son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on > this foot. Is this > common with a broken bone or is this a complication > from spina bifida? > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Dear Kasha (I don't know if that is your propoer name!) My left foot first started getting deformed when I was 2 and gradually as the Achilles tendon shortened (due to the TC), the foot grew into a blocked shape, and I could not put my heel on the floor. This went on for 8 years, and the OP surgeon would not operate till I had nearly stopped growing (otherwise it could happen again) Then just as I changed schools age 11, I had the left foot done, and the following year, the right foot (almost matching scars as well!!), as well as toe releases on both sides. What they did (in 1977) is make an incision on the inside of the leg, where the Achilles tendon joins the ankle bone, and split it diagonally lengthways, and then stitch it back together again so that it was lengthened. Both summers (1977 and 1978) I had big plaster casts on the lower legs (one each year), and in the UK those years were the hottest of the 20th Century - not very comfortable!! I was given physiotherapy to do, but being a silly little kid (not realising its value) I didn't do the exercises as much as I should and ended up with really thick tendons, both sides. However, the R one is relatively flexible and I can bend the ankle right down to about 45 degrees. The L side, with the more deformed foot anyway, does not bend at all, and if I try (all these years later), still hurts if I try to do this. Remember that any surgery will injure the body in some way, and so your little man shouldn't feel bad that he can't run as he used to. If he takes it easy after the tendon surgery, he should get back his function. That is, of course, if the spinal cord is not affecting his feet, but that is another story that I don't know about in your case Does this help? Hope so. Email me privately or on the list if you want to Regards Nina --- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 09:23:48 -0400 From: kasha545@... Subject: Re: Gait problems. <fwd> Sender: kasha545@... To: tetheredspinalcord Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord Message-ID: Hi Nina, Can you give me some info on the heel cord lengthening surgery that you mentioned. My sons orthopedic surgeon has mentioned my son may have to have this surgery. (We go for an MRI next week to see if any of the foot issues might be associated with a retether.) The way the dr. talked this was a pretty routine surgery and he would be in a cast for a few weeks. Did you have surgery on both legs at the same time? Any info you can give would be very much appreciated. I am completely in the dark and my son is so confused on why he can't run and walk like he did several months ago. I'm praying that it is because he was off of his foot for so long and not retethered. In a message dated 7/16/2004 3:39:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Nina Bunton writes: >On the contrary, before I had both my achilles tendons lengthened age >11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. After the ops I >could. > >Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet is particularly >bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of my feet. Gives me a >very odd gait!!! > >Nina >Bristol, UK > >--- Begin Forwarded Message --- > >Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:25:38 -0500 > >Subject: Re: Gait problems. >Sender: Brande >To: tetheredspinalcord >Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord >Message-ID: <0c3f01c46ab2$47233870$6501a8c0@Brande> > > >I don't think it is either, generally speaking, that is. > >Maybe it is because he was just off of it for soo long. > >Me >Nebraska, USA >mymocha@... > >son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on this foot. Is this >common with a broken bone or is this a complication from spina bifida? > > > > > >Not Medical Advice. We Are Not Doctors. >Need help with the list? Email kathy@...,michelle@..., rick@... > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Jumping on as another has had the same surgery as Nina so brilliantly describes. I have a little more to add which I thought may be useful for you to hear. I had my right achilles lengthened in 1986. Like Nina, I was told that I had to wait till I had stopped growing (I was 16). A few years ago my cousin though had his achilles lengthened, he was 10 - It seems times have changed and the age rule no longer applies. For the past 4 years I have had nothing but trouble with my post op achilles. Surgeons won't touch it because it has weakened from the previous surgery. I now have chronic tendonitis which needs permanant pain relievers. Of course, the TC causes leg pain and I'm unsure as to how much is caused by the tendonitis or the TC??? It's possible that my change of gait because of the tendonitis provoked extra issues with the TC? Questions questions I am 34 now and I do not regret having the surgery. Like I say, I do have pain but it is relieved by celebrex and yes, I constantly tumble over my stupid toes...........again TC or tendonitis? My cousin is now a 21 year old who's favourite hobbies are clubing, getting drunk and enjoying life. His lengthening op wasn't anywhere as successful as mine........makes me wonder about that 'fully grown' rule. Like me, my cousin doesn't regret going for the op either. He walks on his toes which means he goes through dozens of pairs of shoes per year (Good job, one of his other hobbies is shopping. lol) Good luck in exploring the oportunities for your son, if any lengthening op has a realistic chance of eliviating the tightness and pain - go for it! Carey Hove UK > Dear Kasha (I don't know if that is your propoer name!) > > My left foot first started getting deformed when I was 2 and gradually > as the Achilles tendon shortened (due to the TC), the foot grew into a > blocked shape, and I could not put my heel on the floor. This went on > for 8 years, and the OP surgeon would not operate till I had nearly > stopped growing (otherwise it could happen again) > > Then just as I changed schools age 11, I had the left foot done, and > the following year, the right foot (almost matching scars as well!!), > as well as toe releases on both sides. What they did (in 1977) is make > an incision on the inside of the leg, where the Achilles tendon joins > the ankle bone, and split it diagonally lengthways, and then stitch it > back together again so that it was lengthened. Both summers (1977 and > 1978) I had big plaster casts on the lower legs (one each year), and in > the UK those years were the hottest of the 20th Century - not very > comfortable!! > > I was given physiotherapy to do, but being a silly little kid (not > realising its value) I didn't do the exercises as much as I should and > ended up with really thick tendons, both sides. However, the R one is > relatively flexible and I can bend the ankle right down to about 45 > degrees. The L side, with the more deformed foot anyway, does not bend > at all, and if I try (all these years later), still hurts if I try to > do this. > > Remember that any surgery will injure the body in some way, and so your > little man shouldn't feel bad that he can't run as he used to. If he > takes it easy after the tendon surgery, he should get back his > function. That is, of course, if the spinal cord is not affecting his > feet, but that is another story that I don't know about in your case > > Does this help? Hope so. Email me privately or on the list if you want > to > > Regards > > Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2004 Report Share Posted July 16, 2004 Thanks for your info Nina. My son was born with TC and had first release surgery at 7 wks the another at 5 yrs. Both surgeries went very well but we did have issues with bladder and bowel as to be expected. However, last year, my sons annual urology tests showed great readings and the uro dr suggested biofeedback to re-train the bladder muscles. It was a success!! My son is still on a timed voiding schedule however recently he has been able to feel when he needs to go. The issue with the feet started after a fall at school back in September. He didn't feel the pain that you normally would with a break but had alot of swelling. The xray showed two broken bones - 4th and 5th metatarsals. After the bone healed, his foot developed a huge ulcer on the bottom of his foot directly on the underside of the same area of the break. Some drs thought the cast was removed too soon, others said it was due to decreased sensation from SB. The ortho dr said no weight bearing on that foot at all to allow the ulcer to heal. Two months later when the dr ok'd weight bearing, his leg was so weak that he couldn't put weight on it. He has been going to PT for a month and we have seen much improvement however, he still has to walk with a walker. The PT said all of this was to be expected when someone hasn't used their leg muscles for some time. I, myself, have never had any broken bones so I was totally unaware of this. Since his foot has been through so much, the ortho dr. has mentioned if the MRI is negative the next step may be heel cord lengthening surgery. So all info is very much appreciated. Thanks again! (Kasha) In a message dated 7/16/2004 11:09:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Nina Bunton writes: >Dear Kasha (I don't know if that is your propoer name!) > >My left foot first started getting deformed when I was 2 and gradually >as the Achilles tendon shortened (due to the TC), the foot grew into a >blocked shape, and I could not put my heel on the floor. This went on >for 8 years, and the OP surgeon would not operate till I had nearly >stopped growing (otherwise it could happen again) > >Then just as I changed schools age 11, I had the left foot done, and >the following year, the right foot (almost matching scars as well!!), >as well as toe releases on both sides. What they did (in 1977) is make >an incision on the inside of the leg, where the Achilles tendon joins >the ankle bone, and split it diagonally lengthways, and then stitch it >back together again so that it was lengthened. Both summers (1977 and >1978) I had big plaster casts on the lower legs (one each year), and in >the UK those years were the hottest of the 20th Century - not very >comfortable!! > >I was given physiotherapy to do, but being a silly little kid (not >realising its value) I didn't do the exercises as much as I should and >ended up with really thick tendons, both sides. However, the R one is >relatively flexible and I can bend the ankle right down to about 45 >degrees. The L side, with the more deformed foot anyway, does not bend >at all, and if I try (all these years later), still hurts if I try to >do this. > >Remember that any surgery will injure the body in some way, and so your >little man shouldn't feel bad that he can't run as he used to. If he >takes it easy after the tendon surgery, he should get back his >function. That is, of course, if the spinal cord is not affecting his >feet, but that is another story that I don't know about in your case > >Does this help? Hope so. Email me privately or on the list if you want >to > >Regards > >Nina > >--- Begin Forwarded Message --- > >Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 09:23:48 -0400 >From: kasha545@... >Subject: Re: Gait problems. <fwd> >Sender: kasha545@... >To: tetheredspinalcord >Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord >Message-ID: > > >Hi Nina, > >Can you give me some info on the heel cord lengthening surgery that you >mentioned. My sons orthopedic surgeon has mentioned my son may have to >have this surgery. (We go for an MRI next week to see if any of the >foot issues might be associated with a retether.) > >The way the dr. talked this was a pretty routine surgery and he would >be in a cast for a few weeks. Did you have surgery on both legs at the >same time? Any info you can give would be very much appreciated. I am >completely in the dark and my son is so confused on why he can't run >and walk like he did several months ago. I'm praying that it is >because he was off of his foot for so long and not retethered. > > >In a message dated 7/16/2004 3:39:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Nina >Bunton writes: > >>On the contrary, before I had both my achilles tendons lengthened age >>11 and 12, I could not lower my heels to the floor. After the ops I >>could. >> >>Also, now, if I am very tired or the pain is my feet is particularly >>bad, I tend to toe-walk, or walk on the outsides of my feet. Gives me a >>very odd gait!!! >> >>Nina >>Bristol, UK >> >>--- Begin Forwarded Message --- >> >>Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:25:38 -0500 >> >>Subject: Re: Gait problems. >>Sender: Brande >>To: tetheredspinalcord >>Reply-To: tetheredspinalcord >>Message-ID: <0c3f01c46ab2$47233870$6501a8c0@Brande> >> >> >>I don't think it is either, generally speaking, that is. >> >>Maybe it is because he was just off of it for soo long. >> >>Me >>Nebraska, USA >>mymocha@... >> >>son can't put his heel down much less bear weight on this foot. Is >this >>common with a broken bone or is this a complication from spina bifida? >> >> >> >> >> >>Not Medical Advice. We Are Not Doctors. >>Need help with the list? Email >kathy@...,michelle@..., rick@... > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2004 Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 From what I understand, if there are other problems that are caused by the Tether, it is best to do a Detethering first to see if that will correct, atleast some, of the problem. If you did it the other way around it could lead to more Surgery. This is a late response, sorry........how are things going now? Me Nebraska, USA mymocha@... > > Can you give me some info on the heel cord lengthening surgery that you mentioned. My sons orthopedic surgeon has mentioned my son may have to have this surgery. (We go for an MRI next week to see if any of the foot issues might be associated with a retether.) > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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