Over 1 year ago I fell down the stairs and watched my foot crease up the middle into a "V". Extreme pain made me pass out. I went to the hospital, unable to walk on it. They x-rayed and diagnosed me with a sprain, gave me vicadin and sent me home. A week later, foot was severly swollen and bruised on top, sides and bottom, I went to another hospital. Same diagnosis, more drugs.
A few days later, I was still in screaming pain, unable to even put it on the floor, let alone walk on it. It was swollen beyond recognition. Fortunately, I called the "right" podiatrist, and he diagnosed Liz franc. 2 surgeries: screws in/screws out, no weight bearing for over 12 weeks. Very painful, and sharp pain up the opposite side from the screws, at the top of the foot on the side of the little toe.
The first time I was allowed to put weight on it, the little toe bone popped-out of my foot...it had also been dislocated, and missed diagnosis. Because my previous x-rays were all non-weight bearing, it had appeared to be fine. Back into surgery for pins and tendon/ligament repair. All in all, I was on crutches and in a wheelchair for 6 months.
It has now been one year since the last pin came out. I had PT, had much residual pain in the foot, but my x-rays looked good and I was released from my surgeon's care. I have slowly been learning to walk correctly again, and can now do stairs. Residual pain is now tolerable.
My problem is this: After all that time balancing on my left foot, my hip/pelvis dropped on one side and I now have "muscular" sculiosis (sp?)and the worst hip/back/shoulder/neck pain that you can imagine. I wear an orthodic, exercise daily, do yoga, have weekly chiropractic care, massage therapy and am trying SAM-e supplements & acupuncture for the pain. I am (was) very athletic and active, but am struggling so hard with the pain. I HATE taking medication of any kind, but still rely on 1/2 to 1 full pain pill per day to just survive when I can't take it anymore. I cry myself to sleep many nights.
I was told that liz franc fractures take up to 2 full years to recover. Is that true? Will I ever get rid of this pain in my hips and back? Will I ever be able to hike and bike and run again? I am doing all that I can, but am getting very discouraged. My MD sent me to a $500 Pain Management Specialist (I no longer have insurance) and he refuses to treat me any further unless I get extensive x-rays and an MRI of my back done that will cost almost $5,000.00. He insinuated that I was an idiot to think my back pain is due to my liz franc fracture. He tried to make me walk barefoot on my toes, but my foot can't support me like that (yet) and it kept collapsing. Now my foot is hurting me again...and I am back to limping around, which is making my back hurt worse. Any suggestions please? |
