Vino, The University has handicap parking on Trinity between 23rd & the Law School. I haven't used it, but you can talk to them about making it available. Another option is to be dropped off at San Jacinto & 26th. Golf carts will take you to the front of Bellmont from there.
Vino, do get a second opinion. You'd like to know what the chances are that the conservative treatment will work. In my case, since I knew there was a large bone spur, my obvious (non-medically-trained) thought was that the only chance of recovery was to remove the bone spur. I lost four months doing conservative treatments that had low chances of success. Give it some thought.
So interesting story. The orthopedist I saw yesterday was very nice and appeared competent, but gave the option of surgery or not as I described above. The doctor I really wanted to see was a foot and ankle specialist in the same practice who has done surgery on my wife's foot and two other members of the family, however his schedule was booked up though so I went with Doc #1. After that visit I really wanted to talk to Doc #2 so called and earliest he could see me was early next week. Fast forward to this morning when my mother was in his office for a pre-op visit and as they were chatting at the end she mentioned I was coming to see him next week. He asked what for and she told him the story. She said he got very serious all of a sudden and pulled the records from his peer, Doc #1. He said he didn't to wait that long and asked his staff to call and get me in tomorrow, with pending schedule for surgery Monday or Tuesday of next week. The no surgery option felt "iffy" to me after research and talking to several friends and family members who have gone through a ruptured Achilles in the past, and the fact Doc #2, who we've had significant wonderful experience with and trust as a result, dialed up the urgency and is thinking surgery before we speak makes me more confident that's the right choice. It's where I was leaning already and we will see how it goes tomorrow when we meet, but my guess is I'll be saying "cut me Mick" next week. By the way, on a HF Board related note, Doc #2 will remain nameless but I'll give you an easy hint - he was the kicker for Mack in the early years. I would be the fourth family member he's performed surgery on in the last two years so I'm looking for a family discount...
Congratulations, Vino, and thanks for sharing. This is a classic example of doctors even in the same practice. Good ones, bad ones, and some that have no business practicing medicine. Really pleased that you got a competent surgeon. The Texas Medical Board disciplines virtually no one, and doctors that have killed or destroyed people's lives are still practicing (the anesthesiologist that turned a routine minor surgery for the young mother of two into rendering the patient a vegetable). I had hoped when Bill Archer's kid left as head of that agency that things would improve, but apparently not.
Good to get on with it, Vino. If the ultimate better course is surgery, then the sooner the better. Based on my experience with tendon surgery, I think you'll face a short period in a cast. Mine was 4 weeks, then 2 more weeks in a boot on crutches, before I could put normal weight on that foot. You'll learn to hate the knee scooter! Just remember - it has a short wheelbase, a narrow track, and a high cg (especially with your body weight very high). Translation - it tips over very easily, so take it easy. And do get something to pad the hub on the back wheel where your good foot will contact it, otherwise you'll be continually scraping that heel on your good foot. Hope all goes well - keep us posted!
Saw Doc #2 this morning and after imaging and exam we are going to surgery next week. After speaking with him I am incredibly comfortable with and confident in the plan. Post surgery is a splint for a week and then start a walking boot for several more after that, so crutches and knee scooter will be out the door sooner rather than later, which is also a good thing. Thanks again to you guys for the advise and well-wishes.
Hey fellas! All went well. Surgery was smooth - doc said the ends of the tendon looked like mop heads but he was able to get them reconnected with good tension. The pain meds have been helpful but I’m trying to back off of them as they always mess with my GI, this time included. Pain is actually pretty manageable now on day two post surgery, the biggest issue is figuring out how to **** and shower. I go back on the 17th and should get this huge split off and start the adjustable boot for 10-12 weeks. All in all a tremendous success so far, and I appreciate all your advice and good wishes!
By the way, you probably figured it out but I’ll tell you Kris Stockton is my surgeon, and for all the good he did on the field he’s multiplied that in practice. Amazing guy, and so thankful to have him working on me. If you’re in Central Texas and ever need a foot and ankle specialist I can’t recommend him enough.
Good to hear all went well, Vino. Follow the doctor's instructions - he knows his business. I share your concern on pain meds - my surgeon sent me home with Tramadol (I call it "Damn-it-all" and it makes me sick to my stomach). I got a scrip for 800mg Ibuprofen - the pill is about the size of a football, but it moderated the pain without causing the GI issues. Keep us posted on your progress.
Back to work today, from home as has been the norm since Covid. Pain is negligible and the main issue is just mobility. Looking forward to Thursday when I have the follow up visit. Hope to get out of this splint and into the walking boot, which is the doc's plan as long as things are proceeding according to plan. I'm sure there will be pain walking in the boot but that cost will be greatly offset by the benefit of setting the scooter and crutches aside, being able to use the waterproof sleeve to take a real shower, and maneuver the toilet more effectively.
Vino, glad to hear it went well. Apparently you got by with just a repair of the rupture, and you're getting a pretty quick recovery. I wasn't so lucky - the surgeon had to disattach the tendon, file down the bone spur, clean out the embedded fragments, then reattach the tendon. So i got a six-week recovery before I could put weight on the foot. Follow the doc's instruction in recovery - it will be worth it in the long run!
