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brachymetaWHAT
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| Joined: | Thu Aug 27th, 2009 |
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Posted: Thu Aug 27th, 2009 08:00 am |
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hi! I'm new to posting but this board helped me get a lot of info so i figured I'd share my story.
I am 16 and had brachymetatarsia on my forth toe on both feet. I did the external fixtor being my toe was so short.
I had my right foot done on June 29th. My metatarsal reached full length on August 20th but i still have to leave the ex-fix on until Sept 21 because the bone is still coming in.
I only needed crutches for the first 2 weeks and than i was able to walk on it (with the medical shoe) and had no problems.
I was so pleased with the first foots result that i had the my other foot done on August 17th (so i have two fixaors on on at the same time)
This time i needed crutches for about 3 days and now i can walk fine even though the shoes are kinda ugly lol. My second foots fixator is coming off in mid November.
The doctor was excellent so if you need a surgeon in NY i can recommend him and my insurance covered everything. I also have pics and i am happy to answer any questions.
THE SURGERY IS SOOOO WORTH IT!
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numnine60637
Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 27th, 2009 02:19 pm |
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Congratulations brachymetaWHAT! BTW, I love your name (LOL)! I'd love to see your pics if you don't mind posting them.
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
| Posts: | 135 |
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Posted: Thu Aug 27th, 2009 08:16 pm |
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Hi brachymetaWHAT
I also live in NY , can you please post the name of your doctor and where in NY is his office.
thank you
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
| Posts: | 135 |
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Posted: Thu Aug 27th, 2009 08:48 pm |
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BrachymetaWhat
thank you for sharing your experience and yes please post your pictures if you can. thank you
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Brachy_Nisha
Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 28th, 2009 12:05 am |
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Wow your story is sooooo encouraging, this makes me even more excited about my consult next week. I would love to see pics. Congrats on your great results 
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
| Posts: | 135 |
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Posted: Sun Aug 30th, 2009 04:01 am |
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Hello BrachymetaWHAT
Can you please post the name of your Doctor in NY and his contact number
thank you
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brachymetaWHAT
Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:00 pm |
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The doctors name is John Doolan. Hes affiliated with Gramercy Park Podiatry and Midtown Podiatry.
Their website is:
http://www.gramercyparkpodiatry.com/
but incase that doesnt work:
Podiatrist - New York
380 2nd Avenue
Suite 303
New York, NY 10010
(212) 995-1500
Podiatrist - New York
250 West 49th Street
Suite 502
New York, NY 10019
(212) 757-8266
I will try to get some pics up ASAP guys
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rightandleft
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:21 pm |
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BrachymetaWHAT
Thank you, a few people from this forum used him, where do you live in NY.
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rightandleft
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| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
| Posts: | 135 |
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:25 pm |
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BrachymetaWhat
how are you able to get around with two fixators on. Would love to C you pictures
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brachymetaWHAT
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:37 pm |
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| I live in Brooklyn and since my first foot was basically done its not hard to get around. I just walk slower and sometimes if my foot has pain I walk with the crutches (but that is very rare). It all depends on how much you can tolerate the pain but I don't find it to be too much of a burden. The worst part I think is having everyone ask what happened and wearing the medical shoes but that is probably just because of age.
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:40 pm |
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BrachymetaWhat
Is the fixator visible to other people, or it is covered with the sock.
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rightandleft
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:50 pm |
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| Please let us know how are you able to shower thank you
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brachymetaWHAT
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:52 pm |
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| Well they give you a stockinette to cover it which is like a sock so people can not see it but, it is beige and the shoe is black so after a few weeks into the surgery I made my own stockinette with large mens black ankle socks so it blends in better. You can see a bulge in the shoe but its not too noticeable and I put extra padding on top of the screws because they can come through the socks and even the medical shoes.
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brachymetaWHAT
Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 10:56 pm |
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| As for showering, the first 2 weeks preceding both surgeries i could not get the foot wet. For that time I bought one of those shower chairs and sat in the bathtub leaving one foot out and keeping a bag on it in case. Now i can shower normally standing and getting both feet wet.
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
| Posts: | 135 |
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:02 pm |
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| You're allowed to get your feet wet with the fixator on?
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brachymetaWHAT
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:04 pm |
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| Yes after 2 weeks. You're actually supposed to wash it with soap and water after the 2 weeks. I was even allowed to go in the pool with it (in 5 minute intervals LOL)
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:08 pm |
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| can you post a picture before and after surgery if you have one, I wish there is somehow I can e-mail you directly , I am in the process of finding a Dr with whom to go with.
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brachymetaWHAT
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:16 pm |
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I have the pics on my cam phone but i only have pics from before and during because the fixator is still on both feet. I will get them up asap.
And Dr. Doolan does one stage and ex-fix depending on how short it is. I have nothing to say but good things about him. You can call him anytime even for the stupidest questions. Hes a really great doctor.
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:17 pm |
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BrachymetaWhat
Was Dr Doolan able to tell before the surgery how many MM you have to reach and how many days you have to turn the fixator. I am sorry to ask you so many questions, hope you're OK with it. thanks
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brachymetaWHAT
Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:28 pm |
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Yeah its no prob and he tells you everything.
I think he said mine was 2.5cm but don't hold me to it.
He said mine was one of the shortest he has seen and that's why my surgery took a bit longer.
I had to turn the screw 1 quarter turn three times a day (as does everyone he does the ex-fix on) and its so easy I can do it with my fingers. It doesn't hurt at all to turn it.
He will give you an estimate of how long it should take at the consultation and then after the surgery you have to go for weekly checkups and he takes x rays and then you see how much the metatarsal has grown and get a better estimate of how long it will be.
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rightandleft
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:32 pm |
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BrachymetaWhat
Did you see any other doctor or Dr Doolan was your 1st choice. Also how are you feeling now, are you in pain, are you still taking pain meds. Can't wait to C your pictures
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brachymetaWHAT
Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:40 pm |
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I saw 2 podiatrists in Brooklyn when i was younger maybe 13 but i wasn't serious about the surgery than because i was really into my sports. When I decided to do it, my mom found Dr.Doolan. We went for a consultation and booked the surgery right then and there.
I have a very high tolerance for pain so no i only take the pain meds if its really bad.
For the first foot i took it maybe the first 2 or 3 days and for the second foot just the first day.
I only take it now if I am in a lot of pain after walking on it too much.
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rightandleft
Member
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Posted: Wed Sep 2nd, 2009 11:41 pm |
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| Also my concern is the scar, how big is the cut and how big is the fixator. thanks you
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brachymetaWHAT
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Posted: Thu Sep 3rd, 2009 12:23 am |
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| the cut is a little over 2 inches maybe? I am not worried though because its way better than the short toe.
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rightandleft
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Posted: Thu Sep 3rd, 2009 02:34 am |
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BracymetataWhat
thank you for the info, we're all waiting to see your pictures.
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lamya
Member
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Posted: Fri Sep 4th, 2009 04:50 am |
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Hi BrachymetaWHAT,
I have brachys in both feet, Dr. Lee told me that my metatarsal bone is so short so I definitely need a second surgery, thats why I was leaning toward the external fixator.
BrachymetaWHAT, can you please post your before and after picks.
thank you very much for all your help.
Lamya
Last edited on Fri Sep 4th, 2009 05:17 am by lamya |
lamya
Member
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Posted: Sun Sep 6th, 2009 05:33 am |
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Hi brachymetaWHAT,
I sent Dr. Doolan an e mail and was surprised to receive a call from him the very next day (isn't he amazing or what..), he is very nice and was so patient to answer all my questions, he explained to me why if the toe is too short to use the external fixator even though he can do one step surgery not exactly but similar of Dr. Lee's ( he uses a dead bone graft instead of taking a piece of bone from the heal like Dr. Lee)), I'm going to send him my x rays for evaluation and then we will talk again to discuss my case.
I felt very optimistic and comfortable about the external fixator which I might highly reconsider that option.
brachymetaWHAT, how do you feel now, did you have any complications or unbearable pain??can you please post the before and after pics.
That you very much for all your help.
take care.
Lamya
Last edited on Sun Sep 6th, 2009 05:47 am by lamya |
leepodiatry
Administrator
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Posted: Sun Sep 6th, 2009 08:21 am |
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Dead bone , cadaver bone, can be used in instances where the length on bone used is less than 1 cm. Otherwise the risk of non-union does statistically rise causing what is known as a non-union of bone. I used cadaveric bone during the 1990s, but stopped using it because of several cases ended with non-union or delayed union. Those non-union patients required a repeat surgery where a heel bone graft was used and they healed successfully and within 8-10 weeks. Most brachymet cases require lengthening of at least 1.5cm to 2cm, therefore the use of cadaver bone is not recommended.
Hope this info helps you make the best decision for yourself.
Dr. Lee
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rightandleft
Member
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Posted: Sun Sep 6th, 2009 03:18 pm |
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Hi Lamya
When you spoke to Dr Doolan did you discuss with him if at your age the healing process is longer or any different.
Do you have brachy on both feet. thank you
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rightandleft
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 2nd, 2009 |
| Location: | New York |
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Posted: Sun Sep 6th, 2009 08:44 pm |
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Hi BrachymetaWhat
How many times a day do you turn.
we're all waiting for your pictures thank you
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