Watch What You Ask For

Two weeks ago, Dr. Scott said Mary would get a true walking boot at her next appt. Mary REALLY wanted one so she could take a shower, not have to sleep with something on her leg, etc. so she was nervous he would change his mind and wouldn't give her one after all.

At her appt. today, they cut off her cast and we found a sore at an old pin site. It wasn't there 2 weeks ago:

Old pin site

They took x-rays of her foot:

close up of bone wedge- the darker part. The top has healed more than the lower part.

Then we talked to Dr. Scott. 

• He wasn't too concerned about the sore at the old pin site. 
• He said she would get a walking boot!!! 
• He said she could swim but that means getting in the pool not really playing around. 
• He said no bike which she had been curious about but that going for a walk was ok. 
• He also said she could wear a regular shoe around the house but we have decided to be cautious and stick to the walking boot just in case. 
• We go back in two more weeks.

Then off to get the walking boot we went. They pulled out the exact same one a girl we know who is Mary's age has but it was too big so she ended up with a Pediatric walking boot. It's not too obvious BUT it does have a giraffe on the side. Mary was thrilled to have a real boot initially because she wanted it so bad but both of us were disappointed by the Pediatric boot. It does look "babyish" with the giraffe on it which bugs Mary. I offered to duct tape it or something but she isn't interested.  To me it symbolized the whole problem we were trying to fix this time around...her left foot is not an average size for an 11 year old. We think she has it for only two weeks and I know we will both survive but we were both disappointed.

Giraffe on the side

She did thoroughly enjoy taking a real shower tonight so like all things there are pros and cons...

8 plate incision- week 6

bone wedge incision finally out of a cast- week 6

And I reminded myself I the real goal was to make her foot straighter which would be nice. Gaining size is an added benefit. (Although Mary and I really want her little foot to get to a women's size 5/kids size 3...I don't know if that's realistic or not since before surgery it was a kids size 13...)

Pin Removal and Walking Cast

We saw Dr. Scott on Tuesday (4 weeks after surgery) and:

• they cut off Mary's cast

1st cast - from surgery

unveiling of the pin

• took x-rays of the 8 plate in her knee and the pin and plate in her foot

8 plate

pin and plate

• pulled the pin from her foot (Mary was dreading this part but she did great. She said it was fine and it just hurt a little bit afterwards.)

the pin

• she can now bear weight so they gave her a walking cast and

Dr. Scott held her foot to get it in as much of a 90 degree angle as possible

Yes, she chose the exact same color combo. It was the "cast guys" 1st time doing 1/2 stripes but I think she has started a trend

The little cast show so she doesn't slip

She can walk without crutches once she she can do it

• she was so happy to be able to walk and get her independence back!!!

By the time I got home from work she was outside without crutches practicing volleyball!

• We go back in 2 weeks and she will get a walking boot after all! She will be so happy to be able to go swimming!!!

Post-Op Appt.

Exactly 2 weeks after surgery (Mon. April 28) Mary had her post-op appt. with Dr. Scott. Luckily, it was one of those appointments where everything we were expecting and hoping for happened. 

She had x-rays taken and Dr. Scott was very pleased with the progress. As a result, they cut her cast down below her knee. This allows her more mobility and independence so she returned to school on Tuesday.

It doesn't seem that she lost too much range of motion in her knee but she starts Physical Therapy again on Friday.

8 plate in knee to help straighten her leg and stop knock knee

Side view of 8 plate in knee

Bandage over 8 plate incision site

 8 plate Incision site, 2 weeks after surgery

Cutting cast below knee

Ton of stuffing under the cast

Side view of pin in foot to straighten her foot (it will be removed in 2 weeks) and the plate that is going to help make the bones level

Top view of pin and plate in foot