So after the CT scan & further X-Rays, the diagnosis was;
a fracture of the medial corner of the 1st metatarsal, fracture at the base of the 2nd & 3rd metatarsals, fractured lateral cuneiform & a split in the base of the 4th metatarsal. Subluxation (partial dislocation) of the 2nd TNT joint & the 3rd TMT joint was significantly fragmented. Other spider fractures in the surrounding bones were evident but not significant enough to require treatment other than the immobilisation in a cast which will happen anyway as a result of the surgery etc.
I had the operation on Friday April 15th 2011, it took a little over three hours & consisted of various procedures including a fusion (with bone graft) of the 3rd TMT joint, open reduction of the 2nd metatarsal with fixation & further closed reductions of the 1st, 2nd & 4th metatarsals with fixation. This was performed under a general anaesthetic, with a sciatic nerve block administered from the knee down.
I came to & didn't feel too bad initially, although I was under serious pain relief, morphine, cocodamol, ibuprofen in fact I just went for everything that was offered to me ! Surprisingly I was discharged the following day, but after going home early in the afternoon, I was readmitted later the same evening due to extreme swelling, loss of feeling in my toes & alot of pain. The cast was split down the middle to allow for the swelling & I ended up staying in a further 24 hours on strong pain relief until things had settled down.
On discharge from hospital for the 2nd time, I was told to continue with the daily heparin injections, painkillers (cocodamol & Ibuprofen) & complete rest with elevation for a further two weeks.
I'm lucky, I have family around me who were willing to let me stay with them & look after me. Thank god, because the first few weeks that followed the op were not only incredibly painful but extremely upsetting. What no one can prepare you for is the emotional upset, frustration & anger that you will feel as a result of the pain, loss of independence, inevitable boredom & dare I say it slight depression that sets in.
