I’m Giving Foot Pain the Boot!

It’s a beautiful, sunny, slightly windy Saturday morning in Central Texas. I’m sitting on the patio watching Dale put a new coat of protective stain on the wood under our patio gazebo . My leg is propped up with a large, uncomfortable therapeutic boot on. I had plantar fasciitis surgery on my left foot three days ago. My right foot was fixed back in 2020. Hopefully, now my feet will have no issues!

I clearly remember when my arches gave up. It was the last week of boot camp in August 1986, at Paris Island, SC. If there is one thing Marines do, it’s run. We run in the morning, we run in the afternoon, we run in the sun, rain, snow, whatever. We run in running shoes and in boots. For almost 13 weeks I had no issues with my feet, but our last run, which was the longest, caused severe pains that stopped me in my tracks. Every since then I’ve dealt with arch problems on and off. But not any more! God willing.

Dr. Jeff Cohen in Round Rock, Texas is my podiatrist, and I really like him. We tried several things with my right foot before having surgery, but when I went in for my left foot, after five months of non-stop pain, I told him I wanted some cortisone to get me through our Hawaii vacation, then if I’m still having pain, I want to get surgery ASAP, and that’s what we did. The MRI confirmed my diagnosis but it during surgery, he found that my fascia was pretty much “shredded”.

Now I’m in a boot for the next few weeks. I have an incision on the inside of my foot near the heel. It’s not too painful. Some doctors do endoscopic surgery, but not Dr. Cohen, he opens it up. This also allows him to fix any other issues that may need fixing. He’ll inspect the incision at my post-op appointment on Monday.

I’ve been wearing the boot nonstop, even to bed. I expect that after Monday I’ll also be able to sleep in a “night splint” which is like a boot but a bit more maneuverable. It’s not easy sleeping in this bulky apparatus. The key to success is to keep my foot in a flexed position, rather than pointed, so that the fascia heals with plenty of flexibility and length to prevent further damage and pain. One positive aspect is, since it is on my left foot, I think I’ll be able to drive. Last time I couldn’t, but it was COVID time and no one went anywhere anyway.

I’m already tired of sitting around. Thankfully though I have a husband is is willing to wait on me. He’s taking great care of me for sure. My friend Cheryl also brought us some of her delicious signature cake, a Kahlua Cake, and a book to read.

I’m very glad the Lord has blessed us with the ability to have this surgery. I think we are nearing our deductible. I should get all my health procedures done this year!

UPDATE: It is now one week since my surgery. My checkup went great on Monday. I was given the greenlight to shower without my boot on and to sleep in the night splint rather than the boot. This makes such a big difference. I will have my stitches taken out in 10 days.