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Posted 4/25/2016 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I'm a 47 yr old Australian girl who suffers from Chronic Pain +major depressive disorder + anxiety.
(Sorry if this is long but just want to set the stage, so to speak)

My story starts about 8 1/2 yrs ago. I was in the Navy and fell through an open hatch onto a steel deck, left heel hit first, then ankle twisted both sides resulting in a shattered calcaneous and avulsion fractures of the ankle. I had 5 back to back surgeries to fix everything, one of them being a subtalar fusion with bone grafting, which didn't go to plan, I apparently grow bone slowly, so at the 3 month mark when there should have been new bone growth, there was only the tiniest amount which my surgeon said was like fragile coral, so I had to use a bone growth stimulater for a further 3 months and couldn't weight bear and had my boot on 23 hrs a day so a total of six months for that one, (heaps of fun) NOT
But luckily that worked and got the all clear and boot off the day before my 40th.
Unfortunately, although people told me, that a shattered calcaneous is about one of the worst things you can do orthapedically. I was a very fit girl before the accident, I ran most days and competed in the navy's dragon boat team.
Anyhow, as the yrs progressed extra things started going pear shaped.
First my knee then hip then my lower back. Then my mind!
I now find myself with NO inversion or eversion, no Doris-flexion and 30% planter flexion, so my gait is considerably altered
Which brings me to today, I have Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, arthritis everywhere as well as depression and anxiety.

I have an appointment to see a Neurologist mid June to discuss possible sij fusion.
Am wondering if anyone has had this done, was it successful?

And yes! I have tried every other less invasive thing,
From physio,NSAIDs, chiropractic, osteopathic and more.
Am currently on 25mcg fentanyl patch, Prozac and occasionally Valium when the back spasms get too bad.
Any information would be great. So sorry it was a long post.
N
Posted 4/25/2016 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta. Vitamin B (Metanex) helps me. Also could try neurotin. All this helps nerve function or inhibits pain
Posted 4/25/2016 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
If this is for me have tried all of the above over the years, I also see the head of a pain clinic of one of our best teaching hospitals.
Posted 4/25/2016 8:35 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Nic to the CP forum and sorry to hear your story. Since this was a military injury active duty?, I am guessing your dealing with the Veteran Drs? Was your service Australian affiliated and are you there currently or in the states? I apologize for the questions but we have several other Aussies and their medical protocols seem somewhat different so didn't want to suggest something that's not available to you or omit something that is.

As for the procedure your inquiring about you may find anything thats been posted ever here at HW on the subject by using the search feature at the top of this page,right side in blue looking at the screen,enter the surgical procedure and all posts will display. We ask that you don't post on the older thread but rather bring any questions you have back here.

Its not uncommon at all for those who have injury or issues that effect gait for long periods of time to cause other mechanical issues in the skeletal system around and in conjunction to the area. Example:knee injury leads to hip problems due to the favoring of particular knee and applying more weight and work on corresponding or opposite side. I had a profound rt knee injury that led to subsequent partial replacement with many arthroscopic surgerys occurring beforehand. Walked with aids,crutches,walker,braces and profound limp or favoring of the right knee but undue work and stress on the right hip. It was carrying its own weight in function as well as picking up most of the knees work as well. Currently have severe arthritis in the hip with some mechanical issues that cause a good deal of pain and mobility issues.

So I am not at all surprised to see with the extent of your original injury subsequent problems. Lower lumbar back is also a big problem with injury and prolonged pain in the lower extremities. We naturally guard movement when dealing with pain issues and thats always going to cause a good deal of problems long-term,the simple immobility or less mobility and guarding of certain movements.

Its difficult treating CPers who have multiple issues and seems to be the normal for us. I don't think there's one of us here that has the luxury of only one issue. Seems when injury causes a breakdown all kinds of things follow. Depression for instance comes hand in hand simply because we tend to grieve the loss of self and the abrupt profound changes to our lifestyle,the challenges of treating multiple issues at the same time. Having a place to come to such as the forum where people understand and can relate is a wonderful part of dealing with the depressions and can eliminate some of the anxiety of not knowing what is to come.

As for something to try to help with the pain that you have not seem to have mentioned,some of us get excellent results with hydrotherapy. It has been one of the most important parts of my pain management long-term. Its kept me active and relieves the most of the arthritic pain and soreness I have at the end of the day.
Posted 4/25/2016 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks nvrthesame98
Was in service at the time and thankfully our veterens affairs look after my medical procedures, but once you are out you see civilian Drs. And they pay for it, Still living in Australia, it's just we don't seem to have the forums like you guys, smaller population and my initial injury is very uncommon. Tried hydro a few yrs back, only worked a bit. The problem I have is that I can't walk very far, well actually as soon as I weight bear it's V painful, because in my initial accident my heel pad was squashed, so am walking on what remains of my heel, have custom orthotics, but still V bad.
Your right about the depression/anxiety, my pain doc said you can't have chronic pain without depression.
Thankfully my husband is amazing and my kids are adults.
Think I just really need somewhere to go when the daysand thoughts get to bad. Am truely hopeful that seeing this neuro will have something for me.
Thanks :-)
Posted 4/25/2016 11:37 AM (GMT 0)
all the best mate. yeah, the turtle is an aussie!
Posted 4/25/2016 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Anzac Day was good here, can't march anymore but went for a little while to watch me husband March. oi oi oi!!!
Posted 4/25/2016 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum. Remember the little song...the knee bone's connected to the thigh bone...? Well, no wonder when one thing hurts, the next thing starts too!

Complex issues make treatment more difficult, sure. Just look at some of our signatures! As for me, the only thing I won't try again are injections into my hip and shoulder joints. Just because something didn't give me great relief in the past doesn't mean it may not help now. Besides, refusing to try something can now make us look non compliant and we don't dare look non compliant.

Thank you for your willingness to serve your country. Unfortunately, there is no badge that any of us get for living with chronic pain. I use this forum to remind me that I am not alone and to pass along any helpful information I may have gained through my journey. I also use the Depression forum here. It is good to know that others truly 'get it' without having to try to make someone understand.

Welcome aboard, Sailor!
Posted 4/26/2016 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi pitmom
Thanks so much for the welcome.....things like hydro will probably help again once I have my back sorted. For the moment anything brings on pain and spasms.
Your so right about people "getting it"
My neighbour who is gorgeous always was saying in that voice...you know the one....that most people have sore backs to some degree..
I know she means well, but having a sore back and chronic pain are two incredibly different things....and being the super fit A type personality that I was, I probably would have said something like her, I remember a lot of times telling people to suck it up....oh the arrogance of that statement... I think God really does only give you that which you can bear and apparently I can bear a lot 😊
Posted 4/26/2016 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Nic & welcome to the Healing Well.Glad you found us but sorry you need a forum such as ours. Quick question, you mentioned seeing a neurologist in June to discuss surgery. In the states our neurologist do not do surgery, they are not qualified. Do neurologist do surgery in your country? If the answer is no, I would suggest you ask to be referred to a neurosurgeon. They have more experience dealing with nerve issues than an orthopedic.

You asked about anyone having sj surgery & I think we have. The problem is I cannot remember what member had this done. You can use our search feature located at the top & you should find some old posts on this subject. We do ask that you not post on those older threads as we like to keep them off of the main page. There is also a very good chance the member is no longer active here too. Its a pretty tough surgery & not a quick recovery.

Anyway, wanted to pop on & say hello & welcome aboard.

Take care.
Posted 4/26/2016 7:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie
Your right he is a Neurosurgeon, miss spell on my behalf....
Yesterday was not a great day cognitively.
Best Nic
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