IDK where I first posted it but my DD and I were out covering plants for our first cold snap mid December when I stepped on the rusty nail part of a decorative iron butterfly. It hurt like heck and I couldn't walk very well for a week, but I was assured at the ER that since my Tetanus was up to date to just watch for infection. I did better than that, I cleaned the wound, soaked in Epsom Salts, used antibiotic cream and the wound healed nicely outside.

I have been battling with healing inside but it is healing slowly but surely enough for me to go back to work, and stand for 10-12 hours a day. I swelled but knew it was part of it.

Fast forward to today. My third visit to the podiatrist, MRI, Ceretec Nuclear scan to search for infection in the bone. There were indications but no infection found. I had dodged dangerous Tetanus, but there is edema in the bone marrow fro the assault to my toe bone that only 100% no weight bearing will heal or else suffer consequences of poor healing within 5 years. I will be plaster casted and will have to stay off my foot for at least 5 weeks. Then I am sure PT for the weakend foot afterwards.

Using the next few days before casting to do what needs to be done and hope that things stay "good enough" for at least a month. sigh Wish me luck. I am a hard one to keep still especially when I see things that need to be done. As the temps warm up, I feel badly for the plants in the greenhouse that have no other choice but to stay inside.

OMG Cheryl What a mess. Wish I lived close by so I could help you out. How about an after school project for scouts or church youth group??? Sit, direct, teach and share....win-win

Yikes!!

I got this! And when I don't, I have kind neighbors and friends to call upon. This is not my first one-legged rodeo. Even though it's been 15 wonderful years of no foot accidents, I still know how to maneuver on one leg. I own a knee cart that has many miles on it, if that tells you anything. I have been prepping the house so everything will be on hand so I won't have to venture into that mess called the garage. I am sending my kid's Valentine's boxes out early, washing all the sheets, moved the garbage cans closer to the house, stocked the pantry with among other things, cases of DH's club soda. When I'm done, we won't have to leave the house for 5 weeks! Well, I forgot....there is DH's cyst biopsy, his nuclear stress test and two follow up visits. I am sure the foot doc will want to see me during the healing period to get as many $40 co-pays out of me, too. Oh, and there's the visit to the kind H&R Block lady. Nevermind. We will be just as busy as ever, only slower at it.

you go girl

I'm down for the count now. I am a little sore from using the crutches, my knee is sore from my knee cart. But all will be well. This is just part of it. But the doctor was so rude to me that I gave him the silent treatment while he put on the cast. He said, "Call me if you need anything" then left me sitting on the casting table, both feet dangling, crutches across the room, my belongings in the corner. Who does that?? I am physically able so I jumped down and balanced to get my things together. Anyone else might have been stuck on that table until a nurse came along. I have an appointment with my old doctor who is much far away who will take over mid stream. I don't need to be treated rudely. What's more, I don't need to wonder if he is going to be having a bad day or not. I won't be his victim because someone pi$$ed in his Wheaties.

I've stepped on a lot of nails.... Can totally relate... Sorry to hear about the wound being allowed to heal on the outside....
Those puncture wounds require a special kind of care, often needing to be reopened to allow draining.... Ew.
Not the easiest thing to keep doing, when not so limber....

Scary that you're having bone issues... Never thought of that, I was always more concerned about blood poisoning.

Update: I drove the long drive into the Med Center, and endured the madness of parking and long walk to see my old doctor. Let me back up for a second. My regular doctor didn't like the position of my foot in the cast and was happy I was getting a second opinion. When the doctor saw me today, he said, "Why is your foot in the cast? It's all wrong!" and promptly removed it. He looked at the scans and took more Xrays. He didn't see ANY of what the other doctor saw and ordered a new MRI this time to be read by a Skeletal Radiologist, not just a general radiologist. He mentioned about a joint replacement but reserved comment until the MRI comes back He also told me he doesn't ever speak bady about other doctors, but he says the one I saw was, "mean!" I have known this doctor or 15 years. He has performed suucessful surgeries on me and my DH. I wish I had started out with him from the get go.

So, I am without the cast hobbling around. But I am FREE!! But I am not strong enough to be in in the garden despite our nice weather. Amazing what 10 days does to your ability when you are set in one (bad) position. I will see the doctor again once he gets the results back.

Sending best wishes and good vibrations your way, Cheryl. I hope you have a full recovery for spring garden duties.



ursula

I started a reply and we had unexpected company. Guess I didn't hit send. So scary to think the first doctor was so vindictive as to leave you on the table. That cast could have wreck your foot. Hope you're on the mend soon.

Thanks for all the kind thoughts. I am aching to be in the yard especially on sunny cool days like today. But I think I found someone to spread mulch for me. That is a treat in itself! I am glad I got the yard cleaned up some before casting. I enjoy looking outside from the window. And when I get outside, I make it a point to stay outside a little longer to take a peek at what's waking up. The lawn is greening up and my EE's criunum, amaryllis bulbs are sprouting and budding everywhere. I see that my banana tree is alive and putting out a new leaf. I am happy as I feared being in the ground might have killed her during the freeze. This time of year, she will get TONS of sunshine as the trees have not leafed out yet. Her sister tree is in a pot in the greenhouse.

The pain in my foot woke me up this morning. Yesterday I could walk on it some. Today not at all. You are right Sandi. If the cast in the wrong position did this to me in 10 days I can't imagine what I would be like after a month! Lesson learned. I will from now on go to see my Big Doctors in town and not save the mileage or the trouble. I only hurt myself.

No, that first doctor hurt you. If other doctors know he's mean, he's MEAN!

The final diagnosis is Plantar Plate Tear, probably by the nail . It is a thick tendon and surgical repair hasn't been perfected yet. Doc has recommended PT 2 x week to help my foot protect the tear. No cast. No surgery. I can handle PT.