My name is Cindy and I am 31 years old. I was born with severe bi-lateral club feet. My first surgery was when I was 3 months old.I’ve been reading some of the stories and they are very uplifting but my story isn’t as positive. I have had 15 surgeries on both feet. My last surgery was about 3 months ago.
I always had problems with my feet causing severe pain but up until I was 14 I did everything and more than most people without any foot problems. Then in grade 9,the doctors decided to perform a triple arthodeasis,which is a fusion of the bones. This stopped my ability to run, jump, skip rope etc. I was still very active in all sports although it was very painful. Even sitting in class and then getting up to write on the board was very painful.
Now I am at a point in my life where I am happy to still be walking. It’s painful and most people don’t understand since due to all the surgeries my feet look somewhat normal, but I have sooo much scar tissue that nothing else will help the pain. My Doctor and I have been looking for ways to alleviate some of the pain and hopefully we will find a solution. But after all of those things, I am stronger and my pain threshold is extremely high. Like I said earlier “I am still walking” and that is great!
I am 32 and had severe bilateral when I was younger and didn’t really have a lot of pain as a child, but as I got into my teenage/young adult, I had more pain after more activity, etc. I try to keep my weight down, etc. I have had 2 children, and being pregnant was difficult, etc. But now, I am having more and more pain so much easier than before and nothing seems to really help. I had heard that the next step is often fusing the ankle and I am just not convinced I want to do that. So, I would like to know what your thoughts are if you have a moment… I have an appointment in 10 days and I am curious what they will suggest.