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An accident, now 30 years ago, crushed my lower right leg. 5 months in the hospital, 2 years before I could walk on it in a brace, and to many surgeries to count. They saved it, and I actually performed at very high levels until a couple years ago. I kept getting ulcerations, and the pain became very bad. Still, I kept functioning, in a physically demanding field.
The problem was diagnosed as osteomyolitus. Caused by the large amount of hardware, now buried inside the healed fractures of the tib fib, and the now fused solid ankle. Two months ago, it crumpled on me. A searing flash of pain, bad enough to cause vomiting, when I put lifting weight on it. The doctor told me that I won't be working on the thing anymore. My choices are rather limited. 4 separate surgeons agree. I can manave the pain and inflammation with drugs, and limit physical activity on it, wearing a brace when up on it for periodz of time, they can go in, pretty heroic surgery, clean out the dead and dying bone, and remove what hardware they can, or amputate.
So far, I bave been with the pain management program, as the surgery, either way, is financially prohibitive. And I no longer am working because of this, so there went my health insurance. However, continuing like this is certainly becoming more than a financial strain. It's quite painful, some days being worse than others. Its a real hammer and anvil feeling. I have applied for disability benefits, and once I have some sort of income I can decide whats the best option on surgery. Either one is as bad. Except one way I can keep my leg. The surgeons, all save one, want to go the latter route, and are confident they can alleviate the issue and save the leg, one is adamant for amputation, to the point of being absolute and even crass.
It's a tough position. Has anyone else had a similar issue with an old serious injury coming back to haunt? Any insight would be welcome. I have some hard calls to make. What a mess....
NV, I am so sorry you are having to deal with this.
I do not have personal experience, but what you are going through sounds similar to what happened to my aunt. She had a bone cancer near the knee. The cancer was removed and a rod inserted that left her with a permanently straight leg. She also had problems with ulceration. For a long time she resisted amputation. As she put it, she had "grown quite attached" to her leg and was reluctant to give it up. Eventually, she gave in and had the amputation. She was much happier afterwards.
I would want to know what the risk would be that an attempt to save the leg would fail or possibly make the situation worse, ultimately leading to amputation anyway. If the surgeon doing the procedure is experienced and optimistic about a good outcome, that might be the way to go.
Getting approval for disability benefits can be difficult and take a long time. Enlist the aid of your doctor to see if the process can be expedited.
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