It's been over 2 years since my last post, which means it's been almost 4 years since my re-do surgeries of the HyProCure implant. I'm still extremely pleased with the results. My husband and I welcomed our first child in Oct 2017, and I was able to run 3-4 times per week throughout most of my pregnancy (up through 28 weeks). My mileage had dipped down to only 3 miles or so, but it was great to be able to maintain a good level of fitness throughout my pregnancy last year. During my maternity leave (and my husband's paternity leave), we spent over a month with our newborn living in the Lake Tahoe area. I rebounded quickly from pregnancy/childbirth and was able to go back to snowboarding, skiiing and running with no pain.
I still haven't gotten new orthotics made, as there just isn't a reason to prioritize that doctor's appointment with everything else going on in life. The good news is that it isn't painful at all, so my HyProCure implants must still be in place.
I welcome more new comments and discussions on this blog. I appreciate hearing from all of you; its great that so many people want to use this blog as a medium for sharing their stories, too. Best of luck!
MY HYPROCURE SURGERY EXPERIENCE
ReplyDeleteAugust 7, 2019
DAY OF SURGERY
A little over a year ago, I had the Hyprocure surgery on my left foot done by Dr. Robert Chelin of Toronto.
I documented my left foot surgery below (scroll down, I added them in the comments):
https://hyprocureimplant.blogspot.com/2014/12/which-brings-us-5-yrs-later-to-dec-2014.html
These blogs will document my right foot Hyprocure surgery.
Note -- 13 months after my left foot surgery, my foot is fairly solid. However, I have the odd “ping” of pain.
This doesn’t slow me down, however. No limping, and isn’t persistent. The sensations move around my foot and can be easily worked out. In fact, it’s better when I’m actively walking.
I’m 55, so I understand that healing will take longer than someone who’s younger. Or maybe it’ll stay this way. Even if it does stay as it is, I’m still glad I had the surgery.
Prior to my left foot surgery, my knee was a real problem, and while there’s still tenderness occasionally it’s 90% better. 55 years of damage due to misalignment is not Hyprocure’s fault.
Okay, back to the right foot! My surgery was on August 7, 2019. For more details on the experience of the surgery itself, see my left foot description in the link above.
The surgery price went up – to $4,500Cdn – yikes! I have no benefit plan, but was able to claim it on my taxes last year, and will do the same this year.
First, I want to spend a few minutes on how I “prepped” my home to help me after surgery. A friend came with me the day of, and stayed over night. But I live alone, so most of my recovery will be on my own.
Getting up and prepping breakfast is the toughest time, as my foot is stiff. I take pain meds before I get up, but it still takes a bit for them to kick in.
Some things to do to prepare:
-- Organize your kitchen “stuff” into one area so you’re not running from one end of the room to another to get a fork, for example. Your counters may be cluttered for a few days, but who cares.
-- I made some fiddly breakfast items in advance. Very handy for the first couple of days.
-- if you’re navigating stairs, organize so that you only have to downstairs once and upstairs once a day
-- Prepare a knapsack to carry with you. I carry my phone, computer, earthing cords, medications, or anything that I might want quickly
-- Have some easy meals planned for the first couple of days
-- move small garbage containers closer to where you’ll need it
The surgery for my right foot took about an hour. Dr. Chelin tried three sizes of stents, size 5, 6, and 7 – and settled on 6, which is the same as the left foot. I had a local anaesthetic, and watched a movie with virtual glasses as they did the surgery – surreal!
Went home, foot frozen, and was able to walk (limp) right away, putting strong foot ward, and shuffling the surgical foot behind. My friend and I ordered Thai food, so I’ve have leftovers and an easy meal the next day.
I took a Melatonin / Passionflower combo (Genuine Health Sleep+) plus a Valerian and went to bed early with the Velcro boot, and slept well.
DAY 2
ReplyDelete(first full day after surgery)
Dr. Chelin’s office called today to see how I was doing. I’m walking reasonably well (heavy limp, leaning on furniture sometimes, but no crutches).
The mornings are the toughest. It’s as if you’re learning how to walk again – need to be mindful, strong foot first.
I am very appreciative of how I organized my kitchen!! Dr. Chelin said ice, ice, ice – and I did, foot up and with an Earthing patch. Stayed quiet most of the day.
Appreciated the Thai food leftovers! Made for an easy meal.
That day, I took 3 anti-inflammatories with meals, plus 400mg of Advil during the afternoon. A friend did some energetic healing for me – slept really well.
The right side of my foot between my toes and the scar is numb. The bandage doesn’t appear to be cutting off circulation. Keeping an eye on that.
Looking back, I think some of the anesthetic was still in affect the day after. Because… on Day 3…
The second full day after surgery was the hardest. It’s almost like the anesthetic has finally worn off or something.
ReplyDeleteThat’s ok, I wasn’t surprised by it. This was my experience with the left foot as well.
Before I got out of bed in the morning, I eat a bit of cheese, and a hard boiled egg to take with the anti-inflammatory.
Then I got up a half an hour later and my foot was stiff. Holding furniture, but could shuffle along until the pain meds kick in.
In the morning, have a little bit of swelling by the inside heel, but it comes down when I put ice on it. I don’t stretch the foot, but I move and flex my toes.
I still have the numb feeling on the outside of my foot. But the colour of my foot is okay. Occasionally I feel a slight prickling there, so I think it’ll work itself out.
In the afternoon (between anti-inflammatories), I took 400mg of Advil.
After all the activity of the past couple of days, things are sinking in… and so is boredom. I stayed quiet at home, and iced, iced, iced.
But when I got moving, the pain was quite manageable. I minimized my walking, and I’m not going outside, but it isn’t too bad.
I also think that I’m not as scared of the pain – and I’m less afraid of damaging my foot. So that helps I think, knowing what to expect.
In the late afternoon, I had a huge wave of tiredness … so I napped for a couple of hours.
Slept well that night. Onto Day 4!!!
DAY 4
ReplyDeleteThe third full day after surgery. Have my morning routine down, it’s getting easier.
Slight improvement in the pain in the morning. But ready to regular shoes? Um, no. And I certainly wouldn’t want to be “out” anywhere.
I feel a bit of pain on the outside of my foot, where the ligaments are in a new position. But this also happened with my left foot, so I’m not worried.
Other than that, it feels like a sprain, with a lump on the bottom of my foot.
This morning I noticed that the numbness in the top of my foot is gone, which is a relief. I also had a sponge bathe today, and washed my hair in the sink.
As an aside, I’m also sleeping inclined – you can read about that by searching inclined bed therapy.
I’ve been sleeping inclined for a few months, and it’s improved my sleep tremendously. It’s also been known to improve circulation as well, so I wonder if that’s helped with the numbness.
Today, I’m sitting outside, still icing regularly and getting some work done on the computer.
DAY 5
ReplyDeleteSlow improvements, getting easier. My kitchen is still a mess – though very conveniently organized to minimize walking!
On day 5, I noticed a sharp pain on the outside of my knee when I moved in a certain position.
That is, when I bent my right leg to put over my left knee, when putting the Velcro boot on or off. Or when I’m in bed, and put both legs up, knees bent, as I roll on my side to sit on the end of the bed to get up.
So it’s this lateral movement of the leg (when bent) that triggers this sharp pain.
It feels like it goes into the joint. But I don’t have joint issues (other than alignment) so I suspect that it’s some muscles or tendons shifting, now that my foot is positioned properly.
The main reason I’m doing Hyprocure is my knees… so the knee has been “turned in” for decades.
So I’m not worried, but will keep an eye on it.
DAY 6 - and FIRST FOLLOW UP
ReplyDeleteOn Day 6, I had my first shower in the morning! Quite the logistics… using a shower boot, and a stool to sit on. Like last time, I waited for a while to have a shower, just to minimize any damage to my foot.
The trick is getting my foot through a small hole in the shower boot, without twisting it the wrong way. Not hard, but you have to sort of force it through.
That afternoon, I saw Dr Chelin for my first follow-up. As this was my first “outing”, I inserted a cool pack into my Velcro boot for the trip.
The “cool pack” is a small, oval pack with thick fluid in it, that you freeze and use to ice wounds. In this case, it was something that I was given when I got IPL laser done on my face a year ago, which causes a bit of swelling.
It’s come in handy, when I’m on the move and don’t want to lug around frozen peas. Highly recommended if you can get something like this!!
Dr. Chelin cut off the bandage, sprayed and cleaned my foot gently, and added what looked like a small square of gauze soaked with iodine to my surgery wound.
There was no bleeding of the wound or swelling, it looked good. Then he carefully put the supportive bandages back on in layers.
First, a more sticky supportive tape, which held my foot at a 90 degree angle. Then soft gauze in small pieces and tape around my ankle and over the scar. Then a bright blue elastic bandage that held it all together.
Dr. Chelin put on small pieces of bandage (rather than wrapping around in one piece) he said, so that the bandage wouldn’t tighten up and cut off my circulation. He also left a bit of space on the top of ankle for comfort.
I have no swelling on the top of my foot. I have slight swelling and bruising on each side of my heel, but it’s not painful and I understand that this is normal.
I told Dr. Chelin about my knee pain, and he said that it was probably a tendon connected to the bone adjusting.
After my post-op appointment, I did a small grocery shop in the same mall. Walking very slowly, and holding on to the shopping cart! I would not have wanted to be out any longer than that, as I felt fragile walking. But the pain level was not bad at all.
That night, I decided not to take any more anti-inflammatory and now stick to 400mg doses of Advil when I need it. Still sleeping well, with the boot on.
Sometimes, I move just my toes, scrunching them, then stretching them out. I realized that part of the pain was related to my small toe tendons. But I don’t do any other stretching.
I was a bit sore and achy last night, but I figured this was because I had an active day. The knee pain is still there (only when I move in a certain way), and there was some new tension in my Achilles. I had this also with my left foot.
I take 400mg of Advil, go to bed with my Trusty Velcro Boot and sleep well.
DAY 7 + 8 + 9
ReplyDeleteWhen I woke up, my foot was achy, more than other mornings.
I had a sharp-ish pain on the outside of my foot, which was different than my left foot experience.
But it was also the first night without anti-inflammatories, so I figured that it was a good indication of where I was really at.
After I got up and moving (and took 400mg Advil), it loosened up. I also did some toe stretches during the day.
As yesterday (Day 6) was an active day, I’m going to take it easy today, foot up and iced.
Took 400mg Advil in the afternoon, and before I went to bed. Not a lot of pain, but this makes it easier walking.
On DAY 8, there was a slight improvement. The pain on the outside of my foot in the morning lessened. Woke up, took 400mg Advil. Had a fairly routine day, showering was easier.
And that night on Day 8, I slept without the Velcro boot… progress!!
Repeated it all on DAY 9… it’s easier each day.
My knee is remarkable. The pain I had before surgery (sitting, standing up, down stairs) is completely gone.
But I do still have a bit of the tendon pain in my knee joint, where my knee is now back in a straight position. I only feel it when I have my leg bent, and foot up.
I also have a bit of tightness in my calf muscles... but no achiness. It just shows that my foot is in a different position.
Still no way I’d put shoes on, or go for a walk outside (I could, theoretically but I know it’s painful if you step on something uneven, so I'll do this later).
And there’s still a slight swelling on the top of my foot, compared to my left foot. Very slight.
I still ice quite a bit during the day with my foot up, and get bored and tired later in the day.
But I’ve begun to put my kitchen stuff away that I had out so that it would be easier to reach. And I’m almost back to my usual routine around the house.
It’s not painful really, I could push myself further. But I’m cautious. And I do not want to do this again, so I’ll wait a bit to stretch and "go for walks".
DAY 9-16
ReplyDeleteThe pain that I had in my tendon around my right knee is now gone – whew. As is the sharp pain on the right side of my foot.
I’m now down to 200mg Advil each morning, just as things are loosening up.
Still walking with the Velcro boot, though I don’t use it at night. And still icing when I can.
There’s a bit of swelling on the top of my foot. Nothing alarming. On Day 13 I went to my second follow-up appointment with Dr. Chelin.
He removed the bandage and replace it. On Day 13, I could walk with a slight limp, putting each food forward.
Dr. Chelin said that I was doing well… and to be careful. Next week, the stitches come out.
No stretching or walking yet, just stretching the toes.
It’s easy to get around the house. But I still rely on others to take me shopping as I can’t drive. So I’ve been shopping on my day of follow-ups.
Improvement is very slight each day. I want to walk faster… a good sign. But I do have to watch that I don’t twist a certain way, or move my foot laterally.
As I write this, I’m on Day 16. So far so good!
How are you doing after year of surgery ?
DeleteHello, overall, I am extremely happy with the results.
ReplyDeleteI still have a bit of stiffness, but not pain. I gently stretch the fronts and back of my feet, rolling the ankles and I’m fine. Occasionally I get a little “ping” in my left foot, this was the one that was in the poorer shape.
The left foot took longer to heal, I’m glad I did that one first. The right foot felt completely normal after 3 weeks (though I still babied it a bit) – but no pain walking.
The most interesting thing is what this has done for knee, hip and neck/shoulder pain and overall alignment. I had a knot between my neck and shoulder for two years, nothing would help. It was constant. And also had bad psoas spasms and deep muscle pain.
A few months after my second foot was done, the neck knot was still there. Then one morning I woke up and the knot was gone – but I had pain in the opposite intercostal muscle. The pain took three days to go away, it was like I bruised a rib.
Then the intercostal muscle pain went away and the knot in my neck never returned – even a year later, nothing.
For me, this means that it really has shifted my alignment, which was my intention, especially for my knees, which I noticed immediately. There was an adjustment for a couple of days then I was fine. And I can still go downstairs with no problem – before I used to have to hang onto the rails.
Highly recommend this! Do your research. Make sure you’re working with a Master Surgeon. Do be patient, don’t push it, it’s not a miracle cure. If there’s a set back, don’t give up. Take your time.
See if you can get it covered (I couldn’t, I wish, but it’s worth checking). However, I did claim it on my income taxes and it was accepted (medically necessary).
Good luck!
Hi Ann,
ReplyDeleteThank you first of all, as your blog was one of the reasons for me to make a decision to take up hyprocure.
I did my first one, and confused on when to take the second one.
It has 7+ weeks now, since I did my first surgery (right foot), and I can clearly observe the need to get the second surgery as well, as I watch my body realigning itself.
The right side's knee pain, and hip pain have dimnished to amazing levels. Uneven shoulders are still there a bit. The right foot is on & off with mild dicomforts which goes off after a bit of walking.
My question and concern is - how soon is too soon for getting the second surgery? And more importantly, I want to know your experiences after getting the second foot surgery? Which side pains more (first foot or second foot)? Is there anything I need to prep myself for considering I will be standing on one leg (the recently operated right foot) for sometime? Going for the second one in 7 weeks - will it cause issues to my first one? Or delaying too much will cause issues? What is the right balance of time gap?
Looking for experiences especially in this between transition period, because I definitely have heard bad reviews later on from people who especially never did surgery on the second foot. So, I dont want to be that guy for sure. So unable to take a decision on the timing.
Looking forward for your reply.
Hello –
DeleteI’m not Ann, I’m Karen, but posted my story on her blog above, so my post is just above this one. It was Ann’s blog along with some others that helped me do my research.
I am 57, had pancake flat feet, bad knees and alignment. Got both feet done.
My surgeon (Dr. Robert Chelin, Master surgeon, Toronto), is a very cautious guy. His wife was the first to receive Hyprocure in Canada (he did the surgery) years ago, and she did both at once. He said “I do not recommend that”.
So now, he recommends for all patients that they wait a year between surgeries.
So that’s what I did. I found the first one took longer to heal, but we knew we were doing the “worst foot and knee” first. The second one… I had zero pain at three weeks. Brilliant.
Personally, I tend to be cautious generally and very patient and compliant. I would not have wanted to be hopping around on my foot just a few weeks after surgery. Dr. Chelin even warned when I did gentle yoga, to be careful and I was.
I also noticed both immediate and gradual alignment shifts. Knees, hips. A knot in my shoulder that I could not get rid of is still history. That happened a few months after the second surgery. It was slow, subtle but profound. No regrets.
Of course, I’ve also heard many stories where people get their second foot done sooner. So weigh it all and trust your instincts and your doc’s experience.
Best wishes with it!
Karen
Hello and thanks for reading about my journey! Disclaimer: you should consult with your doctor before making any decisions. But, in my experience, it is absolutely okay to do the second foot within 12 weeks of your first foot. In fact, with some Google searches online, you'll see that with some patients, they will often do them within 6 wks of each other. I, too, had a master surgeon do mine, and he was fine with me waiting 12 weeks or less. Especially if you're already seeing benefit from doing your first foot, I don't see any benefit in waiting to do your second foot - you should speak to your doctor about it. I'm really glad you're seeing so much benefit already!
DeleteGood luck!