musculo/skeletal deformities resulting from strokes

[ccsail]

Yes you are right.. "sounds to good to be true". My mom had surgery for both her arm and leg. Tendon release's for her arm to help with the spasticity and repositioning surgery for her foot so it would not drop and a titanium metal rod in her wrist of which we never spoke about prior to surgery. This was in September 2004 with Dr. Keenan. Prior to surgery she was walking with the typical limp/drop foot but was at least confident walking without help from me. Since this surgery everything really went bad. She tried to do all the therapy and did for about 6 months afterwards but the pain was just getting to much for her. She is on the Maximum dose of vicodin everyday and I have to take 1/2 day off once a month to take her to the pain management clinic and practically beg for another month prescription. I am a 45 year old single female and now because of this surgery a full time caregiver. I am fortunate to work from home but have to go into the office once a week. I don't know how long this job will last. I am afraid to leave her alone even to run to the store. This past summer she fell on one of the days I had to go into the office and did not call me because she felt bad for bugging me. She laid on the floor all day..

 

After surgery I tried to get help from Dr. Keenan and their only suggestion was more surgery. I don't think the Doctor has any concept of the amount of permanent pain and damage is done by this surgery. I have taken my mom to a specialist at UCLA in the neurology dept and University of Chicago neurology dept. Neither one can understand how to help and send me on my way to deal with this myself. My mom is so young at heart I just can't image putting her in a home due to this surgery. The worst part is that it was my idea. I have lost all motivation to do much. I am stuck taking care of her and there is no help anywhere. She watches tv all day and the only time she is getting out is when we have to go to the pain management clinic. All this and I have to maintain a full time job because there is no one else to "bring home the bacon".. Sometimes it seems so unfair ..

 

Anyway.. My suggestion would be to definitely talk to at least 5 people who are free from pain from this surgery before you jump and think this may be the "dream come true". If I can answer any other questions feel free to email me. I will try to get back to you..

 

Cindy

 

[ccsail]

I forgot to explain in the above reply that she lost all ability maintain stability. She has no balance and ever since the surgery in 2004 she always feels like she if going to fall. It is so sad that a human hand did this to her and I stood by. She has never been able to walk like she did prior to the surgery. My mom had a stroke 1992 and is 67 today. She had a left side artery occlusion which resulted in a completely paralyzed right arm and a drop foot limp up until the surgery where she walks like she is going to fall at any moment.

 

Cindy

[ccjjr21]

As many of you have been very helpful, I wanted to give you an update on my father and the surgery. Reminder, he had the stroke 10 years ago and has had paralysis on his left side, with slight mobility through out his left leg.

He had the surgery in late November, it was a apparently a major surgery. Dr. Keenan, went into the ankle, knee and hip. He was originally supposed to be "in house rehab" for a week, though they kept him for three weeks. When he got out he was able to walk and do stairs. He is getting around good, though no noticeable improvement from before yet. He has minimal pain, but that could be because he hasn't had much feeling in his leg since the stoke. He went today to get the cast off and now will be in a brace 24/7. He is doing outpatient rehab a few times a week and we are all just waiting to see what the results of the surgery will be! It has been a lot of work for my dad, as others have said, he had to teach himself how to walk again, extensive rehab. I just would love to see it pay off!! Until then we will keep our fingers crossed!