I'm doing PT a couple of times a week, which seems to help with flexibilty a little bit. I walk but fairly slowly although it does get better every day. I was fortunate in that the ER I went to the night I injured the foot recognized that it was a severe fracture and told me to stay off it until I saw a DPM within a couple of days. He knew it was Lis Francs as soon as he saw the X-rays. So I've had minimal pain throughout the whole ordeal, which seems to be unusual from what I've read here.
So, to my question: has anyone found orthotics to be helpful? My DPM suggests I get custom ones, which my insurance keeps refusing to pay for (two appeals and one pending now), but I'd like to hear others' experiences with and/or without orthotics. I have an older pair from pre-injury that I stuck in my shoes today because my foot was rolling out to overcompensate for the injury. The difference is pretty amazing - my foot was hurting on the opposite side of my injury because it was rolling out and today I've had no pain there. Of course, as I said, these are pre-surgery orthotics. So I'm assuming those made to my feet now should be beneficial. Has anyone had any luck with non-custom orthotics? Is there any type of shoe insert that you've found helpful?
Another question: does the "tall foot" problem lessen over time? My son has a naturally "tall" foot and it's always been really difficult to buy shoes for him. If it doesn't lace up, then he can't wear it (and even then it's sometimes impossible). Now I have the same problem. I can't get my foot into anything besides the sneakers I'm wearing and a new pair of Easy Spirit shoes ("Storm Surge") that have a velcro strap. Cute but not appropriate for everything. I can't even wear a moccasin type slipper, which is frustrating. I'm in a shoe basically all day because I haven't gone barefoot yet (doctor says I can but I will admit to being chicken!). Does shoe shopping get easier?
Thanks for any replies and I wish the best of luck to everyone here. It really is quite the ordeal to go through, and it's nice to find a place where people understand!
Hi Bree
I read with interest your query with regard to footwear and orthotics once FWB
This is a topic we are currently exploring at the Lisfranc Fracture Club on Facebook - so it would be great if you could 'drop in' and add your advice for our Members, based on your experience over the past 6 years or so
IMO, what Lisfranc-ers want, and need, above all, is to find 'normal' people with personal experience of Lisfranc who can give an insight into what lies ahead AND hope that they will eventually get to a position where the injury can be 'coped with'
>>>> gradually I started to find the right people, through blogs, youtube, forums such as this, and decided to pull together a group of such people to make it easier for new Lisfranc-ers to find the RIGHT sort of info
>>> we would love to have you and people like you 'on-board'
the CLUB is on Facebook - search for Lisfranc Fracture Club
- very best regards & LOOK AFTER THAT FOOT!!
I've worn custom orthotics for many years and usually had them replaced periodically. Recently I was suffering from back pain and spent a lot of money getting twice monthly "adjustments" from a chiropractor. Suddenly realized it has been a while since replacing my orthotics, got that done, and now am free of back pain once more! Podiatrist also suggested 1-4 mm "lifts" that are increased gradually over months, placed in left shoe, under the orthotics (totally invisible) to correct left leg that is slightly but not noticeably shorter than right leg.
Hi Bree
Following fusion with 2 plates, 11 screws & 2 wires left in I was advised to get rocker trainers by my surgeon.
Now nearly 7 months & 2 ops later, I wear Skechers trainers comfortably when out and at home I go about barefoot with a sock on the damaged foot. Pretty sandals are certainly a no no at present.
But to be able to live a reasonably normal life is enough for me.
Just hang in there everybody. It does get easier.