A very anxious Natalie and I made our way to Dr. Anderson's office today. And Loree tried to keep us sane and on task, although she was feeling it too. After all the paperwork and mini meetings, Doc A finally came to meet with us. Coming here today, we thought we would have a few choices. One being, fuse the sesamoid tomorrow, back to the courts in 4-6 months. Remove the sesamoid, possible career ender. Or the third being, let it try to heal on its own, in the future deciding to remove or fuse.
After hearing what Doc Anderson had to say, we had to regain our senses and regroup. In a good way! He doesn't feel that the sesamoid is cracked in two, he thinks she was born with them that way. therefore they are just inflamed and the area too. Possible, small stress fracture or fractures. At first, he suggested that we "boot" Natalie for six months and see if it heals. After which if pain is gone she would be good to go. If not healed, he would remove the sesamoid. If the latter, 4-5 months healing and good to go....sooo possible a year off the court.
After my head cleared of the confusion. I asked about the fusion procedure that Dr. Reed mentioned to us in Seattle. Once I did, Doc started to explain and agreed it would be a great approach to Natalie situation. So, here is what is going to happen. Tomorrow, Natalie will go into surgery. Dr. Anderson will take a small part of Nat's heel bone....probably the size of a half of a penny or smaller. And he will use it to make a bone graph to the sesamoid. She will be splinted for two weeks, or until stitches are removed. After which she will begin "wiggle" exercises. She will be four weeks no weight bearing. Followed by four weeks in a boot. Then into a shoe. If Natalie chooses, back onto the court in bout 3 to 4 months to being light workouts.
Although this procedure has not been preformed often, he success rate is 19 out of 21. Last year Doc Anderson preformed this very bone graph on a professional baseball player and track runner. Both with excellent results. He has been the pioneer of this procedure and has presented his findings for professional review. We feel this procedure is worth the chance we are taking. It would be far better for the health of Natalie's foot....for her lifetime....to repair the bone and leave it. Verses removal, which she would still be able to play but it could cause other issues in her foot.
I hope that is clear as mud! In short, we are confident that tomorrow's procedure will give Natalie the best chance of her foot healing to where it was before the injury. A lifetime with a healthy foot.
Again ....I ask for your Prayers for Natalie, Dr. Anderson and his staff! Love and Blessings....Sherry!
