Deborah Salter is a 51-year-old recruitment director and mother-of-one from Sunbury-On-Thames, Middlesex. Mrs Salter suffered a Lisfranc fracture dislocation after falling down the stairs.
Her injury was undiagnosed until she came to the London Foot and Ankle Centre where she was assessed and treated by Mr Mark Davies, Clinical Director.
Describe your problem
I got my heel caught in the edge of a step at work. I went flying forward but my left foot stayed exactly where it was, resulting in a mid-foot break and two dislocated bones.
At first we didn’t think there was anything seriously wrong as two x-rays I had at my local hospital didn’t show anything untoward. I took a few days off work as I couldn’t walk on it. We really just through it was badly bruised, but the swelling never went down completely.
As a result, I ended up walking around for another five months with a broken foot which hadn’t been diagnosed. It later transpired that my local hospital had done the wrong type of x-ray, so it was no surprise that they hadn’t picked it up.
Why did you choose fusion surgery?
I was still having problems months after the fall when Mr Davies was recommended to me. After my first consultation, he immediately sent me in for the right x-rays and got to the bottom of the problem.
Once we knew what was wrong, Mr Davies went through the options available to me and explained how fusion surgery would be the best way of repairing my foot and getting me back to normal.
Mark clearly explained the details of the procedure and documented what the long-term prognosis would be. This meant that I could decide to undergo surgery equipped with everything I needed to know.
How did you feel straight after surgery?
I had a two-and-a-half hour operation under general anaesthetic and I won’t pretend that I felt great. I was actually a little tearful to begin with. But Mr Davies assured me that this was a normal reaction in many people so it’s nothing to be concerned about.
And the first three months post surgery?
Mr Davies had thoroughly outlined what was going to happen following the surgery and how it would take up to four months before I could walk again properly, so there were no unpleasant surprises.
For the first two weeks after surgery the foot was up and totally rested. Then during the rest of the first three months after surgery it was set in plaster of Paris and I was getting around on crutches.
When the plaster came off at the end of the three months, I was surprised at how well the scarring had healed. Apart from a very white foot, there were virtually no signs that I had had surgery.
Three to six months: physiotherapy and weight bearing
You definitely need a good physio after this kind of surgery and I went to a fantastic guy locally who I trusted.
The best thing was that he and Mr Davies were on the same wavelength in terms of what I needed during that period so I was basically in the hands of two professionals I trusted completely.
During the fourth month after surgery I had to wear a hard boot, like the ones you see professional footballers wearing following a foot or ankle injury, but after that I was able to follow a structured exercise regime and build up the strength in my left foot again.
Six months and beyond
Time is a great healer and slowly but surely I got back to the position where I could start running again. Now, just over a year after my operation, I can even play hockey again.
My objective was to get back into high heels which I did about nine months after the operation. That was a great feeling, although I was tentative to begin with. Now I am just more careful on stairs!
What would your advice be to anyone considering fusion surgery?
Make sure you talk it through thoroughly so you are in possession of all the facts such as how long it will take you to get better, what you can expect during the recovery and so on. Also, think of the long term prognosis if you don’t have surgery.
If you do have surgery, make sure you get a good physio and that your consultant and physio are in agreement about the best course of action following the operation.
