Helen

Helen Crofoot was living a full, active life when a sudden, intense pain in her lower leg began to interfere with her activities. She had been managing arthritis pain, but this new, aching pain felt different. Then Helen noticed that an odd "bump" had appeared on her foot and with came it a pain so severe that she had difficulty walking or even standing and required a cane.

When her pain became unbearable, Helen went to a local foot surgeon in her Maryland hometown who diagnosed her with neuropathy of the lower limb—which runs in Helen’s family—and Charcot disease in her foot. The physician prescribed rest and an orthopedic boot and advised Helen that she would need reconstructive surgery to correct the "bump" in her foot. He explained that if left untreated, her Charcot foot could lead to ulceration and infection, and ultimately require amputation.

Helen postponed surgery, and soon thereafter relocated to Tennessee. As her doctor warned, her Charcot deformity and pain continued to worsen, so Helen visited Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a consultation. The orthopedic surgeon there reiterated her need for surgical foot reconstruction and referred her to Charcot foot specialist Dr. Jeffrey Loveland at the Central Tennessee Foot and Ankle Center.

In developing Helen's treatment plan, it was determined that the best course of action would be two surgeries: one to reconstruct the bones in her foot and hold them in place with a temporary external fixator while the bones fused together, and a second surgery a few months later to insert implants that would hold the bones in place permanently.

It was discussed with Helen that her recovery would be challenging. She would wear the external fixator for several months and must refrain from putting any weight on the healing foot. Helen accepted the challenge with the hope of returning to the physical activities that she loved.

Surgery was performed as planned using the Salvation® 2 Limb Salvage family of products. Helen diligently followed her postoperative instructions, caring for her fixator wires and surgical incisions, staying off the healing foot, and improving her general health with nutrition and prescribed medications.

The healing process was an arduous but steady journey, and five months after her second surgery, Helen can stand and walk comfortably in extra depth shoes, and she can once again do basic activities around the house. Most importantly to Helen, she is back to taking much-loved walks with her husband.

One of Helen's nurses said that the key to her positive results was that she followed her doctor’s instructions and worked hard to remain compliant while healing.

Helen says, "The recovery process was not easy, but I did my best to follow Dr. Loveland’s orders, and I am so very happy with the results."

An update from Dr. Loveland: "Helen's reconstruction occurred in 2019. As of March 2023, she continues to do well, is walking in extra-depth shoes and doing all the activities that she enjoys."