 What Our Patients say!
These are comments that some of our patients have sent us regarding their treatment at our clinic. They have very kindly given us permission to publish them on our web site for the benefit of other patients.
Surgery for Morton's Neuroma:
Mrs Julie D
I had surgery to remove a Morton’s Nueroma from my left foot six weeks ago. The procedure was carried out under a spinal anaesthetic. I had suffered for some time with the condition which gradually worsened over several months due to running. The conditions worsened to the point were I could not drive short distances without numbness to my 2nd and 3rd toes.
The operation itself took less than 20 minutes with a tourniquet being applied. The spinal anaesthetic meant I was awake throughout the operation but could not feel anything. I was given an ankle block which was extremely effective and I was pain free for almost twenty four hours. I was able to go home within six hours of surgery once the spinal anaesthetic had worn off. The dressing on my foot was bulky and did take a little getting use to (that meant no PARTY shoes for a while!!!!). I was given a special shoe and crutches to mobilize with. I took painkillers for a further twenty four hours but nothing after that. The dressing was kept on for 2 weeks when the sutures were due to be removed. The dressing had to be kept dry and not removed, easier said than done!!!! I was able to put my weight on the affected foot almost immediately although it was a little uncomfortable initially.
Once the sutures where removed, which was absolutely painless, my toes (the ones where the neuroma was removed) were numb but not in a bad way. Having had the sutures out I was able to wear normal footwear, but footwear with a little padding such as training shoes were more comfortable for a short period of time. The scar was tender for a period of several days but once I started wearing normal footwear the tenderness subsided. After six weeks I began running short distances with none of the pain or the numbness to my toes that I had before surgery. I hope now I will be able to complete the Half Marathon I am aiming for without any more pain or discomfort !
Julie D
Bunion Surgery
Mrs PW
I started with painful bunions about ten years ago, but because of other more serious health problems which followed, decided to leave them. Over the last year, however, I started to have very painful, burning shins during the night after exercising or working a nursing shift. Because of my past medical history, I was sent for an X Ray and Bone Scan where the staff recommended that I see Mr. Zubairy as the pain could be associated with my feet. It was explained to me that because of the angle of the toes, I was walking badly to compensate and this could eventually cause knee and hip problems. I was given plenty of information about possible surgery and the opportunity to ask questions regarding the operation and aftercare.
I had my right foot corrected in March 2009. I chose to have a spinal anaesthetic which was a good decision as it can avoid the after effects following a general. I remained in hospital overnight and the following morning the physiotherapist gave me a special shoe and explained the use of crutches and how to go up and down stairs. It is very important to rest, elevate the foot and use ice packs over the following few days. Pain relief was only needed for 3-4 days and the pain block used during the operation was very effective.
After two weeks the large, padded dressing was removed and a bandage applied to keep the tendons stretched so they did not pull the big toe out of line. After this, I started taking more walks and soon began swimming again. It is important to continue wearing the special shoe to stop the toes from bending and to use the crutches for weight bearing or balance. At this stage I found that the muscles at the back of my legs ached because of the shoe making me walk differently. Walking is very beneficial as it encourages bone growth and so helps healing.
After six weeks the shoe and the crutches were cast off and over the following weeks, I found that, although the foot was still swollen, I could walk without the shin pain experienced previously. Comfortable, wide footwear is essential for a few months after the surgery.
After I returned from a walking and cycling holiday I decided to have the left toe corrected too. I am glad to have had them done separately as it was much easier to balance and mobilise. I also experienced a bruised feeling under the toes as I started to use the foot normally, but this gradually wore off as the swelling went down over a few weeks. It probably took about five to six months for the foot to return to normal size.
The second operation also went well and the only change of routine was that the dressing was left on for four weeks instead of two. I had found that a small area of the incision had opened slightly on the first foot after two weeks so this was to protect the area to allow healing.
I am now six weeks on from the second operation and am pleased to report that this has also been a great success.
I am very grateful to Mr Zubairy and his excellent team for all their care and support.
Bunion and Hammer Toe
Mrs BL
Dear Sir / Madam,
Surgery for Bunion and hammer toe
I had surgery for both of these foot problems performed by Mr Zubairy at Gisburn Park hospital. My stay at the hospital was very comfortable and I am delighted with the results of the surgery.
Not only is walking now pain-free but my foot looks so good as well. My only regret is not having the surgery done years ago but I was talked out of it by 'well-meaning' people who said it was never successful. How wrong they were!
I intend to have the bunion on the other foot corrected next year and have no hesitation in recommending this procedure and Mr Zubairy.
Minimally Invasive (MIS) Chielectomy for Stiff Big Toe. Hallux Rigidus
Mrs E H J P
Dear Sir / Madam,
For several years I have had arthritis in my right big toe joint, (Hallux Rigidus). Due to the pain in this joint I tend to walk slightly over to the outside of my foot, this has put strain on the small bones (metatarsals) in my foot and last year I presented with two stress fractures in the third and fourth metatarsals. This was very painful and I was referred to Mr Zubairy at the Lancashire Foot Clinic. The fractures eventually healed but the painful big toe joint remained. Following X-Ray and a further consultation with Mr Zubairy, in which he explained my condition and how it could be treated. I was given the option of having the joint permanently fused or a ‘cheilectomy’, which is an operation to remove the boney spurs from the arthritic joint and thereby reduce the pain and free up the joint. I decided to go with the second option, the cheilectomy. Mr Zubairy explained that he was in the process of introducing key-hole surgery and was hoping it would be in place by the time I was due for surgery.
Following my arrival at Gisburne Park Hospital I was taken to my room by a staff nurse who explained the admission procedure to me and settled me in. Once all the usual admission procedures had been completed I was visited by the anaesthetist, and then by Mr Zubairy. I was delighted when he told me that he would be able to perform the operation using key-hole surgery. He explained the procedure to me and said he would give me a nerve block to ensure I had minimal pain following surgery. I went down to the operating theatre in the afternoon and, following a general anaesthetic, woke up in the recovery room. I had no pain and was soon transferred back to my room and returned to bed with my foot elevated. After eating a light tea and recovering from the effects of the anaesthetic. I was once more seen by Mr Zubairy and I was allowed to go home later that evening. I was given a special shoe to wear to protect my foot (not very glamorous, but certainly effective), general advice on post-op care, and a load of pain killers (which incidently I didn’t need due to the effectiveness of the nerve block)
I was very surprised when I got home at how little discomfort I had. There was virtually no pain and indeed the worst part was the dressing which felt most uncomfortable at times, I couldn’t wait to have it removed and when the time came, 9 days after surgery, I was amazed at the size of the incision, it was so tiny and almost completely healed. I did find it helpful for the first few nights to use a pillow to elevate my foot when in bed.
For the next few weeks I wore some MBT sandals, which I had purchased when I had fractured my foot initially. These shoes are very expensive but, to me, they were worth every penny as they were the only shoes I was comfortable in. I gradually tried some of my other ‘sensible’ shoes and increased my walking to about 3 - 5 miles most days. Today, 8 weeks after surgery, I have worn a pair of shoes with a small heel and it felt wonderful. I am amazed at how quickly I have recovered from the surgery and am looking forward to returning to doing all the things I love, such as dancing and taking long walks in the countryside. I find that, although I am not completely pain free, I can now walk much further, and with much more ease than I did before the operation and as it is still early days I am hoping that, given time, things will improve even more.
Mrs K W
Dear Sir / Madam,
I had surgery to me right foot , to remove a lump about 3 months ago.
I was really well looked after and kept informed throughout the whole proceedure, from pre-op to after care. I was a little aprehensive about having it done with an epidural but found I need not have worried. I would like to thank Dr Zubairy and his staff for their care throughout.
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