Bilateral C-N Bar Coalition

I went to the podiatrist for the first time this week. Well, I took Red Rocks to the podiatrist, but it was an educational experience for me, too.

Red Rocks has complained of sore feet and ankles for years. YEARS. When he was about six, he was dragging himself around the house by his arms. When a friend asked him what the heck he was doing, his response was, "My legs are loose." I've never been able to take this child seriously when it comes to pain or illness.

For the longest time the Hunny has said, "Put your shoes on! Wear shoes and your feet wouldn't hurt!" Then we moved away from Florida, where we were all barefoot all the time, and to a land of cold, where we wear shoes all the time. Red Rocks feet still hurt.

So FINALLY (someone give me the mother of the year award for waiting this long to take it seriously, will ya?) I asked the doc to send us somewhere to have the ankles checked out. Lo and behold, there really is something wrong with the boy's feet.

See the title of this post? That's what's wrong. Here, I'll give you the technical version:

What is a Tarsal Coalition?

A tarsal coalition is an abnormal connection that develops between two bones in the back of the foot (the tarsal bones). This abnormal connection—which can be composed of bone, cartilage, or fibrous tissue—may lead to limited motion and pain in one or both feet.

The tarsal bones include the calcaneus (heel bone), talus, navicular, cuboid, and cuneiform bones. These bones work together to provide the motion necessary for normal foot function.

Tarsal coalition is a condition most often caused by a hereditary defect that occurs during fetal development and results in the individual bones not forming properly. Less common causes of tarsal coalition include infection, arthritis, or a previous injury to the area.

I found this wealth of information at Foot Physicians. The C-N in my post title refers to the heel (C) and navicular (N) bones. The N is at the top of the foot. Bar means that there is a bar of bone joining the two bones, rather than a joint, meaning limited flexibility. Pain.

Poor Red Rocks. In pain all this time

The solution? Initially orthotics, or a plastic shoe insert made to fit his foot. Also, a new pair of shoes. Very expensive athletic shoes. Not cheap Shoe Carnival sneakers. The orthotics aren't cheap either. Oh, and physical therapy to teach the boy how to walk correctly. He walks on his heels, with his toes pointing to the sky.

Just changing his gait and getting new shoes has made a huge difference. In one evening the pain went away. Taking the shoes off and standing for five minutes brought the pain back.

What happens if this all doesn't work for Red Rocks? Surgery to remove the bone bar and insert something between the bones to keep the bar from growing back.

*Sigh*

I'm ready for a stiff drink and bed.

Until I write again ...

Flea