Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #9

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Hey Everyone!

I hope you all are well! I apologize for not writing for so long, but since starting up again with State Street Ballet things have been so crazy busy!! It has now been 8 weeks and 4 days since my surgery. These past few weeks we have been rehearsing for our performances of An American Tango, which is mainly a ballroom/musical style show. I have been taking company class every morning, rehearsing all day and teaching at night, while trying to make sure to rest my foot whenever I can. Once again, my advice remains the same to anyone working back into dance from an injury; and that is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! There are some days when I feel great and I take the whole ballet class (jump, turns, etc.), while there are other days that my ankle feels more swollen and sore, so I sit out of center in class.

Since I last wrote, my ankle has been healing nicely and this past weekend I did my first performances since surgery. I had my 8 week checkup with the doctor last week and they said everything looks great and that I am tracking ahead of schedule. I have decided though to take my doctor up on the physical therapy offer in hopes that it will only expedite my healing and open doors to receiving ultrasound, massage, electro-stem treatment etc. in order to minimize the buildup of scar tissue. I start going to physical therapy this week.

Fortunately, this week I have off from rehearsals at State Street Ballet, so I can rest my foot some more. Next week we start up rehearsals for Taming of the Shrew, which I am slightly nervous about because it is ballet, as compared to American Tango, which I wore character heels the whole show.

Os Trigonum Syndrome-An American Tango performance

The two Sam’s in our Ziegfeld Follies costumes for An American Tango.

 

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Wearing pointe shoes 8 weeks post-op

Put my pointe shoes for the first time a week and a half ago! Didn’t feel too bad.

I am so thankful for all the support from my family and friends, but most of all to the Lord for answering all my prayers and healing me quickly!

Thank you for all your continued support. I still have a lot I’m not able to execute well yet, but at least I’m on the road to almost being back to my normal self.

Until next post,

Sam

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #8

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Hi Friends!!!!

I am sorry it has been so long since I wrote last, but it has now been over a month since my surgery! Officially one day shy of five weeks! Let me move back to last week at my four week checkup with my orthopedist…

My doctor first checked my ankle and wiggled it around a little bit and asked where the scar is because it’s barely visible! Haha yay! He then had me go on demi-pointe as high as I can and said that it looks good.

The verdict for the next 4 weeks is as follows:

-Doc said yes, it is still inflamed, thus I have to continue to take it “easy”

-Start walking without the boot and see how it feels in tennis shoes (I told him I had already been doing this for about a week before my appt. and he said that it was fine, as long as I wasn’t in pain –> he is right though about easing into wearing tennis shoes because it does still bother me, considering it presses in on the incision)

-Start walking and work my way up to a couple miles (I was able to do 1.5 miles the first day)

-Start easing into exercise and ballet classes (He gave me some exercises to do at the gym, such as the squat machine thing)

-He told me to not completely get rid of the boot. Any time I feel pain or my foot is swollen, I need to wear the boot. Overall, he told me to really ease into everything and that this pain is NOT a pain I should work through. Listen to my body and take it slow. He also said that I do not need physical therapy because the exercises I have already been doing with my foot are what a PT would have me doing.

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Incision 5 weeks post-op

Incision at 5 weeks post-op! It’s amazing how small it looks, yet how painful it is!

All dancer’s and athletes can relate to how frustrating it is to have your mind fully ready and motivated to do something, but physically your body just will not let you! I’ve been feeling that way a lot this past week, especially because things were going great the first couple days after the appointment with my doctor and then suddenly the past few days have not been good. Immediately after my appointment I went to the gym and walked on the treadmill, then attempted my first ballet class back that evening. I was extremely surprised at how well that ballet class went. I got through all of barre and a couple combinations in center. My foot really does not point nearly as far as it used to, which is so gross for me to watch haha! I discovered what things make my ankle hurt, including arabesque with my right leg up, plies, and quick releves. I took my second ballet class the next evening and like the class before, I just did barre. This class went extremely well and I felt pretty confident in my ability to get back to my old ballerina self in no time. Then, I went bowling with my friends the following evening. Of course, I have to hurt my ankle while bowling instead of while doing ballet. I accidentally went on releve sharply and felt a pain at my incision. My foot was swollen for a few days and I have been wearing the boot any chance I get. Fortunately, through rest, ice, and wearing the boot, the swelling has gone down and I am back to exercising. I wanted to write about this because this was my first major obstacle in this recovery period. I have been constantly healing and improving so quickly since surgery, then suddenly I just feel like it all stopped this past week. I have been feeling very frustrated and worried about my ankle improving.

Luckily, today I took pilates and was able to get through class pretty well. Tonight I will try ballet again. It’s hard having a deadline in my mind of when I want my ankle to be fully healed and realizing it is not my mind’s choice, it is my body’s choice as to when I heal. I am supposed to start dancing with State Street Ballet next Tuesday as we prepare for our performances of American Tango in LA on September 21st and 22nd. I have already agreed to be ready to perform by these shows and I expect to be able to! Trust me though, I really have been listening to my body and understand the importance of allowing this injury to heal properly. This is my number one priority.

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Incision at 5 weeks post-op

Here is a closer look at the incision….5 weeks post-op.

Thank you all for your continued support!

Much love,

Sam

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #7

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Hi friends,

It has now been 3 weeks and 1 day since my surgery and I’m getting restless. This week has had lots of ups and downs. Last Saturday I had a mini breakdown after seeing 2 ballet performances in 2 days….I saw a LOT of my friends from Anaheim Ballet and State Street Ballet and of course, all of them were asking about my injury and how everything is going. Saturday night at the performance, I wasn’t feeling like my usual self. I felt tired, sick of talking about my foot, and overall, withdrawn. I got in the car with my mom after the show and just started crying! I had no idea why, but then I realized this was me finally feeling all these things I had kept under wraps those couple days. It was hard seeing these shows…the worst feeling in the world as an athlete/artist is having to sit on the side lines helpless, while you watch your friends get to do what they love. All I want to do is dance and my patience is slowly dissipating with my recovery. Also, my friends are so sweet and concerned about my foot, but I really was sick of talking about it. I hate having to talk about how much I feel like I am backtracking in my ballet career, instead of getting to talk about possible great things I could be doing if I was able to dance right now. The joys of developing more patience! Luckily, those emotions passed and I am doing much better today. I have not been wearing the boot much at all this week…I only wear it when I walk long distances, so yippee!!!!

I can easily do ankle circles, but there is still a lot of difficulty in pointing and flexing my foot, as well as doing plies and going on demi-pointe. I continue to try and work through these barriers but it gets very frustrating at times. My ankle is in a little bit of pain today, so I am planning on icing it later.

Accomplishments for the week include:

-Walking without the boot more

-Getting through a Zumba class in my living room with my mom! (Well, it was an extremely modified class for me :))

-Took an aqua class at the gym and made it through almost the entire class!

I’m not a doctor at all, but doing workouts in the pool seems to really help me fulfill my need to stay in shape, while not placing much weight on my foot. I hope to continue taking more aqua classes in my recovery!

The incision is scarring and doing so very nicely!

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Incision at 3 weeks post-op

This is my incision 3 weeks post-op! Healing nicely :)

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Incision at 3 weeks and 1 day post-op.

My incision at 3 weeks and 1 day post-op.

Thank you all for your support! Looking forward to my doctor’s visit on Tuesday, so I will hopefully get the OK to get back to dancing!

xoxo,

Sam

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #6

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Bonjour!!!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far! So, it has been 2 weeks and 2 days since my surgery and I am feeling excellent :)! I apologize for not writing in awhile, but I have been doing so many fun things this past week! I find that each day my foot feels better and better. My mobility has improved tremendously and I am able to write the alphabet with my foot over 3 times in a row! Yippee!!!!! Through this experience, I have really realized the importance of appreciating the little improvements…it really is a day by day journey. Each day I hope to improve upon the last…it can be something as little as just being able to do my alphabet exercise one more rep than the day before, but regardless, it is important to value any improvements no matter how small.

In the past week, my incision is forming into a scar and there is still some bruising/tenderness around my ankle, but it is going down a lot. I am rarely in pain when I walk. In the past few days I have graduated to walking around my house like normal without the boot on. “Like normal” meaning that I can walk heel, ball, toe and put my full weight on that foot. I feel that in a couple days I will be able to walk without wearing the boot. I can go on a very low demi-pointe, but I do feel weakness in my ankle when I do that. I really feel blessed at how fast my ankle is healing.

I still have a week and a half until my next doctor’s appointment, so I’m just continuing to do ankle flexibility exercises and working my way out of my boot until then. I’m praying that at my appt. they will allow me to start trying ballet class. I did sneak in a tendue combination (right side only) yesterday when I saw my fellow State Street Ballet dancers perform in Redlands, CA.

Here are some pictures of things I have done in the past week!

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Knott's Berry Farm at 12 days post-op

Visiting Knott’s Berry Farm with my mom at 12 days post-op

 

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Visiting the OC Fair 13 days post-op

I went to the Orange County Fair with my mom at 13 days post-op. I did too much walking that day, so I was really exhausted that night!

 

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Seeing State Street Ballet perform, 15 days post-op

State Street Ballet was performing in Redlands, CA (only 45 min away from my parent’s house) so I got to hang out with my fellow dancers all day, watch class, and watch the performance! 15 days post-op

The highlight of my week had to be reuniting with my ballet company in Redlands. I felt like I was back home, but it was bittersweet watching everyone dance and not be able to. I did some stretching and ankle exercises during their class and am excited to get back to dancing soon! It was also a great learning experience sitting as an audience member watching everyone perform….very inspiring and uplifting!

Here is the progress I have made with pointing my foot!

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Plantar flexion at 7 days post-op and 16 days post-op

Woohooo!!! My point is almost fully back to what it used to be! Left picture is 7 days post-op and right picture is 16 days post-op

 

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Incision at 5 days, 11 days, and 14 days post-op

The evolution of my incision:
Top pic is 5 days post-op, middle pic is 11 days post-op, bottom pic is 14 days post-op.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported me in this recovery process and prayers are much appreciated! Blessed with all the amazing people I have in my life!

-Sam

 

 

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #5

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Hi Everyone,

It has been a week and two days since my surgery and I have noticed a lot of improvements in the past few days. I am now walking around in the boot no problem….my foot is always sore in the mornings, but as the day goes on it becomes looser and less painful to walk on. I have been able to stand on both feet without the boot, in order to take a shower. Also, I’m not sure if my doctor wants me to yet, but I have been able to walk extremely short distances without the boot (very carefully, i.e. to the kitchen from my room). I am gaining more range of motion in my ankle and have been writing the alphabet with my foot a few times a day, although it is pretty difficult. I still feel pain around the incision and when I try to flex my foot I feel a big pull on the incision.

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Plantar flexion 7 days post-op

This is the most I can point my foot, taken at one week since surgery. Biscuit foot!Os Trigonum Syndrome-Dorsiflexion 7 days post-opFlexed foot 7 days post-op.

I have been doing a lot since Wednesday this week, maybe more than I should be! I went to Disneyland (in a wheelchair), walked around the mall, walked around Downtown Disney, and saw an Anaheim Ballet performance. My word of advice for others having this surgery is to be sure and listen to your body. A couple times after walking for a long distance, I have felt feverish and extremely fatigued…be sure and allow yourself to rest!

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Disneyland trip 6 days post-op

Disneyland! 6 days post-op

My incision is healing nicely and is pretty much fully sealed.

Os Trigonum Syndrome-surgery incision 8 days post-op

Os Trigonum Syndrome-surgery incision 8 days post-op

 

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Incision 8 days post-op

Incision 8 days post-op!

Thank you all for caring to read my blog posts! Have a wonderful day :)

xoxoxo,

Sam

 

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #4

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Greetings!

Today I had my post-op appointment with my doctor and they said that everything is looking great! I wasn’t feeling well on the way to my appointment because we had to drive from my parent’s house in Orange County up to my orthopedist in Ventura and the drive was a little long. Also, I think I was having a panic attack, which I tend to get on occasion. To be honest, today was a pretty hard day and I had read in friend’s blog about her experience with this surgery, that it is very important to bring someone with you to the post-op. I now know why and I am so thankful both my parents went with me. I think the reason it is important to have someone with you on this day in particular is because it is the day EVERYTHING finally hits you. I have been feeling so strong, but today it was like a wave of emotions completely took over my body.

Here are some things the doctor told me/did today:

-First, they took off the bandaging from my ankle and I got to see my incision for the first time! For the past few days the top of my foot has been itching and bothering me…turns out I had red bumps all over that area due to an allergic reaction I must have had to the bandaging. No big deal though!

Incision 5 days after extraction of Os Trigonum

First time seeing my incision! 5 days post-op!

-Doctor told me that there is almost no swelling on my ankle and that the bruising is healing nicely!

-I no longer have to have any bulky bandaging on my ankle….BUT! I soon realized when leaving the office in my boot, that it is more painful walking around without this added padding.

-I am allowed to shower and get the incision wet!

-I need to continue wearing the boot for 3 more weeks until my next appointment. In 3 weeks, they will start having me go to physical therapy and attempting to walk without the boot.

-Doctor told me to start trying to write the alphabet with my foot, in order to prevent my ankle becoming stiff.

Overall, they said the incision is healing well and things are looking good. I am so thankful for everyone’s prayers and love! Things are looking up!

xoxo,

Sam

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #3

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Howdy Y’all!

I apologize for not writing the past couple days! I have been extremely tired and not feeling very well. It has been 3 days since my surgery and so far, I definitely feel the best today. Unfortunately, I have a pretty sensitive stomach, so it has been my tummy that has been bothering me more than the pain in my foot. I woke up in the middle of the night on Friday feeling really nauseous and didn’t feel well the rest of the day. I stopped taking my pain medication (Norco) because I could tell that was what was upsetting my stomach. Also, I haven’t been eating very much so that adds to the nausea. Fortunately, I woke up feeling great today and have been eating almost normal meals!!! I was able to take a bath, although it was a little difficult and put makeup on…I finally am feeling like a girl again.

 

Icing my left foot, after excision of the Os Trigonum! Lots of sitting around...

Icing my left foot, after excision of the Os Trigonum! Lots of sitting around…

 

Bruising from where my IV was during surgery

Bruising from where my IV was during surgery

My parents say that the swelling in my foot looks like it has gone down a lot. I am getting around better in the boot; it’s definitely still painful but not as bad as the first couple days. It’s frustrating because like most dancer’s, my feet twitch A LOT when I’m falling asleep and I’ve woken up a few times so far with pain in my foot because my toes point! I wish I could stop my foot from pointing in my sleep!

I AM REALLY SICK OF LYING AROUND! Haha…I feel bad saying this because it has only been a few days, but I am tired of lying around. My bed isn’t comfortable, the couch isn’t comfortable, nothing is comfortable. But, I did sit outside last night next to the fire pit and it was really nice getting some fresh air and sitting up. Today, I think I am going to attempt going out to Target or something, but we shall see!

Overall, things are looking up. I am so thankful that my stomach doesn’t hurt today and I am very surprised that I am not in more pain.

Thank you all for your love and support!

Much love,

Sam

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #2 (Surgery Day!)

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Greetings awesome people!

So…I survived surgery! Hooray! I am so glad it is over, but I am already tired of lying around. Thank you all for your amazingly gracious, kind words and prayers for my surgery. I have been blessed with such an outpouring of love and support…it truly means so much to me and has helped me tremendously through this process!

My day went as follows:

I didn’t sleep much all night and woke up super nervous! I arrived at the Channel Islands Surgery Center a little before 9:30am, but received a call on my way that my doctor was running an hour behind schedule, so they didn’t need me there till 10:30am. Although this was a bummer, It was great because when I arrived my I got to spend some time outside the center with my super awesome parents and boyfriend cracking jokes. I went and checked in at 10:30am, where I filled out a ton of paperwork and waited for the nurse to take me back to pre-op. At about 11:15am I was taken to the pre-op area, where I was asked even more medical questions, peed in a cup, changed into my hospital gown and got an IV put in. It was nice because I was able to have my boyfriend and mom sit and wait with me in pre-op, which helped eased my nerves.

Getting ready for surgery!

Getting prepped for surgery! Don’t you just love my party hat?

Finally, 3 hours after my surgery was originally scheduled I was taken into the operating room. Before we went in the OR, my anesthesiologist came and talked to me about what he was going to be doing and they put me on an IV of antibiotics. Right before I was taken away, the anesthesiologist gave me some injection of some magical drug and apparently as they were carting me into the OR, I exclaimed, “THUG LIFE!” and threw up the west-side hands haha! After getting in the OR, they knocked me and the next thing I knew I was itching my face, hearing vague voices of my anesthesiologist saying, “Don’t touch your face!” It was itchy haha! I don’t know why? I woke up with a breathing tube up my nose and I felt extremely groggy. All I wanted to do was keep sleeping, but the nurses were trying to get me to sit up so I could change into normal clothes. The second I sat up, I felt really nauseous and they gave me some anti-nauseau drug under my tongue which helped tremendously. Finally, I was able to go home and they took me out in a wheelchair to the car.

Since getting home, I have just been lying down and eating some bread and cereal ( I hadn’t eaten since 10pm last night, so I was hungry!). I don’t feel much pain in my foot yet, but get nervous whenever I have to walk on it, although my doctor said it’s fine. My awesome friend, Julie came by and visited with me, too!

Resting at home, dancer style after surgery.

Resting at home, dancer style after surgery.

Overall, my doctor said my surgery was a huge success and that he didn’t have to do any sort of ligament repair! All he did was remove the Os Trigonum!

Well, I’m going back to sleep! Thank you all for your continued support!

xoxo,

Sam

Os Trigonum Syndrome-Road to Recovery Entry #1

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Hey everyone, my name is Samantha Bell and I am currently a dancer with the State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, CA. I have an injury known as Os Trigonum Syndrome. It is a posterior ankle impingement, in which I have an extra bone (Os Trigonum) that is disconnected from the talus bone. It is this bone that causes the impingement at the back of my ankle whenever I point my toes and causes extreme sharp pains. Through this blog, I invite you all to learn about my injury, my surgery, and hopefully, my successful road to recovery.

Flying high! Credit: Mike Mesikep

Doing what I love! Credit: Mike Mesikep

My story starts back in March of this year….I was performing Beauty and the Beast, when suddenly in the middle of Act II I got a sharp, stabbing pain in the back of ankle. The sharp pains happened about 3 more times in that performance and afterwards, I was pretty concerned. At first, I thought it was my achilles tendon. I have had achilles tendonitis since I was about 14 years old and I was extremely worried that I had slightly tore my tendon. Unfortunately, the sharp pains continued for the following weeks, so I went to my doctor. She said I have achilles tendonitis and to rest (ya, right!). I was pretty frustrated with that diagnosis, so I insisted that I get sent to physical therapy. I went to physical therapy for 2 months about twice a week, but my pain was not getting better. At this time I was still dancing and preparing for our final show of the season, but I really tried to stay off my foot as much as possible. During this time, I visited a different doctor and he said the same thing as the doctor before; it is achilles tendonitis, you must rest, and he prescribed me some Naproxen. Luckily, I was able to talk this doctor into getting me an X-ray, which was where I first realized there is an extra bone at my ankle.

X-Ray of my left foot: Os Trigonum Syndrome

This is the X-ray of my left foot. It is hard to see, but there is a little extra bone at the back of my ankle.

At the end of April, I performed in our last show of the season and magically, I felt no pain during the show…adrenaline and pain relievers, I suppose. By this time, I was tired, frustrated, and upset. I knew there was something more to my injury than tendonitis, but it seemed none of my doctors were helping me or believed me. I started researching, talking to fellow dancers and showed my physical therapists’ my X-ray. I had the most amazing physical therapists and they agreed that I may have Os Trigonum Syndrome and felt it best that I see an orthopedist. After weeks of dealing with approvals and authorizations from my doctor and insurance, I was referred to an orthopedist. At my first visit, my orthopedist sent me to get an MRI. Upon examining my MRI, he confirmed my suspicions that I do in fact have Os Trigonum Syndrome and that is has NOTHING to do with my achilles tendon. But, the process was not over yet. Mind you that during this time I was not dancing  at all and had been resting about 2 months. My orthopedist didn’t specialize in foot injuries, so he sent me to my current orthopedist whom specializes in sports medicine and ankle injuries. At my first visit, he discussed my options: 1. Rest and hope it gets better, 2. Cortisone shots (not advisable because of proximity of achilles tendon), or 3. Operate. I felt confident that surgery was my best option. Of course, I was really upset and definitely had a rough month in coming to terms with the fact that I wouldn’t be able to join my company at the beginning of our season, but I know now that this is what I have to do in order to ever dance again.

So, that is my diagnosis story! It has been a very long process and I am actually super excited to head into surgery and get this bone taken out! Today is my last day before my surgery and I’m not going to lie, I am a little nervous. Fortunately, I have been blessed with such an outpouring of love and support and I believe that I can make a full recovery back to dancing professionally. I can’t wait for this surgery to be done so I can be one step closer to doing what I love again! I have been teaching a lot of ballet and Zumba this week, enjoying all the exercise and standing on my feet that I can before I’m in a boot. The doctor’s said I will be in a boot for atleast 4 weeks, but that can change.

Any words of encouragement or advice are greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading my post!

xoxoxo,

Sam