Holiday Greetings to all of my esteemed colleagues.
I have a young active professional man (30’s) who has had a long history of
wounds and numerous surgeries of his feet due to results of congenital
tethered spinal cord. He finally elected for a Symes amputation on the worse
of the two feet about six years ago and has done very well with a
prosthesis, while continuing to suffer difficulties, wounds, surgery, and provision
of several orthoses on the sound side, many of which have been cumbersome
and none of which has completely resolved his issues with his remaining
foot. He is now considering elective amputation on this side, but is on the
fence, wavering back and forth over pros and cons.
My question is: Have any of you encountered similar cases, and would
these individuals be willing to communicate with my patient regarding their
decisions yea or nay regarding amputation leading to bilateral Symes, and
outcomes? It’s one thing to hear an opinion from your prosthetist, but to be
able to exchange ideas and opinions with an individual in similar
circumstances is golden.
I could post replies if requested.
Thank you for your consideration.
Barry Steineman, CPO/L
Toledo, Ohio
