This is going to be quick and I'll write more tomorrow night .... (very long day)
My dr. appt. with the STL surgeon went okay today. He agreed that I should pursue more ortho opinions at the same time we are looking at anything else nerve related. The EMG/NCV test is the test that I've done twice in the past; can do it again, but probably won't show any change. Normally a nerve disorder is not something that suddenly appears after surgery; he really thinks we'd had seen it surface before now if there was a nerve issue.
He is calling two doctors in Dallas and I'm calling two doctors (checking on appointments). I called my two as soon as I made it back to the car in the parking lot and got two appt.'s scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9th. Need to see if we can line up at least one more for either Oct. 9th or 10th. The goal is to get "fresh eyes" and see if two agree on something else that should be tried. He did say that we may hear nothing new or something totally fresh just don't know, but we both thought it was worth trying. All parties know we are not left with many options or at least it seems that way at the moment.
E-mailed Chicago and updated her tonight ... she e-mailed back right away and suggested that I visit a placed called Baylor Motion and Sports Performance Center (a state of the art gait analysis lab) in Baylor, Texas. Dr. P couldn't believe that she remembered this tonight, so maybe someone else was praying at that moment! This place is exactly what we need ....
The center conducts research into the link between orthopaedics and the movement of the body to improve treatment, therapies and sports performance by analyzing three-dimensional computer assisted motion analysis. The laboratory uses a 12-camera motion capture system, force platform, electromyographical system, six-degree-of-freedom electrogoniometer and foot pressure measurement system.
The lab also can produce electromyographic recordings, which provide information on muscular activity. The reports indicate which muscles are being fired and how strongly they're being fired. The lab synchronizes all the data gathered along with a digital video into a 3-D skeletal reconstruction and model of movement in real time. The results are presented on a simple interactive CD. A clinician can then manipulate the skeletal image in 3-D space, while simultaneously viewing the digital video or the graphs detailing the joint angle, velocity or athlete's acceleration. It can show any movement, including how and when the toe strikes the ground, how the pelvis rotates or the shoulders sway.
It is pretty high tech! We are going to check in the next few days on what it takes to be seen there & if this could be done on the same trip to consult w/the other doctors. Pray that if I'm supposed to get an appointment, that it will happen in a timely manner. The gait test must really be worth doing, because the Chicago surgeon is really trying to find somewhere to have it done.
I was pleased that I was able to schedule w/two Dallas docs so quickly this afternoon. We are going to do an MRI of the foot in St. Louis soon, so I can take these films with me.
Our big, first day at JA today was a bust due to a good ole' water main break in Chesterfield ... no potties and no kiddos! We rescheduled for next Wednesday, but there were 58 really upset kids today.
Hoping to finalize more details tomorrow or at least learn soon whether or not it is an option to be seen at the Baylor gait lab. Thanks for praying today ... a few new doors opened and you've gotta be thankful for the good positive things.
"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me." John 14:1
je
1 comment:
I am so psyched about the new possibilities on the horizon! The Docs in TX, the Baylor lab...perhaps THERE'S a new thing to try! You spouted off like six $10 words in 1-3 paragraphs...pretty impressive! Seriously...you may know more about foot, ankle, and leg anatomy than a lot of doctors and podiatrists! Sad, but true! Any-hoo, kind of cool that the lab has a Christian connection, being Baylor-related and all...perhaps there will be a few "angels" to run into down there! Glad your Chicago doc is still so proactive in your case, though her options for resolution are spent! Good ideas are sometimes the fresh ones we continue to seek if we are persistent....and THAT you ARE! I do have to tell you, too, that the 3D study that you described kind of reminded me of the (ahem) "study" that our friend J had... Ha! Tell her next time you talk to her b/c she'll laugh. We've had a LOT of laughs over that "dynamic" study she had years ago! Here's to dynamics of the body...no matter WHAT system you refer to! Hugs! L Jo
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