Floating Bone Fragment, Dilemma......

Since July I have had a nagging foot/achilles problem. I saw a specialist here in Chicago and he thought it was one of two things. Achilles Tendonitis or fluid in the Bursa. The tendonitis would result in PRP injections and the bursa would involve cortisone. The only way to differentiate between the two would be an MRI. I had an MRI 3 weeks ago and had my appt today. It was neither. About 5 years ago I had a surgery on my achilles because they were torn and my heel need to shaved. The MRI showed bone fragments around 11mm in my heel that were never cleaned up, on the exact spot where I have all of the pain. The only way to correct is surgery.

Dilemna……

  1. My wife and I are due with our first child at the end of the month, which makes it difficult to schedule surgery.

  2. If it’s just bone fragment that needs to be removed it’s a 2-3 week full recovery.

  3. If he finds that achilles needs be unattached and reattached to remove the fragment, it’s a 6-8 week non weight bearing and much longer recovery.

If I chose to have the surgery it will need to be after the baby since for the sheer fact that it can be anytime that I have to go the hospital.

The doctor also told me that I can’t make this injury any worse by being active. I will just have to deal with the everyday pain that will be there. That Masters National Championships are in August in the Chicago-area (15 min drive from my home). If I can’t make it any worse, should I just say screw the surgery, have it in the fall and try to compete this outdoors season? The odds are after the surgery I will probably have to be done. 4 knee surgeries, 1 achilles surgery on the left foot and 2 on the right is probably a sign.

Thoughts? Ways to effectively train? Just looking for an open discussion and a “what would you do?” answer.

Thanks everyone!