IN West Mifflin Fall 2019 | Page 6

After bone bone surgery, Joan Joan is is walking pretty pretty Joan Murdick Murdick had had lived lived with with a a painful, painful, arthritic arthritic big big toe toe Joan (hallus rigidus) on her right foot for three years. She (hallus rigidus) on her right foot for three years. She couldn’t wear wear shoes, shoes, only only fl fl ip ip fl fl ops. ops. “If “If a a shoe shoe touched touched couldn’t the top of my toe — any pressure at all — it increased the the top of my toe — any pressure at all — it increased the pain,” she said. When it began to throb and ache — even pain,” she said. When it began to throb and ache — even when she she was was lying lying down down — — she she went went to to Jeff Jeff erson erson Hospital Hospital when for surgery. surgery. for Dr. Ryan Ryan McMillen McMillen fused fused the the big big toe toe joint, joint, eliminating eliminating the the Dr. problem. “He “He is is the the greatest greatest surgeon. surgeon. It It was was a a piece piece of of problem. cake,” she she said. said. “After “After surgery, surgery, I I went went home home the the same same day. day. cake,” And now now I I can can wear wear shoes!” shoes!” And For six six weeks, weeks, Joan Joan followed followed Dr. Dr. McMillen’s McMillen’s instructions instructions For precisely. She She kept kept weight weight off off her her foot foot and and then then progressed progressed precisely. to walking walking with with a a boot. boot. Five Five months months after after surgery, surgery, she she took took to a European European cruise. cruise. She She walked walked 47 47 miles miles in in three three weeks, weeks, a wearing wearing sandals, sandals, with with no no trouble trouble at at all. all. * * “It was was fantastic. fantastic. “It wondered I I wondered why I I waited waited why so long.” long.” so JOAN MURDICK - PODIATRY PATIENT JOAN MURDICK - PODIATRY PATIENT * * * * *NOS.org *NOS.org