[Joe Wicked]

My injury was not as bad as yours it sounds, but while in the Service I chipped the bone right where the tendon attaches in my left ankle. The pull of the tendon ripped the piece of bone off causing the tendon to recoil. The first surgery to reattach didn't take and I ended up getting discharged because I was "Unfit for full duty". About a year later it started getting so painful I couldn't walk but a few feet at a time, so I went to a civilian Doctor to see what she could do. 2nd surgery I was out of work for 3 months, physical therapy for 6 months and it took about 2 years for the limp to go away. Major reconstruction, but no replacement parts used. I have less than the normal amount of tendons in my ankle, but I do not have pain every day. I can injure it easier than normal, but as I said I do not have pain every day. In the end even though the 2nd surgery was worse than the first, I am glad I did it.

Oh did I mention that I can walk without pain 95% of the time. Usually when I do have pain it is minor. Only when I twist it does it hurt bad enough to cause me to limp.