Blackpool mum can finally put her feet up

Janet Riggs is delighted to be able to wear her favorite shoes again after corrective surgery

These boots may be made for walking – but not when each step is excruciatingly painful.

And the problem is probably not with the boots – as thousands of foot patients will tell you.

Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, Lee Murphy, said the average person takes about 4,000 – 6,000 steps a day – and each step can be a nightmare for people suffering with painful bunions or foot deformities.

South Shore mum, Janet Riggs, says she is delighted to be able to walk easily again after years of terrible pain.

“Ten years ago I had bunion surgery on both feet which was very successful. Eight years later I got a condition called hammer toe and had corrective surgery to try to repair the deformed toe, but this did not go well.”

Janet’s toe after surgery for hammer toe

Former driving instructor Janet explained: “The consultant said he needed to create a gap between my big toe and second toe to correct the problem. But after surgery my second toe was left sticking up.

“This meant it was very difficult and painful to wear shoes. I had bought a beautiful pair of really soft leather shoes and the first time I tried to wear them they were ruined as my toes bled profusely.”

Janet said her experience was horrific and totally affected the quality of her life.

“I could not even walk my dogs, every step was so painful,” Janet added. “The doctor pronounced his surgery marvellous and said I could just strap the toe down. I was so upset because my foot was so much worse than before surgery.”

The toe after corrective surgery by Mr Lee Murphy

Eighteen months later Janet was referred to Mr Murphy’s podiatric foot surgery clinic at Whitegate Drive Health Centre and eight weeks ago she underwent corrective surgery to repair her foot.

“My care and treatment was excellent,” Janet said. “I am able to walk again without pain and I can enjoy my life. I am even going to buy another pair of those lovely soft leather shoes now the problems have been resolved.

“I cannot praise Mr Murphy and his team enough. They treat their patients as friends; they are incredibly professional and build up patient confidence.”

Mr Murphy said he was delighted to hear a patient thought his team had given great levels of care and compassion and improved their quality of life.

“We are very patient centred and constantly strive to ensure the very best care on every part of the foot surgery pathway,” Mr Murphy said.

The consultant explained: “The patient had undergone foot surgery in 2017 without a positive outcome. She was struggling to fit into any shoes and was in considerable pain when walking. Janet was referred to our Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery and following her operation she is able to wear normal shoes again and walk comfortably.

“My whole ethos is that we are a specialist department. We only offer foot surgery and are focussed on the best level of care and expertise within our area. We are very experienced in managing our patients through the foot surgery pathway,” Mr Murphy added.

Each week the department performs five to 10 bunion operations, accounting for about 24 per cent of the entire case load and is their most common operation.

Mr Murphy said: “The benefits from podiatric surgery can be massive. If someone is suffering from painful or progressive deformity we advise them to see their GP or podiatrist for a referral before a bunion becomes so big that more complex or extensive surgery is necessary.”

Posted in Home Page, People Centred, Positive, Press Releases.