My Comeback Story: Christina A.

In May 2019, after almost two decades of marathon running, cycling and triathlons, I was diagnosed with a stress fracture in my right tibia. I thought it would be a simple fix with a few weeks on the sidelines. Boy was i wrong. At my very first appointment, I was put on crutches, given a boot for stabilization and told not to do anything. This lasted for 6 months until my very first surgery in October 2019 to put an intermedullary rod in my leg. All seemed ok... until it wasn't. Immediately post surgery I noticed a blister on the top of my tibia. I was told it wasn't uncommon and surgical blisters often occur. Two weeks later, the blister popped. Within days, the pain in my leg was unbearable. It felt like my leg was on fire so I went to the ER, the last place I wanted to go. I was diagnosed with cellulitis, which led to a necrotic, open, horrific looking black hole in my leg. After treating the infection and several months of hoping the wound would heal, a plastic surgeon performed a fascial flap surgery. This surgery was in February 2020. Back on crutches for another 6 weeks to ensure proper healing.
Fast forward to Christmas Eve 2021. I was back to running and feeling fantastic when suddenly, I felt something in my leg again that just did not seem right. I corresponded with my original orthopedic surgeon and went in for xrays as well as an MRI. Nothing showed up....for months! It wasn't until July of 2022 when after months of therapy, no running, hardly walking when I just could not take it. Back to the ortho and a new xray...sure enough, my leg was broken again. Third surgery September 2022 to remove the rod hoping the generation of blood would help heal the break. Well it didn't. In December 2022, I was put in a cast for two months and was using a bone stimulator to hopefully help the healing. Mentally, I began spiraling. The pain was always there, I felt trapped as I was unable to drive, I felt like this ordeal was never going to end....and it got worse. When the cast came off in February 2023 and new xrays were done the unthinkable was confirmed...my leg was breaking further! I was beside myself.
In March 2023, yet another surgery was done. This time a plate and six screws were put in. Initially the pain subsided and I felt relief. I was finally walking, doing therapy and I thought on the road to a final recovery...however, there was always a nagging slight pain and I could not shake it. I did everything I was supposed to, never doing too much, trying so very hard to get my gait correct but nothing worked. I started to question my own sanity. Was I becoming a hypochondriac? As the summer of 2023 rolled around and I was on a trip in France with friends, I broke down. I was in agony. Each step was harder than the last until finally I spent a full day in bed, alone. This was the lowest point I've ever felt in my life phsically, emotionally and mentally. Why was this happening to me? If I jump out the window would my leg fully break and would someone finally piece it back together??? Is there something else wrong with me?
Upon returning to the United States in early September 2023 I went immediately to the doctor. When he walked into the room I could see his face was sullen and full of devastation. He relayed the news...the plate broke in my leg. I was relieved in a way because it confirmed I was right- something was always wrong and I wasn't crazy but what did this mean? Now what? How on Earth does metal break when nothing happened???? He told me he could no longer treat me and he was referring me to a trauma surgeon at the Bone and Joint Center - enter Dr Cory Czajka.
The next day Dr Czajka saw me and calmed my fears. We scheduled surgery for three weeks later. He is an expert in non-union fractures and he told me the plan, step by step. New rod, a partial fibulectomy, a bone graft, etc. He was confident, he was reassuring and I couldn't wait for the surgery.
Everything went according to plan. I started therapy and the long road back to doing what i loved. I started therapy and by January 2024, i had full clearance to do anything and everything. I had been on the sidelines for so long that I decided to do Ironman Lake Placid that year. The running portion was the hardest for me to do but I crossed the line with a smile on my face. The feeling of being able to do what I loved again was overwhelming and often brought me to tears. Six weeks later, I completed the longest cycling race in the United States, a one day, 207 mile race from Logan Utah to Jackson Hole. I was back to doing all the things that made me feel human.
Since the surgery, I have continued to live the most active life I can. Each and every day I remind myself how important health is while remembering to be grateful for the simple opportunity to be able to move pain free. Often times, the mental health aspect of pain can be overlooked. This five year experience changed me and reminded me that not only are our bones fragile but so too our spirits and mind are. I am so thankful to Dr Czajka for not only giving me back my body but giving me back peace of mind. I will forever be indebted to him and his team and could not recommend him enough. Thank you so much Dr Czajka!