Garry came to me in 2014 after a lengthy history of chronic pain. A dislocated toe whilst working as a stockman in 1992 was the precursor to chronic foot pain which would become apparent some years later. Degenerative changes in the joints of Garry’s foot, he was told, meant that his best option was the surgical removal of his toe. After some months of recovery time, the pain returned and apparent nerve damage meant further procedures were undertaken.
This cycle continued as Garry had toes, then his forefoot removed, and eventually a below the knee amputation in 2006. After each operation, Garry completed rehab, regained employment and tried to move on with his life only for pain to return with a vengeance. Garry finds it difficult to recount his life since his below the knee amputation but by the time he had come to me he was taking heavy doses of pain medication, could only walk 500m at a time with the aid of crutches, had severe depression and a fractious family situation. However, events conspired that he would receive injections from a different specialist, undertake treatment with a psychologist, and began gentle physical activities through exercise physiology focused on increasing his function.