I have been striding around confidently for several weeks. I can drive the automatic transmission car for hours, sit at a desk, and even stand fairly comfortably to give a talk. There are occasional twinges in various places, some of them surprisingly sharp, but nothing bothersome. I've been taking stairs at work when one flight is involved, and even tried two steps at a time. I used to go up and down stairs two-at-a-time.
The crutches are stored away, not even in the car for emergencies. I haven't needed them for over a month. Life without crutches is a vast improvement, and I recommend it.
In a pinch, I could drive a standard transmission car, though two doctors and common sense say I shouldn't. Imagine shifting while wearing a ski boot.
The right foot continues to have twinges, especially if I walk barefoot. The right PTT is a little sore. It's in much better shape than the left was after the collapse. The orthotic should support it nicely. My right wrist has also had various twinges. I assume that it has something to do with weird sleeping positions, or leaning on the railing while using stairs. It does seem to be sore at the same times the right PTT is sore. Could this be something systemic?
Some more answers:
I have now heard from a number of fellow sufferers, including several patients of Dr. Deland's. One lives in Spain, and is considering treatment in New York. Another is two years post-op, and disappointed: she still has pain. There are no guarantees, and I am convinced that he one of the best shots at this. I do wonder if a titanium spring or a kevlar tendon isn't a better solution. I only have so many tendons to harvest, and clearly they aren't very good.