Right total hip replacement drama, tendon transfer, ankle fusion, or just cut it off

Hi Everyone! I am new to posting, I actually was in the amputees forum.

I suffered with hip pain for 15 years, had first surgery right hip 2010, and now second one aug 2024 due to having a lot of pain again, There was a tear in the labrum tear and it was being pinched. that was what the first surgery was for. It never healed, and with all the cortisone shots I had, developed arthritis. Dr said that she could correct the labrum, when I told her that I had that done and it did not work, I asked if she was going to replace my hip, get it over with now then later.

When I woke after the second surgery and assisted to the bathroom (still feeling wonky from the anesthesia) I was using a walker and was fascinated by my right foot... I thought it looked like a fish that was flopping around on the ground not in the water. I remember thinking to myself, maybe that is normal after the surgery... Then I was told I had foot drop and that I had to wear an AFO brace. For about three months I was still in pain, nerve pain was insane, had to take 150mg Lyrica twice a day along with Tylenol. the first two months I had to reorder oxy just to do my exercises, instructed by the home health nurse.

On September after the EMG could not find a single nerve but was able to identify the muscles in my thigh and my calf that did not respond, and I have to say the CT, or MRI was in that tunnel for at least an hour, was crying from the pain. Doctor said that she was so sorry about what was going on, that she never had this happen before, that I had bleeding in the muscle and that it would take a longer time to heal.

Now, I failed to mention my foot drop, I can feel the bottom of my foot, and part of the inner side of my foot, then nothing. I can only feel pressure, but if I use a feather, I would not feel anything at all. It continues up the right side of my leg and I can not lift my toes, Occasionally the toes (Big toe and sometimes the toe next to it) just go limp and I have to watch for that when I get out of bed, or lift my foot to enter the shower. The symptoms never changed from leaving the hospital in Aug

In November I was called to have surgery in two weeks and that they would get everything ready for it, I asked why, they stated it was a screw that may have been impinging the nerve. All I could do was inside myself panic.

Then it was changed to December, That was when they took the screw out hoping that the feeling would come back.

Instead I was told that the screw permanently damaged the nerve and that the foot drop was permeant.

She suggested a tendon transfer and would put in a consult for me which I am waiting for, however, my ankle does not work. How can a tendon transfer if I can't even know if my foot lands straight, or crooked, which will make me fall if not for the walker. I can never run, I am gaining weight, I feel so depressed and alone. I just want to reach out to others that may be experiencing the same, and join a group that I can chat on... this is my very first post on reddit but I have read a lot and learned a lot as well. I am trying to be hopeful but all I am doing is surgery and recovery twice.

I need advice, what do I tell this foot doctor surgeon? Should I tell him that I am very nervous about which surgery to choose? If he suggests tendon transfer, what if it doesn't work, then what, ankle fusion... I read that you can't do any heavy lifting or anything physical exercises that could overwork the small bones not meant to support the leg. And the amputation sounds terrifying, yet, my leg is already dead, isn't it?