Day 2 after surgery pain is so, so much better
So now I am almost through my second day post-op. The pain is better although I have pretty much been laying around with my leg elevated the whole time. My email box is cleaned, my iPhotos organized, bill are paid and the family budget spreadsheet is updated. I have even sewn buttons on my daughters uniform that have been missing for a year.
Now my big question is, how long will I be able to last if I try to go somewhere for an outing? My doctor told me I needed to lay around and keep my leg elevated for 2 days. So I am curious how people felt after those 2 days are up? Since I can’t drive, I’m quite limited on what I can do, but I would love to go out for lunch or something! And my daughter is performing in a talent show in 2 days which I really want to see, but I need to walk about 1/2 mile (total) to do that. Am I crazy to try it?
Thanks to everyone for the advice on a knee scooter, I ordered it and hopefully it will arrive tomorrow! Will report how it works…
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I didn’t get out until like week 2. The main reason was when I did get up the blood would rush to my foot, my toes would turn purple and would begin to swell. Was very uncomfortable and wasn’t worth it. By week 3 though I had to get out of the house. It gets better little by little though.
1/2 mile on crutches does not sound like much….but it is a bugger when you are first getting started (assuming you are on crutches).
I look at it this way…go into the outing with full realization that you are gonna pay for it one way or another, maybe more than you anticipate.
Do a test run around the house, try to get up and around for about 15 minutes and see how it goes.
Hi 3 - looks like we’re going through this long journey at the same time. Had my surgery on Monday the 19th. Pain is almost gone….but this splint cast has my heal burning like crazy….almost feels like it’s too tight around my foot.
Good luck….and keep up with the posts!
I didn’t do much outside the 1st 2 weeks because the splint drove me crazy, too. Like Joe, the purple toes were a real hindrance and when the ankle swelled it really dug in. At week 2 (hard cast), I watched my daughter play state tennis from the bleachers for endless hours and it’s funny how when you’re distracted it doesn’t hurt as much. The swelling at night was crazy, but after elevating,it would subside. PS is right…I paid but it was worth it.
Well, it is a test on how good shape you are in.Being a 44 year old woman I could not do it. I did not realize how hard it is walking with the crutches until I tried. And 200 meters suddenly looked very long. In the house it does not seem much, but once you are on a walk, and do not stop every 5 meters, it is quite exhausting. 4 days after the surgery your foot may be pretty sensitive being down for long. Can you rest and sit along the way at some spots? You will probably need to lift up your leg a bit, it will be turning the usual purple… I went out for lunch, but put my foot on the chair beside. Maybe you should try some distance the day before.
3littleones - That’s a toughy! Two issues - firstly how active you should be so early on and secondly, getting about on crutches.
Of course you should go and see your daughter’s talent show, but half a mile on crutches is a long way so soon after your op. It is very easy to strain yourself. Get some good gloves (like fingerless cycling gloves) or pad the handles well or you will shred your palms in no time at all. Keep your back really straight and your elbows close in to your sides to reduce the strain on the upper arm/shoulder, use your core strength to keep eveything together. You also need to be very careful where you place the crutches because every little uneveness on the ground is exacerbated. It is also very easy to trip them if you don’t pick them up enough. Frankly they are the invention of Satan but they are the best we’ve got!
You will be able to be out and about soon, but try not to rush it. I was advised to do as little as possible for the first 2 weeks and to keep the leg elevated to prevent the dreaded swelling (and I think most other bloggers are similar), 2 weeks seems to be the critical time for the post op healing of the surrounding soft tissues that they had to go through to get to the tendon. So if there is any way you can get a lift to the show however daft it sounds to get a lift half a mile) I would if I were you. And try to sit somewhere where you can put your foot up. If you do start to swell it gets very uncomfy very quickly and can impede the healing of the incision.
Having bashed all this I see from your post that the show may have already happened! If so, I hope your daughter did well and that you had a good time!
Best wishes,
Smoley
I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who wants to be up and about after surgery. My surgery is scheduled for 3 hours from now and I fully intend on taking my kids trick or treating this Saturday (even if it means rolling down the block in my office chair). I am also going back to school a week from today. I hope everything goes well for you. Have you tried asking one of the other kids parents if they could give you a ride to the talent show? I have found that other parents can be the greatest asset when you need a hand with the kids.
Good Luck…let us know how your outing goes.
Deanne (with 3 little ones also)