Comments on: Pain During Recovery

By: abbieb

abbieb — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:28:10 +0000

I would love to have waited a bit longer and then start back only working 1/2 days but I was only at my job for 5 weeks before this happened. I’m sure I could have taken more time off but I didn’t want to risk loosing my job and I need the money since I have not accrued any paid time off. Despite the swelling it is nice to be back at work and around people. I do feel fortunate that my employer has been accommodating, my co-workers are very helpful and I have a job where I can work while in a cast and on crutches.

Good luck with your recovery and I’m sorry you have to be off of work for so long.

By: kathyw

kathyw — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:16:40 +0000

I’m glad you can elevate it more on your lunch hour…that probably helps a bit, as does all the time you keep it elevated when not at work…

I do hope that the pain will decrease for you, but hopefully having the word from your doctor that it may continue will keep you from worrying that it is a sign that something is wrong.

I envy that you are able to work now (I’ve been off work since October 19th, and the earliest I’ll be able to go back is March), but I guess it’s good that I can spend several hours in the morning and afternoon on the couch with my leg on the wedge.

By: abbieb

abbieb — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:25:47 +0000

I started back to work after two weeks post-op and I think that may be while I still have pain? At work I can only put my leg straight out. On my lunch hour I lay in my office on a yoga mat with my foot on a chair for about 30 minutes. Immediately after work and on the weekends I spend most of my time with my leg elevated above my heart, even during sleep. My doctor said I would probably have this pain for several more weeks, it’s just very frustrating and it’s hard to concentrate at work. Today, I had some pain from my Achilles which is a new pain. The area felt very tight and like it was cramping.

By: kathyw

kathyw — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:29:47 +0000

I’m sorry you are continuing to experience pain to such an extent… I had surgery 11/2/11, and was told to take 2 Tylenol every 8 hours for 2 weeks. I also had a prescription for Valium to take if there was cramping in my leg (took it 2 or 3 times) and for Oxycodone for general pain. I took the Oxycodone the first couple of days, then just at night for another week. I have not had much pain beyond that–just twinges & twitches.

When you say you are elevating your leg, is it straight out in front of you? I was told to keep my heel at or above heart level (”toes above the nose” was the mantra my orthopedist assigned me) and I have mostly been able to do that, being off work. I know that when I am out for more than a few hours in my wheelchair (leg extended straight out) there is more swelling at the ankle and more discomfort.

Good luck to you as you recover.