Page2) Weeks 0-2
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The first 72 hours post operation was really hard.
Wow…the nerve block…was…really weird. They rub this ultrasound device on the right side of my knee and my entire leg went numb from the knee down to the toe. I couldn’t even move my toes. That nerve block lasted 30 hours! I kept wondering how long it would last and I was starting to get paranoid about how long it was lasting. I was even wishing I could move my toes at least at 20 hours in. Be careful what you ask for! I was taking the pain meds they gave me every 6 hours because I knew the block would wear off eventually and it did. At 2AM Saturday morning it was the worst pain I have been in ever. I started taking 1 oxycodone every 2 hours. The label said to take 2 every 4-6 hours, but I wanted a more steady dose. This lasted for about 72 hours post surgery and then I started backing off the pain meds, 4 on Monday, 2 on Tuesday, and then I was done with them. I started taking ibuprophen for the swelling on Monday.
*Tip* nobody really told me to try not and prop the foot right on the stitches. Maybe I should have known better. I believe my stitching would have healed faster if I would not have been resting my foot right on the stitches. Certainly try to keep your foot elevated above your heart as much as possible.
*Tip* Another tip….I seem to a have an unusual response to injury/surgery. When I had ACL surgery my leg would spasm violently (violently may be a strong word). It is painful as my knee and leg was bending and extending on its own. I have had simliar experences with other injuries and surgeries. I heard that quinine will help with this issue. I was determined to try and avoid this spasm issue with my achilles surgery because I wanted to avoid the pain and any associated injury to the newly repaired achilles. My doctor didn’t know what to suggest. I found Hylands Homeopathic Leg Cramp Relief on Amazon. It has chewabe tablets that can be taken every few hours. I didn’t have the spasms with the achilles surgery. Maybe these quinine tablets worked?
I spent 10 days at home.
*tip* I recommend getting some things to help kill time like some hand weights, exercise bands, etc. A Netflix account doesn’t hurt too. Draw, sketch, color, do something so you are not bored to tears.
The foot was elevated almost the entire time. Fortunately, I have a desk job and I was able to return to work on day 12 and work 5-6 hours a day for days 12-14. I worked full 8 hour days on the 15th and 16th day. There was noticeable swelling each day I got home from work and I iced and elevated the foot immediately when I got home. The swelling was less each day though.
August 31st - 1st Follow-up (Day 13)
Yes!…out of the soft cast and into a walking boot! No weight bearing allowed, but I can take the boot off for a shower and to ice the foot. I bought this gel ankle wrap that is amazing!
*tip* Get this cold wrap to ice your foot. Elasto Gel Cold Wrap / foot and ankle wrap: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017LB4ZG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The stitches in the lower calf were removed, but the stitches on my the back of my foot will stay in for 2 more weeks. I am wrapping the area with a gaus pad and tan colored bandage wrap to protect the stitches and the surgery area. Then I put on the boot. There are 15 stitches at the surgery site.
I found week by week rehab protocol for the Achilles Rupture that I brought to show the doctor and ask if my rehab timeline would be similar. He said the Achilles Avulsion rehab is slower….sigh. Not what I wanted to hear. I guess we will see how much slower.
The only rehab I was told to do, if you can count it rehab, was to move my foot up and down and left to right. The idea was to loosen up the Achilles some. The Achilles is VERY tight and my range of motion is minimal. There is a slight burn when doing this rehab, but no real pain to speak about.
Foot in Wrap
Foot out of Wrap
