1ST POST-OP VISIT
Posted on January 22, 2009
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Finally had my first post-op visit yesterday. How could 13 days feel so long?!? My bro (thanks Matt) took the day off to drive me into the city so my wife could be home for the kids after school. I was so anxious to get the splint and padding off that we were at the office an hour early ! The scar looked like so many of yours it was uncanny, but I have to admit I was still stunned at how puny my entire lower leg looked. Shocking.
Of course, nothing is easy. While my doctor was removing the sutures my calf cramped up fiercely (I guess the slightest movement was a surprise to my atrophied muscles) and it’s still tender in that spot (which of course has me paranoid about blood clots - maybe too much reading is a bad thing!). The worst part is that the outside (lateral side) of my left foot is numb from the ankle to the little toe, with occasional pins and needles or a burning sensation. I had some discomfort there preop (I was in the boot for three + weeks) but nothing as pronounced as this. My surgeon believes it’s a temporary result of all the compression of the last 6 weeks, and I hope he’s right. I’m worried it’s a sural nerve injury. anyone have experience with this?
Anyway, he put me back in the boot (keeping it a little looser becasue of the numbness) and wants me non weight bearing for 2 weeks. Then one week of half-weight and then a return visit and, hopefully, full weight bearing with the boot. After a week of that we’ll meet again and set-up PT. I convinced him to let me occasionally toe-touch for the next two weeks and I’ll do ROM exercises a few times a day. Frustrating, but I know from all of you I have to patient and let it all develop slowly. Hoping to get back to work Monday, weather and leg permitting.
When I got home from the visit, the first thing I did upon entering the house was slip on the crutches and full plant the foot! I was so terrified I’d done damage but it seems ok, just a little sore. It was great to shower today without the padding and the splint, although I’ll still use the cast cover for another day or two. This weather definitely makes using the crutches treacherous, but I just can’t see taking the rolling aid into the city, it’s so cumbersome.
A few questions - how do you sit once you’re non-weight bearing with the boot on? Foot on the floor? Resting on heel? Still keep it elevated?
Well, I guess the next update will be in 3 weeks. I hope everyone makes great progress til then!
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A few questions - how do you sit once you’re non-weight bearing with the boot on? Foot on the floor? Resting on heel? Still keep it elevated?
I just flopped down into my recliner. In the boot, I could put my foot on the ground and rest my heel, just not put any weight on it. I kept it elevated by using my recliner full time. No problem for me as I’ve been practicing that for years!
Congrats on getting into a boot. For the first week, at least, I’d recommend just R.I.C.E.’ing. It makes a huge difference later on. It’s like when a house is built and you have to let the foundation and stuff settle out a bit. OK - not the best analogy, but I think you get the point.
Otherwise, when I went stir-crazy and had to get out for dinner with friends or got tired of eating meals off my chest, I tried to keep the boot/foot at least horizontal on a chair. When my leg goes numb, I lower my boot to the floor. I think the most important thing is that you feel comfortable. Do what feels comfortable. If your knee is kinda twisted and it doesn’t feel right, then change your position.
The more you can keep the swelling down, the less pain you’ll feel and I think the incision site heals better.
These are obviously not a doctor’s opinion and just one person’s experience. Hope you continue to heal well.
Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. Funny, the more I rest and elevate, the number and “tinglier” that sural nerve distribution seems to get. I guess it just needs time to fade. My incision feels good, haven’t really had any swelling post-op. Just find that if I get up and move around, or let my leg “hang” a little, the pins and needles seem to fade a bit. But nothing feels as good as taking the boot off - that’s like a jailbreak! I guess this is all part of the healing process, I’ll just take it slow and be patient despite my desire to put on some running shoes and go!