12 Days Post-Surgery
13 06 2008I had my first visit with my surgeon (Dr. Haider) today since the surgery. Of course, after the 2 hour wait, I finally got in to see him (more the nurse than him actually).
The nurse cut off the cast and I finally got the chance to see the damage. I was pleasantly surprised. There were 6 realatively small incisions. It looked like a really slick job. Even the nurse was surprised and the surgeon proudly said it was his fine work.
(more pics in the 1st View post)
The surgeon checked over his work, then told the nurse to remove the stitches and to put a new cast on.
The stitches came out quickly and I hardly noticed their removal. The nurse (a real cool dude by the way) cleaned up my leg and began to put on the new fiberglass cast. He gave me a selection of colours for the new cast and while I was tempted to go with Hot Pink, I selected Red to keep with my Running Free theme. Before he put on the cast, I tried to move my foot up and down very slightly and it was not ready. It was fairly weak and painful. The cast was put on quickly, the nurse gave me some instructions, and told me to come back in 3 weeks.
On my way out of the Fracture Clinic, I asked the surgeon about the plan of attack and he advised that they will put on a 3rd cast in 3 weeks. That new cast will have my foot at a different angle (right now its still in a tip-toed position) that will stretch my repaired achilles out a bit more. This will be done a few times until the foot is flat on the floor. Until then, I still have to rely on crutches and I am not allowed to weight bear on my left leg.
The new and lighter fiberglass cast makes this easier but it is still no picnic. I do love the fact that I have more protection with this cast since it wraps right around my leg (from the toes to just below the knee). It allows me to rest my leg whenever and wherever I want without worry about putting too much weight on that leg or the surgery site. I can stand on it with a bit of weight and not put any pressure on the foot or achilles whatsoever. So just a bit more day to day freedom but it still sucks large.
The first plaster cast only covered the top of the leg/the shin to feet (basically a long heavy splint that kept me in a tip-toed position), the back of the leg was padded dressing and the whole thing was wrapped with a tensor bandage. There was no putting the leg on the floor at all here and I had to be carefull about how I elevated my leg. Not so with the new cast.
The waiting game continues.
Hi Hoss,
Congrats on viewing the incision and all being well today!! I am 9 days post-op and will be going for my first doc appt. at day 14….am anxious for the day to arrive. I was happy to read about how well everything went and that you were pleasantly surprised with how well the incision is healing. I am also nervous about the stitches/staples coming out…..did you have any staples? Your plan of attack sounds pretty much like what my doc explained they would be doing wiwith my ankle…time-frame and angles and all…..
What do you mean when you describe the second cast gives you more protection and the first cast covered the top of your leg only?
Keep up the good work and congrats again on your progress…..
Marianne
hoss,
i believe you are my healing buddy here - we have the closest injury and surgery date.
i had my first md visit wednesday , 13 days post op - same thing here - they removed the plaster cast , but they did not toch the wound at all - the md said no cleaning and went straight to the fiberglass cast . they however put my ankle in a 5-10 degrees toward neutral or flat on floor - from the pointed down position in the plaster cast . it did hurt like heck and i had to take advil for about 16 hours.
i chose blue fiberglass color - i wanted a yellow band on top but the guy would not do it.
i m goingto be in this cast for 4 weeks and then another appointment july 9 - from there i get to use the boot and PWB i guess with some PT/exercises.
BTW hoss i think im geting a discont on PT services coz i am a physical therapist :-).
keep me updated man.
Marianne,
No staples for me just tiny threads.
I edited my post to hopefully better explain the casts. The first one was more of a splint for the front to keep my toes pointed, this one is full 360 degrees protection. Good luck with your appointment. You love that few minutes of freedom before the next cast come on.
Hoss
Screwdriver,
Yup, we are healing buddies for sure. I always check to see what is up with you to compare progress, protocols, etc. My guy immediately cleaned the area and the rest of my leg once the cast was removed. Then after he removed the stitches, he applied some “magic” spay over the incisions then applied the new cast.
I like the idea of the yellow band, I’ll see if the nurse goes for it nex time. We joked about putting stripes of white to make it like a candy cane but no follow through on that one.
I asked about PWB but I got the impression from the doc that he isn’t letting me do that anytime soon. At least another few casts. The health coverage I get through my work covers all physiotherapy so I am good to go. I am just researching suitable ones in my area.
Happy healing
Hoss
hi hoss,
that’s some great healing, you didn’t photoshop that pic, did you? LOL and i know what you mean about the cast not inspiring confidence. my post op cast is open along the length at the back and i’m terrified it’s not strong enough if i take a tumble. hope i get a ‘full’ fibreglass like you in 10 days, then i can relax a bit.
take it easy,
offdibb
Hoss/screwdriver-
Well, lucky me. My second and final cast was green…with yellow stripes. (Go Oregon Ducks.) My first cast post op, I was allowed “touch weight” and second cast Doc said about 10%. As of June 3rd I am cast free. Got the boot and should be at 50% body weight by end of month. The boot is set at 30 degrees so kind of awkward to apply body weight. I started phys ther today. Good news! Bad leg is only 8 degrees shy of the good leg on the upward flex. Any PT advice you wanna give me, go right ahead. Due to an insurance issue, I only get 7 PT appts covered. =(
Heal quick!
Dani
offdibb - no photoshop buddy, I was expecting an extremely ugly site but was pleasantly surprised. I’m wondering how the doc got in there to repair the darn thing. Yes, that full fibreglass is much better.
Dani - they told me not to put any weight on that injured side but with the fibreglass cast I do allow my leg to rest on the ground for certain activities such as shaving, resting my leg, etc. Only 7 appointments?? That is crazy. They must know something we don’t or maybe they will send you to a wizard of some sort. Once I start my physio I’ll post my exercises here.
Happy healing to you both.
Hoss