I did get the claustrophobia/restless leg feelings once in a while. This typically happened when my toes were feeling cramped or hadn’t been moved in a while. I would understand what “triggers” that feeling since it seems different from person to person.

I agree with Marianne about the pain pills. I was only on them for three days and had mild withdrawal symptoms as I eased off of them.

- mike

I did feel the claustrophobia that you mention. Others have commented as well - so a normal reaction! Elevation, deep breathing helped. I was in a splint post op for 3 weeks, then a cast for about 3-4 weeks. I did use a big ice pack that I strapped around the splint or cast. It made the leg cooler and gave me mental relief when I was feeling that clautrophobia.

I think you will get used to it, so hang in there. Good luck with pain, the first couple days are the worst, so it should only get better.

I am 3.5 weeks post-op, and limped with friends downtown here in San Francisco yesterday, one block total. The crush of tourists at Union Square scared me. So even if I were in a wheelchair, I would not feel secure; people are not looking, and they’re hurrying. If you should get further injured, imagine the hassles!

Mary

I have read several articles on this and it seems that 7-10 days from injury is a good time because the surgeon will deal with less debridement (trimming the loose tendon fibers and slough).

After a week or so, your body will have started healing some of the frayed ends of the tendon, making it easier to stitch up the tendon. After 10 days or so, the tendon can start to curl up and make for a higher tension suture.

Anyway, that is my non-doctor interpretation of some of the articles I’ve read on the subject.

Again, good luck with your upcoming surgery.

I had general anesthesia and a nerve block at the knee. I checked in for the surgery at 8:45am, had my surgery at about 9:45-10:45 and was out the door before noon. The nerve block freaked me out a litte because, not only could I not feel anything below the knee, I couldn’t move anything (wiggle my toes). It completely paralyzes the lower leg. At about 1am, I started getting the tingling sensation back in my toes and I could wiggle them, but I was so concerned about feeling and moving my toes that the pain already set in and I was too uncomfortable to sleep (strong, dull pain). I doubled up on my percocet 3.5 mg scrip and took them about every 4 hours for the first 2 days . . . very comfortable. After 2 days, the percocet was making me feel strange and I stopped taking it. I wasn’t in any pain after that. From what I understand, the general aneshesia irritates the nerves and the first day or two of pain is at least partially due to that.

I would suggest you take your pain meds shortly after you return home from the surgery and you’ll avoid the pain altogether.

I had a half cast and an ace bandage for the first few days following surgery. Then I had a full cast. For the first week or so with the cast, I couldn’t stand up for more than a minute or so without feeling very uncomfortable. The ankle area swells with pooling fliud at the surgery site and the cast doesn’t give so I was feeling a lot of pressure there. As soon as you raise your casted area above your heart, the fluid drains out . . . instant relief. Keep your cast elevated for at least the first week and you’ll feel much more comfortable.

I’d be carefull trying to go to an amusement park anytime soon. If you do, I’d suggest a wheel chair, especially since the crutches are giving you problems. I am about 5′10″ and I set my crutches for 5′9.” You should have at least an inch under your pits and shouldn’t be resting your body weight on your pits.

After a few weeks, your good leg and your upper body will get much stronger and you’ll fell more comfortable crutching around.

Take it slow and be a little selfish with your recovery. You gotta take care of yourself first.

Good luck!