Hey all, I had my first post-op visit last wednesday and it was VERY uneventful. I didn’t even get to talk to my O.S., but talked to very briefly to his assistant. She removed the splint that I was given from surgery, took a peek at my stitches, and told a nurse to put me into that same splint and I was scheduled an appointment for the following Wednesday. I was very disappointed as the whole appointment felt very rushed.
When I got home that Wednesday, I started to have some pretty severe pain on the bottom of my foot. It felt like a burning, stabbing pain. I tolerated this for the evening and took some pain meds (I had been off pain meds for 2 weeks). Finally I just could not take the pain and scheduled an appointment saturday at another office (but same orthopedic group). I went in, described my pain to a different doctor, and he said he wanted me out of the splint ASAP, as what I was experiencing was rubbing from the fiber glass portion of the splint on the back of my leg. He put me in a boot and told me to go to my next follow up appointment.
Now here’s my concern, my surgeon said that we would decide at my next visit if I was ok to be put into a boot or not. However, I’ve already been placed in one. I’m not sure what the benefits of a cast are versus the boot, but I haven’t taken it off (except to dress and undress). I have put ZERO wait on the boot as I’m scared to death of a re-rupture. By the way it’s only been 17 days since my surgery. I tried to get my appointment moved up to tomorrow, but it’s been difficult with this orthopedic group for some reason. I was never really given a detailed timeline of when I can expect to go to PWB and then eventually FWB and PT thrown in. All in all, I’m a little disappointed, because I feel like I’m in the dark here. Is it too late to change my orthopedic group since I’ve gotten surgery? I’ve got so many questions and my doc never seems to have time for them.
Oh well, just gonna keep my head up!
September 16th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
jdot,
I know how you feel. It seems like once the surgeon gets you to surgery you’re left to fend for yourself. I’m 32 days post-op and had to call Dr. this morning because my incision has turned into something you’ld see on the Sci-Fi channel! I had stitches out & cast off, and boot on 6 days ago but was not told: A)How to care for incision, B)Wear boot 24/7?, C)When to come back? C)PWB, FWB, walk on my hands?!
HELLO!!!
September 16th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
You seem to be worrying a bit. If the boot is properly fitted and adjusted to the correct angle then you should have no problem. The problem will be between the two doctors. I could not stand having a cast and got into a boot week 1. Your doctor works for you. You pay and they provide a service. I think some lose sight of that but a gentle reminder with your concerns could be called for. Write your questions down and tell your doctor that you want more information. There is a code of practise and if you are not treated accordingly you can complain. As for weight bearing in the boot - that is what they are designed for. When to start is something you should discuss with your doc but do some research first. Early weight bearing and motion produces better long term results. Some protocols say weight bearing as tolerated which means you do it to your own level of pain tolerance. With the boot on your tendon is protected. At 21 days, with my lower leg supported, I was writing the ABC’s with my foot. They are called active range of motion (ROM)exercises. Relax a bit. All should be well.
September 16th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Some people go straight into the boot from surgery and walk out the door full weight bearing. You’ll be fine. You don’t need to walk on it yet (depends on doc), but being in the boot is no big deal.
September 16th, 2013 at 10:00 pm
I was put into my boot at 12-13 days and remained NWB for quite some time. As long as your boot is fitted and adjusted properly (either by wedges or set-hinge) you should be find. Just keep on following the protocol.
BTW I experienced the same discomfort with my splint, although not to the same extent. Good luck with your recovery.
September 16th, 2013 at 11:19 pm
The UWO Study produced some of the best published results, with and without surgery, and put everybody into boots 2 weeks post-op or immediately (”0 weeks”) post-non-op. The only reason they waited 2 weeks to put their post-op patients in a boot was to avoid soiling/staining the boot with post-op oozing of body fluids.
The UWO authors began PWB at 2 weeks in, but various protocols use different schedules. For post-op patients like you, the results don’t seem to change a lot with different schedules. (Delaying too much is much more damaging for non-op patients, according to the evidence.) Relatively early WB is generally helpful or at least neutral (not harmful). Quite a few published studies with different schedules are discussed in recent blogs and on some older pages with lots of comments (including two of my “studies” pages).
September 16th, 2013 at 11:21 pm
The UWO protocol is online at bit.ly/UWOProtocol . And Hillie has posted a newer and even more aggressive and more successful protocol from Sussex a number of times, including on Suddsy’s second blog page.
September 17th, 2013 at 12:49 am
I was put in a boot two weeks after surgery. I am on NWB for the next 6 weeks though. Best to call your surgeon and have a list of questions written down that can get answered, or book for another consultation.
My instructions for the next 3 weeks were to shower normally, sleep with the boot on, keep using crutches and do my 5min exercise on the ankle/achilles every day.
September 17th, 2013 at 5:25 am
Hey Norm,
You mean Exeter, not Sussex! In beautiful south west England…
September 17th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Yup, what YOU said, Hillie!
My story is this: By 68 yrs old, I’ve learned a LOT of facts, and lost maybe 75% of the brain cells I was born with. So naturally I’ve got to get each of the remaining one to do several jobs, not just one. So naturally…
September 17th, 2013 at 2:03 pm
No problem Norm, I know just what you mean…
September 17th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Hiya
I was put in the boot immediately after surgery - I had the op at 11am, into recovery at 1pm and on my way home at 5pm with the boot in place. I was PWB within a couple of days but then I’m pretty impatient. So long as you’re comfortable and not in pain I don’t think there’s much to worry about. I’m just over 8 weeks now, still in the boot because I couldn’t get my foot into my trainer with a wedge in it. I’m comfortable tottering around the house in the boot without crutches, I only take one as a security blanket when we’re out (when I’m able to go out).
Good luck!
grimfoot