Fear…..
I’m currently 2 weeks post-op from my achilles tendon surgery. My doctor told me I had a unique situation, one he’s never seen before. I have a condition called Neurofibromatosis and some of the tumors were interfering with my achilles tendon (it may have cause the subacute rupture I had). Well, 2 docotrs took care of the tendon and the tumors, but my biggest fear is a re-rupture of the tendon. I went back to the doctor two days ago and had a cast put on. After 24 hours the cast fell off. I had to get a ride back to the doctor and had a splint and several ace bandages put on. They were put on loose and started to come off earlier today. Luckily, when I called the hospital they told me it wasn’t to hard to re-wrap it myself (with help). I hope all these bandages and stuff falling off isn’t causing damage to the surgical area. I did have some heel pain for the first time after re-wrapping the bandages. So, I unwrapped everything and the pain went away. I then re-wrapped it and some of the pain came back. I’m thinking the splint might be rubbing on the stitches (at least I hope so). As I write this the pain is almost gone (I’ve taken 2 Motrins over a three hour period). It’s tough getting around with one good foot. I’ve managed to adapt to it. My doctor also told me he’s going to put me in a walking boot 5 weeks after the surgery (less than 3 weeks from now). Hopefully it’s not to soon. This is something I hope to never have to go through again. Sorry if this is poorly written, it’s just random thoughts.
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I’m not a doctor, but not sure I understand how the cast could fall off?
The cast/splint are there to immobilise the leg as the tendon heals, so do keep the weight off it and don’t put any strain on the tendon in these early stages. Have you got the hang of crutches yet?
The cast etc can rub on the wound area particularly with any swelling.
But do insist on seeing your doctor again if you’re worried about anything - they’re there to advise you and look after you!
Best wishes,
Sam
k270 - like Sam66, I’m confused! When a professional puts something on, you don’t expect it to drop off so you have to do a DIY job at home! Are you allowed to put any weight on the injured leg? Are the removable bandages because you are likely to have extensive swelling following your surgery? Take it very easy for the time being. RICE and all that. Most people have their repaired tendon immobilised for several weeks post-op and for good reason. I hope you get sorted soon! Best wishes,
Smoley
Like the others, I’m mystified about a cast falling off, although I never had the pleasure of a cast.
I was lucky to be put in a splint immediately after surgery, and never had anything else. My splint was on the front of my shin and the top of my foot, held on with an ace bandage. I was taking my splint on and off a few times a day to do exercises between five days and four weeks postop, so I got to be something of an expert at putting it on. I had just one ace wrap that was about six inches (15 cm) wide and about two yards/meters long, though, not “several.”
The main thing with the ace wrap is to get the right tension, not too tight and not too loose. Too tight can definitely make your foot ache, and that could be what you are feeling. If the wrap is too loose, the wrap may slip out of position. It didn’t need to be nearly as tight as I initially thought. With a little practice, you will get the tension right.
I learned a useful trick to keep those little metal grips that hold the wrap on from falling off and getting lost. I wrapped so that the grips were on my lower shin, a little above the ankle. Then, I put a small tube of stretchy material over those grips to hold them in place. That tube would be like what you would have if you cut the foot off a sock, leaving the part of the sock above the ankle, (only a little tighter than most socks).
Five weeks to a boot is plenty of time for most, (although I never had a boot, either). Some are walking in their shoes by then, part time or even full time. The thing that might make your situation different is your neurofibromatosis, but the doctors took care of the tumors, so you are probably much like the rest of us.
Good luck,
Doug
I am not sure I understand how a cast could fall off, maybe you never had a full cast, just splint.
But if you have difficulty keeping it on, you could ask the dr to put you in a boot right away, without weight bearing. Boots are bulkier and uncomfortable to sleep in though, as they were meant for walking, with a heavy sole.
For me the answer to many problems is duct tape….
I had a actual cast. The MA who put it on put it on loose though. When I went back they put on another ace bandage and a splint. It too was way to loose and was coming off. I re-wrapped that twice with no luck. So I went to the ER this morning and they put on a different kind of splint with ace bandages. This feels a lot better but I’m still getting some movement. I’m going to call the docs office first thing Monday morning and inquire about the boot. I have a feeling I know why the cast fell off. I mentioned having neurofibromatosis. My leg isn’t a normal shaped leg. The upper part of the lower leg is twice the size of a normal leg. The bottom was de-bulked some due to the neuor… tumors, but is also a little bigger than a normal size leg. I didn’t think it would matter. I guess it does.
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