–and I’m seeing fireworks on this 4th of July. At least some stars when I put my leg down. As the doctor–and so many here have stressed–I’m elevating as much as possible. I’m not trying to be a hero, I am taking the vicodin that was prescribed. But man, does it make me itchy! I’m starting to wonder if it’s actually an allergic reaction.
My surgery was, in keeping with the nature of an ATR, frustrating. I was wheeled into the OR at 2:45 for my noon surgery. Hey delays happen, no biggie. But I was thrown a curve right at the last minute by the anesthesiologist. After speaking with the orthopedic surgeon last week, I assumed I would be put under general anesthesia. But the anesthesiologist says, “Surgeons just want patients who are asleep, we can do this three ways.” He goes on to explain the risks and benefits of general, spinal and the nerve block some here have described. His professional opinion was that the spinal epidural would be the most effective, and he would still give me something to knock me out during the procedure. I went along with it, but felt like I was being put on the spot with a pop quiz I hadn’t studied for.
Everything went fine until I was in recovery and was told I wouldn’t be able to leave until I regained feeling in my legs. FOUR HOURS LATER I was good to go. I didn’t get home until 10pm. It’s not like I had a train to catch, but still.
I haven’t been able to read every blog on this site, so I have a couple of questions I hope people will chime in on. From the photos I’ve seen, most incisions are directly in line with the tendon on the back of the heel. I haven’t seen mine since I’m still in the cast, but my doctor told me he was going in on the side of my foot. His reasoning is that an incision on the back can be irritating when you go back into two shoes. Anyone else have this? Also, as I drifted off to sleep I heard him say he closes with staples instead of sutures. It seems more people have stitches. Does it matter much?
Anyway, I’m glad the surgery is over being that I had to wait 10 days after the injury. I know I can’t rush things–my wife calls me the impatient patient–but I’m happy to be on the road to recovery.