First Post
Here for the obvious reason, ATR on left side. Injury happened while pushing a wheeled air conditioning unit. Never really had any problems or indications that I had issues with my AT till it popped. Since I work in South Korea, I had the experience of getting the surgery done in a Korean hospital. Compared to what I’ve read here, I had a longer stay in the hospital after the operation at five days. I suspect they wanted to keep an eye on it to check for infection.
Currently a day shy of two weeks post op. Just had the stitches pulled out and a second cast put on, toes a little bit more towards the shin than the first one. Doc says I can start putting some weight on it only on the heal. Looks like two or three more weeks of casts till I get a boot.
Here is what I have observed over my two short weeks dealing with this. Ice and elevation of your foot are your friends. I think it is important to keep the swelling down especially in the beginning to get the healing process going. I vividly recall the first time I went to take a leak and lowered my foot off the mattress, the blood flowed down and it throbbed pretty good. I have been using a wheeled desk chair to scoot around the house, depending on what I’m doing, I either kneel on it with the bad leg or sit and scoot along backwards. It seems to work well. A re-attack on the ice, get double the amount you think you need. I rotated three sets of ice packs, always had a fresh cold one. Try and stay hydrated, simple to do and good for you. Eat well. Figure out how to get a shower. I put a plastic stool in the shower and use a trash bag and athletic tape. Bag is good for one use as they get ripped when taking it off. Try and set yourself up for a good nights sleep, the better you sleep, the better the healing process works.
This blog has really helped me out and I’m glad I found it. I now know a little better what is in store for me in the coming weeks and months.
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Wow!–5 DAYS in the hospital for ATR surgery? In the U.S., you’re in and out same day–I was in and out in 5 HOURS! Nonetheless, it sounds as if you’re on a fast, modern recovery protocol, so that’s good. Also, FYI, they do make re-usable shower bags to cover leg casts–they have a flexible, but secure rubber ring at the top of the bag–and they work quite well (about $20 USD). -David
Thanks David. Yep, five days in a Korean hospital, good and bad to things to say about it. First the good. I had an IV for most of the time so staying hydrated was a non issue. This also made drugs easier to administer, anticoagulant, antibiotics, and my favorite, Fentanyl (only two days post op) for the pain. I have to say if anything else bad was lurking around inside my body, it was dealt with. Didn’t have to worry about meals, three squares a day, but it was all Korean food, kimchi, rice, veg with soup. Had 24 hour nurse care if needed. I didn’t really require much attention and they were always popping in to take blood, check blood pressure anyways. In retrospect, since I live by myself, hanging out in the hospital for a stay wasn’t so bad of a situation.
On to the bad, one of the side effects of the pain killer is that it stops up the digestive track. To put it mildly, I was full of it, enough said. After five days, six if you count admission and pre-op, of Korean food, I never wanted a pizza so bad. Six days in any hospital is enough to tax anybody, I was beyond ready to checkout.
A few other comments. Korean health care has come along way over the years and I held no reservations getting the surgery done. The doctor knocks out four ATR surgeries every week and he is a specialist. I did have concerns with a super conservative recovery protocol and being in a cast for three months, fortunately this appears not to be the case.
I’ll look into the cast shower bag.
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