Mar 11 2008
First Post Op
4 days post op….
Was driven by a friend as my wife needed to work. Taking off the splint and dressing was very relieving. Was amazed at the relief and was able to say Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. but then reality set in, scar is long from heel up to mid calf, leg was swollen, yellow, and then was able to say……Whoaaaaaaaaaa…asked the typical post op questions and then time for the cast..chose black to match my mood…LOL…
the hardest part was that the surgeon wanted to get my ankle to 90 degrees so he bent it, leaned on it while the cast hardened…OUCH…based on my research this would best for the long term. Problem with rehab is not strengthening the muscles but getting full range of motion and flexibility. This helps address that but only time will tell.
I was hoping to get the video of the surgery but he was unable to edit it. There were a couple of other procedures on the disc that he needs to remove. Based on you tube videos I don’t expect anything different other than its my surgery and being a doctor I am very curious. Plus having observed many surgeries over the years I want to hear the stories, music, jokes made at my expense. If you have never been to a surgery before it is a very unique experience. Don’t get me wrong everyone is very professional, energetic, but there is lively conversation and music to break up the seriousness of the situation.
After, I was driven to work, no patients in the morning but I planned on seeing patients in the afternoon…NOT…no way…to tired, sore, and pissed off…not in a good attitude to take of patients…time to scramble, find someone to help adjust patients and let me do the consults, exams and admin work…Was lucky to find someone to help and had a great night working with him and having patients ask me questions and giving me their love and best wishes.
I was able to acquire a roll-about to get around. Basically a wheel chair for my leg. I will try and upload a picture of it. Definitely a life saver, I was able to wheel around the office, non-weight bearing, like I was on a skate board. Patients laughing, actually had a patient that customizes cars ask if I wanted some rims, spinners and a custom paint job. Everyone was amazed that I was there, and I think pretty appreciative of me doing my best for them.
This is getting pretty long so I’ll gather my thoughts and write later in the day. thanks to all that have commented and responded.
Appreciatively
Doc Ross
Sounds like a pretty successful first follow up. Glad you got to get back in the office….I worked from home for the first time yesterday, and even though I was on a headset for the meetings and conversations, it was just great to talk to people again…definitely made me feel alive again…kind of like that “pinch me” thing. And if your looking for some rims for your leg cart…check these out http://www.custom-wheels-car-rims.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=136869&InfoID=4134&ShowLarge=True I think they’d go good! Thanks for the post..have a great day!
Glad to hear the first post-op visit went well, other than the pain of bringing your foot to the neutral position. I think getting back to work is very helpful for the recovery process, even if you can’t do everything you were doing prior to the injury. Getting away from the house helps to speed the recovery along, or at least feel that way. Every small step you can take to get back to normal helps!!
I had thought my PA putting my ankle in 90 degs after 2 weeks was a bit aggresive, but I guess it’s not. Thanks for letting me know. Glad that you it made it back to work (in less than 1 week post-op!).
I thought surgeons playing music in the operating room was a bit odd, but yes it makes sense.
Glad that roll-about works for you. I’d love to see the spinning rims on it.
My appointment is in a few hours, and I am looking forward to getting the cam boot.