So much for my Michael Jordan Dream

Percocet helped me 2 nights after swelling went down a bit and pain was severe. Took 2 pills and another one the next afternoon.

Big mistake not to take the pills BEFORE I went to sleep the 2d night after surgery. Probably would have slept through and would have only needed another in the morning. Thereafter, ibuprofen did the job. (You DO NOT want to take Percocet if other analgesic does t6he job.

You are so so lucky to be walking without a limp so early in the game. Jealous, but happy for you!

For me, double calf raises, and single ones on the reformer, from 8 weeks post op. Standing single calf raises from 12 weeks, I have been advised.

Cheers

“he had a fancy word for toe lifts, but, the doc said none of that type activity for three months after the surgery.”

Hmm, I was doing single leg calf raises at two months postop. Why does your doc think this is a bad idea?

Playing Devil’s Advocate,

Doug

My husband’s physical therapist was reading the doctor’s notes aloud the other day — he had a fancy word for toe lifts, but, the doc said none of that type activity for three months after the surgery. (My husband is currently 2 months post surgery.)

My husband is currently doing an exercise prescribed by the PT guy where he sits on the floor with his leg outstretched; then he wraps an exercise band around the ball of the foot, holds the other end near his body, and pushes his toe against the band. The PT guy said that is technically going against the doc’s orders, but, the PT guy did not think that was any more pressure than walking.

I am FWB now as of last week which was 3 weeks post-op. I never went to the PWB stage. I am still in the boot and will continue to be beyond the Jan 6th date as I stated. I also stated that my surgeon is very progressive in his treatment. He aspired bone marrow from my foot and put it with the tendon to promote faster healing so in many cases, his patients are in two shoes as soon as 8 weeks post-op. From what I heard about my surgeon, he is world renow and very progressive in his treatments. As I stated, I was told by my PT to bring my other shoe with me so after I go, I will be able to say why? For now, I am just following the treatments that were prescribed to me.

I am now thoroughly confused. You are still in the boot and the angle is going to be changed on January 6. You may get to do some PT in two shoes on December 29, but it doesn’t sound like your surgeon is ready to tell you to ditch the boot and go to two shoes and FWB. Are you PWB yet?

Yes, my surgeon is very progressive in his treatment and when I see him on Jan. 6, he is going to put the plantar flexion of my boot into neutral. Right now it is at 10 degrees. I know I am going to be in 2 shoes that day, but I am just wondering what I will be doing in two shoes that day during therapy. I am thinking he may keep me at neutral plantar in the boot for about 2 - 3 weeks before I go into 2 shoes for good but I will have to wait and see.

Are you really asking why you were told to bring both shoes to your next PT appointment? I think the answer to that should be obvious. You’re going to be in 2 shoes that day. I don’t believe there is an average time for anything; some people are in 2 shoes around 6 weeks and some don’t get to 2 shoes for 6 months, it all depends on whether your surgeon takes a progressive or regressive approach. It sounds like yours is taking a progressive approach.

I went to the doc this AM, too, for my 4 week post-op. I didn’t get the go-ahead for FWB, though. But I’m glad you did!

I know, I’m so anxious to get to at least partial weight bearing. I see the doctor tomorrow AM, too. It’s been 2 weeks in the cast, and I’m dying to find out is it boot and PWB or boot and NWB? It’s strange how every doctor does it a different way- you went straight into the boot, I went into a cast. But we’re both hoping for good news tomorrow!

Quickfix

With you off of your pain medications, this means that everything then is probably going according to schedule in my case. My first doctor’s visit is next Wed. on the 12th of Dec. The only issue I have is that the cast is not as tight now and I just try to retighten the ace bandage around it without undoing it completely. I wonder if that is a normal thing?

Shawn

I took my pain meds for three days post op. I am 14 days post op and first doc visit tomorrow. I think the last 4 days have shown a dramatic change in the swelling (which was the biggest issue in my case). Hoping for some good news tomorrow :-).

I was very fearfuly my husband would be in a lot of pain following surgery; the surgical staff cautioned me about the pain; and they were quite adament about him taking pain pills to stay ahead of the pain, so I was pushing those pain pills on him regularly for about 18 hours. Finally he said “enough” and took them only at bedtime for nights 2 and 3; then stopped all together.

My friend is an orthopedic PA; she did a fair amount of grumbling about surgical staff and nurses who really talk up the pain aspect; and push pain pills. She thinks all that talk heightens the patient’s fear of pain which results in the patient taking more meds than necessary. Boy, I bought into that — I was hurling pills at my husband like clockwork!

Anyway, he has been remarkably pain free — some discomfort and fatigue but not the white-knuckle pain we thought there might be.

MaryK

I was just on the phone with my nurse friend and she confirmed that the fish oil I am taking is very good for connective tissue, which is what the Achilles tendon is. I know one thing, I am so glad for upper body strength because I am getting a serious workout! Thanks for responding.

I think I got lucky in the pain department- I only took one pain pill during the whole 2 weeks after my surgery- that was the middle of the night on day 3 post-op. Hurray for nerve blocks!! I might look into that tumeric, thanks.

hey shawn,

like you i’m on my feet all day for work. not only am i on my feet all day, i’m a lineman at a electric utility company, so i use my legs all day climbing poles, ladders, in & out of bucket trucks….

I had surgery sept 26, and am probably not going back to work until end of jan or beginning of feb, thats about 5 months of disability. now that i’m pwb, hopefully fwb in another week or two, ( i know this sounds cheesy) i started volunteering at a non profit one to two days a week. figure i’d try to do something positive in between p.t. sessions.

beats watching daytime tv

cheers

don

I echo the rest. It’s hard but I’ve found that it pays off later on.
Read, watch tv-shows on Hulu.com.
Before you know it you’ll be up and about.

Shawn,

I ruptured mine the same way the end of July going up for a rebound. Although I think someone stepped on my heal as I was going up. It sounds like your doctor is pretty aggresive like mine. I was given the go ahead to walk w/ my boot around week 5. The biggest thing you’ll have to deal w/ when you go back to work is swelling. Good Luck….
Joe

Thanks for the advice MaryK. I am also taking some vitamins that will help with the healing process. I am drinking Echinacea tea to help out with infection, and taking fish oil and Turmeric pills for the healing. It is a real culture shock when you are so used to doing things and then all of a sudden you are so limited. I am going to look for that shower chair and plastic cover today.

Shawn

Dear Shawn,

I’m just a little bit ahead of you- I had my surgery November 19th. The best advice I can give you is to take it easy while you recuperate for the first couple weeks. This is one thing you can’t rush- so just relax and give your body the chance it needs to recover. Be absolutely committed to keeping your leg elevated above your heart all the time. Also, buy a shower stool and cast cover right away- I tried to make do with a plastic lawn chair and a garbage bag at first- not a good idea

MaryK

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