19+ weeks post-op
Posted by terencemc on July 8, 2014
Hey all,
Lots to share over the last few months. My last post described some really difficult pain I have experienced as well as an unwillingness by the doctors to help figure it out. Well, i have answers now. After pushing the envelope by going to the Hospital’s Ombudsmen dept, I finally got the surgeon’s attention and the PA removed from my case. It led to a referral to a pain mgmt doc and a neurologist for an EMG.
The outcome is that the anesthesiologist damaged a nerve when administering the nerve block just below my knee right before my surgery. Fortunately, it didn’t totally sever the nerve, so it should regenerate over the course of a year. The damage has caused ongoing electricity like pain in my foot and toes, lack of feeling in my calf and top of foot and dramatically impaired movement in my toes and foot from an active perspective (near paralysis for 6 weeks). My PT was instrumental in identifying the issues as I had not progressed in active ROM in that length of time. So, reading some of the comeback stories on here was difficult as i had been held back by the complication and lack of doctor attention.
At this stage, i’m on a drug called Neurontin to treat the neuropathy which is helping manage the pain very well. It does have side effects which aren’t too bad though. I also started thinking about what else I could do to help- so I shifted to certain foods (plant based and more natural diet) and away from others (alcohol and my typical grease fare) to try to supplement the body’s efforts to heal. I’ve also found a freedom in the actual diagnosis so i can let go of the uncertainty and daily pain and move toward a positive attitude and convincing myself of an eventual full healing (mind over matter!).
All of these things in combination have me in a much better place. My last month, in fact has seen a dramatic turnaround in my PT. I have now begun being able to engage my toes again partially and my foot is now actively at neutral ROM. I have lost my cane now and am able to walk without a limp. I still get significant swelling in the ankle each day, but my progress the last 5 weeks has been huge.
So, hopefully my story can be a source of info for some.
July 8th, 2014 at 1:10 pm
It’s great that you persisted in seeking answers to your condition. There’s no better health advocate for you than you! I’m glad for you that you now know what’s wrong, have a plan in place, and that it should/hopefully will lead to full healing–if only a little longer than a “normal” ATR recovery. Moving forward, however slow, is better than standing still or moving backwards. Keep that positive attitude–and good luck and good healing to you! -David
July 8th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
What David said! And if you are ever “lucky” enough to join me in the Both Sides Club, skip the op and the complications.
Lots of otherwise smart people think it’s great to have a doctor tell you that everything’s fine. But if something’s bothering you, that’s pure frustration, until they find the problem! It’s obvious if you’ve been there…