Post-op day 3
I had my surgery on Friday for the correction of my Haglund’s Deformity. My doctor reshaped the bone to remove the spur and also transferred a tendon from my big toe to repair the damage to the Achilles tendon. He had hoped to be able to just remove some of the tendon but there was too much damage from 7+ years of this problem. After surgery my right leg is in a cast below the knee. I am non-weight bearing on the right leg at least until my next appointment on Nov 1st. This weekend I had a lot of pain that I did not expect. I was expecting some pain but not this much. I was taking oxycodone every four hours to keep it under control. I kept my foot elevated all weekend. I didn’t even get out of bed on Sat (POD 1). Well I am happy to report that by Sun morning the pain was better and I was able to spread out the oxycodone. I even got up a few times and moved around the house.
As of today (POD 3) the pain is much better. I was able to get up unassisted and move around the house for a while. The problems I am still having is getting used to the crutches and being able to balance on them while having the range of motion in my arms to be able to reach for things. Someone suggested in an earlier comment to get a knee walker and I can certainly see the benefits of this.
Tomorrow my goal is to get in the shower. I bought a cast protector from Walgreen’s and look forward to trying it for the first time and not just taking a sponge bath balancing on one foot at the sink.
Thanks for all the support from everyone who commented on my previous posts.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
I’m almost two weeks post op and I just focus on the single day. When I take time out and look back, have to say, two weeks is coming fast. I’ve found getting a chair (like an office chair) with wheels to be a huge help. Im lucky to have tile floors in kitchen to bathroom so just roll around, borders on fun..and one less thing I have to ask family to do, is one less stress point for family, including me. Crutches go slow…lean forward so you don’t fall back. My technique for steps is putting both crutches under arm of good leg and hop up step holding railing with opposite hand…then raise crutches to level foot is on…very secure..take it slow. I just received “crutcheze” pads from ebay…they are like pillows. Tired another set (sheep fur thing) which made me look old and had less comfort. These pad under arm and the hands, where you should be holding your weight (on hands not armpits). We have this huge soaking tub that we have never used. I tried taking shower and almost fell down, so I just bought a small plastic bench for tub, but cast on edge and towel folded over it…and just pour water from spout for hair and soap and cleaning…works great…I do miss shower, but I’m clean and my cast is always dry as a bone without any covers to manipulate. If I can say anything, it would be don’t look ahead, stay in the day you’re in and look back at the days mounting up. Best of everything!
October 25th, 2011 at 12:04 am
Slow and steady, it’s not a race.
I had some pain in the 6 weeks I spent off my feet but I was off the pain killers by the 3rd day.
Remember though, that a rupture or a partial rupture is a different beast than Haglund’s.
Having “only” a partial rupture now I can tell you it’s so different.
I don’t have to deal with stitches (all 40 of them) nerves being cut, bone removed and a cast for 6 weeks.
I’m in two shoes today, I wasn’t here until the end of November last time.
Take your time, baby it.
And do your exercises when told to do so!
October 26th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Rent a knee walker, used it with my right foot surgery, now using it with my left - allows you to have your hands completely free - just google ‘knee walker’. They rent for about $75/month and insurance will cover the rental.
October 26th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Here’s another endorsement of a knee walker. And when you rent it, pay a few dollars extra for the basket. A few notes of caution though, you may have to get a very specific prescription stating that it’s essential for your recovery. Also it’s FSA eligible with that “essential to recovery” message in the form of a letter from your doc. And, it’s useful for the outdoors but stick to smooth pavement! Trust me on this
October 29th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Hi! It’s nice to see another person on with a Haglund’s recovery. I am 15 days post surgery for Haglunds Removal and Achilles Lengthening. I would strongly suggest getting a knee walker! It’s such a life saver. I had crutches the first 2 days. It was horrible. I fell the first night and actually took a step on the surgery foot. So it was imperative to get a knee walker right away. I didn’t care what the expense was, I had to have it.
My pain level has decreased greatly and was off pain medication after the first 5 days. I was really just taking at night due to discomfort.
I am now back on Tylenol w/codeine at night due some intense pain while sleeping.
Wondering if you are having any sharp/burning/stabbing pains in the bottom of your heel at night?
I also have the shower cover from walgreens and it’s amazing! I just also purchased a shower seat from Amazon and it was less then $40 dollars. For now, I was driving to my mother in laws since she had a handicap bathroom in her house and the shower allowed me to cover my knee walker with plastic, scoot into the shower and take a shower with my hubbie near by.
Last night, we had the idea of taking a small step ladder and putting it in our standing shower. That worked perfectly, it was a little uncomfy since the ladder was slightly taller then my knee walker so my right foot was pretty sore from trying to balance everything. But it will work until I get the shower chair.
I wish you the best of luck. Try taking 1 day at a time. It’s very hard having to depend of everyone else to have your house run while you are down and out. I have given up on having my house perfectly cleaned (the way I like) and am just trying to be thankful that I have some good help from hubbie and the kids.
Keep us posted on your recovery!