3.5 weeks post OP - internal stitches poking out
3.5 weeks after surgery, I decided to see how flexible my left ankle was. I was shocked at the results. I can bend it up almost as far as I can my right foot. There is some tightness and discomfort, (I would not call it pain). the doc gave me the go ahead to do flexibility movements daily but still NWB. last week I was able to start flexing my left calf muscle again. It has shrank significantly, but soon as I get back to the gym it should be ok.
My mother in law is a nurse for a podiatrist. (she has been a God send thru this) She noticed today when she was checking out my foot that the internal stitches towards the bottom of the incision, where the repair was done, poke out about 1/4" she said this is NORMAL . The human body naturally tries to push out any foreign objects. She advised me not to pull on them , that she will trim them. She told me at this point, that its healed up internally well enough that these stitches poking out are not a big deal and not worry. It had me freaked out!
two and half more weeks before doc gives me the OK to try to walk on it- I am SO tempted to try PWB at the 4 or 4.5 week mark, but I will wait and follow the doctors orders!!
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We’ve had a few people with rejected inner sutures here, including several who had follow-up ops to remove them. The actual ATRs were still repaired in all the cases I can recall, but the sutures were causing problems and had to go. Not everybody hangs out here long enough to tell us how the story ends, so it’s an incomplete and non-scientific sample. GerryR had an unusually dramatic story, which ended happily but only after four ops total. Your MIL sounds like she’s seen more non-dramatic cases than I’ve heard about here.
Good luck with it.
I will be 7 weeks post op for full rupture Fri 28th March, this site has encouraged me so much as I have gained more information than the hospital has given me. I know most people on here are Americans & Canadians so here in England it seems we work differently but were still batting for the same team right. Some differences are as follows:-
I will not see the surgeon who performed the surgery again.
After surgery I was put in a front plaster cast for 3 wks on return to hospital this was removed in the plaster room and a full cast fitted for 2 more wks, total 5 wks NWB foot angled down at approx 30° this was hard at times. When I complained at the second cast going on the nurse said she was working to the consultants instructions. Went back to hospital after 5 wks back to plaster room cast off Aircast Boot fitted with 3 wedges. I had to ask what weight I was allowed and suggested to nurse 25% to which she agreed and told me to take out 1 wedge each week with no mention of increasing the weight. I have an appointment week 8 post surgery to see the consultant and boy will I have questions for him.
So as I am getting impatient know could somebody tell me when does PT start, what week do I ditch crutches, get back in 2 shoes, walk a mile, ride a bike.
Hi Brisy
It is certainly true that one NHS trust in the UK might treat ATRs differently to another trust, especially if they are Foundation Trusts. That apart, it is down to a surgeon’s preferences, with those who read more, research more and are more open-minded tending to go with the more aggressive non-op protocols. In addition there are undoubtedly patients who need surgery due to the nature of the injury.
Take a look at Suddsy’s blog from last year when he and me and a few others posted some good info. The good news is that the UK (Exeter) and Canada (UWO) have been leading the way for the last couple of years and now others are coming through too.
Exeter’s rehab used the Vaco boot, going into a progressively increasing range of movement at 4 weeks. Same protocol whether non-op or surgical.
achillesblog.com/suddsy/2013/06/24/end-of-wk-2-wow-progress/
Looks like you’ve actually been very patient to date - good luck with the recovery and remember that it is weight bearing and movement asap that help with a faster and sustainable repair.
H
I’ve been using my foot for balancing and light weight bearing. Feels fine. No pain no discomfort. I noticed that my doc (whom is also my surgeon) has a different approach than most doctors who allow weight at 4 weeks.
I asked about wedges…he said this boot will be my walking boot as is. No use of wedges. This guy has great reviews so I’m trusting him. I’ll post a pic of the back of ankle. Very very neat work..incision line is very very small , scar may be totally hidden in a few years. I feel comfy in this boot and I plan on walking at the 6 week Mark.
I will keep my blog updated . I asked my mother in law whom the nurse at the doctor office. She told me he has all ATR patients stay NWB for 6 weeks but as also never had one of his patients have a rerupture. Time shall tell…..
Hillie,
Thanks for the info just read Suddsy’s blog, I get great encouragement from all the positive comments people make sort of makes you feel your not dealing with the injury alone. Friends and family are sympathetic but do not really know what your going through.
Had to smile my anti-spam word was patience, thats me all over. NOT.
B.
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