First Post-Op Follow up! Good bye sutures!
Today is my first post-op follow up! It’s been 17 days since the surgery. I was really nervous, as mentioned in my previous post, I fell a few times.
I didn’t have to wait long at all (yay) and luckily my appointment was in the morning. The nurse took my stitches out, it wasn’t pleasant experience. I was watching her to do it a bit and I could when she pulled the stitches out 
After she took the stitches out, the Physio came in. She put me in an Aircast boot, with 3 wedges. She told me that I have to put the boot on ALL the time, except for when I exercise my ankle 2-3 times day (just by moving my ankle up and down) and to shower. No scrubbing the wound out, and no swimming yet The surgeon came in afterwards, he checked my ankle, did a calf squeeze and hurray, my tendon is still intact!
I’ll be using crutches still for the next 4 weeks and then we’ll see what happens next! My surgeon said that I would begin weight bearing but I don’t know how much weight to start with, any suggestions? What should I aim for at the end of every week in terms of weight bearing? I’m pretty much doing FWB right now because I’m scared.
Also, when you first got into a boot, was there pain? Most of the time there isn’t much pain, just incision irratation but since I’m in the boot (it’s heavy!) I’m feeling a lot pain and aches. Luckily no numbness. Is this normal? I think it might be because I’m only 2ish weeks post-op. Any insights would be very helpful!
I can’t seem to insert pictures in post, it put into a blank screen when I uploaded and click “Insert to Post”. Any ideas why?
Thank you in advance and happy healing!
July 4th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Congrats! Not sure what kind of schedule you’re on. i got a cast for 2 weeks after my sutures were removed, nwb. Then boot after 4 weeks with 2 heel lifts. Pwb, used crutches with boot on the ground. 6 weeks, 1lift out, same, used crutches get around with pwb. Just had 8 weeks, removed heel lifts. I’m allowed to fwb, but not feeling 100 stability. I still use crutches and but do short walks without crutches. I start pt next week. Your pain might from an il-adjusted boot. Also, might be from swelling. Keep leg elevated whenever possible. Put on some ice too to reduce swelling.
July 6th, 2014 at 11:08 am
I had some pain when I was initially put into the boot, but it was more of the tightness of the tendon as I was going to a neutral position of my foot. I don’t have any wedges in my boot, so maybe that’s what is making it feel heavy for you and giving you the pain? I hope for you that the pain is only until you adjust to this next phase and that it goes away soon.
I’m having the same issues with inserting pictures - it doesn’t want to seem to work for me either and I’ve tried with different browsers. I may just give up on that.
July 6th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Hi, I was non op. In cast for two weeks then boot with 3 heel lifts to be taken out gradually. I felt pain when first into boot. Now been in it 4weeks. Still some discomfort in calf, tendon and around ankle bone. This is usually at end of the day when I get some swelling. Good advice about elevating often and it is heavy but not for ever. Take care