Well it's been three days since my surgery and I think I am doing pretty good. I try to stay flat and keep my leg and foot elevated to minimize pain. The dr said my tendons were a mess and I must have been in a lot of pain. (I was) I am hopeful that I am on the road to recovery. I broke this ankle in October and had to be put back together with pins, plates and screws, now this tendon thing has happened so I am looking forward to making progress. Anyone out there who can give me advice/suggestions about what's to come?

Annie,
It's great to be through the surgery and onto the recovery, isn't it? Sounds like your recovery is going well so far and that you're doing just what you need to. What PTT procedures did you have done?

I'm 2.5 wks post-op w/ PTT repair and an Evans osteotomy. I had the same procedures on my other ankle last May, so have been through the whole thing once before :( I can't wait to be active again! The recovery is long. I was 6 wks NWB in a splint and cast and then 4 wks in a boot, weight-bearing as tolerated. I think I walked with one crutch for the first week, then went without. PT lasted about 2.5 months. My surgeries were just shy of 10 months apart and I found how weak my one leg still was when it became my primary support. They say it takes 9-12 months before the full results can be seen. I was able to start "running" around 4-4.5 months, which is exactly what my dr predicted. I had more pain and was on meds longer (3 months) the first time; this time I'm taking less already. Each case is different and tolerance to pain is different, so just know you are where you are.

I'm not sure what questions you have, but feel free to ask; there are a bunch of people who have undergone the PTT surgery.

Krista

I am not sure what all the dr did because he told my husband it was more extensive than he thought, so I guess I will find out when I go for my check up. It sounds similiar to what others have had done. I will be NWB splint/cast for 6 weeks and then a walking boot 6 more weeks. Did you start rehab before he took you out of the boot? Today is day 4 post op and my foot is really painful today. He told me there would be a couple of incisions (one in my arch area and one on the outside of the my foot but tht was before he found "the mess") It is really hurting on the outside area of my foot. I am trying to stay ahead of the pain by keeping up with the meds (percocet) but today it doesn't seem to be doing much good. I find that I have to stay flat and put my leg up. Anything else is pretty painful. How long does that last? When I broke my ankle, it seemed to last about 2 weeks (or just about the time he put on the cast) Is it pretty painful one you start walking? Thanks for listening!!!

Annie, expect to have to be "toes above the nose" most of the time for the first month to 6 weeks to control pain and swelling. Be sure to stay ahead of the pain right now. Take the meds on schedule, don't wait until you start hurting. Ice as much as you can. It's hard for ice to penetrate the splint but you can put it behind your knee and that works (don't know how, but it does!) The first 6 weeks are the worst. You will start feeling a little less pain in a few weeks then when you start PWB in the boot the pain level typically jumps back up. When you start PT you will have an increase in pain with that as well. Don't be afraid of the meds. Being pain free actually aids in healing. If you take them as directed and you are in pain, you will not get addicted. I took them regularly for about 3 months, then as needed thereafter. My surgeon waited until I was fused before starting PT which I think is typical. I fused quickly so started PT at 6 weeks. It was very gentle at first. They worked with me on progressing to FWB over the 4 weeks I was in the boot. The first time I walked "alone" (the PT was walking backwards holding my hands) I felt like a new born colt. but it was so awesome! It is a long recovery but hang in there. You are on "the other side" now and every step of the way is a step closer to full recovery, which is about 12 months. Good luck!

Annie,
Sorry to hear you're having a lot of pain and that the meds, elevation, ice, etc. aren't working too well. You might want to contact your drs office to see if they want to do anything different for your pain management. Another drug might work better. Are you taking anything else in addition to the Percocet? I was also given hydroxizine, which I was told enhances the pain meds, helps you sleep, relieves nausea, etc. Maybe something like that could be helpful. It's good that you're trying to keep up on the meds, as once you get behind, it takes more time to catch up and you have to suffer during that time.

As far as how long it will last, it's hard to say. We all have a different pain tolerance and even that can vary from one injury/surgery to another. My first go around I had a lot more pain and swelling, so took meds for months. It hurt like crazy to have my foot down for long and my toes turned blue/purple and throbbed (I think this went away within 4 wks or so). This time it isn't hurting or swelling at all like the first, which is strange, given that I had the exact same procedures done. Strange how the body reacts when it's traumatized like this!

When do you go back to the dr? Hope you're feeling a bit better!
Krista

Krista, so glad to hear that the second one can be easier. I, too, couldn't put my foot down hardly at all the first few weeks and the purple toe thing is downright frightening! I am facing having my other foot done one day, which I hope I can put off as long as possible. So it's nice to hear that it can be better than the first time.

My doctor appt is Mar 24 and I have pretty much resigned myself to taking tylenol. The pain is tough but only when I put my foot down (to go to bathroom, change places from chair to bed). It seems to hurt the most on the outside of the foot (verses the arch area). My biggest problem is the boredom. I have movies, books, puzzles and the internet but I am an "on the go" kind of person. If I want something, I just jump in the car and go get it. It's just me and my husband (kids are grown and gone) so whenever I need something, he helps. Thanks for the advice!

My PTTD surgery was just over a week ago but I feel I have improved. When I put my foot down, the pain doesn't seem to be as intense as it once was. My pain meds were making me sick to my stomach so I have opted for just Tylenol. I feel like I am making progress because I have moved from the bed full time with my foot propped, to sitting in a chair with foot propped.:) I rented a knee scooter today so I can be a little more mobile. It's kind with swivel front wheels so I am not sure if I will like it. (I had the other kind last time) But I need to do something in order to get up and around.

The boredom is about to drive me insane. Does anyone have suggestions to fight it?

Annie, I sorted my hundreds of photos that were thrown in a drawer. It was something I could do with my leg propped up! Also, wanted to mention that pain meds make me sick, too, so they gave me a script for Phenergan to take with them. I only have to take a half Phenergan and they have never made me sick again. Just a suggestion, since the pain will probably increase once you start PWB and physical therapy.

Hi
I had my surgery yesterday and the block wore off 2:30am. What a rude awakening literally. I use oxycodone and percoset and it still is painfull. they had to put in 3 screws for my heel and the doc told my husband they will not be taking them out. I have to use the knee scooter also because the wheelchair wouldn't fit in the doorway of the bathroom. The heel and ankle pull so much when they hang. I like crossword puzzles and sudoku, Also there is all kinds of games online and it's free. they can be entertaining you play and talk to real people.

One thing I recently found out is that my local library offers downloadable audio e-books, so there is someone reading to you and they're free! I was so excited...I'm a big reader, but it was hard to focus, hold the book, keep from falling asleep. Listening was easy. I "read" "Kabul Beauty School", which I highly recommend, and am in "Friday Night Knitting Club" now and enjoying that too. So, there's something else that might entertain you while you're laid up!

Hey Krista

Good to see that everything is going well for you with your second op!! Took time to find you again on here, but glad i did!

One little question please, can you go up on tip toe on your 1st foot? I know that the PTT governs that movement....I have never got mine back, just wonder if you had. Have to say i don't really miss it as i don't go round on tip toe much..haha.

One little tip incase it helps anyone. When i came out of my boot, even the sheets on the bed seemed rough on my scars. I wrapped my whole foot up in cotton wool and put the boot sock over it ..............sheer bliss!!

I wish everyone well in their recovery.

Mazzie :)

Hi Mazzie!
Great to hear from you! How are you doing in your PTT and OCD recovery? Good I hope!

Yes, I can go up on tip toe on my left foot. It isn't super strong by any means, but I can do it. That is one exercise (heel raises) I was given to do for the first year after surgery. It's having to do that and more now that I am relying solely on it. Not sure it's too pleased with that, but not quite 3 wks to go NWB, then walking in the boot. I got to go into a boot instead of a cast after the splint, so can shower w/o it and take it off periodically to ice and elevate it. I think my skin will be in good shape, as I'm washing, lotioning and just taking good care of it. We'll see!

Let me know how you're doing!
Take care,
Krista

Hi everyone
It is nice to read these blogs as I am always finding good information. I'm glad your all here!
Thanks

Hi again Krista,

Like many on here my foot still doesnt feel right! I have had a second op for the OCD, although it was mostly scar tissue and inflammation they cut out this time. The OCD side of it is still causing problems, but OS is hopeful it will settle more than this.
On the PTT side, my foot still doesnt feel strong or normal ( whatever that is) Its perfectly aligned, but my achilles is still overly tight and painful, my tendon scar area is still tender, and swells up daily. Plus my heel is painful underneath...but only if i have been on it for a few hours! I've just started seeing a new PT now, and he's given me more exercises to strenghten it up. Yet when they test my foot strength, it comes out 10/10. Strange!

Anyway, its onwards and hopefully upwards, all i can do is keep trying and hope it all settles down. They do say it takes a year, and i am 9 mths PO from 1st surgery now.

Hope everything else goes smoothly for you in your recovery! Keep us all up to date! Good luck to everyone else too, this is a long old road!

Mazzie >>>>>>>>>>. going off to practise heel raises...lol.

Good morning everyone!!
I have 2 weeks left before I can wean out of the boot and put sneakers on!! I am so excited! I can not wait to start running again. I am thinking maybe by june or july I will be.! Hope all is well with everyone.

Kristin

Hi Annie,
I work for a Podiatrist. Just make sure that when you elevate your foot it is a good foot to foot and a half above your heart. If it is even with your heart or just barely above your heart it can still cause pain.
Make sure you stay off of it and do exactly what your doctor says.
Non compliant patients have more pain, heal slower and have many more problems later.
Most people think their doctor won't know if they are non compliant. Believe me they can tell right away.
I hope you get better soon. Surgeries are never fun and you don't realize how much you need your feet until you're laid up and can't use them.

Please don't think that I am saying that you are non compliant. I don't know you and would never judge you. I am just telling you from experience in our office. It just takes time.
Tam

Hi all.
I will see Doc for first time Tues post op. I have to ask so many questions because he is not forthcoming with info. Unless you ask a direct question he doesn't offer any info, but he is a good surgeon. I still don't know where he got the tendon he transplanted. I have no idea if he did anything to the achilles but there is pain there also so he might have. I am wiggling my toes but I don't even know if I am allowed to lift my leg up so I just sit with it elevated in a recliner. I even sleep on the recliner with a pillow under my foot. Sorry I am writting so much but it's frustrating not knowing anything. Do you think I can do leg lifts straight up then down?

Hey Ecyrom47,
I will also see the doctor this week post op. I, too have questions about the tendons and what all he did but he shares alot of info so I feel good about what he does.
As for sleeping, I sleep in bed with my foot elevated in two large pillows and that works pretty well. During the day, I trade places between the couch and the recliner with my foot proped on those same two pillows.
I feel pain in my arch and on the outside of my foot. How about you? I use my scooter to get around the house (much easier than crutches) but I still can't do much because I have to keep my foot elevated for pain and swelling. If I leave it hanging down too much, I can feel the swelling.
I think I am dealing with a little bit of depression because I am such an on the go person. I just feel so alone (I have a husband, grown children and a dog) because all I can do is sit or lay and prop my foot. (doesn't leave alot room for fun and games)

Hi AnnieJ
I stay in the recliner all day and night except to go to the bathroom, but I have my computer setup by the recliner so I am connected to the world and I don't get too bored.
I have pain on the inside of the ankle the back of the heel and the back of the ankle. The percoset is working great now. I am in a partial cast but it's wrapped up so I don't know what is under the wrap. My toes are exposed and I can wiggle them that's about it. The cast is heavy so lifting my leg is difficult but it's the only expercise I can do.
I also have two pillows with the recliner. I use a knee walker which is great. It was $25 per week rental at a medical supply place. It can be steered so you only have to lift and turn in tight spots. It also is very narrow so it fits in almost everywhere. It gives you a lot of mobility. I am just scared till I see the Doc so I am not doing anything yet.