WriterChick
09-09-2008, 11:19 PM
For those who've had PTTS--how old were you at the time of surgery? I'm wondering if my 34 years of age is at least kind of common, lol.
The back story: After months of dealing with an increasingly fallen arch and related posterior tibial tendonitis and trying to treat it conservatively (orthotics, walking boot, etc.) with minimal results & increasing pain, I've decided to give in to surgery (scheduled for next week). I hated to do it, but I'm just tired of the chronic pain and have mentally readied myself to hopefully correct this once & for all.
I'm 34, and the doctors I've seen have told me I'm pretty young for this surgery (which was partially why it was recommended, as it would be a long time to go through life wearing a brace--plus I'm very active, a work at home mom of a toddler, etc.) My right foot has always been fairly flat, but hadn't caused me any problems until late last year, when I think I injured the tendon during a dance class (high-impact, bare feet). Ever since then, my foot has almost completely collapsed, and the tendon becomes more & more inflamed.
I'm still nervous about the surgery, but I was blessed to come across this board, because I REALLY needed to hear from people who've gone through this. It's great that I'm not the only one nervous about such a big step, with feelings of, "Have I done all I could otherwise?" Now I'm much more certain the answer to that is definitely "yes."
The back story: After months of dealing with an increasingly fallen arch and related posterior tibial tendonitis and trying to treat it conservatively (orthotics, walking boot, etc.) with minimal results & increasing pain, I've decided to give in to surgery (scheduled for next week). I hated to do it, but I'm just tired of the chronic pain and have mentally readied myself to hopefully correct this once & for all.
I'm 34, and the doctors I've seen have told me I'm pretty young for this surgery (which was partially why it was recommended, as it would be a long time to go through life wearing a brace--plus I'm very active, a work at home mom of a toddler, etc.) My right foot has always been fairly flat, but hadn't caused me any problems until late last year, when I think I injured the tendon during a dance class (high-impact, bare feet). Ever since then, my foot has almost completely collapsed, and the tendon becomes more & more inflamed.
I'm still nervous about the surgery, but I was blessed to come across this board, because I REALLY needed to hear from people who've gone through this. It's great that I'm not the only one nervous about such a big step, with feelings of, "Have I done all I could otherwise?" Now I'm much more certain the answer to that is definitely "yes."
Sponsor
WriterChick
09-09-2008, 11:27 PM
Whoops...I should clarify from my first post that I'm actually having a posterior tibial tendon transfer and osteotomy. :)
sunny77
09-10-2008, 01:08 AM
Hi there,
What kind of osteotomy are you having (Evans, sliding, etc)? Have you been given a good idea of what to expect in terms of recovery, pain, rehab, etc?
I am 31 and have had both of my feet/ankles fixed due to PTTD. I had it initially as a teen, but it healed and came back in my later 20s. I had the posterior tib tendon repaired (no transfer) and had an Evans osteotomy. The Evans is where a bone block is put in on the outside of the foot to lengthen and straighten the foot. It creates an arch and the tendon serves mainly as a shock absorber. I had no problems with my right foot until my left was fixed, so almost 10 months after I had the first fixed, I had the second fixed. I am now about 16 months post-op on the first and 7 on the second. I am back to running (with some pain, but not due to PTTD stuff...just healing stuff and it will get better) and working out...it was really hard to be mostly inactive for a year (between the two feet). There are a number of other people on this board who are young and active with PTTD. Like you, we've gone through the conservative treatment and failed.
One piece of equipment I really recommend is a knee scooter, like a Turning Leg Caddy or a Roller-Aid. They allow you to have one of your hands free and to get around a lot easier than w/ crutches alone. I barely used crutches, really only for stairs or in situations that made it hard. Shopping was possible using a basket. Also, a shower chair, handheld shower head, cast cover, many pillows (for elevation), ice packs and easy to grab snacks or meals and maybe something like Senna-S (bowels get messed up on pain meds) would all be good to have.
What questions do you have? Keep us posted on how your surgery goes and how you're doing!
What kind of osteotomy are you having (Evans, sliding, etc)? Have you been given a good idea of what to expect in terms of recovery, pain, rehab, etc?
I am 31 and have had both of my feet/ankles fixed due to PTTD. I had it initially as a teen, but it healed and came back in my later 20s. I had the posterior tib tendon repaired (no transfer) and had an Evans osteotomy. The Evans is where a bone block is put in on the outside of the foot to lengthen and straighten the foot. It creates an arch and the tendon serves mainly as a shock absorber. I had no problems with my right foot until my left was fixed, so almost 10 months after I had the first fixed, I had the second fixed. I am now about 16 months post-op on the first and 7 on the second. I am back to running (with some pain, but not due to PTTD stuff...just healing stuff and it will get better) and working out...it was really hard to be mostly inactive for a year (between the two feet). There are a number of other people on this board who are young and active with PTTD. Like you, we've gone through the conservative treatment and failed.
One piece of equipment I really recommend is a knee scooter, like a Turning Leg Caddy or a Roller-Aid. They allow you to have one of your hands free and to get around a lot easier than w/ crutches alone. I barely used crutches, really only for stairs or in situations that made it hard. Shopping was possible using a basket. Also, a shower chair, handheld shower head, cast cover, many pillows (for elevation), ice packs and easy to grab snacks or meals and maybe something like Senna-S (bowels get messed up on pain meds) would all be good to have.
What questions do you have? Keep us posted on how your surgery goes and how you're doing!
smile2006
09-10-2008, 08:29 AM
I had surgery one month ago today (tendon tranfer and Dwyer osteotomy), at 43 years old, for a posterior tibial tendon tear. I had a hard fall down a set of stairs which I think caused the tear. I'm glad I did the surgery because my lifestyle is very active including my job demands. Luckily my tear was conclusively enough diagnosed that my insurance didn't make me go through anything conservative first. If you had read many of the posts here you know the first couple weeks are the worst with the pain, swelling and extreme immobility. Just know everyday gets better and better especially after the first two weeks. I'm now in a walking cast and getting around probably 50% of the day with no crutches. Also, I'm not sure if it is your right or left foot. If you are able to drive I think that makes a huge difference in getting around. Good luck with your surgery!
lmrich
09-10-2008, 05:54 PM
I am 38 and had the surgery last week. Instead of renting or buying a knee scooter; I have a wheelchair (free from a family member) and I bought a four-wheel walker with a seat from Costco for $99 and can put my knee on the seat and scoot. You will need help the first week or two as your toddler adjusts to the new routine. If you have to spend the night in the hospital, have someone stay with you if possible or at least get the phone numbers for the nurse's pager. I have three kids and have been able to homeschool them the last 3 days (4 days post-op); but a toddler is different. Good luck and read the boards for all of the wonderful posts on how to handle this.
Linda
Linda
WriterChick
09-10-2008, 07:12 PM
Thanks, everyone. I've been getting some wonderful tips from the many threads on this, and once again, I'm just glad to not be the only one going through this by a long shot! That makes it much easier to deal with.
WriterChick
09-10-2008, 07:13 PM
Hi there,
What kind of osteotomy are you having (Evans, sliding, etc)? Have you been given a good idea of what to expect in terms of recovery, pain, rehab, etc?
I believe I'm having a sliding osteotomy. I've absorbed so much that sometimes I forget the exact terms, lol--but from the way the surgery was described to me, it doesn't sound like the Evans (no bone block to lengthen/straighten the foot).
What kind of osteotomy are you having (Evans, sliding, etc)? Have you been given a good idea of what to expect in terms of recovery, pain, rehab, etc?
I believe I'm having a sliding osteotomy. I've absorbed so much that sometimes I forget the exact terms, lol--but from the way the surgery was described to me, it doesn't sound like the Evans (no bone block to lengthen/straighten the foot).
kristim06
09-10-2008, 09:29 PM
I am very young for this surgery and I had it at 24 (1/24/2008), and I am looking at having the second one done in January of 2009 and I will be 25. If you have questions please feel free to ask.
I tried all sorts of conservative measures and they all failed. I had a sliding ostetomy (spell??) a fdl tendon transfer and an achilles tendon legthing. I had one large screw place in the back of my heel and had it removed 8 months later.
Now my other foot is going through the same issues and I am currently in a stupid boot :( but on the upside because of a wedding i am in, in a few weeks he didn't cast it.
Kristin
I tried all sorts of conservative measures and they all failed. I had a sliding ostetomy (spell??) a fdl tendon transfer and an achilles tendon legthing. I had one large screw place in the back of my heel and had it removed 8 months later.
Now my other foot is going through the same issues and I am currently in a stupid boot :( but on the upside because of a wedding i am in, in a few weeks he didn't cast it.
Kristin
hurts2walk
09-10-2008, 09:55 PM
I am 41 and I just had posterior tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy. I have had foot problems for years because of flat feet. I am an active and fairly fit person but my tendon rupture was not an athletic injury just wear and tear.
swim22
09-27-2008, 04:51 PM
I am 60, fairly active in exercising every day and, like many, the tendon tore as a result of wear and tear - not an injury. I wanted to take off weight to help a bum knee and upped my time on the elliptical. It didn't take long to show up in my foot. I am one week post-op and doing fairly well now as long as I keep my foot at the level of my waist.
andrea121
09-27-2008, 05:10 PM
Well I was 17 when I had my first surgery done, I had a evans osteotomy and some stuff done with my tendons. I was born with flat feet was in orthotics for since i was 3. I had always had pain in my feet but in middle school and highschool when I was more active, they became very painful, so much that I wasnt joining sports becuase I knew it would hurt. We tried everything and surgery was my last option. I still have to do the other foot, I have had some very unheard off complications so I am still dealing with my first foot.
I think this just shows that it doesnt really matter the age, it matters how your feet are and what really needs to be done
I think this just shows that it doesnt really matter the age, it matters how your feet are and what really needs to be done
andrea121
09-27-2008, 05:14 PM
i should add that i am 19 now
01sophie
10-09-2008, 01:03 PM
Hi: I am 44 and getting ready to have this surgery next week. I would like to know from those of you that have had it done, how much pain were you in after surgery and for how long? Did pain meds work to keep you pain free if you kept on top of it? I am so nervous because I am very active. I can't sit still too long, always have to be moveing. The surgery is being done on my left foot, but my right foot has the same symptoms. I have fallen several times on my left knee due to the instability of the foot and I just received my knee scooter yesterday and tried to roam around on it but my knee hurts so bad, I can't use it. Oh, I should also mention that I live in a tri-level house.
So if I am up-stairs, I can go to the bathroom but I can't get myself something to eat. If I am downstairs, I can eat but I can't go to the bathroom. HELP!!!! Any suggestions?
So if I am up-stairs, I can go to the bathroom but I can't get myself something to eat. If I am downstairs, I can eat but I can't go to the bathroom. HELP!!!! Any suggestions?
hurts2walk
10-09-2008, 06:27 PM
We are quite alike! I am 42 and I am almost 5 weeks post op for tendon transfer (ruptured posterior tendon) and a calcaneal osteotmy. I also have 2 bad feet and I will be having this surgery on my other foot too. I live in a 4 level house and I am here to tell you that you can do it! First the pain: know that everyone is different so you will hear several versions on this. I had a popliteal block - research this and ask you doc about it. I was also given pain meds with my first dose right in the recovery room. I had day surgery so I went home and the real pain did not hit me until about 1:30 in the morning. It was tough going for the next few days but new pain meds (called the doc...changed meds) took care of most of it. I was off the meds before the 2 week mark. One key thing is to keep your foot elevated! The more you have it down, the more it will swell and it will smart! Search this topic on here and you will find many ideas for equipment you will need but I have a walker and a wheelchair. I have the wheelchair on the level with the kitchen so I can get around there. You will be crawling up and down those flights of stairs so be ready for (possibly) some sore knees! But you can get around and you will.....but also take it easy....this is very important. So have projects and reading materials etc ready for the boredom! Someone here advised me to start working out my arms to get them ready....it would help because you will be using muscles you did not know you had! Just keep reading here and it will help you so much...it has really helped me.
01sophie
10-09-2008, 08:14 PM
Hi: Thank you so much for replying. I have Posterior Tibial Tendonitis stage 2 with loss of the mid foot support. I am looking at being in the hospital for 3 to 5 days depending on how it goes. Although my tendon has not ruptured or torn, they do have to graph. I am also having a cyst being removed from the top of my foot and they are removing a bunion. He said there will be 4 incisions. I think I am just really falling apart. I have been trying to see how it will pan out by crawling up stairs and my wrists hurt, and I already said my knees hurt. I haven't even had surgery yet and by the end of my days I feel like my grandma that is 90. I have a hard time making it up the stairs with 2 feet as I have to hold on the the rail to pull myself up. I think I have more going on than anyone knows and I don't have health insurance to figure it out. This foot situation is a workers comp. claim as the doctors all have told me this is due to being on my feet over the course of several years. Look forward to more responses. Thank you.
surelynine
10-09-2008, 11:10 PM
Hi
I had tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy Dec. 2006 at age 54. I had the screw removed this spring, as it was causing constant pain, followed by an achilles tendon lengthening and subtalar implant in July. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Rita
I had tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy Dec. 2006 at age 54. I had the screw removed this spring, as it was causing constant pain, followed by an achilles tendon lengthening and subtalar implant in July. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Rita
01sophie
10-11-2008, 02:52 PM
Hi
I had tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy Dec. 2006 at age 54. I had the screw removed this spring, as it was causing constant pain, followed by an achilles tendon lengthening and subtalar implant in July. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Rita
Thanks Rita, were your pain meds enough to keep the pain at bay? I am really nervous about the after surgery part. I hope you are doing good now too.
I had tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy Dec. 2006 at age 54. I had the screw removed this spring, as it was causing constant pain, followed by an achilles tendon lengthening and subtalar implant in July. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Rita
Thanks Rita, were your pain meds enough to keep the pain at bay? I am really nervous about the after surgery part. I hope you are doing good now too.
01sophie
10-12-2008, 02:07 PM
I had to get my Dr. notes out so that I could copy down all that he is going to do.
Here we go: Lapidus bunionectomy, navicular cuneiform fusion, medializing calcaneal osteotomy, flexor digitorum longus to posterior tibialis tendon transfer, gastrocnemius slide and proximal tibial bone graft. Now see why I am scared? I am alergic to so many pain meds as they make me itch and my lips blister. I just don't want to feel any of the pain while recovering. That is what freaks me out the most, besides being bed ridden for a while. If anyone has had all or most of these things performed, please reply to this and let me know how your pain meds worked out for you. I am 3 days until surgery and nobody has quite answered my question.
Thanks everyone.
Here we go: Lapidus bunionectomy, navicular cuneiform fusion, medializing calcaneal osteotomy, flexor digitorum longus to posterior tibialis tendon transfer, gastrocnemius slide and proximal tibial bone graft. Now see why I am scared? I am alergic to so many pain meds as they make me itch and my lips blister. I just don't want to feel any of the pain while recovering. That is what freaks me out the most, besides being bed ridden for a while. If anyone has had all or most of these things performed, please reply to this and let me know how your pain meds worked out for you. I am 3 days until surgery and nobody has quite answered my question.
Thanks everyone.
lmrich
10-15-2008, 09:19 PM
Please don't be nervous about the pain. It will be painful, but it is temporary. I did a lot of rhythmic breathing - like from lamaze and visualized happy memories. Try to make your life as stress free as possible and that helps with the pain. Good Luck and try to be positive. (I am 6 weeks post-op and my cast comes off on Friday):)
LisaBdot
10-27-2008, 02:14 AM
I'm 52, 5 months post-op. Don't be scared about the pain. Yup, it hurts, but the meds do keep it at acceptable levels. I, too, am allergic to the most common pain medication, hydrocodone. (Oddly, I can take codeine.) I was prescribed hydromorphone, though, which is generic dilaudid. It worked great. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST before you try this--taking one Tylenol with my Dilaudid made it work better. You MUST get an ok from your pharmacist, though, in case your prescribed pain medicine already contains Tylenol. Hydrocodone does, for example. Please do not blow out your liver. Ice carefully (again, do not overdo) and elevate, elevate, elevate.
Plan ahead and have stashes of stuff where you need it. A cooler can be stocked every morning that will get you through the day without having to get to the kitchen, for example.
Try doing the stairs on your bottom if your knees are dicey. Also, get someone (your PT?) to give you a lesson on using crutches on stairs. It's actually not too bad--but practice while your teacher watches you. Memorize, "Down with the bad, up with the good."
Have you considered a potty chair? Your pharmacy can get one for you. Your toddler will surely get a kick out of THAT. Having said that, though, please don't stay entirely in one room just because it's easier--cabin fever can set in. I didn't actually mind being stuck at home, but being stuck in one room will make me batty.
I got a cheap memory foam pillow from Wal Mart for my Roll-A-Bout. Later, when you're using that more (and elevating your foot less), it might make your knee sore. The extra cushion really helped. I found so many other uses for that pillow, as well.
In addition to all the other wonderful suggestions of useful stuff to get ahead of time that you'll read here, I'd suggest couple tubes of Arnicare Gel (or another brand of Arnica gel). As mentioned, you'll be using some muscles much differently than you ever have before, and they'll be sore from the new "workout routine." I discovered Arnicare by accident (only had it on hand for bruises). That stuff was AMAZING for sore muscles, particularly my hands and the thigh of my good leg. Good stuff.
One other thing that doesn't get much mention: General anesthesia can mess with your hormones and make you emotional. While I cry easily at touching scenes in movies and such, I am not generally a crybaby. For a while after surgery, though, it took just nothing for me to puddle up. It was disconcerting. Finding out that it's actually a recognized phenomenon was helpful. If you find yourself in the same boat, just go ahead and cry when you need to and try not to worry about it. It stops being an issue at some point--I don't even remember when, just that I realized I wasn't doing that any more.
I was also SO cranky. But that was just frustration. I'm the one who does stuff. I'm not so good at having other people do stuff for me.
Chin up. It's all do-able. Truly, it's not horrible, just hard. You're strong, you're smart, and you're up to it.
Sending a hug,
Lisa
Plan ahead and have stashes of stuff where you need it. A cooler can be stocked every morning that will get you through the day without having to get to the kitchen, for example.
Try doing the stairs on your bottom if your knees are dicey. Also, get someone (your PT?) to give you a lesson on using crutches on stairs. It's actually not too bad--but practice while your teacher watches you. Memorize, "Down with the bad, up with the good."
Have you considered a potty chair? Your pharmacy can get one for you. Your toddler will surely get a kick out of THAT. Having said that, though, please don't stay entirely in one room just because it's easier--cabin fever can set in. I didn't actually mind being stuck at home, but being stuck in one room will make me batty.
I got a cheap memory foam pillow from Wal Mart for my Roll-A-Bout. Later, when you're using that more (and elevating your foot less), it might make your knee sore. The extra cushion really helped. I found so many other uses for that pillow, as well.
In addition to all the other wonderful suggestions of useful stuff to get ahead of time that you'll read here, I'd suggest couple tubes of Arnicare Gel (or another brand of Arnica gel). As mentioned, you'll be using some muscles much differently than you ever have before, and they'll be sore from the new "workout routine." I discovered Arnicare by accident (only had it on hand for bruises). That stuff was AMAZING for sore muscles, particularly my hands and the thigh of my good leg. Good stuff.
One other thing that doesn't get much mention: General anesthesia can mess with your hormones and make you emotional. While I cry easily at touching scenes in movies and such, I am not generally a crybaby. For a while after surgery, though, it took just nothing for me to puddle up. It was disconcerting. Finding out that it's actually a recognized phenomenon was helpful. If you find yourself in the same boat, just go ahead and cry when you need to and try not to worry about it. It stops being an issue at some point--I don't even remember when, just that I realized I wasn't doing that any more.
I was also SO cranky. But that was just frustration. I'm the one who does stuff. I'm not so good at having other people do stuff for me.
Chin up. It's all do-able. Truly, it's not horrible, just hard. You're strong, you're smart, and you're up to it.
Sending a hug,
Lisa
01sophie
11-05-2008, 01:04 PM
Hi: Well I had it done and am 3 weeks post op. The pain wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. My condition was worse than they thought. In the most current MRI it did not show a tare of the tendon but it was torn. He also found a big cyst under my arch that didn't show up in the MRI. He said there would be 4 incisions but there are 8. Also 4 screws and a wedge.
I got the soft cast off last week and stitches out and my foot looked like Frankenstein. My husband and I couldn't look for long as it was making us queesy.
I had taken your advice and looked into the pop-liteal block. (however you spell it)
I decided to have it done, but it didn't work on me. He said that happens sometimes.
So, 3 weeks until I get the hard cast off and into a walking boot. Which will be 2 days before Thanksgiving. I will have alot to be thankful for.
Look forward to more chat,
01sophie
I got the soft cast off last week and stitches out and my foot looked like Frankenstein. My husband and I couldn't look for long as it was making us queesy.
I had taken your advice and looked into the pop-liteal block. (however you spell it)
I decided to have it done, but it didn't work on me. He said that happens sometimes.
So, 3 weeks until I get the hard cast off and into a walking boot. Which will be 2 days before Thanksgiving. I will have alot to be thankful for.
Look forward to more chat,
01sophie