Hamstring/Heel Cord Surgery Recovery - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

TJZMOM · 06-14-2006, 10:48 AM

My 9 year old son just had his right hamstring lengthened and his right heel cord released at the Shriner's Hospital in Kentucky and out of all the surgeries he's had this has been the worst. His surgery was on 5/31 and he was in so much pain when he woke up with muscle spasms. He had those for 2 days and then they went away until last Thursday (6/8) and now they are back. He says when he has a spasm the pain is at the top of his thigh. He has a cast from the knee down and a knee immobilizer from the thigh down. He also complains that his foot is asleep (tingling) and we can see his toes twitching. I have called the hospital numerous times but haven't been able to get much info. Has anyones else been through this and is that normal. We don't get our cast off until 6/25 and I don't know if we will make it or not. At this point I am starting to regret letting them do surgery. Please help.

Zagreus · 06-14-2006, 01:48 PM

They may have cast him too tight. Call your orthopedic surgeon directly instead of going through the hospital. Surely someone at the surgeon's office should be concerned with getting you good information or taking a look at your son if he's that uncomfortable. Did the doc prescribe any pain medication?
My son had the surgery at the age of ten and it has been a miracle for him. For two years now he has not needed a brace. But the first few weeks are a bear. It will be worth it in the long run.
In the meantime, insist on getting through to the surgeon.

TJZMOM · 06-14-2006, 02:22 PM

Zagreus - when you say the first few weeks were a bear what do you mean? I'm naturally concerned (my husband actually says I'm a worry wart) but I don't want there to be something going on that doesn't need to be going on. I would love to e-mail you directly or talk to you if possible. This is the first ortho surgery we have been through and it really helps me to talk to other moms who have dealt with the same think. Thanks so much for replying....I love this board. My grandma always said that angels show up where you least expect them and that is evident on this board everyday.

Thanks again.

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Steffers2318 · 06-14-2006, 03:34 PM

I would agree that the cast may be too tight--this can cause the tingling. Can you get a couple fingers into the top and bottom of the cast? If you can, it might be something else...when I had mine done, part of my one foot got red and tingly. When I went to my surgeon, he said that my nerve (a major nerve that goes over the knee, I forget the name) was changing positions. (It had been in the "wrong" place because I had been walking with my knees bent.)

As for the spasms, mine were also in the quad (top of the thigh)...this is normal, I think, for hamstring surgery.

HTH

moderator2 · 06-16-2006, 08:18 PM

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