Anesthesia for OCD Ankle Athroscopy - which one? - Foot Problems Message Board

kimberp · 08-16-2007, 08:35 PM

Thanks to all that have helped me choose the right OS to move forward with my OCD of the talus. After now 10 weeks in this boot and having no improvement (after a misdiagnosis of RSD by another OS), unfortunately it was confirmed today that we will try the debridement and drilling. Given my OCD is large, he is giving me a 70% success rate .. I am waiting for my date for sometime mid September.

I have some questions now that the shock is now wearing off...

1)we started talking about the anesthesia and he mentioned general, epidural or a 'block' that would numb me from the knee down .. which is best? I am leaning towards the block .. I think, but would like opinions.

2) he said after the drilling I would be 4 weeks NWB but would start PT soon after as that will help me heal. I understand from reading the threads that the movement after will help form the new cartilage, but what exactly does NWB mean? I understand I can't put any weight on it, but does that mean I am bed ridden for 4 weeks? Did everyone go on short term disability?

3) what is involved in pre-op testing? Sorry this is probably a basic question but I have never had surgery and I am the worlds BIGGEST CHICKEN when it comes to needles.

Sorry for so many questions .. for some reason this all became real this morning although I should have known this was coming. I can't even imagine what I'd be like if this were the open OATS procedure that will happen if this doesn't work.

Thanks for your help!
Kim

missyou009 · 08-16-2007, 09:04 PM

1. I would definitely go with general anesthesia!I had a Brostrom repair done at the end of June,had general,and it was great.I was out like a light,and other than being groggy and having a sore throat,I had no side effects.My anesthesiologist said general would be best because otherwise I would have to keep myself completely still,and also that blocks and epidurals take longer to wear off.

2. NWB means that you are not allowed to put any weight on your foot,so you have to use a walker,crutches,or wheelchair.So no,you don't have to be bedridden,you just have to be careful.

3. I can't help you with the pre-op testing as I didn't have any.Sorry.

Hope that helps a little!

walkabout · 08-17-2007, 05:22 AM

I had an akle fusion using both anesthesia and a block. I loved the block because when I went home (out patient surgery), the block was still active for my pain. That was awesome. As far as NWB, I used a little wheel cart that you rest your leg on with a bent knee. It is far better than crutches or a wheel chair. Where I am at, you can rent it. You should check into that. It is great to get around and have free hands. Goodluck!

dustoffkid · 08-17-2007, 05:52 AM

I had my knee surgery with epidural, and my sinus surgery under general anaesthesia... if I ever have a choice, I'll go for the epidural. I don't like the grogginess or the icky-sicky feeling after a general. Hubby had general with a block for his shoulder surgery, and he said it wasn't bad (also kept the post-op pain down for a while, as it lasts for about twelve hours).

I never had pre-admission testing either; they just sat me down,, verified personal information, asked about allergies, etc. I had no needles. Females usually need a pregnancy test, but at my clinic that's a pee-in-the-cup thing.

kimberp · 08-17-2007, 06:58 PM

Thanks everyone for your answers, definitely gives me more to consider.

After reading this forum I have read about so many debridement/drillings that didn't work only to have the bigger procedure later on ... I am tempted to go for the bigger procedure (bone taken from my knee and put in my ankle) but it is so much more involved, OS wants to try the drilling first.

My only hope is those that had successful debridement/drillings are happily going on with life and not reporting that back here in the forum.

Thanks for listening to me vent .. I know I am not alone in my frustrations in reading through the messages here and just want all this over with and to be able to walk pain free (or maybe not pain free, but with no limp) and do all the things I want to do. I don't want to climb a mountain or anything but it would be nice to be able to get back to the gym or play tennis and golf again.

Thanks again .. and if anyone has had success with d/d with a large OCD please feel free to let me know .. maybe it will help prevent my getting an ulcer before my surgery in Sept

.