Posterior Tibial Tendon Surgery Recovery Update - Foot Problems Message Board

debincalif · 08-17-2007, 07:17 PM

Just had my 5 month post-op check up today. Some was good, and some was not-so-good.

I had a small melt-down... I'm so tired of the whole thing and scared as heck to go back to work standing on cement for 8 hours per day. I guess that's why doctors get the big bucks - they have to deal with hysterical women crying!!

He did tell me that I'm doing GREAT for 5 months out. Apparently better than other patients he's seen. That being said, he agrees that I'm not ready to go back to my regular job. So he's extended my disability for 6 more weeks. Then I think by state law I'll run out. That means I've got to either make a miraculous recovery to do my job, or search for a new one that doesn't involve being on my feet for 8 hours per day.

He wants me to continue with physical therapy for another 4 weeks... my therapist is in agreement with this, as am I.

Then, the kicker... he said that some of the pain and swelling I'm having on the outside of my foot is due to irritation of the peroneus brevis (sp?) tendon. He told me that the swelling and scar tissue may be entrapping or compressing the tendon & nerve, so I got yet one more lovely shot of cortisone. This one is really hurting me right now! Darn it all...

My husband and I also joined a health club this week, so the doctor was discussing things that would be good for my recovery... and lo and behold he belongs to the same club! He said, "See you there!"

So that's my update du jour.

How is everyone else getting along?

Deb

penybobeny · 08-18-2007, 01:26 AM

Deb,

Brava and Bravo on the good report (other than the injection... ouchie) I am glad to hear that you are swift on the road to recovery.

Have you checked to see if you qualify for any kind of job placement or re-training for the work issue? Maybe there is a position you can get within the company that would be less ambulitory?

As for the weeping women... lol... I have outright bawled at Dr appointments so don't sweat it. Having something like this can be very emotionally draining and even if you seem to be handling it all just fine you will enter that office, the Dr will walk in and it is like some emotional trigger is hit and on comes the tears. Maybe it is a form of post-tramatic stress, I dunno, but most Dr's take it in stride and make an effort to answer all your questions and do not think the lessor of you in any way. (I have never been in an Ortho's office yet that did not have a box of tissues near the exam table, so I am sure that they are very used to it)

sunny77 · 08-18-2007, 01:00 PM

Deb,
I'm glad to hear that your MD appt went so well! Sounds like you're pretty relieved to not have to face 8 hrs of standing/walking for awhile. That would be tough...I know the days I do a lot of walking are days I'm more swollen and sore.

I found it interesting that you're having issues with the peroneus brevis tendon. I have been having issues in that same area the last few weeks and my PT wants to start doing iontophoresis starting Monday to see if that will calm things down. I wonder if that's a bit of a "side effect" from the surgery, at least temporarily. Those cortisone shots are no fun...let us know how you're doing with it, if it took away the pain.

I don't have much of an update...just continuing with PT 2x/wk, biking and doing the exercises. Walking is getting better, though I still limp because I'm not doing a full heel to toe walking motion (and my toes love to come up to help me!!). I just want to get back to being more active again...so that's my motivation! Right now, I can't imagine running very soon, but it'll happen.
Krista

debincalif · 08-19-2007, 10:00 PM

Hi Peny & Krista,
Thanks for your support & understanding. I guess I don't have to tell either of you how frustrating it is when you feel like you should be WELL (after all this time), but you just AREN'T.

Krista, as to the cortisone... so far the pain in the PB tendon/nerve is starting to calm down, but I'm having pain just from the darn needle trauma to the area. He stuck the needle behind my scar (toward heel) and jabbed it about an inch forward toward my pinkie toe. So it's bruised and sore... but I think it will end up doing what he intended for it to do.

I think the nature of our surgery - either having a bone graft inserted or having the calcaneus shifted - causes us to completely change the way we stand on the foot, what muscles are used, where bones receive pressure, and all that goes along with it. My doctor said that I've never really walked normally, so my 5th ray is receiving pressure it's not used to. I'm kind of thinking that's part of what's going on with the PB tendon. Plus, just the swelling from the surgery itself, he said, is causing compression and irritation on the area.

I'll keep you updated on how it goes. Good luck with your own cortisone treatments at PT. Do you ever get skin irritation from the ion cortisone? I used to get ugly, hard blisters from it. Yuck.

Happy healing!
Deb

mazzie46 · 08-20-2007, 05:05 PM

Hi all
I know i am quite a way behind all of you...i've been in the boot for 2 weeks now. I'm walking reasonably well i think. I can't walk that far, but am weight bearing more and more, and theres no sharp pains at all ( yet?)

How on earth can you weight bear more while walking in the boot though?? Theres a rocking motion to the boot, and i just can't concentrate on rocking and not using the crutches as much, at the same time!! Help!!

Mazzie