Plz Someone Respond! Ankle Surgery! - Foot Problems Message Board

ccallas · 03-12-2008, 07:00 PM

Hi there, i'm brand new to health boards...and i actually posted this thread a few time without anyone responding...so i'm hoping someone will help me out and read this and respond!

i have read over alot of posts about ankle surgery. And asked my doctor numerous good questions i got from a few posts i have read...They are going to perform a chrisman snook procedure on my ankle. I'm really scared! I mean I trust the doctor, just what they plan on doing is scary to me.. If anyone has had this surgery, is the pain absolutley un-nerving?? Now everytime i see anytype of surgery on the tv i start to feel really anxious. LOL sooo any help would be great!

or if you have any recommendations(pain meds,staying in the hospital..anything that helped you) it would be much appreciated!
thanks sooo much

janewhite1 · 03-12-2008, 08:37 PM

Okay, a Christman-Snook is a tendon transfer procedure. Don't be frightened of pain. There will be no pain during the surgery itself, and afterward, most docs will send you home with plenty of narcotics, enough to keep you comfortable enough to rest and heal well. Pain isn't good for you, and the medical establishment recognizes that pretty well these days.

First, you'll have an open splint for a couple weeks, until the incisions heal, then a cast, then probably some sort of removable support. Then, there will be PT. That might hurt a bit, although the marvelous thing about physical therapists is that they make you feel much better before and after they hurt you.

It is a significant procedure. The full recovery will be measured in months. Will it be a cadaver tendon, or your own? Do you know when it might happen?

music47 · 03-12-2008, 10:42 PM

CC

Ive never had this surgery but Ive had several ankle surgeries. My advice is to read all you can find out about the procedure. Take care and my prayers are with you.

Hugs Nadine

ccallas · 03-13-2008, 11:08 AM

Surgery should be sometime this month, and they are doing the MRi to make sure the tendon is "meaty" enough..lol I figure the doc is gonna send me home with enough meds to keep me happy. but, i'm just scared, like that they wont work. or something, i'm kinda a worry freak. lol But if there's any recommendations you have or something that worked for you...
I have deeply researched this surgery. lol, pics and all. And i know in my heart everything will go ok, just a lil scared.

janewhite1 · 03-13-2008, 11:27 AM

Recommendations, no, not really. Everyone's different. Most likely, you'll discuss that with your doctor a week or two before the surgery. But, if it doesn't work, or you have some intolerable side effect, you can tell them, and they will try to help you work it out.

One hint is: for the first couple days, take as much as you are allowed. Don't wait for the pain to become unbearable, that makes it harder to treat. Then, you can cut back once you don't need so much.