Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Hi Sheila (and the rest of my foot buddies)!
When I had my surgery 7 years ago, I pretty much went from non weight bearing to complete weight bearing within a day or two. I remember that the first time I put weight on my foot I thought I could feel every screw in my foot! That feeling went away pretty quickly with continued walking, though.
You're right, my husband comes back two weeks from today! I'm looking forward to having more freedom to go out shopping, etc. I did try going to the fabric store on my scooter last week (it is about half mile away) but decided that isn't something I want to do very often. I was pretty pooped by the time I got there! (and then knew that I would have to make it back home!) My foot is doing really well, though. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday. I'm hoping he says I can go to full weight bearing, because I'm down to just using one crutch and feel like I really wouldn't need to use any. The recovery this time has been much easier than it was with the other foot.
Carol, my doctor said that you need to listen to your body. He said that if it hurts, not to do it. I think that if your foot is still swelling and hurts when you walk very much, it is signaling you that you need to rest and ice more, not push through the pain. I'm having very little swelling and I haven't taken anything for pain since the day I had my stitches out at 1 1/2 weeks. I'm putting almost full weight on my foot and don't have any pain or discomfort with that. I really do believe that people heal at different rates, but we'll all get there.
A question for you all...when were you able to sleep without a cast/boot at night?
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Hi, Carol, for a couple of weeks I took two 8-hour Tylenol every 6 hours. Now I take one or two a day, and alternate with Aleve. Advice seems to vary - my doctor was clear that I was to take enough pain meds so I could keep walking. I had hydrocodone, but I hardly used it. He said that the more I walked, the sooner I would get through the pain. I hope this helps.
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Hi SaltySue-thanks for your reply. Why did you think you are a lot older than I am? I am 56 (today!). AS far as your hunch that "not many successful marathoners" spend time on healthboards, maybe I'm not successful then. My understanding is that PTTD is progressive, so I'm looking ahead because unlike your foot, mine is not straight and does not work well-I was hoping that training would be easier if my foot function improved. My foot has hurt on every run, to some degree, for years and all day long standing up. What I think you are saying is that after 12 weeks you see improved foot function, but you were not running immediately preceding surgery? Is there anyone who has had an All American and was able to do more than walk afterward?
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Once again, you heelies are rocking. I'm trying to find the right balance between working this new foot and resting it. Sometimes it's great and sometimes it hurts a bunch. I'm grateful for all your advice as I keep moving forward. Thanks Sue for sharing your Tylenol dosage. I think I'll try it.
I didn't use much pain med. at first, but since I've been walking all day long teaching elementary school, my foot is screaming when I get home. Maybe I should take it sooner and not wait till I get home???
Bostonrunner, Happy Birthday.
Peggy, thanks for reminding me to be patient. I want to pace myself, but then I just keep going and going until I've overdone it. It's hard to slow down. Your recovery sounds super. I hope you get the go ahead for FWB. Your hubby will be so proud of you when he gets back. Your story makes me miss my scooter. I called her "Ruby" because she was a beautiful deep red color.
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Hey Peggy,
I slept without a boot at 6 weeks post-op...as soon as the hard cast came off. It still took 2-3 more weeks before I could let the sheets even touch it. It was very tender.
Carol
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Happy Birthday, Bostonrunner! Let me clarify! No, I was not running before surgery - running or anything related (tennis, basketball) have never been easy for me because my foot drifted out, out of control. The surgery straightened it out. Now I can imagine running as I get this foot loosened up. Four weeks ago I was discouraged about getting back to walking, but now I'm walking. I just had to keep on walking.
What I mean is what others have said before - if you are not looking for answers, you might not find the healthboards. Did you try searching the healthboard for the words marathon or runner? I think anyone who finishes a marathon, or even attempts one, is very brave! I did not mean to say you are not successful!
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Hi Bostonrunner, Happy Birthday! I've run across several runners on this board so I think it is doable. I know I read a few by woman who was a competitive runner before her surgery and she seemed to bounce back quicker than most and get right back out there. I think your fitness and calf strength will get you through to a faster recovery. I just saw a post by Tikiman who said he is running and even sprinting now. He didn't mention being competitive but still - he can run. I'm not a runner but I have every expectation that my foot will be good enough to run if I wanted to. What does you doctor think? My surgeon is a triathlete and he has every hope that i'll be able to do whatever I want to do in another year (I'm 16 weeks post op now). He told me that I probably will get to be between 80-100% better than before the surgery. Those odds were good enough for a green light! Maybe you could find a surgeon who is a competitive sportsman like you so that he will know your expectations and drive better. Afterward, find a PT with those same qualifications and they will train you for that upper level. I've seen other PTs in the place I go (not mine) who seem content just to get their client walking again and not grooming them for greater things. Good luck!
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
It took me a 2-3 weeks to go from pwb to fwb. Once the boot came off I transitioned in a few days but while the boot was still on it went much slower. I had to wear my boot for 10 weeks because the bone wasn't healed enough at the 8 week mark and one of my screws was wobbly. At 10 weeks I got the "all clear" and i was more confident to "go for it". Once I got a little more flexibility in my ankle and more stretch in my calf it was much easier to go FWB. Right now I am FWB up until about 3pm then the rest of the day I "walk" with my crutches and my foot is very sore. I also take 50mg of tramadol each morning so that might add to why it is easier in the morning.
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Hi Sarah,
I'm having the same experience. I walk fairly well in the morning, but by afternoon I'm sore and pooped out. I paid close attention to not overdoing today, and I'm in much less pain than usual tonight.
Carol
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Hi all my foot friends,
I had my 6 week postop check up today and got great news! My fusions look great and he took me out of the boot and into a shoe with complete weight bearing!! He does want me to wear this ankle skin with compression wrap thing with my shoe whenever I'm up and walking around.
I told him that I can't believe how much easier this recovery has been than the one from the surgery I had done 7 years ago. It seems like given that I'm older now (58) this one should have been tougher. He thinks it is the difference in protocols. My foot is not even as swollen as it was BEFORE I had the surgery done. He said that when you are up walking on it sooner, that the circulation improves, etc. and that there isn't as much swelling. It does make sense that bones grow better with some weight bearing. He's made a believer out of me!
Bostonrunner, my doctor said that his best success is that one of his patients is a triathlete who competes in triathalons all over the country (and apparently does very well.)
Sheila, I hope that you also had good news with your return visit!
Re: Anybody use a cane? (2 months post-op calcaneal osteotomy/tendon transfer, PTTD)
Thanks everyone for your posted replies. I am beginning to think there may be a running life after a calcaneal osteotomy. I will be back to the board as I get information to share.
Please start your own new thread for help and support on your health concern.
When you post on someone else's thread, please do so to answer that person's question.
Please be sure to take notice of new members with unanswered posts. There are at least half a dozen of them within the last few days. Think how they feel to see these old threads bumped to the top while their own question goes to the bottom of the page.
