PTTD Post Op - A few questions - Foot Problems Message Board

MasonQ · 09-14-2008, 10:25 AM

Just a few questions now that I'm home:

1. I have some bruising on my upper thigh. Is this from the tourniquette?

2. Most of my pain is overall "achey" - about a 4-5 which is tolerable. Throw in a few fire-y incision pains and I'm still okay. What's really hurting tho is a pain? spasm? in my lower arch/beginning of heel. I'm assuming this is from the screw? It starts about hour 2 or 3 of Norco. Comes in waves. I can take a Valium for it and it helps sometimes. Icing doesn't seem to matter here and it sometimes helps when I put my foot DOWN (un elevate). I would say this pain is a good 7-8 on the scale.

My question is, of course, is this normal? Anyone else have this? What did you do for it?

I can deal with it if I have to (I'm not writhing or anything) but if it is the first sign of INFECTION, I want to know. Or if my SPLINT IS TOO TIGHT....

This is really the only thing that's killing me. If it's not better, I'll be calling the doc on Monday, fo sho!

Thanks!

sunny77 · 09-14-2008, 11:21 AM

The bruising on your thigh is likely from the tournaquet...they inflate that thing to a point that there is little blood flow below it. I had bruising on my first surgery too. I'm not sure what your pain is related to...there are so many things that can lead to it, especially so early on. If you are really concerned, I would call the doctors office tomorrow AM and check it out with them. Sometimes there can be issues with the splint being too tight or with other things causing the pain.

MasonQ · 09-14-2008, 11:33 AM

But you didn't have pain similar, Sunny?

sunny77 · 09-14-2008, 06:31 PM

My first one, if not elevated, throbbed and hurt a lot and my toes turned purplish and it felt like my foot would burst inside the splint or cast. Otherwise, I think it hurt in general if the pain meds were wearing off or it got bumped. Over time, yes, some achiness was there too. For the second one, I had the popliteal block and was numb until midnight the day of surgery. I had a lot less pain and swelling overall and it didn't bother me too much to have it down (no throbbing, puple toes, etc). I was on pain meds for a shorter period of time than the first time. Everyone's pain is different, as is tolerance. There has been some major trauma done to the foot...so you're certainly going to feel something. Whether it's par for the course or something not quite right...that's something you need to work with your doctor on.

I should mention that my procedures were a little different than yours. I had the posterior tib tendon repaired (no transfer) and an Evans osteotomy. My surgeon does not use any hardware to keep the bone block in place. The tension between the two bones holds it in place and avoids the need for a screw or plate. So, I can't help with your question about pain from the screw.

MasonQ · 09-14-2008, 07:03 PM

The spasms (I swear it felt like contractions! (I was just coming up off that bed!!) have mostly stopped. That just had to be trauma. Nasty nasty. And not something to try to fight through - can't be done! (Note to pre-ops!)

No screws? You lucky devil! When I begged my doc to not lengthen my Achill because I had heard how painful it was, he just laughed and said it wouldn't matter after he broke my heel! THAT was the whipper! That's a deep deep pain.

Anyhoo - I traditionally have a very high tolerance for pain. (Altho I would say that most of us on this board probably do as well - we've been living with it quite a while, right?) But I also have a very high tolerance to pain MEDS! So getting the right one was imperative. I spent two nites in the hosp due to pain mgmnt. The silver lining is that now I can say what DOESN'T work, right!

There's one called To-something... that was great! I thought it was prob just a hospital drug but I think I saw a post that someone had a Rx. It was great great great! Anybody know the name of it? That's worth a separate thread title because I don't think it's common.

As good as I'm feeling about this first week post-op, I can't imagine doing the other foot. I know your story is on the board but can you tell me how and why? Maybe you can direct me to that post. I remember reading alot of yours & Emma's stuff in July.

I asked the doc about the "good foot" as the underlying problems are the same. He said once I started moving around and really stressing the good one, I could wear a brace to stabilize.

Has anyone else done this?

Ooooh, my friend just brought me Banana Split Pie! Don't know what it is but that certainly goes in the "Silver Lining" column!

Gotta munch!! MQ