Hello to all- It's been awhile since I posted but I am now 5 months post PTTD surgery (tendon transfer, debridement and osteotomy). My foot is regaining its shape quite well at this point the lower portion of the foot looks pretty much back to normal. The medial side just below the ankle bone is still a little "bulgy" but is getting better. I am a runner and I am pretty much back to running as much as I was prior to surgery 4-6 miles, 3-4 times a week. I am gradually building up speed. My calf on the surgery side still feels a little weak which impacts my "push off" when running. I have been jumping rope (one foot jumps) on the surgery side to build up strength for a couple weeks now. This was recommended by my PT. I do about 3 sets of 10 jumps. It is getting easier to do this but I am still way weaker on the surgery side than the good side. My foot is still temperamental to dress shoes with heels. I regret every time I wear them (so i don't unless I have to). I still have some numbness here and there on my foot especially the under side of my big toe. This is gradually getting better. Most days, I don't think much about the surgery I'm happy to report. It's definitely nice not to have an achy painful foot all the time. I'm wondering about how others are doing that had surgery late summer or last fall. Hope all is well.
The Following User Says Thank You to smile2006 For This Useful Post: mpeltier (06-16-2012)
Sounds like you are doing pretty well! You have always been an inspiration here. It sure is a long recovery huh? I never ran before my surgery (Sept. 5)so I am just trying to get the normal walking down pat. I am struggling somewhat these days. I think it has been tough on me because I had ruptured those tendons and waited so long to have the surgery. And I have the other foot that needs the surgery so I am never pain free. I am going to have a second opinion soon with an orthopedic surgeon. I am not unhappy with the podiatrist surgeon that did my surgery but I just want more input. My post surgery foot looks pretty good also. My daughter made the comment that is looks like "a more normal foot"! The swelling comes and goes. I wear custom orthodics so my shoe selection is limited but that is the least of my worries! I am 42 years old but I am not overweight and I am in good health otherwise. I don't want to admit that it is taking longer because I am "older" but maybe so huh? I just want to be pain free!
I'm new here. Five and 1/2 weeks ago I had a tendon transfer, navicular removal and calcineal slide from PTTD stage 2.5, pain when walking more than 15 min. I read a bunch of posts here before my surgery on 12/10, and I need to thank you all because it helped me understand what would happen, and put my mind a bit more at ease. My goal is long term function (from 1 year from now for then next 30 years) so I'm not so concerned with near term issues or the looks of the scar.
I am a young 62 and had noticed how sedentary my life had become. I'm not an althlete but I did love rollerblading, hiking in the woods for hours, shopping, museums, travel... all of these I had stopped doing...
To make a long story short.... So while I was gonna be laid up NWB for 6 weeks, I decided to have my hammertoe done too (which I'd wanted for 12 years), and surgeon said to do that he had to do bunion too. So my foot had 6 cuts, but never even hurt much after the surgery.
I did have a complication hahaha I fell! not on the foot, but 10 days after surgery, on my sits bones and must have sprained my rotator cuff/shoulder, and after 2 weeks with the walker my shoulder was bad... anyway, I've had xrays, cortisone shot, taking taxi, and finally rented a "knee walker" which is a great little vehicle (google it).
I have a few questions. (My surgeon doesn't talk much between visits.) I'm wearing a Darth Vadar velcro boot and NWB. This Friday after 6 weeks, I'll see surgeon and begin 2 weeks of weight bearing with crutches, then 4 more weeks of weight bearing w/out crutches.
1. Do you think I'll wear something other than this big boot? What did you wear after the boot/brace?
2. When did you start wearing larger sized sneakers? shoes?
3. Did your doctor say after recovery, you'll still have to wear orthotics? If so, all the time, or only during sports and activities?
4. Did your doctor say you could wear Dankso/Sanita clogs? I haven't worn shoes without orthotics for 12 years, and the past 5 years went from less and less choices of shoes til finally I was in only sneakers. I'm dying to wear some cute shoes and sandals. I hated not wearing sandals the past 2 summers. Will my arch collapse if I don't wear orthotics? ... Of course I'll be asking the surgeon and my podiatrist the same questions, but I'm dying to know about shoes.
5. Do any of you know about long term study results for PTTD calc slide + tendon repair surgery? Like after 10-20 years? I've read all over the web, but recent long-term studies are sparse.
I went to Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, where the foot/ankle dept does a lot of these. Dr. Stuart Miller says he does several a week, this is now their "bread and butter" / very common surgery.
thanks, and all the best of 100% healing to you all!
Etana
I had my surgery back on October 7th. Things are starting to get easier - I have lost my crutches completely and can wear my sneakers and crocs - never had crocs before but definitely a shoe I would recommend to PTTD patients if and when the swelling allows! When I am on my foot a lot, it still swells quite a lot - then I have trouble fitting it in a shoe and go back in the boot. I also wear the boot if I go out and the weather looks unsafe, just to be careful.
Compared to 3 1/2 months ago - I feel that I have improved a ton! I can stand (for a short time!) and do some dishes at the sink and it doesn't hurt nearly as much. I am still experiencing a lot of aching pain and find that if I have things to do that all involve standing, a break is necessary in between each to rest -- too much and I can't stand for awhile. I regular massage vitamin E oil into my scar and the area - it feels great to break up the scar tissue.
Physical therapy is going well too - I always start off with heat for about 15 minutes to loosen up my ankle - then toe pumps, circles, toe and heel raises. I'm doing "baby" squats - holding on to a table, no weight. Walking in a ladder on the ground taking steps forward and to the side, balancing on one foot, using the step to go up on the left foot and down on the right - stairs are still very tricky for me and I try to avoid them when possible. I have also been very slowly working on biking at PT - started off at 3 minutes and have very gradually increased to my goal of 15 minutes which I reached last Friday. At first, biking was hard and hurt (not hurt in the sense that I felt like I was overdoing it - this is sloooow biking, but the movement was just new and different) but now, once I get going it feels fantastic and I am so happy to be getting some kind of cardio exercise again.
Any past PTTDer's have insight into the length of this achy/slightly painful feeling? Do all of you still have swelling that occurs on the inside by the ankle joint and on the top of your feet? And...has anyone been able to comfortably wear heals again?!
Smile!
Good, as always, to hear from you! Old timers now, aren't we?
I think we had surg around the same time (I was 9/11). I am, nor was I ever, running! But, I think, at 5 months, I can say that I am back to before I had the surgery. Maybe a little better. That seems discouraging but, we have to remember this is a 12 month recovery. Still....
I don't have alot to add - just wanted to say hello to you and all my life-line posters. I'm sorry I've been AWOL - just never sit down - and so glad of it!!!
But I read all the PTTD posts from my phone.
Take care and let us know what 6 months is like for you!
6 weeks post op my cast was removed at 4 weeks and in to a cam boot. PT started at 4.5 weeks have een getting along well. I did follow my doctors instructions to a T. PT 3 days a week for 2 hrs mainly stretching and flexibility excersizes. Massage therapy for my scars everyday has almost made them disappear. My PT told me to start massaging vit E oil on them to help break up scar tissue. I am greatful everything is going well. Aside for my midsection getting larger.
Reading these posts have made me feel better and hopeful for my foot. I am 6 weeks post-op from PTTD surgery. I am still in my non wb phase and will be in my aircast boot for another 2 wks. I just can't wait to start bearing weight and walkiing again. Being immobile has really taken a toll on me since I am only 23. I have had to put my life on hold. Not really looking forward to doing the other foot but I'll just concentrate on lefty here for now. My doc is saying that he isn't goin to send me to PT, that alot of his patients get back to "normal" w/o it. Is there any1 on here that has had the surgery and did NOT have PT? I think I will be fine w/o it and can do things on my on since I have a backgrd in Sports Med and have worked @ a few PT clinics. (aspiring PT).
jazzygyrl: I had pttd surgery in sept. and my doc did not suggest PT but told me I could "if I really wanted to". I have been having difficulties with my foot and wondering if I should have had PT. I am going to see a new doc in a few weeks to get more input before my next surgery (on other foot). I think most of the people on this board support PT.
Had surgery Nov. 6th, so it has almost been three months. My recovery was not going well. All the x-rays looked great, but the swelling is just not going down. Even today my foot is as big as the day my cast came off at 6 weeks post-op. Initially I wasn't going to PT either, but my doc did send me last week because of the swelling.
A couple of tips if you guys are not going to PT.
- If you have swelling, wrap up your foot. Either with an Ace bandage or get an open toe compression sock.
- Exercise the foot. Move it back and forth while just sitting on the couch.
- Movement reduces the swelling, so start putting some weight on it the foot without the air cast. Walk with crutches and try to move the foot.
It is comforting to read all the info you have posted. I had surgery Nov 20th and start Pt the first week in February. I do move my foot around slowly to try to loosen it up. I am walking without crutches but still in a boot. I started back to work last week four hours a day, since I am a baker and have to stand the whole time that is the most I can manage right now - but sure is nice to be out. My foot looks fairly good, still swells and have to ice it., and the heel is still very tender. I can't imagine wearing a shoe, but I guess that is the next step, I am thinking mid-February? When I look at my two feet it is kind of funny because they don't look like they would be on the same person. Next surgery I am thinking Sept. - Oct. then my feet will look like they belong together.
Best of luck to everyone.
I forgot to post my question on my earlier post. When I start wearing shoes, do I wear my old shoes or do I need to get newer shoes? Also is the size the same on the foot with surgery? My left foot looks narrower, (of course), from the surgery but it also looks shorter . . . can anyone tell me what type of shoes they moved into from the boot.
The first shoes I wore were backless sneakers. My heel was also very tender! I found I could wear backless anything, including heels! I am 5 mo post -op and just now started wearing shoes with backs. And certainly not all my shoes - sneakers and boots mostly - not pumps as they tend to rub up and down - and I haven't even tried shoes with the back strap!
As for the size - I think most people go up a half size -for a while at least - so don't go buy a bunch of shoes - they say your foot should get back to normal size after a few months. At 5 mo., I am in my previous size shoes but the "bad foot" is still a little tight. Again - not all my shoes fit yet.
Re: PT
I did do it and was happy with the results. My range of motion is actually better than my good foot! I quit after 5 weeks due to some insurance stuff and didn't reach the "benchmark" of going up on the toe of your bad foot with no support. I'm still working on that! (Did anyone read Smile's post about jumping ROPE on that foot?? She is our QUEEEN!)
I do still have a little limp and really have to think about rolling forward on my foot to correct that. Also, when I'm tired, I tend to get "boot-foot" - meaning my bad foot turns out like when we were in the boot. Both very common but left uncorrected, will become habit.
Those are the things I think PT helped me be aware of and overcome. I also really liked my therapist and she had great advice on hips and knees which tend to get sore as they compensate.
I think ALOT of PT can be done at home IF IF IF you will really do it.
My two cents is that if your insurance pays for it, you should take advantage of the extra help in getting back to a normal gait. (remember that? hard to do!)
Take care - MQ
Mason thanks for the post. I am working on the "boot foot" thing. Others have commented on my foot turning out. I tend to "flop" it down and outward. I have to concentrate on heel to toe motion also. I am still having so much pain and I am frustrated. I think I am limping too much. I am seeing a new doc soon for "new input". Good to hear from you!
Can those of you who are past 2 months talk about where your pain was/is? I have had a good recovery, now at 7 weeks post surgery for calceneal slide, tendon transfer, navicular removal, and am starting to walk in the unlocked boot and am starting physical therapy and home exercises.
However, I am finding that my arch on the sole of my foot is hurting/aching just like the past 4 years. It doesn't hurt anymore up the inside of my ankle where the tendon was torn, but the bottom of my foot at the flat foot arch hurts.
Does this get better/hurt less over time?
Because this is the reason I did the darn surgery, and now I fear that the surgery was "successful" but the pain is still there?
thanks, eTana
The Following User Says Thank You to ETANA For This Useful Post: Kemmr (10-21-2012)
eTana remember that you have not walked on that foot for 7 weeks and you had some major surgery. I had a tough time getting going with the first steps and weight bearing. I was scared that I would wreck something. And it was very sore and stiff etc. Everyone is a little different from what I have read here. What does your doc and PT say about it?
eTana remember that you have not walked on that foot for 7 weeks and you had some major surgery. I had a tough time getting going with the first steps and weight bearing. I was scared that I would wreck something. And it was very sore and stiff etc. Everyone is a little different from what I have read here. What does your doc and PT say about it?
Spoke with both podiatrist and surgeon today and they said it was within the range of normal, whew! .. that the muscles supporting the tendons need to build up, that the transferred tendon is new at it's job and will get stronger with its supporting muscles. Surgeon said also to do a bit more partial weight bearing and a bit less full weight bearing... So I'll try all that.
It also was the first week of PT and massaging and stretching. I go to PT again tomorrow morning.
Re: 5 months post PTTD surgery 
