5 months post PTTD surgery - Foot Problems Message Board

smile2006 · 01-17-2009, 02:28 PM

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.

hurts2walk · 01-18-2009, 10:07 AM

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!

ETANA · 01-19-2009, 07:44 PM

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

kupianaha26 · 01-19-2009, 08:53 PM

Hi Smile!

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?!

Hope all is well!

Thanks,
Sarah

MasonQ · 01-21-2009, 08:38 PM

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!

all the best - Mason