PTTD Surgery 03/06/09---1 week post op - Foot Problems Message Board

Tracie1204 · 03-12-2009, 06:43 PM

Hello again to everyone!!!!

Well I had surgery last Friday---I am now back at home with my foot propped up, elevated as much as possible.

I already had my first casting---I was in the surgical splint Friday and Saturday----then Sunday, the doctor had me come to his office to be casted .

Surgery did not go smoothly----Once the doctor got through all the scar tissue from my last surgery, he discovered that not only was my tendon ruptured, it was quite a mess. His description word was "spaghetti".
So what was supposed to be a 3 hour procedue, turned into a 5 1/2 hour procedure. So i ended up being under anesthesia for a long time.

I was very groggy saturday, sunday, and monday. I am still taking my painkillers faithfuly---i keep having these weird spasms in my leg, and those hurt alot.
BUt I have been wiggling my toes and trying to keep the circulation going.
i was numb until today.....now i have most feeling back. The worst part is this pinching/ burning sensation on my outer ankle, and its got to be part of the incision near my ankle bone, hitting against the cast----but it sure does make my toes curl from time to time!

well thats about all I have to say for now---hope everyone else is having a great day

WorldWalker · 03-12-2009, 09:59 PM

Sorry to hear your surgery was described as spaghetti. When I first saw my doctor he told me I had pancake feet cause they were so flat. The twitching should go away soon. It was one of those many worries I didn't call my doctor about. I'm guessing it's from the leg block? I had my surgery 2/16 and I don't really have the pinching feeling but the burning sensation is also on my outer foot area and sometimes my achilles tendon. I'm glad to hear someone else is wiggling their toes. I enjoy it because it reminds me of progress. Have you noticed your big toe doesn't wiggle like the others? Enjoy your time off and by the time we get up and walking spring will be right around the corner!

Tracie1204 · 03-13-2009, 07:24 AM

Hey Worldwalker----

Yes---i have noticed my big toe does not wiggle like all the rest----thats interesting, isnt it?

I just keep telling myself that all that burning and pinching is the "healing" process! LOL---I dont know if that really is the case, but it sure does make me feel better to think of it that way!

WorldWalker · 03-14-2009, 12:44 AM

The telling yourself it is healing process is exactly what I told myself. I'm about a month post op and most of the time the pain is not even noticeable. I was feeling ill from side effects from pain killers and I went 13 hours between meds because I forgot! In fact it's been about 5 hours so I'm feeling good about that. Though with school I have more pain/trouble from the hardcore crutching I do facing the elements. I think I'll actually ask my doctor in April about the big toe thing. It's odd, but it doesn't worry me more than intrigue me. I want to dance next year one I'm better 100% and I wonder how this will effect me. Do you have a list of things you'll do that you weren't able to do before surgery?

emmie54 · 03-14-2009, 10:45 AM

Tracie,

welcome to "the other side"! Glad your surgery went okay even though longer than anticipated. My doc said my tendon was "pure mush". My surgery was 5 hours, too.

Your toes will be weird for a while but when you start PT they do the towel scrunching thing and make you pick up marbles with your toes and that helps tremendously. It was several months before my toes were normal acting. It was probably a year before they bent all the way like the other foot.

Hope your recovery goes well.

emmie