Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I had pttd surgery for a completely torn tendon 6 months ago. Everyone here is right; you cannot prepare too much. I too made sure everything I could possibly want and need was close by. I had to be off the foot completely the 10 days I had to wait for surgery so I had time to build up my strength before surgery. Knee walker hurt my knee too much so I had actually sat on padded seat (I got one with a nice size padded seat instead of the "skinny" on with just enough room for your knee). Wheel chair did not fit very well in the bathroom so most days I would transfer from wheel chair to sitting on the knee walker then scoot over to the commode. I was given "sedation" before the block and I was really happy about that. I did have a backache the second day and called my doc and problem was solved with muscle relaxer. The pain meds made me nauseated so she gave me meds to fight that also. I ate a lot of Saltene crackers and graham crackers to keep something on my stomach and that helped with the nausea also. And as someone else said, the pain meds definitely cause constipation so prepare for that as soon as you get home. Maybe talk to your doc about something mild to take (it is impossible to get to the bathroom quickly.) Also, I bought a cast cover so I could take a shower, a shower chair to transfer from wheelchair to shower, and elevated potty seat. My hubby also installed a very strong bar on the wall right next to the commode. With the vanity on my left and the bar on the right, I was at least able to lift myself and swivel back into the wheelchair or walker seat. Yes, it was frustrating and seemed like it would take forever but it will pass. I agree that these boards made it much, much easier....at least you know what is "normal" to expect, although every case is a little different. Good luck and don't be afraid to call your doc any time you need to do so. Keep in touch.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
A under a week until Peg Leg status....I feel like I am forgetting something to do...I guess the panic and fear are settling in on my brain. Thank you all for input and support. It really does help!!
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Good luck with your surgery. I am now 16 months post op and doing well. Hang in there, follow the post op directions and be sure to rest rest rest, ice and elevate. Be sure that you take the pain meds to stay ahead of your pain
The Following User Says Thank You to roxygirl1 For This Useful Post: Upside (10-21-2011)
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Hi,
My tendon was torn. I had a post tibial tendon transfer & a subtalar fusion just 4 1/2 months ago. Good luck to you! You'll do great! Keep us posted.
Hugs, Zoeys Grammy
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Well I am seven months out from the procedure and not pain free. Ugh. I am confident though at some point I will be. All my pain now is at the back of my heel and occasionally in my heelchord and along my incisions. I do feel close to 80% better now than I did before surgerey where my quality of life was horrible as I was always in pain.
Look at the surgerey as a means to an end. You won't remember a thing about being in surgerey if you are under general anesthesia so it's nothing to be afraid of. I had a very nice nap during it and gradually woke after the procedure complaining my heel hurt and asked for the popliteal block which I requested before I went under. You will be fine.
Looking back in hindsight the surgerey ain't nothing. It's the recoverey period afterward that is frightening and frustrating. It will make you a stronger person mentally and physically. I don't ever want to go through it again.
__________________
Flat foot reconstruction surgery 3/1/2011~ Grateful I had this surgery and feeling better every week!
Last edited by velvetrain; 10-22-2011 at 11:03 PM.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Good luck. I was also scared to death before I had surgery - it was my first! If you have a nerve block, you will not feel anything post-op for a while. Just remember to stay ahead of the pain and I can't say enough - elevate, elevate and ice your foot. My surgery was 14 mths ago and the parts of my foot do not bother me at all. I am, however, having surgery next month on my peroneal tendon due to a work accident. Will you be staying in the hospital for observation? Keep us posted.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I am scheduled for oupatient...I am more afraid of MERSA than pain. Even though I so want to chicken out, I know I can't live with this pain for the rest of my life. Every stinking night my foot is throbbing and waking me up. I am trying to stay positive and realize I am a 45 year old and not the frightened 4 year old I think I am. Will keep all posted...Leaving for hotel now...5:45a.m. pre-op time. Prayers are WELCOME. Thank you all for your help and feedback!! xoxo
The following 2 users give hugs of support to: Upside London Chap (10-23-2011), music47 (10-25-2011)
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Upside,
I hope your surgery went well and that your recovery process goes smoothly.
I will be starting this flatfoot reconstruction surgery journey myself next week on 11/1/11 and hoping the date brings me good luck. My surgery will include the posterior calcaneal osteotomy, gastroc recession, and likely tmt (midfoot) fusion. I work in the medical field and have researched this surgical decision exhaustively and have found a good surgeon to entrust my care. I am really looking forward to gaining back my mobility with recreational pursuits and work, with the ability to chase after my 6 month old twin boys, once recovered, with greater ease than possible currently.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Well...Day 3 and I am finally feeling a little relief from the excruciating pain on Day 1. The nerve block did not take. I had to be admitted into the hospital where I basically was unattended to and cried all night from the Pain. The pain pump didn't work either. Thankful to have my husband by my side the whole night in the hospital as the nurse they gave me was incompetent. I am totally second guessing this procedure. I realize I have to wait 3-4 months to make a judgement on this surgery but today...no way would I do it again. Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes !
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I am so sorry the recovery has been so awful for you. I can not even imagine the pain you had to endure. Very happy to hear it is going a little better. After a few months when things really improve, hopefully you will be grateful for having the surgery. For now, keep your foot elevated, I mean really elevated and iced to help with swelling. Keep taking the pain pills and try to stay ahead of the pain. Good luck with your recovery.
The Following User Says Thank You to Missyluke For This Useful Post: Upside (10-27-2011)
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I didn't feel a thing. Again, if you have good healthcare professionals, it makes all the difference in the world. Be confident in your doctor and the surgical team that is taking care of you.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Buffalobelle-You didn't have any pain at all?? Post op pain? I can't believe that...my doc told me that the meds would not totally eliminate the pain but would take the edge off. I was recommended to the doc I chose and the hospital by a woman who had the same surgery 3 years ago. I was fully confident in the Dr. However, the whole experience has been horrific...Over a week to get questions answered. Pre-op fishing for veins, Post-op push out within an hour of awaking...Nerve Block Failure....Incompetent Floor Nurse....I could go on an on...
I don't know the "surgical team"...and no one ever took care of me. The post-op staff pushed me out the door and then when I came back due to severe pain, acted as though it was a hassle to take me back because I had been "discharged". The only thing I am confident about at this point is....Never would I recommend this Foot and Ankle Hospital to anyone.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I'm not sure about your procedure but my split was a slab cast around the ankle and sole of my foot but was basically padded bandages over the top of the foot. If yours is like that then you can apply an ice pack to the top of the foot.
I was lucky with my op. I had a nerve block and a general and very little discomfort at all after the op. My painkilling regime was to take two paracetamol every four hours and two anti-inflamatories every four hours but starting two hours after the paracetamol. I'm sure you've been told this but keeping the foot elevated (preferably above the level of the heart) is very good at relieving inflamation and pain.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
My splint was similar to LondonChap's thus I focused my ice packs on the face of the foot/leg. Nonetheless, I also wrapped ice bags around the ankle part as well (I used an old ace bandage to hold them onto the leg). Supposedly, even though you can't feel it, the cold does penetrate.
Ice behind the knee is supposed to help cool the blood on the way to the foot as well.
Sorry to hear about your miserable time so far. Mine was pretty dismal as well, but I was fortunate enough to be admitted post-op instead of discharged. A few of the nurses I had were pretty awful as well, but others were so wonderful..that makes all the difference in the world!
Last edited by lola456; 10-27-2011 at 07:31 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to lola456 For This Useful Post: Upside (10-28-2011)
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
So, now I have had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic Clindamycin. The Pharmacist told me to call the prescribing doctor which is the ortho, the ortho told me to call my primary care, the primary care told me to go to the ER...
Symptoms include, rash, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty urinating.
What else could happen????
The following user gives a hug of support to Upside: lola456 (10-28-2011)
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Upside,
I am sorry to hear of your post-operative experience thus far. It's unfortunate you are starting on the process of recovery under challenging circumstances.
As I am preparing to have my flatfoot reconstruction surgery this upcoming Tuesday, I will be having a 2 day stay at the hospital after the surgery as recommended by my surgeon. Did your doctor discuss with you before the surgery why you were going to have this procedure as a day-surgery vs becoming an inpatient at the hospital? I have heard from others how the nerve blocks do not always work, making the post-op experience more difficult to manage the pain and being an inpatient in the hospital will be a comfort for me if my nerve blocks are ineffective.
Being only a week apart with our surgeries hopefully we can see steady progress throughout these next few challenging months.
