Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
If I had to do it over again, I would definitely stay in the hospital at least overnight! The day after my surgery when I got the obligatory 2 minute visit from my Dr., I asked him why a surgery of this type was outpatient? He proceeded to tell me that 99% of patients can handle it and that I had myself so worked up before the surgery he believes thats why I couldn't handle it....so It was my fault the nerve block didn't take I guess.
And basically this was the feeling I got from everyone from PACU to the floor nurses...that I was a big PITA (pain in the a**) and to" just deal with it." So no nerve block AND basically no IV pain pump, as who knows how long my IV was out of my hand just draining into the sheets on the bed. By the time I realized it, it was 5:30 am.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Wow, sorry to hear of your experience. I spent three nights at hospital, two expected right at the start by my surgeon b/c of his knowledge of pain after this surgery. One extra day to get on top of it particularly due to the fact that I lived alone. Pain can be subjective in some respects but it sounds like your surgeon is an unsympathetic clout. Good luck with your continuing recovery.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
My doc frightened me over MRSA more so than the pain. So I was so concerned with that. I didn't realize that when the pain level was a 12 who would care about MRSA?
I would demand to stay overnight in advance. Or at least get a Plan B if the nerve block didn't take. I knew it didn't take within an hour in the PACU.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I'm surprised the surgeon didn't even have you scheduled to stick around for a while post-op to make sure all was well..
Though like swimbunnie, I too ended up staying 3 days (which is longer than most), the two surgeons I was debating between both have their patients stay overnight. I went into it thinking 'bah, I'll be fine...cut me up and send me home!..I don't need to stay overnight!' but was of course quite wrong. Regardless, their approach was that if I felt up for it, I could leave post-op, but they planned on me staying the night..
As for the nerve block, my anesthesiologist warned me before my surgery that sometimes it just doesn't work (granted he warned me of this 5 min before! ) and unfortunately there is no way to know in advance if it will take or not...There was nothing about it being the person's fault..It was simply that some times it doesn't work as desired.
Additionally, when part of my block failed, my doctor said that the area that hurt was the hardest to cover and the spot he did the most work - he too said nothing even vaguely insinuating that if I weren't anxious about the surgery it would have worked fine..
I think swimbunnie hit it - "it sounds like your surgeon is an unsympathetic clout"
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
It is ashame that your doctor was so uncaring. I find it amazing that some doctors to this surgery outpatient while others routinely have their patients stay two to three days. I wonder if insurance is the real reason for their decision?
Prior to surgery, my doctor told me to expect to be in the hospital three nights, possibly four if bone is harvested from the hip. I had no complications and stayed three nights. I am so thankful that I did stay. I was on an IV pump that I could control and offered oral meds for breakthrough pain. The second day, I started to get horrible muscles spasms which reduced me to tears during the evening. Within fifteen minutes the pain management doctor was in my room and gave me medication to ease the spasms. The doctor gave me the choice of staying one extra night but by day four, I finally felt well enough to go home. I had to demonstrate to the pt that I was able to get around NWB using a walker and knee walker as well as go up and down steps on my tush before the doctor signed release papers. Once home, I was instructed to stay ahead of the pain. I took the max dose of rx pain meds for two or three days and then started to wean off the meds. By about two weeks post op, I only took pain meds right before bedtime. Now I am about 16 months post op and am so happy that I had the surgery. Prior to surgery, I was in agony walking from room to room in my house. Now, I am able to put in a full day at work and then do errands afterwards. Weather permitting, I am able to take a walk with my husband. I can walk over a mile as long as the ground is reasonaby even without any problem at all. Things will get better. The first few weeks are definitely difficult and frustrating. Unfortunately you have an unsympathetic doctor also. Hopefully things will start to improve soon.
The Following User Says Thank You to roxygirl1 For This Useful Post: Upside (10-29-2011)
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Wow. I still can't believe how different this surgery can be for each person. I was sent home same day, took the maximum amount of pain meds every 4 hours and had a blissful two weeks in which nothing on my body hurt (I have shoulder issues and fibromyalgia, too.) I feel so lucky. I'm in more pain right now after cleaning my house than I was after surgery! So sorry about everyone's pain and complications.
__________________
"All American Procedure" surgery April 4, 2011
Hardware removal July 14, 2011
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I found an old bottle of pills from when I first got the PTTD diagnosis..so I am going to take them and call Monday. They did give me a Nucynta pills script...but who knows if it works or not? I need something to work!!
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I am so sorry you have had such a horrible time. I too was one of the lucky ones. I had a seventeen hour nerve block, which I was put to sleep before they did it. I was schedule to stay in the hospital 1 night for pain control but ended up there for two nights due to a drain. I have to admit, I had absolutely no pain. Hopefully, things will start to settle down for you and your doctor will be start to show a little compassion.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Quote:
Originally Posted by Upside
I am reading that you are awake during the nerve block and it is painful..I don't want to be awake. Can anyone tell me if this is true? I am so scared and chickening out the more I read this kind of stuff.
Hi,
I had my subtalar fusion and tibial tendon transfer on June 6 of this year. I, also, had a nerve block. I was given something like "twilight sleep." I felt no pain & remember nothing, just as they told me would happen.
Do tell the anesthesiologist (sp?) of your anxiety. Certainly you will be given some medication to relax you before surgery.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Quote:
Originally Posted by Upside
I am reading that you are awake during the nerve block and it is painful..I don't want to be awake. Can anyone tell me if this is true? I am so scared and chickening out the more I read this kind of stuff.
Hi,
Something I can recommend to avoid pain after surgery is to keep your foot elevated as much as possible. I ordered a pillow from foot smart that is used to elevate your leg. I truly kept my foot elevated almost 24/7 for a long time. It's when the leg is down and the blood rushes to it that the foot swells & causes pain. You'll get alot of good advice on this healthboard.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I was in a splint for two weeks and a hard cast for a further six weeks although for the last two of these I was wearing a pre-cut cast that I could take off in bed.
There is no part of the healing process that isn't frustrating and I did get fed up with hopping around. However, I much preferred the cast to the slab. Provided that they give you a fibre glass cast, it's much lighter than the splint and easier to get around with. It also felt much more protective.
Everyone who goes through these surgeries finds the recovery difficult but, for most- me included, the results make it all worthwhile.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I just had the surgery yesterday and everything went well. Just laying in hospital bed unable to sleep well. I will start inpatient PT today so we will see how it feels to be out of bed. Luckily my nerve blocks worked well with food pain control thus far.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
I am lucky that the nerve block worked well and overall I have excellent pain management. Should be discharged tomorrow and will keep my door elevated for the 90 min drive home. Had some nausea and vomiting yesterday but much better today.
Re: 2 Week count down to PTTD Surgery--Petrified Need imput
Yeah, I had the nausea and vomiting as well, along with the pain, ugh. Glad you are doing good! I am 110% better this Wednesday than last Wednesday. Safe trip home.
