Hello,
I'm having 5 procedures tomorrow including calcaneal osteotomy,endoscopic gastrocnemius recession,cotton osteotomy,open plantar fascial release,and open reduction with internal fixaton of the 5th toe fracture. I have been to several doctors to correct my foot over the years and have decided now finally the time for the surgery after several foot fractures over the years. Any advise as to how long recovery is for any of these procedures?
Good luck tomorrow! Did your doctor say what you can expect from recovery? I don't know the recovery from those procedures... I had a lateral ligament reconstruction, perineal tendon tear repair, and ankle joint debridement about a week and a half ago. I have 6 weeks NWB (2 in a splint, 4 in a cast), then a boot and I'm not sure how long from there.
I've been told it's 6 months at the earliest to be running again... But possibly a year.
Good luck and let us know how it went.
__________________ Peroneal brevis debridement; peroneal longus transfer to brevis: tenosynovectomy, 11/20/12
Hi there - all the best for your surgery! Recovery does vary between people, but it's probably best to prepare yourself for a long recovery. I had a calacaneal osteotomy and drilling for OCD. I was really lucky that my surgeon is quite progressive and I was able to PWB in a surgical shoe from the start. You are looking at at least six weeks for the bones to heal, and your surgeon may want you NWB till then. I am hoping to be off crutches at the 2-month mark, but I have been warned that even then I will have to take things slowly. It's probably going to be 6 months before your are near to normal, maybe longer. But as I said everyone is different and you should check with your doctor!
The Following User Says Thank You to Amethy5t For This Useful Post: Marksc39 (04-01-2012)
I had repair of a tear in the posterior tibial tendon and calcaneal osteotomy. I was in casts from the time I woke up in recovery and proceeded to have 4 casts over the next 11 weeks. I then had the screws removed and moved to a boot for approximately 4 weeks and slowly began partial weight bearing. I was about 5 months before I could walk normally.
Did you get information at your pre-op about your surgeons plans and timelines?
The Following User Says Thank You to wants to walk For This Useful Post: Marksc39 (04-01-2012)
Wow, that is a lot of surgery! Sending best wishes your way as this will be a heck of a journey.
I was NWB for over 6 weeks then put into a boot with crutches. I transitioned to FWB over the next few weeks. At 4 months, I was able to travel and walk for a good hour or two without tremendous pain but I would get some swelling. At 6 months, the bottom of my heel was still extremely sensitive and a full days work would result in a fair amount of swelling.
Everyone heals at a different pace but the majority of what I've read indicates 6 months to start getting back to normal and a full year to completely recover. I would plan on at least 4 very challenging weeks to start out and then see how your body is responding.
I'm hoping to get back to work within a week or two at the latest but from reading the posts I think it might be a bit longer..
Everyone is different but there is no way I could have done that. I was on round the clock pain killers for the first week and slowly cut back after that. One of the biggest problems is that all the blood rushes to your foot when it is not elevated and it is miserable (really miserable). If you do try to go back after a couple of weeks, make sure you have something to prop your leg up on. It was at least 3 weeks for me to be able to stand for any amount of time. If you can take more time off, I certainly suggest it.
Just in case it's not already arranged, make sure you get a nerve block before the surgery. Insist if you have to. I don't even want to think about what it would be like without one.
Actually I elected NOT to have a nerve block which didn't matter b/c my doctor doesn't routinely have them done for his patients. I didn't have one after my first surgery either. I did fine with pain meds every 4 hours ATC for the first 3-4 days and then backed off from there. My reasons against it were that I have seen what nerve damage can happen when they go wrong (I'm an RN) and I didn't have that surge of pain when they wear off that so many people report. But that is just MY opinion and MY reasons and you need to do what you and your doctor feel is best! Just wanted to let you know from my perspective since I'm one of the few who hasn't gotten one!
I had open reduction and internat fixation Feb 27, and will be NWB till mid May, then about a month or so after that will have the hardware removed. I go back to the surgeon on April 11, so I guess if he is going to deviate from the schedule at all he might say something. From what I can figure out, his style is not to push up the schedule if things look good. I will be thinking of you today and sending good vibes and thoughts your way.
Loretta
Good luck on your surgery. I had ptt repair, calcaneal osteotomy, achielles tendon lengthening, kidner procedure and fdl tendon transfer 19 months ago. I was in a surgical splint for 10 days and NWB for 8 weeks. I did not return to work until 4 months post op. The recovery is long with many ups and downs. For the first week or two you will need to keep your foot really elevated to help reduce swelling. At first, when your foot it down it will hurt and swell. It takes time for the bones to set and heal. I could not return earlier then 4 months due to the nature of my job. It requires me to be on my feet all day and to be able to move quickly. Even with that when I returned I ended up with a stress fracture of my tibia!
Actually I elected NOT to have a nerve block which didn't matter b/c my doctor doesn't routinely have them done for his patients. I didn't have one after my first surgery either. I did fine with pain meds every 4 hours ATC for the first 3-4 days and then backed off from there. My reasons against it were that I have seen what nerve damage can happen when they go wrong (I'm an RN) and I didn't have that surge of pain when they wear off that so many people report. But that is just MY opinion and MY reasons and you need to do what you and your doctor feel is best! Just wanted to let you know from my perspective since I'm one of the few who hasn't gotten one!
I read all that about the nerve block...very scary with the risks. I've had it done twice and been fine but again, there definitely are risks!
It was the calcaneal osteotomy that was so painful for me. I didn't even feel pain from my brostrom or recession, all I could feel was the burning hot misery in my heel. Either way, I hope you are being kept in the hospital to make sure you can control the meds with pills only. My osteotomy was outpatient and my nerve block lasted 30 hours. I was on both Oxy and Norco when it wore off yet I ended up back in the ER for 8 hours and then the hospital for 5 days because we couldn't control the pain. I was more of a worst case scenario but I recommend that you err on the side of caution.
I went back to work after a week but the first two days were hard! It's been a week and a half and it's much better... But I can elevate some and bought the iceman machine my doc gave me...
__________________ Peroneal brevis debridement; peroneal longus transfer to brevis: tenosynovectomy, 11/20/12
I did ask about the nerve block before the surgery just in case they could not control my pain.I woke up in termendous pain after the surgery and was administered the nerve block which lasted for about 9 hours. Day 1 was not so bad until about 5PM when the pain level reached a 7. After calling my Dr for advise he said to take my pain medicine every 2 hours for the next two doses. Slept through the night with a little pain. My pain level today is about a 2 or 3 so far today.
The following user gives a hug of support to Marksc39: Loretta> (04-04-2012)
I did ask about the nerve block before the surgery just in case they could not control my pain.I woke up in termendous pain after the surgery and was administered the nerve block which lasted for about 9 hours. Day 1 was not so bad until about 5PM when the pain level reached a 7. After calling my Dr for advise he said to take my pain medicine every 2 hours for the next two doses. Slept through the night with a little pain. My pain level today is about a 2 or 3 so far today.
Glad to hear it is under control. Seems foolish to not give you the pain block before. Most surgeons that perform this procedure recommend the pain block as well as performing the procedure inpatient. As mentioned, mine was performed outpatient but when I returned to the hospital two days later and was admitted, the nurse on the orthopaedic surgery floor shook her head and said doctors should never perform this procedure outpatient due to the pain. She also mentioned that the osteotomy is typically more painful for men for some reason.
Am so sorry you were in so much pain. I hope the pain meds work for you and so agree with Lurchy's nurse, the surgery should always be done inpatient for pain.
Hoping you have a good day!
Loretta
The Following User Says Thank You to Loretta> For This Useful Post: Marksc39 (04-04-2012)
