The handicap permit comes in handy! I would suggest getting it. It is only $3 here in Ohio. Parking lots can be a bit hairy with holes and cracks and idiot drivers. Best to park up front and avoid that risk.
The Following User Says Thank You to LadyKanner For This Useful Post: Btrfli1 (12-04-2012)
Hi again - from the real "Sausage" - the wife. Not sure if this is the right thread to reply to, but here goes. I know a few people expressed concern regarding lack of info prior to their surgery. We have been fortunate - not only did we receive a call today, but a "phone" appointment was made for tomorrow to go over my medical history and forms, with an "orientation" meeting with the anesthesiologist (spell that one Dr Suess!!) and internal medicine specialist on Tuesday the 11th. Sounds like I'm going to get a complete physical to make sure I don't expire on the operating table... medical profession covering their butts I guess. As well, we already did a quick "tour" of the hospital - and a tour of their info website- to know where the best place to park is, best access, etc - and we recommend the same for anyone from places with snowy winter weather (here in the Great White North we learn from experience. Already did a faceplant in a slippery parking lot last time I was on crutches). Surgery is on the 18th - so we are feeling well informed and in-the-loop to this point. Hope everyone on this board gets the same treatment - or asks beforehand. Better informed is better prepared.
Hey everyone. On Dec. 3, I had ankle reconstruction and pes cavas surgery (total reconstruction of the left foot). As far as my ankle, they performed the Brostrom procedure. I did not receive a nerve block and wished I had. I am 26 and I've probably sprained both ankles about 20-30 times since I've been young. My last sprain was so bad. I only received general and I was only at the hospital for 6hrs. I have noticed that most people on this foot board have stayed at least overnight. I wish I had because the pain was very bad coming out until the following night when my pain meds were adjusted. I hope your surgery goes well and let us know!
I have felt very well informed prior to my surgeries. I always ask a lot of questions and my surgeon is very thorough. Never be afraid to ask questions.
I feel fortunate to feel well informed and as well prepared as can be. Good advice Lady. I don't feel any question is too mundane to ask. Ask anything! I'm sure the dr has heard them all before! Smalldog, My surgery is scheduled for the 11th, and I'll have a block. As far as overnight, dr says depends on how surgery goes. hope you're feeling better!
I was hoping to stay in the hospital after my surgery because I was so afraid of the block wearing off on the way home (I live 7 hrs from the hospital). It did but it wasn't too terrible. In hindsight, I was very happy to be home so soon. Everyone's experience is different of course, but staying as calm and relaxed as you can (and keeping up on the meds) is key. I also found that yoga breathing helped a lot. Good luck ladies!
Ginger
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ginger62 For This Useful Post: Btrfli1 (12-05-2012)
Hi! Welcome to the Boards! My story is similar to yours. Long time history of ankle sprains, ankle instability, pain, etc. 11 years ago I had a modified Brostrom-Gould by a general OS (not a good idea I learned). In a cast 3.5 wks and crutches 4 wks, was back to work full time, 13 hour days on my feet in a boot by week 5 (also not a good idea, but I was cleared). No PT (terrible idea)! I was okay for a bit, but 2 yrs later tore my tendon retinaculum, a year after that badly sprained my ankle, tore cartilage and broke my 5th met (Jones fracture). That got me 6 wks NWB and a bone stimulator. 3 yrs after that another bad sprain, etc, etc. Sprained it in Sept 2011 and in Nov when it wasn't better, had it checked out since I was supposed to do a 1/2 marthon in early Dec. MRI came back not good. 3 torn ligaments, peroneal tendon tear and peroneal tendon subluxation. I was allowed to do the 1/2 marathon as long as I wore my brace, iced, took my NSAIDs, etc because my surgeon said there wasn't anything else I could do to hurt my ankle further and I was getting it fixed. So I did (major pain, but I did it). Had a Brostrom-Gould with suture anchors, repair of peroneal tendon tear and fibular groove deepening for peroneal tendon subluxation on 2/22/12. Was in a cast and NWB for 6 wks but it was more like 8 wks by the time I was totally off. Boot for another month after cast came off, lace up brace after that and even now with any athletics. I took Percocet every 4 hours around the clock for the first 3 days or so and then tapered as tolerated. I had great pain control. I didn't have a block and wasn't offered one, but told the anesthesiologist just in case he thought about it, I didn't want it. The things that can go wrong (and I've seen them) for me were not worth the risk. Especially since I'd been through thr surgery before with adequate pain control with oral meds. This time was even better control! After I got my cast off, I had PT for 3 months. The week after it was over and 4 months after surgery, I went overseas for 10 days. Had swelling and pain, but did alright. A month after that, I went hiking and zip lining in Alaska and was great! Then I went to DC for a funeral and was walking on a brick sidewalk that wasn't even and caught my foot just right and rolled it somewhat. I got off it before I went all the way over, but it hurt. I figured it was just sensitive from surgery. In November when it was still hurting, I had it checked again since again I was supposed to do a half marathon in Dec. Found out I sprained it again. Back in my brace 6 wks straight, back on NSAIDs, back in PT and no running. I was allowed to walk the 1/2 marathon as pain allowed. So this past Sunday, 12/2/12, I attempted the 1/2 marathon. I had 1 PT session to calm it down, pain control, etc. I actually finished, but I was in so much pain as soon as I stopped and adrenaline stopped (so I don't recommend it, but I'm crazy and a stubborn goal attainer). I also hurt my right knee compensating for my injured left ankle. It hasnt been a fun week and I'm trying now to see the Grand Canyon! I have PT session starting Monday. So all that to say, I recovered very well from thr surgery. Just had a freak accident on a sidewalk that resulted in a sprain 6.5 months out and then chose to press my luck. You'll do great! Oh and my surgery (both of them actually) were outpatient. Went in at 6 and was home by 1:30 on the first and in at 6 and home by 3:30 on the 2nd and did just fine! Much rather be in my bed! Good luck and come here for support and/or venting! It's what we're all here for!!
Good Luck Traci! Hope everything goes well for you today. Thanks for sharing idea for ice packs. Look forward to hearing from you as you feel better. Jeanne
Today is 17 days post op from modified brostrom. I got my cast off!!!! yay! they put me in the boot and said I can put a little wieght on it. It still wasn't discolored, however it was more swollen than a week ago when they removed the first one. I haven't had it elevated much in the past couple of days either. 2 nights ago I was getting electrical shocking pains in the one area I knew there were stitches. My big toe was feeling like it was on fire and it felt more swollen when I would elevate it at night so that is why I haven't put anything under it. Wierd, I know. The ortho tech said it was wierd and he hasn't heard anything like that before. I also jumped and yelped when the cast tool touched my foot. It didn't hurt, but scared the heck out of me.lol. So this boot weighs more than my cast and I have put a tad bit of weight on it for a couple of minutes, but nothing to cause pain. I'm definetly faster on the one foot. I plan on practicing this afternoon. My next appt is in 20 days and he said I will make plans for therapy from there. FYI, my doc originally said I was going to be on a cast NWB for 4 weeks. I'm not sure why they changed their minds, but I'll take it
Okay, so I am enjoying putting a tad bit of weight on my ankle in this boot, however it is horrible to sleep in! ughhh! It's heavier than the cast. I weighed it at the gym today and is 3 pounds. I thought it would be closer to 5. hmmm??? Anyhow, toIday was the first day I was able to wash my leg. ICK! I got to shave it as well (18 days later). I haven't been able to really check the ankle over really good yet because I didn't want to mess with the wraps, but I took them off for the shower. Now I see the discoloration on the sides. When I was in the shower I compared feet and boy is that sucker swollen. I also just came back from the gym so it could have been a tad bit more swollen from having it down. The ergometer is slowly becoming my friend. It's a little more comfy to stay on now since I can bear weight on the one side. I am able to do the machine for 40 minutes. I also work my upper body and do some core work. I've kept my eating pretty clean, except I had my mom stop at subway to buy me a cookie yesterday. lol. I def think I have lost a few pounds in the stomach from eating very clean. I can also see my hardwork (running/cycling muscles) starting to shrink It's so depressing to see all my hard work go out the door. I also bought a new bike trainer (computrainer) that is waiting in the corner to be used. I am hoping in 3 weeks I can try it out. My next doc appt is 19 days from today and they said I will probably be put in a brace and talk therapy. I can't wait until that day. Until then I'll keep posting on here and try to keep my head up. Hope everyone has good luck with their surgeries. I'm so bored and lonely. Sucks when you live alone. Thank heavens for my mother as she has helped out tremendously with cleaning around here. I gave her the day off today
Tilly- Be glad you only had to wait 18 days to shave. I had to wait 90! I felt like Grizzly Adams! I never thought it was possible for my legs to grow that much hair. It was so disgusting. I see you're in Akron. I am in Ashland myself. Only about 50 minutes away. I was up there the other day. Just be careful harvesting the crop around your incisions.
Hi Tilly, You're dpi g great! I know it must have felt wonderful to get a shower and to feel really clean!! That's always a pick-me-up! Be careful! I'm clumsy on two feet,,,afraid to see how bad it's gonna be with crutches whie recovering! Yikes! Look forward to heari g how you're doing. Jeanne
5 weeks post op was yesterday. I feel pretty good. I can get around on one crutch now if I want. I'm going to call the doc and ask if I can try no crutches. Isn't that the point? To end up bearing full weight in the boot by the end? My next doc apt is in 2 days. I imagine they will tell me to wait until that apt. I hope they are going to put me in a brace that day. I still don't have any pain, however there is still swelling. I understand this goes on for months though. I just keep icing it
@ tilly19 Im new here as well & I've just had surgery on my ankle back in September if u like we can compare & see where we both are & how each other is doin hope to hear from u. by the merry Christmas
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Ms. TJ
Last edited by moderator2; 12-25-2012 at 06:16 PM.
I'm so glad I've found this board so I don't feel so alone with all these ankle problems!
I had a scope in August to get scar tissue and inflamed tissue out, and had a modified brostrom with peroneal tendon clean up on the 29th October, so I am currently 8 weeks post op. I was in a cast for two weeks, and when I got my stitches out I managed to persuade the doctor that I would be a sensible patient in a boot rather than being in a cast for another 3 weeks. I'm still in the boot now as progress has been slow. Has anybody else started PT yet? I would be interested to hear how you are progressing so far!
I must not navigate in these forums correctly because I can never find the right page and finally I have again. I will have to mark this as a favorite bookmark so I can get back at it. I apologize if you have read my post on another page.
5 weeks and 2 days post op yesterday. Doc said I can start doing motion exercises and wants me to ween off crutches into the brace. Last night I went home and went from one crutch to no crutches with a slight limp. I didn't have any pain. I was just walking from kitchen to living room a few times. I woke up to excruciating pain this morning. OMG! I took 3 ibuprofen and iced which made it feel better. I got to work a few hours later and had two sharp pains that made me cry. I'm afraid to put more than a little bit of weight on my foot now and am using 2 crutches again. I'm still icing and am suppose to start therapy tonight. I'm scared out of my mind! I thought the pain from this surgery was a breeze until this morning. I'm still frightened that I will experience this more. Should I just suck it up and get back to atleast one crutch? For those of you that started therapy can you tell me what to expect on the first day? Maybe they will just do some ultrasound or something to calm the ankle. HELP!
Good luck and come here for support and/or venting! It's what we're all here for!!
It's so depressing to see all my hard work go out the door. I also bought a new bike trainer (computrainer) that is waiting in the corner to be used. I am hoping in 3 weeks I can try it out. My next doc appt is 19 days from today and they said I will probably be put in a brace and talk therapy. I can't wait until that day. Until then I'll keep posting on here and try to keep my head up. Hope everyone has good luck with their surgeries. I'm so bored and lonely. Sucks when you live alone. Thank heavens for my mother as she has helped out tremendously with cleaning around here. I gave her the day off today 
