I am eight days post op. I just had sedation. I stayed in the hospital four nights. The surgery was the easy part. Now I'm home and it's difficult. I don't like general anesthesia. I'm always worried about my teeth. The nerve block worked really well. Good luck.
Be sure and get a foam wedge. That helps keep your foot high. The Knee scooter is a lifesaver. I am eight days post op. Pain is worse now than before. And now I have a urinary tract infection. The narcotics work on the pain but ruin the kidneys. Good luck.
I had pes cavus surgery (various soft tissue & osteotomies) and ankle stabilization. I received general. Nerve block was not given to me as an option. I was outpatient and left the hospital still in ton of pain. I'm probably the worst-case scenario here because I told them I have chronic pain (I have Fibro) and they let me go home still with a lot of pain. I had two full doses of morphine which did not do much. My first two days were horrible until my meds at home were adjusted. I have noticed throughout this board that most people have gotten general with a nerve block and have stayed at least a night in the hospital. My only thought is that since I'm 26, they thought I wouldn't be in a lot of pain.
Smalldog, I'm in the same boat as you, only I don't have Fibro. I'm surprised they didn't give you more considering that. I'm also 26, and even with the nerve block I still needed copious amounts of morphine in my IV. And they still didn't believe me that I was in that much pain, despite the fact I spent hours sobbing and wanting to die.
Moral of the story: Make sure they believe you about your pain and don't let them leave until you feel as comfortable as you can. I had to call them 4 or 5 times before they tried to get a hold of my doctor. Even the woman I was sharing my room with called them because she felt so bad listening to me. Make them understand your pain. I had a few nurses that were WONDERFUL, and others who could care less. Be your own best advocate for pain management.
I need my right foot done eventually. When that surgery happens, it will be different than the last one because I will be firm and not put up with being in a lot of pain when I leave. One of the good things is that after the first few days, the pain went down a lot. It def was thanks to the med increase. Now its a dullish pain I experience and nowhere near to the first few days.
Glad you're feeling better, Smalldog. I agree, pain level went down, tremendously, after the first few days. So much more manageable now. I truly don't think that anyone should go home, after having this invasive/reconstructive foot surgery. I believe blame lies with the insurance companies. There's no way that patients can cope with the intense pain during the first day or so following surgery. It would be adequately managed with IV meds. If I had to do over, I would insist on staying. I would have fought that fight with the insurance company and had it approved PRIOR to surgery. just my opinion. Hope everyone has a better day!! jeanne
Btrfl and small dog.... Now nine days post.... Took double narco to sleep and antibiotics seem to work so pp is ok. Even washed my hair today hanging over laundry slop sink. For first time, maybe pain is duller. Will see. Question on knee walker..... How high the knee pad? Also.... Any idea how long the foot has to be high ? Does this get easier? Thanks.
Hi Pesher,,so glad to hear that you 're feeling better and were able to get some sleep. Good rest, I believe, is key in recovery, so that your body can recover from the trauma of surgery, anesthia, etc. your question on the knee pad on the walker.....mine was delivered by the medical supply company and the guy who delivered adjusted the knee pad height, knee scooter height to my height and comfort. It was delivered the day before surgery, so I had a little time to use it before I needed it. My dr initially told me I needed to be down, with foot elevated, for two weeks. He said I should not have the foot down for longer than 10 min every hr. of course, that's really hard to do. I've tried really hard to be compliant, but getting bathed, dressed, personal hygiene, etc,,,,foot has been down for longer than 10 min each day, and has been VERY painful and pain is hard to get under control when that happens. With that said, I have a VERY supportive husband, who takes care of me and everything else here, and he does everything to support a successful recovery. WE don't want to do anything to jeopardize a full recovery and successful outcome. I see the dr on Tues for first post op appt, and we'll see what he says. Honestly, pain level is too high to out my foot down too long. I'm trying to lessen need for pain meds, so that my body can adjust. I only took two yesterday, last one @ 1130pm. Didn't take anything else till noon today, after I finished my bath, dressing and hair washing/drying. In hindsight, should have taken BEFORE bath and let pain meds kick in, but I knew I wanted to wash/dry my hair and I didn't want to be kooky while up for extended period. That med is finally getting my pain manageable.
It DOES get better, but I believe you have to be patient and follow drs instruction to a "T". I did so with my first surgery to this ankle (Brostrom) and had a great outcome. It bought me 8-10 years, before this surgery was needed. Ankle was shot, due to numerous injuries and sprains for last 30 or so years. My situation is different from many who are facing/recovering from surgeries here, as we are empty nesters, and have no one here to take care of beside us!! I don't know how those with kids can deal with this as easily.
Enough rambling!! Hope everyone has a good day...thinking of you all. For those who have upcoming surgery, I look forward to your recovery, as well!! Jeanne
I've had my foot down several times a day - mostly when eating and showering. I didn't shower until I was 5 days post op (just washed my hair and body). I love my cast protector cause its reusable and keeps all air out. I got mine on Amazon (Drycorp I think). I didn't have to adjust my knee walker. Now when I am out of the house, I use it to elevate my foot. On 12/12 I was out from 945am till around 2 and most of the time, my foot was elevated. The pain is the worst the first few days and like you, the first night, I didn't sleep much. After my pain was manageable, I did sleep much better. What sucks though, is getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I'm still at home with my parents (I'm 26) and thats been a Godsend because my mom's been helping me with hygiene. Though last week, I discovered how to get into my shower chair without bearing any weight on my foot (I was using a little weight before hand.) I have a shower chair which also has been nice. My dad is the person who mostly handles carrying my knee walker up and down the stairs. It sucks that most of the stuff I did before I cannot do and other people have to do it for me (like running up and down the stairs to get something) After a few days post op, I figured out ways to balance myself and I believe after all of this is done, I'll have big arm muscles cause I use them so much! What bothers me the most about the recovery is the itching because it is sooooo hard to feel it and not itch. Hope everything goes well!
Hi all, I love to hear from you. I can knee roll into b.room, and that's the extent of foot down. Less throbbing today, bit heel/ankle feels sharp all the time, like hitting against cast. Different kind of pain, as if cast is rubbing. Hope not. Washed my hair leaning over sink, and thankful for that, but no shower or bath. How can you do that? I am 9 days out, and still w splint. Will I be able to really shower after regular cast? I have huge shower, and bought a chair. Have not gotten dressed...only nighty. Easier to PP. thanks for all. Phyllis
Hi Phyllis, I bathe every day and have done so since nite of surgery. I have splint to my knee. I knee roll to bathroom, hubby has a chair there with my clothes for the day, anything comfy for lounging around the house. I moved all my personal care stuff to that bathroom before surgery. Put a towel on edge of tub, sit on tub, with bad leg resting on this towel. Using my good leg and both hands/arms, am able to get myself in and out of the tub, no problem. Having good smelling soap, lotion, clean pajamas and clothes every day, does wonders for my morale. It's my treat for the day!! For me, I feel more stable taking baths than trying to get in/out of my showers. Good luck! jeanne
Thanks, but the height of jacuzzi will prevent this. I'll hope for shower priveledges after thurs post op appt and cast. For next few days, was cloths, etc. no biggie. The hair made a difference. Again, thanks. P
I was immediately put into a leg cast. I guess it could look like a splint but it goes up to just below my knee. My cast protector makes your leg airtight. Since I've been using it, not an ounce of water has gotten through. It covers the whole foot and most of my leg and nothing is exposed. I got the info of showering with my post op instructions that the whole cast needs to be dry. I get a new one, I think, tomorrow because my cast from my surgery is huge know.
Last edited by moderator2; 12-16-2012 at 02:33 PM.
Mine is a splint. Hard on front and back soft on sides, goes to knee, wrapped in lots of soft cotton type gauze, wrapped in ace bandages. Heavy. Has to stay totally dry. Hope you get a new, lighter cast tomorrow!
Pesher--I was told that I could shower as soon as I was able to as long as I had an air tight cast protector. I have an old claw foot tub with a shower. I got a shower seat to sit in it that I can use. I put my cast protector on and rest my bad foot on the back side of the tub. I am not a small girl and my cast was huge at the top. I could stick my entire hand down inside my cast almost touching my ankle. I went through so many cast protectors because they tore putting them on over the top part of my cast. I had one cast get wet and have to be replaced. You definitely don't want that. If you get your cast wet at all, call your doctor ASAP.. Your skin is not designed to be moist all the time and will result in getting sores. They will have you in to get that cast replaced. My tub is so deep I don't think I could lower myself in and be able to get out unless we have the local tow truck company on speed dial. lol
~Kimberly
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to LadyKanner For This Useful Post: Btrfli1 (12-16-2012), Pesher (12-16-2012)
I had general. My surgery was outpatient, I had surgery at 0700 and was released to go home a little after 1300. I was given the block after I was under, mine lasted almost 48hrs which I was thankfull for. The numbness of my big toe still comes and goes, its been 3 months since my surgery. I was glad for teh block bc when it wore off, I was in hella pain lol.
__________________ Right ankle lateral ankle stabilization with ankle arthroscopy and debridement, curettage and microfracture of the lateral talar dome lesion. Possible RSD of right ankle
Anxiety and depression
