Rheumatoid and foot surgery

islandbeachgirl

RA fighter,
Welcome! I had a tendon repair , tendon transfer and calcaneal osteotomy surgery four weeks ago. It is a very long recovery and is quite painful for the first week.. You will need lots of help for the first 2 weeks. I have just started back to work this week. Thought I would go back after two weeks but that wasn't happening. I am too early in the recovery process to know if it was worth it but so far I say yes. I still have to elevate my feet above my heart for several hours a day. They swell a lot. There are lots of great ideas and advice on this site. Hope this helps.
Islandbeachgirl

RA fighter

Island Girl

Do you have RA? What caused the problems with your foot. Do you have a photo of your foot before surgery? Was your foot flat? How long was your foot in that condition? Sorry about all the questions. Oh and how are you doing this week?

islandbeachgirl

RA, sorry I jut saw this post. I do not have RA. I am flat footed. Left worse than right. My real damage to tendon was done 8 years ago due to a bad sprain. I twisted it again this past summer and that tore my tibial tendon. I am 14 weeks post op and still walking very slowly with cane. Some good days, some bad. My recovery took a lot longer than planned as I couldn't get into PT too many patients not enough help....but even with these set backs I am glad had the surgery. How are you doing?

RA fighter

How are you doing Island Beach Girl?

islandbeachgirl

Hi RA fighter,
Thanks for asking. I have had a couple really tough days. Bed rest, toes above nose and icing for 72 hours, due to working too many hours. Pain went back to where it was post surgery. Got really depressed after that episode but now I feel like I am turning a corner. I still have aches and pains and of course swelling and a slight limp but everyday my gait gets stronger. This recovery is way more intense and extensive than I ever could comprehend. My surgeon scheduled me for 6-8 weeks of PT 2x/week and I have 3 more weeks till I will be discharged. I am almost 7 months post-op and thought I would be normal by 3months according to surgeon. My scars are looking great though can hardly even see them so that is good news. So enough about me. How are you doing?

RA fighter

I am ok. Contemplating surgery. Did you have an injury?

islandbeachgirl

I think you are wise not to rush into this surgery. It is a very painful and LONG recovery. Even though I still am limited in my activities I am glad I had the surgery. I know I will get better with time. If the pain becomes unbearable to walk you will probably want to have surgery but only you will know when time is right. If you do decide to go through with be real by thinking it will be a full year before you are back to "normal". My continues fun worsened after spraining my ankle years ago and then twisting it a year ago. But I always had flat feet that pronated. Let me know what you decide.