Foot / Ankle :: Bleeding From Incision Tarsal Tunnel Surgery
I had surgery for tarsal tunnel on Tuesday, December 22nd. I've been moving around on crutches, which I find very hard to do. LOL My husband picks at me because he says I am not even coordinated enough to walk on crutches.
Anyway, ever so often I will remove the aircast just to let my foot "breathe". They have an ace bandage all the way up almost to my knee and some type of bandaging underneath the ace bandage.
On the inside of the aircast is a big bloody spot and there is a bloody spot on the ace bandage. Oh, I'd say about 3 to 4 inches long.
Should I be worried that it is bleeding? Or is this normal?
Broken Ankle - Sleep Impossible In Boot
I broke my ankle on 11/10, surgery on 11/19, cast off 12/7
I got the knee high boot to wear, I'm still non-weight bearing. He wants me to sleep in it but sleep is impossible. How vitally important is the boot to the bone healing? i wear the boot all day.
What Type Of Boot? 5th Metatarsal Surgery
Does anyone know what type of boot you should be in once you are able to bear weight? tall or short?
View 3 RepliesIncision Healing After Gallbladder Open Surgery?
I am getting a lot of light yellow fluid from the open wound. The open wound is red inside with slight whitish at the tope lining borders. Is my wound healing?
View 1 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Nerve Pain In Heel/toe After Ankle Surgery
I had ankle surgery to repair my medial malleolus back on May 8. It was fairly routine--just 2 screws. I was in a cast for a week, then was put into a boot but told to treat it like a cast--NO weight bearing for 7 weeks, keep the boot on 24/7 unless in the bathtub. I followed directions religiously.
I did notice that when I pressed on certain areas of the foot, I would feel a sharp pain. This occurred in the heel (from the bottom), toes (again, from the bottom, primarily the foot pad below the pinky, second, and 4th toes). When I asked the doctor about this, he said (around week 5) that it was just because I hadn't been using the foot.
The problem persisted, and this week, week 7, I was cleared to start partial weight-bearing--walking in the boot while taking approximately 1/2 the weight off my foot via the crutches. I don't have ankle pain to speak of (or at least, not often and only if I overdo it), but I have terrible shooting pains in my heel and toes as I step. It's OK if I take most of the weight on the crutches, but as soon as I go to more than just a little weight on the boot, the pain starts.
This week I also started PT and the therapist told me this is nerve pain--not uncommon after surgery (don't know why the doctor couldn't have told me this, but OK). I couldn't get much of an idea from her how long this will persist or if there is anything I can do about it.
I'm doing my ankle and leg exercises (those are mostly non-weightbearing at this point) and they are going great. The ankle is clearly healing well. But I don't see how I can progress to full weight bearing (supposed to try that next week!) when much more than a little pressure on the foot results in this nerve pain!
Help! Does anyone have experience with this? Is there anything I can do to speed things along? I need to return to my second job (barefoot hoof trimming for horses--how I broke the ankle!) ASAP and I'm fearful this will slow my progress to a crawl! The doctor is useless.
Foot / Ankle :: Microfracture And Brostrom Surgery Together?
I was diagnosed with small (<1cm) OCD of the tibial plafond and lax lateral ligaments. I am now facing a microfracture and a Brostrom is about a month. Has anyone had both procedures together and what was your experience?
View 2 RepliesRecovery After Ankle Microfracture Surgery (Talus)
Had surgery earlier today to remove a 2 cm lesion removed from the Talus. I was given some pain meds, and they help a little bit but I cannot get comfortable to fall asleep. My foot burns, throbs..and I just cannot relax.
Anyone have any tips on how to get comfortable?
Success Rate For Ankle Microfracture Surgery?
By way of background, I was a long jumper/triple jumper on the track team in college and banged up my right ankle pretty badly a couple times, though nothing that resulted in long term pain. In January of this year I stupidly jumped off a rock on a hike and sprained it more severely, likely magnifying an already existing OLT.
(note this was right after the injury, pre-crutches, when there was still a lot of edema)
I'm now one month removed from a 6 week NWB stint on crutches for a 1.2cm OLT on my right ankle. I've been doing PT, yoga and general strengthening for about a month. I can jog with minimal pain and can walk/bike without any pain, but I cannot play the more intense sports I love like basketball, flag football etc.
I have a follow up appt with my orthopedist in a couple weeks, and am debating microfracture. I want to play basketball again, but I am worried about the long-term uncertainty of the procedure. Is the potential upside of the surgery worth it, given the current state of my injury?
Foot / Ankle :: Second Metatarsal Overload Surgery
I've meet with several Dr's that have recommended shortening the second Metatarsal. I have done all the conservative approaches and have ran out of options. Cortisone injections, shoe inserts and anti inflammatory medicine and a lot of icing! This foot pain has been going on for many years but lately I haven't been getting any relief!
Can anyone tell me whether they have had much success with this type of surgery?
Foot / Ankle :: My Experience Of Hammertoe Surgery
On November 22, 2013, I had hammertoe surgery in my right foot. Incisions were made in the back of all four toes besides the big toe to release the tendon. The second toe was more rigid than all the others so it needed more work. Part of the knuckle had to be removed to slightly shorten the toe and a bone graph was put in. So, that toe had an incision in the back like the others and stitches on the top.
I was in a surgical shoe for four weeks, then tennis shoes for two weeks, then I could transition into other shoes. Recovery was pretty painful. I kept my foot elevated and iced it for the first week. I only walked when I had to use the restroom, and for the first few days that was almost impossible. It hurt so bad I ended up hopping to the bathroom on my other foot. So I got that surgery done in November and now it is March and my foot is doing great. Sometimes there is still slight pain in the second toe, it's still healing. My toes aren't 100% back to normal yet but I think they are close. I can walk/run on them with no problem.
I just had the same exact surgery on my left foot on February 28, 2014. This time I requested crutches since it was unbearable to walk on my foot the first time. I went home with crutches and used them for the first 4 days. Then on the 5th day I started to try to put pressure on my foot and begin to walk on it without the crutches. I thought the pain was getting better but it is now day 8 and I am in a lot of pain. My foot feels very hot, there is a burning sensation, and there are some stabbing pains. Usually the pain meds (Vicodin) help a lot with the pain. But tonight after taking one and seeing no improvement I took another, and still my foot is hurting very badly and I don't know what to do. Today is Friday and on Monday I have to go back to school so I'm trying to walk more and more everyday to prepare myself for having to walk around campus. I've already gone through this surgery before so I knew what to expect but so far the recovery for this foot has been slightly different from the first.
The pain is keeping me awake so I'm hoping it will ease off soon.
I would love to hear anyone's post-hammertoe surgery stories. Similarities or differences between our surgeries.
Foot / Ankle :: PTTD Surgery On Both Feet
I went for all the fun preop tests today in preparation for my second reconstruction happening in two weeks. I'm starting to go a little crazy realizing everything I still need to do before the surgery. ..finish prepping my house, rent the knee walker, finish Christmas shopping! Yikes! In some ways it's easier having an idea what to expect the second time around, but in other ways knowing what the next few months will be like makes it harder.
Those of you who have had the joy of having to have pttd surgery on both feet, how did foot number one hold up to crutches, etc? Any suggestions for a successful second recovery?
Foot / Ankle :: Getting Around After Flatfoot Reconstruction Surgery
I will be having Flatfoot Reconstruction Surgery in May and am trying to get a handle on the recovery. I live in a small 1 bedroom apartment, ground floor, but with 2 semi-steep steps leading inside.
I'd love to know anyone's experience with steps/stairs after this type of surgery. Also am looking for a recommendation for a good foam wedge for foot elevation...and actually anything else you might want to share. I'm a bit overwhelmed at how arduous the recovery may be.
Foot / Ankle :: Sleeping After Reconstruction Surgery
I think I saw this mentioned before, but do you have some helpful hints about sleeping after surgery? I'm a side sleeper with pillow between knees. It's about the only way I can sleep. Yea, it's probably not possible at the beginning. Also, did anyone put a "blanket support" at the footboard to hold the blankets and sheets off the foot?
View 9 RepliesFoot / Ankle Surgery :: Does The Weather Affect You?
I'm now about 4 1/2 - 5 months post op. Walking again, doing great. We've had a lot of storms lately. Today I was doing great, then all of a sudden my foot started hurting, having pangs of pain/zingers, I was grocery shopping and noticed a turn in the weather. By the time it started pouring rain I was in uncomfortable pain. I just wanted to finish, get home and put ice on my foot, and I haven't done that in quite a while now.
It was like I felt the break in my heel, just an all over pain in my foot.
If I said that I 'knew' where the screws where, I think this crew are the only ones who would understand that...
Foot / Ankle :: Pain After Bunion Surgery
I've been reading older messages regarding this topic because i have been having this problem since my surgery in September 2013! Doctor has no idea why i'm still in pain and my physio therapies don't get nowhere. So i'm a lot desperate! Can anyone help me, pls? Is it sesamoiditis? Is it tendonitis? Who has experienced any of these and can advise me what to do?
View 3 RepliesWhere To Give Nerve Block For Ankle Surgery?
I recently had surgery on my ankle for a fractured fibula and torn ligament. Prior to surgery, my surgeon told me that he would have another doctor (pain doctor) administer a nerve block once I was under general anesthesia. The pain doctor met with me prior to the operation and advised that the nerve block would last anywhere from 15-24 hours. Unfortunately, the nerve block did not work correctly at all and I was in immense pain for a few hours post-op until I was given strong pain meds. I questioned my surgeon (because the pain doctor left after administering the nerve block) who said the nerve block must have worn off by the time the surgery ended (a couple hours tops), but from what I've researched it's not possible. Plus, I began to notice that the middle of my thigh was completely numb in the middle of the night. This numbness lasted approximately 24 hours.
My question is: Where should the pain doctor have administered the nerve block. I woke up with a bandaid in the area of my groin and was told this is where the nerve block was given (under ultrasound). However, I've read that for an ankle procedure, the block should have been given just above the knee to be effective. Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject?
Limited Range Of Motion After Ankle Microfracture Surgery
Four weeks ago I had ankle surgery where the doctor removed loose cartilage between my tibia and talus and performed microfracture surgery on the talus to generate "newer" cartilage since I had an empty crater of about 1cm.
Two weeks after the surgery when the doctor removed the stitches I tried to move my foot up and down rotating at my ankle. I was completely unable to move my ankle upwards.
Currently (4 weeks since the operation) from a starting position of a 90 degree angle from leg to foot, i can move my foot down and up back to the 90 degree position without any discomfort. I can't contract my foot upwards past the 90 degree position. With an exercise band I can pull my toes upwards rotating my foot by my ankle without discomfort but if i try to hold that position with my tendons/muscle I feel severe pain and can't hold it.
Did anyone else experience this lack of range in their ankle. Did it eventually get better?
Foot / Ankle :: Metatarsal Fusion Revision Surgery - Yes Or No?
I was diagnosed with a hyperflexible big toe via a weight bearing scan. Two years ago now, my surgeon fused the first and second metatarsals and removed a mild bunion in the hopes that this would sort out pain and swelling in that area. Swelling around the hardware (specifically the plate) lasted a while but has calmed down now. However, my big toe is completely stiff. My surgeon was surprised as he didn't expect so much scar tissue to form (I was 27 when I had the surgery and very active). This doesn't cause pain so much as discomfort on a regular basis and I've had to completely change what activities I do now (no running or long hikes without causing swelling and a stiff feeling). My second toe is also now significantly longer than the first (it wasn't before). This doesn't cause pain either but again discomfort when it takes the load for the big toe and it sometimes sets me off balance eg in yoga. I'm not sure if this is due to the length or simply that the big toe isn't taking weight anymore because it's so inflexible.
My surgeon recommended surgery to: shorten the second toe, remove the hardware, remove the scar tissue, AND loosen the fusion (if that's the correct term).
Due to the intense recovery period last time and general concerns about surgery risks including that I'll end up either worse off or with the same stiffness, I'm not sure whether this is a good idea. I feel I can "manage" with my foot, but it's certainly not in the best condition to return to the activities I want to do, and I'm only 29.
It's scheduled for the week after next but I'm not sure whether I should go ahead. Neither my GP nor my surgeon seems overly confident, I think there's no real answer but I'd love to know your opinions on whether this second surgery might end up better or worse.
Foot / Ankle :: Surgery For Glass Removal From Heel
Has anyone dealt with foreign object removal from their heel?
If so, has your heel been able to heal to 100%?
Are you dealing with any problematic scar tissue on your heel?
How long did it take to resolve for you?
I'm eager to get back to deadlifts and squats at the gym and hoping someone can share a positive recovery story.
Here's what happened:
July 5, 2015, I stepped on shard of glass - I was told by a doctor there was no glass in my heel - I was given a tetanus shot, antibiotics and sent on my way. I pushed through the discomfort for several weeks - finally I requested an x-ray, which showed glass in my heel.
August 5, 2015 - the first surgery - unsuccessful - about an hour into surgery in ER (under local anesthetic), the surgeon said he didn't feel comfortable continuing, as he couldn't quite locate the glass and didn't feel comfortable going deeper. He was able to refer me to an orthopedic surgeon.
August 10, 2015 - the second surgery - successful - the orthopedic surgeon said retrieving the glass was very difficult -he was "mucking around for a while" and "it was like finding a needle in a haystack."
I was given painkillers and antibiotics and instructions not to change the bandaging or take off the tensor bandage for the first 3 days. The first night was horrendous in terms of pain - my pain tolerance is pretty high - how I would describe the pain would be, an extreme burning sensation on the top of my foot (like my skin was being peeled off and then lit on fire) - I was going to go back into ER, but as soon as I got up, the rush of blood into my foot relieved the pain. So for that night, and basically the first 2-3 days, I just kept standing up every 1-2 hours to allow blood-flow into my foot. I ended up loosening the tensor bandage after two days.
August 20, 2015 - stitches removed - unfortunately I had an infection, so I was given a 7 day course of antibiotics.
Sept. 11, 2015 - follow-up appt. - incision still not 'together' and some leakage - I was told a minor infection was still present and given a 10 day course of antibiotics.
Currently...
I'm still on crutches - my heel is still tender and the skin is still somewhat open on the surface (was told it will heal from inside out) - I can't stand normally - I have some pins and needles under my foot near my toes - the skin around the heel is very tight and ankle mobility is reduced - ankle feels very weak (probably from not walking).
I'm now seeing the surgeon more consistently to have the healing monitored more closely.
I haven't been given a time-frame of when I'll be 'normal' and be able to resume my life before the injury.
As you can tell, I'm eager to get back to being mobile and living actively.
I'm just looking to hear from someone who has dealt with something similar, so I can keep positive and start thinking of time-frames for myself.