Just got caught up with your blog. Keep your spirits up. You are doing really well with your attitude. I was just where you were only a couple months ago and I remember the details vividly. I am now staring my 13th week and my foot still feels a little different everyday.
When I was NWB, I remember feeling all the pins and needles. It scared me. My surgeon told me it was because the nerves were irritated with all the trauma and scar tissue. I don't know if you ever saw a video of "our" surgery, but the traction that they do on the incision is pretty invasive on the soft tissues and the nerves. Like fractal foot, my big toe and second toe was partially numb. I think I am getting some of the feeling back, but at a bit of a cost as it seems like the skin is always irritated like a sunburn.
If you have any questions, just let me know and I will try to relate it to my experience. In the meantime, stay positive. Try to enjoy the time off. I have a desk job, but still haven't been back at work for three months.
>>> my BIGGEST question is - How long before you can sit without your leg elevated?
This was the same question I had for my surgeon. I paraphrase. Swelling occurs because the muscles in your foot and calf are no longer being used, so the veins can't return the blood back to the heart. Think of your veins as small tubes that needs to be squeezed by your muscles in order for the blood to move against gravity. The swelling will improve over time even when NWB, but will never be gone until you start PT. So no matter what, elevate that foot as soon as you feel any pressure. When I went out to restaurants, I always made sure they had booths.
Jim - Thanks for your posts - I am glad you found my blog. Yeah, the different pains I feel 5 weeks post surgery are interesting. Yesterday out of nowhere I started to get ankle pain. No doubt due to non-use. Wow! I cannot believe you still have not gotten to work. That stinks. Hopefully you will be getting back to work soon. How long for you before you were able to start walking? Not sure I want to see the surgery vid any time soon - that would be worse than watching a cheap horror flick LOL! Please keep me up to date - Since you are ahead of me and some others your journey will help prepare us. Thanks again! Glenn
I was able to go NWB after 7 weeks. I went to one crutch after 10 weeks, and then fully weaned off my crutches at the 12 week mark. I am still using a cane from time to time, and my limp is almost gone. I probably can walk at 80-90% my normal pace, but the endurance is still not there. I haven't gone on long walks yet, but I can walk a few blocks with confidence.
I only wore the walker boot for one week after NWB. My surgical wound didn't heal properly and the strap on the boot was irritating it. So I wore a pair of MBT sandals for one week to let the wound heal properly and then transitioned to a pair of MBT sneakers, which I am still using. MBTs have a rockered and stiff sole and it really helps with the walking. They look ugly as $@#%, but If I wore regular sneakers, I'd probably limp more.
Anyway, I think the important thing is not to rush the recovery like I did. I had delusions I would fully recover after 12 weeks, even though my surgeon told me it takes 6 months to get 60% back. I worked out really hard, but I am taking it a bit easier now with the exercises and giving my body time to heal itself.
Take it easy and rest for now. The recovery has many more challenges.
Thanks for the advice - I think I had a lot of delusions until I did my own research. They really did not tell me much post-op. In fact he did not even tell me it was Lisfranc. I was researching and when I asked my surgeon at wound check he confirmed - and looked a little uncomfortable that I knew!
Hey Glenn,
ReplyDeleteJust got caught up with your blog. Keep your spirits up. You are doing really well with your attitude. I was just where you were only a couple months ago and I remember the details vividly. I am now staring my 13th week and my foot still feels a little different everyday.
When I was NWB, I remember feeling all the pins and needles. It scared me. My surgeon told me it was because the nerves were irritated with all the trauma and scar tissue. I don't know if you ever saw a video of "our" surgery, but the traction that they do on the incision is pretty invasive on the soft tissues and the nerves. Like fractal foot, my big toe and second toe was partially numb. I think I am getting some of the feeling back, but at a bit of a cost as it seems like the skin is always irritated like a sunburn.
If you have any questions, just let me know and I will try to relate it to my experience. In the meantime, stay positive. Try to enjoy the time off. I have a desk job, but still haven't been back at work for three months.
Cheers,
Jim
Found your biggest question from a previous post:
ReplyDelete>>> my BIGGEST question is - How long before you can sit without your leg elevated?
This was the same question I had for my surgeon. I paraphrase. Swelling occurs because the muscles in your foot and calf are no longer being used, so the veins can't return the blood back to the heart. Think of your veins as small tubes that needs to be squeezed by your muscles in order for the blood to move against gravity. The swelling will improve over time even when NWB, but will never be gone until you start PT. So no matter what, elevate that foot as soon as you feel any pressure. When I went out to restaurants, I always made sure they had booths.
Jim - Thanks for your posts - I am glad you found my blog. Yeah, the different pains I feel 5 weeks post surgery are interesting. Yesterday out of nowhere I started to get ankle pain. No doubt due to non-use. Wow! I cannot believe you still have not gotten to work. That stinks. Hopefully you will be getting back to work soon. How long for you before you were able to start walking? Not sure I want to see the surgery vid any time soon - that would be worse than watching a cheap horror flick LOL! Please keep me up to date - Since you are ahead of me and some others your journey will help prepare us. Thanks again! Glenn
ReplyDeleteHey Glen.
ReplyDeleteI was able to go NWB after 7 weeks. I went to one crutch after 10 weeks, and then fully weaned off my crutches at the 12 week mark. I am still using a cane from time to time, and my limp is almost gone. I probably can walk at 80-90% my normal pace, but the endurance is still not there. I haven't gone on long walks yet, but I can walk a few blocks with confidence.
I only wore the walker boot for one week after NWB. My surgical wound didn't heal properly and the strap on the boot was irritating it. So I wore a pair of MBT sandals for one week to let the wound heal properly and then transitioned to a pair of MBT sneakers, which I am still using. MBTs have a rockered and stiff sole and it really helps with the walking. They look ugly as $@#%, but If I wore regular sneakers, I'd probably limp more.
Anyway, I think the important thing is not to rush the recovery like I did. I had delusions I would fully recover after 12 weeks, even though my surgeon told me it takes 6 months to get 60% back. I worked out really hard, but I am taking it a bit easier now with the exercises and giving my body time to heal itself.
Take it easy and rest for now. The recovery has many more challenges.
Thanks for the advice - I think I had a lot of delusions until I did my own research. They really did not tell me much post-op. In fact he did not even tell me it was Lisfranc. I was researching and when I asked my surgeon at wound check he confirmed - and looked a little uncomfortable that I knew!
ReplyDelete