Messages

1

Ankle / Re: 4weeks post micro/debridement. Where should I be at?

« on: October 08, 2016, 05:06:58 PM »

Hello,

I was 6 weeks nwb before PT. I had a month of PT, three weeks in the boot and a fourth before they discharged me. The first week or so back to work was when I started PT and I thought I made a huge mistake going back to work right away. But after the first week it got better. Alternating ice and heat really helped a lot, a heating pad actually worked better for me than ice. I had two exercises I had a hard time with but I think with any surgery your not going to get everything back 100% even after the surgery. Like me I hate ladders, I can do them but they make me nervous where as before I could climb everything no problem. Hope it gets better for you soon.
-K

2

Ankle / Experience with Neuroma post surgery?

« on: October 08, 2016, 04:42:26 PM »

Hello

I was wondering if anyone has experience or knows of a board for foot neuroma.
My ortho recommended surgery but I am not comfortable with that idea.
So far toe spacers help but not with shoes. Can't wear shoes at all due to pain.
Same foot as my ankle OCD, also had this pain prior to surgery but brace helped a lot here.
Thanks -K.

3

Ankle / Re: Walking normally again? Please tell me your recovery experiences.

« on: May 20, 2016, 08:09:55 PM »

Hello

walking normal at 13 weeks post op, Debridement with bleeding but no MF. Left ankle talar dome lesion/ocd

First two weeks in the boot i was miserable. Then started getting better. Med amount of pain and a lot of swelling. The more you can get the swelling down and work on your range of motion even when it hurts helped me the most.
Getting out of the boot also made it so much better, stopped swelling, stopped limping.
I walk almost normal now. walk constantly for 4-8 hrs work shifts. My pt told me the elliptical was the best way to get my gait back to normal once they cleared me for that. Good luck hope it gets better for you.

4

OCD Surgeries / PT success week 13 post op, week 6 of PT

« on: May 20, 2016, 08:03:42 PM »

So I am 7 weeks into physical therapy after 6 weeks nwb. My physical therapist recommending I can end physical therapy pending doctor's ok Monday which is 8 week post NWB.

I wore my boot for about 4 weeks before they started to let me out of it. Finally I got the ok to try working without it and it felt fine so I took myself out of the boot. I had to remind them that my doctors order was 3-4 weeks in the boot not six-eight the PT said was normal. I had to call the doctor's nurse and verify this with them. Once I took myself out of the boot it was another week before PT started changing my exercises and telling me I might be done soon. Not that I wanted to rush through PT but it was expensive for me and if I don't need it then why go, and why stay in the boot longer than needed. Especially with working on my feet the boot was actually more difficult.

So far I can now work 4-8 hrs on my feet moving, walking around constantly. picking stuff up and down, using short step stools and ladder with side handle bars. I refuse to use the regular 8 ft ladder yet. Once PT started me on the elliptical I have done mile ish walks at a slow-average pace and with no problems. I can do the elliptical for ten min without ankle issues. Which was my fitness level before surgery.
I mowed our med sized yard last weekend with no problems
My main issue was being able to work without pain and soreness which so far has been achieved. I think I got lucky because I did not have a micro fracture and only a debridement. Also my pain was under control before my surgery so I feel this helped also.

I've had some minor issues with my back that just started where I feel like its not smooth to stand up and sit down or bending over. However this is pry because I am bending over to move things more at work and I have gained weight that is pry causing issues with this. But at least it's not pain, more a balance issue.

I do not know when I will be able to ride horses again. But I do not have one to ride right now so that is not an issue. From my reading 6-12 months is recommended for high impact so hopefully sometime next year I can find a place to ride again.

5

Ankle / PT Success 13 weeks post op, week 6 of physical therapy

« on: May 20, 2016, 08:01:52 PM »

So I am 7 weeks into physical therapy after 6 weeks nwb. My physical therapist recommending I can end physical therapy pending doctor's ok Monday which is 8 week post NWB.

I wore my boot for about 4 weeks before they started to let me out of it. Finally I got the ok to try working without it and it felt fine so I took myself out of the boot. I had to remind them that my doctors order was 3-4 weeks in the boot not six-eight the PT said was normal. I had to call the doctor's nurse and verify this with them. Once I took myself out of the boot it was another week before PT started changing my exercises and telling me I might be done soon. Not that I wanted to rush through PT but it was expensive for me and if I don't need it then why go, and why stay in the boot longer than needed. Especially with working on my feet the boot was actually more difficult.

So far I can now work 4-8 hrs on my feet moving, walking around constantly. picking stuff up and down, using short step stools and ladder with side handle bars. I refuse to use the regular 8 ft ladder yet. Once PT started me on the elliptical I have done mile ish walks at a slow-average pace and with no problems. I can do the elliptical for ten min without ankle issues. Which was my fitness level before surgery.
I mowed our med sized yard last weekend with no problems
My main issue was being able to work without pain and soreness which so far has been achieved. I think I got lucky because I did not have a micro fracture and only a debridement. Also my pain was under control before my surgery so I feel this helped also.

I've had some minor issues with my back that just started where I feel like its not smooth to stand up and sit down or bending over. However this is pry because I am bending over to move things more at work and I have gained weight that is pry causing issues with this. But at least it's not pain, more a balance issue.

I do not know when I will be able to ride horses again. But I do not have one to ride right now so that is not an issue. From my reading 6-12 months is recommended for high impact so hopefully sometime next year I can find a place to ride again.

6

Ankle / Anyone have tingling similar to foot alseep during recovery? Debridement no MF

« on: April 24, 2016, 10:40:33 AM »

Hello

I had debridement surgery for ankle ocd, no MF but they made it bleed Feb 2016.
Has anyone had tingling start suddenly while working through PT? I went walking without my boot when I shouldn't have and the tingling started the next day. I did not have pain or swelling while walking, went very slowly, and with a cane. Walked about a mile. It has continued for about a week so far. It feels like your foot is going to sleep but not as bad. Mine is mostly the foot and not the ankle. One PT says this is a problem, keep an eye on it and take anti-inflammatory meds. Second PT this week says likely just a nerve and not a problem. I will likely call the doctor next week just to report it, since each PT is saying something different. Was curious if others had the same.


 

7

OCD Surgeries / walking in a boot week two, eight weeks post op

« on: April 16, 2016, 03:52:43 PM »

So far walking this week is much improved from the first week. This is pry mostly due to the physical therapy. I am more comfortable with the boot, and I use the cane while not working. I could walk without the cane, I just feel like it helps relieve some stress on the ankle as it is still recovering.

In physical therapy I have been working on lower leg range of motion and strength. Sitting bike, total gym leg presses, rotating ball board for ankle rom. Ankle flexion and extension heel/toe to the floor alternate (not sure what that is called). The first two sessions I had electrotherapy for pain relief, which was felt like vibrations. Now they have been doing deep tissue massage and articulation of the foot and joint to improve range of motion and flexibility.

On my off days from therapy I have several range of motion exercises and stretches. I add heat with a heating pad before and then ice after. I have also been doing these on my opposite leg which I think have helped improved the ache/burn issues there. I do my PT for home in the evening after therapy if I am not working.

So far my pain level while resting is back to zero and I do not need ibuprofen anymore. While at work my pain level is in the opposite leg and that seemed to be improved after a period of extended rest. Hopefully that continues. Ibuprofen does not help with that surprisingly.

Two to three more weeks of physical therapy before I get out of the boot. I am still working about 20 hours a week. I had my shifts changed to hopefully something easier on the ankle, which is I think is helping also, more down time between shifts.

8

Ankle / walking in a boot week two, eight weeks post op

« on: April 16, 2016, 03:50:45 PM »

So far walking this week is much improved from the first week. This is pry mostly due to the physical therapy. I am more comfortable with the boot, and I use the cane while not working. I could walk without the cane, I just feel like it helps relieve some stress on the ankle as it is still recovering.

In physical therapy I have been working on lower leg range of motion and strength. Sitting bike, total gym leg presses, rotating ball board for ankle rom. Ankle flexion and extension heel/toe to the floor alternate (not sure what that is called). The first two sessions I had electrotherapy for pain relief, which was felt like vibrations. Now they have been doing deep tissue massage and articulation of the foot and joint to improve range of motion and flexibility.

On my off days from therapy I have several range of motion exercises and stretches. I add heat with a heating pad before and then ice after. I have also been doing these on my opposite leg which I think have helped improved the ache/burn issues there. I do my PT for home in the evening after therapy if I am not working.

So far my pain level while resting is back to zero and I do not need ibuprofen anymore. While at work my pain level is in the opposite leg and that seemed to be improved after a period of extended rest. Hopefully that continues. Ibuprofen does not help with that surprisingly.

Two to three more weeks of physical therapy before I get out of the boot. I am still working about 20 hours a week. I had my shifts changed to hopefully something easier on the ankle, which is I think is helping also, more down time between shifts.

9

Ankle / Re: Talar dome lesion/ debridement ocd ankle surgery Feb/16

« on: April 13, 2016, 10:24:08 AM »

Hi Kea - that's great news!   Who is your doctor?   Any comments on your experience with him/her?  Thanks!

Kerri
My doctor is in Mobile, AL so far I like him a lot. I felt like his recommendations matched what I was comfortable with compared to the other doctors and what I had read. I don't want to post his name just for privacy reasons but I can give it to anyone looking for a good doctor. My only complaint was the return to work time frame was not very accurate. I would have rather known in advance about the physical therapy and waited to return to work after that. So partly that was my fault for not asking the right questions and wanting to go back to early, and partly not expressed in the initial time frame of six weeks. Due to lack of disability pay ect I needed to go back anyway. He did work with me on restrictions and said they leave the return to work ability up to me, which was helpful.

 I had a negative experience with the first doctor who referred me to this one, same group. I also had another opinion from a third well known practice which made me feel much better about this one. I also read everything I could find on the ocd after the first doctor, this also helped me decide which doctor I felt comfortable with.

10

Ankle / Re: how long is the recovery

« on: April 12, 2016, 07:26:20 PM »

I would ask your Dr about your cruise. I would think you would still have pain and swelling after 8 weeks. I am at 7 weeks and there is no way I could do a vacation right now. My doctor told me it would be up to 6 months before all the pain and swelling would go away. But again I didn't have the micro fracture so yours maybe different. I'm not sure about the chip part, maybe someone else knows. I went on vacation before my surgery with an ankle brace and cane and I was able to do reasonably well. However my pain level was under control before I went. One reason I postponed my surgery was due to planned vacation.

11

Ankle / Re: how long is the recovery

« on: April 12, 2016, 12:09:04 PM »

hello

I had an arthroscopic but no micro fracture and I was 6 weeks non weight bearing.
I did not have a chip? just cartilage damage. Originally he planned the micro fracture but didn't need it during surgery with the same time frame. 6-8 or longer seems to be the most common for ocd depending on what you have. Initially my previous doctor told me two weeks and I thought that was very fast. I would consider a second opinion I felt much better when he referred me to my current doctor. Also you should pry talk to Doctor or nurse about recovery and not the receptionist.

12

OCD Surgeries / 1 week of walking in a boot, work and physical therapy

« on: April 12, 2016, 11:59:28 AM »

So far I am one week into walking with a boot and it has been more challenging than I initially thought. I am back to work for five hour shifts normally I work eight. And that includes being on my feet walking around the store for most of the time. My main problem is the ankle and calf would swell up and cause pain. More so by the end of my shift.

I noticed after the first day of physical therapy my pain level was much better and so far has stayed very low. Now however I am having problems with my right leg below the knee and right foot. Ache and burning in the foot especially. When I brought it up to my physical therapist he did not comment on it or seem to address it, that was frustrating. I assume this will go away as the left ankle improves and with therapy. I was taking ibuprofen consistently from initial walking until therapy about a week and now after therapy I feel I do not need it, it does not help with my right leg/foot issues.

I would recommend not going back to work until after your physical therapy. Unless you have a job that does not include being on your feet most of the time.

13

Ankle / 1 week walking in a boot. Work and physical therapy

« on: April 12, 2016, 11:58:35 AM »

So far I am one week into walking with a boot and it has been more challenging than I initially thought. I am back to work for five hour shifts normally I work eight. And that includes being on my feet walking around the store for most of the time. My main problem is the ankle and calf would swell up and cause pain. More so by the end of my shift.

I noticed after the first day of physical therapy my pain level was much better and so far has stayed very low. Now however I am having problems with my right leg below the knee and right foot. Ache and burning in the foot especially. When I brought it up to my physical therapist he did not comment on it or seem to address it, that was frustrating. I assume this will go away as the left ankle improves and with therapy. I was taking ibuprofen consistently from initial walking until therapy about a week and now after therapy I feel I do not need it, it does not help with my right leg/foot issues.

I would recommend not going back to work until after your physical therapy. Unless you have a job that does not include being on your feet most of the time.

14

Ankle / 6 week post op appointment

« on: April 04, 2016, 09:46:03 AM »

Had my six week appointment today. Cleared for walking with a boot, physical therapy, and limited work hours.  Ankle looks good no swelling, two small incision scars, think a small red line on the top of my ankle. Walked on it a little bit so far today and it feels really good. The sole of my foot seems to be the most sensitive, but the actual ankle feels totally fine. Once I start walking the sole feels normal. I am wearing my brace around the house, as I really hate the boot, and the small amount so far it feels good.

Dr said I will have physical therapy 2-3 days a week for 3-4 weeks depending on how it progresses. He said I should expect some difficulty, pain, and swelling, for up to six months until the ankle returns to normal. I will be back to work walking around monday so that will be my first real test of my pain and function level. So far so much better than expected. 

15

Ankle / Talar dome lesion/ debridement ocd ankle surgery Feb/16

« on: April 04, 2016, 09:44:56 AM »

reposting on this board as well

Hello

I just had my surgery for a talar dome lesion on my left ankle. I had a debridement which removed my lesion and helped create blood flow to grow replacement cartilage. A microfracture was planned but the doctor said it was not necessary. I originally had a sprain 11 months prior to my surgery. I had it looked at 6 months after due to severe toe pain that would make me limp, and persistent swelling. I waited 5 months due to work and vacation, which was manageable with a stabilizing ankle brace. However I did not want to let it go on and get worse over time and I still could not walk without significant pain without the brace.

So far post surgery is going very well.  I have had almost no pain except for the first two days, which was very minimal, just some issues with nausea due to my reflux. I was nervous for the post surgery experience and the nwb time. So far I am ready to put weight on it already but can't obviously. I did not realize how difficult crutches would be for me for some reason so I recommend the knee scooter. I thought I would be pretty independent but as we have stairs so leaving the house for me will be difficult without help. My prognosis is six weeks nwb and hopefully back to work. I expect it will be longer than that as I work on my feet 40 hrs a week and doubt I will be right back to it but we shall see.

I researched a lot prior to my surgery as I had a not great first doctor experience.  Hopefully this will help someone else I know reading other entries did for me. Keep going till you find a doctor you feel comfortable with.