I have a pen-pal named Suzi from Austin, Texas (a place I plan on visiting someday as I hear it's awesome!) Suzi had the same surgery as me, just two days beforehand. We have been virtual friends every since. I'm really glad I "met" her as it has been very nice to have someone to struggle with and commiserate.
What is weird is that though the surgery was basically the same, our treatment and outcomes (so far) have been different. Suzi was released for physical therapy and walking after being in the cast for a full 6 weeks. I was in the cast for only 3 or 4 weeks, but am still not allowed to attempt walking or physical therapy for at least another week. I can point my foot, spread my toes (mostly), flex the foot, and rotate--my range of motion is really good. Poor Suzi tried in PT today but just couldn't get her foot to cooperate. Only the side of my foot is numb where hers is numb on the bottom, which has to feel really weird when trying to walk.
It's amazing to me the different ways that individual bodies heal after virtually the same experience. I guess that's why my doctor says that I can't base my recovery time on anyone else--because I am me, not Suzi or Joe Shmo down the street suffering from his PB tendon repair.
I'm trying to be patient. I really am. It's just hard--6 weeks later and I'm still stuck on the couch. I just keep saying...it could be worse....it could be worse.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Kate, Thanks for posting your blog. I've managed to mangle my peroneus brevis & longus tendons and slightly mangle the retinaculum as well. Can't say I'm really looking forward to the repair--or more endless boredom--but it is nice knowing a bit more about what to expect. (And eventual pain relief!)
ReplyDeleteKate B.
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog. It has been 10 days since my surgery for peroneus brevis tendon repair. The tendon was shredded, but did not show how bad on the MRI. Oh well, I felt better immediately after sugery, after so many years of pain. Previous Xrays showed "nothing wrong" with my right ankle. I would like to follow your progress to know what to expect, even though, as you say, everyone is different.
I have been in a camwalker(?) after being in a cast about 4 days after surgery. I changed bandages twice a day and returned my foot to this black boot. I sleep with it also. It now makes me feel secure because I accidently turned my foot when changing the bandages, and it was quite painful. The stitches came off yesterday and I can now wear socks under the camwalker boot. I will follow your progress, thank you again for sharing.
Grizzelle