Foot / Ankle :: Achilles Tendon Scar Removal Surgery
Oct 7, 2013
Very nervous about this surgery. I guess it's the not knowing. I am due to have surgery on Nov. 5. The doc said I could be off work between 2 weeks and 4 months. He doesn't know whether I will have a cast or back in the boot I've been wearing since the end of August. He also said he won't know how much if any weight bearing I will have after surgery. The amount of damage is unknown and no real reason to due MRI since the injured area is visible.
I do know I have no support at home as hubby will be at work and kids at school. Please advise
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I was hoping I wouldn't have to come back here, as I haven't been around for awhile... But, surprise!
I got a dog last Monday. She's going to be trained as a medical assistance dog (I have uncontrollable epilepsy and severe, crippling migraines), and I was taking her out for a walk. It's storming now, but at the time, it was REALLY windy. The screen door slammed right on the back of my ankle.
Ripped all of the skin off, blood everywhere, numb toes, can't stand on my toes, can't bounce on my toes, nothing. Can barely walk at all.
However, my mother will NOT take me to the ER. If this isn't a partially torn Achilles' tendon, then everything I know about my ankle is just, wrong. Unfortunately, this is the same ankle I had my Brostrom procedure done on back in September.
We're going to try to get an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow, but it's very unlikely, and that means I'm going to have to wait a week unless I can get her to take me to urgent care tomorrow afternoon.
The boot I have is my post-op boot. It's not got the Achilles wedge in there, and so I have a strong feeling I'm going to end up with a new/different boot, if not a cast. I haven't felt pain like that since my original ankle injury.
There is NO differentiating my calf from my heel. There's no curve whatsoever. It's just all swelling, bruising, ripped off skin, and blood.
I was really hoping I wasn't going to have to come back here. Long time, no see.
What to do for the time being?
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Well MRI findings of my r/ankle 2 days ago thickening of achilles tendon/T2 hyperintensity,increased fluid in retrocalcaneal bursa,fluid is seen within tibiotalar joint, prominent venous tributaries in the tarsal tunnel. Has anyone been or heard of this,i am going on a year and a half no relief. Ortho says he can't do anything for me this is due to my Failed Back Surgery 4 yrs ago .He is referring me to a pain management ...
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I had my Achilles' tendon surgery two weeks ago last night I fell twice and now I am having numbness and tingling in my foot except when I get a sharp shooting pain. Do I need to call Doctor? I am still in cast
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Four months ago I had microfracture surgery to repair cartilage damage in my big toe joint. Recovery has been very slow due to swelling. I began experiencing overheating in that foot just a few days following surgery. While my foot also gets quite warm if I stand or sit for too long, these more dramatic episodes occur only at night.
By overheating, I mean that the surgery foot turns bright red, and gets exceptionally warm... the big toe joint area gets downright hot to the touch (there is no infection present) and feels as though there is a space heater sitting about an inch in front of my foot.
The episodes originally occurred every night and lasted up to 2 hours before normal temp. returned. Gradually, the duration has shortened to 30-45 minutes, occurring only 3-5 times a week. The only way I have found to prevent this from happening (and it only works sometimes), is to leave my bare foot uncovered when I go to bed - no blankets or sheets over it.
Has anyone else experienced something similar? Nobody can seem to explain why this is happening - it delays my sleep well into the night and is definitely not helping the residual swelling I still have to subside.
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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.
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I've had 4 procedures on my ankle to remove bone spurs from the front of the joint and to microfracture an OCD.
The first procedure didn't get all of the bone spur removed and I lost 6 months doing PT and then had to have another procedure at the NYC HSS to correct the issues and I also had the stem cells to regenerate the cartilage.
All of the repairs to the ankle went well and the stems regenerated the cartilage based on the 6 month follow up MRI.
I never regained my dorsiflexion. I am stuck at about 2 degrees.
I then had a gastroc release where they told me they got over 10 degrees during the surgery but I was unable to retain it after the PT started.
I then had a debridement to remove scar tissue from the front of the ankle where they we able to get about 16 degrees during the surgery, but the scar tissue once again re-formed and I stuck back at the 2-3 degrees.
I am currently still working hard on PT and have ART and GRASTON done 2x per week.
Has anyone had any luck in finding a surgeon or technique that helps permanently remove the scar tissue to regain ROM?
I'm also a candidate to wear the ankle distraction device where the device is supposed to be able to re-distribute my existing dorsiflexion and plantarflexion to give me enough of each to walk with a normal gait.
I am currently trying to weigh my (limited) options as after 20 months I'm tired of walking with a limp!
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I had a mri done of my Achilles tendon my dr wanted to look for a ligament tear I have been having pain in my Achilles tendon for a few years now my left foot is worse than my right foot but I have pain in both my dr only wanted a mri of my left foot the mri states that I have physiological fluid present then it states that I have fluid between the tendon and the calcaneus which is suggested to have peritendinitis I have looked and looked and I can find what peritendinitis is but nothing about fluid being present like I said I have had this pain for about 4 years now I have had cortisone shots to help the pain a few times the first time I had the shot it worked and then it never worked again I have a lot of trouble walking I've had special inserts also made a few years back before having the mri I can't walk up and down the stairs especially in the mornings I can't stand the pain anymore but if anyone could help me better understand what the mri means that would be great so I know what to ask the dr.
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I am seven weeks post surgery for an Achilles' tendon rupture and still have intense pain from the blood pooling when I stand for even a minute to brush my teeth. After one minute I immediately have to lie down and elevate my leg otherwise it feels like it will explode. Has anyone else felt this 7 weeks post surgery?
I also can only bear minimum weight on the leg at this stage. At seven weeks does that sound normal? I had my tear at the connection to the heel and had haglund's deformity where part of my heel broke off. Anyone else have that and is minimal weight bearing at seven weeks normal for this type of tear.
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Ruptured my AT two weeks ago playing squash. All the usual symptoms although not as painful as my previous calf tear - although now I'm starting to realise it's much more serious. And not a quick return to sport.
I'm in for surgery tomorrow morning and having read loads over the last fortnight, still not sure what the immediate post op advice is. It seems everyone has a slightly different experience.
I'm a self employed graphic designer and eager to know when I can sit at a desk again and do some work to keep the wheels turning.
Should I be lying down with foot elevated above heart for first few days or much longer?
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Background: completely ruptured my achilles tendon about a week and a half ago and just diagnosed last fri. Had surgery last night and now have an air boot.
Told to stay non- weight bearing for 2 weeks, then stitches to come out, then 4 weeks with instep thing to be lowered slighted each week, followed by 4 weeks with flat foot still in the boot. So total of 10 weeks in the boot.
Firstly, anyone else going through a similar treatment?
Secondly, how on earth do you sleep in this boot? Have it high on a couple of pillows and am on meds, but still v painful. I know it's only day 1, but any advice for sleeping?
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I injured this tendon at work. So this is a work comp case. Looking for discussion with others that have been through this.
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While playing Cricket i ruptured my right foot achilles tendon,i had x-ray and ultrasound, doc advised me its not into two pieces but broken more than 50%. They gave me two options Surgery or Plaster.I opted for plaster.
So what you guys think how much time will it take to heel and would i be able to play Cricket in next 2 months?
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Had surgery ten days ago for complete rupture, in a half cast at moment and go to hospital to get stitches out on Monday and new cast. Very worried about the recovery after reading up on rehabilitation.
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I'm still only 5 weeks post jury. But really dislike the sensation from injury. My foot isn't floppy but I definitely don't feel like I have full control over it. Its an odd feeling - hard to explain. Course i'm worried it's not healing as nobody ever seems to check that. Will I regain the control?
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Tore my right achilles nearly 3 weeks ago now. Had the operation about 10 days after rupture. I am in my late twenties and it came as a bit of a shock if im honest. I go to the gym regularly and exercise with weights frequently.
Anyway, had the op and im in no pain and have no swelling. I was expecting a lot of pain but nothing. The most discomfort i have is when i have to get up to use my crutches, as after about 15 mins being stood up i can feel the calf start to swell a bit. I am told i am in this cast for another week and then they will change the angle of my foot for another cast. Looking forward to getting back to driving and the gym.
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Ten months ago, I had Achilles' tendon lengthening along with foot fusion surgery. Afterwards, 2/3rds of my foot on the outside edge and bottom of my foot has been numb. I kept mentioning it to my doctor, and he would say that it may take up to two years to fully recover from numbness. He even blamed the numbness on the popliteal nerve block that I had for seven days, but the anesthesiologist said that wasn't possible as the numbness started about two inches above my ankle and goes down into my foot.
Finally, I had a nerve conduction study (from my own insistence) that now confirms the injury/permanent damage to the Sural nerve. My surgeon must have nicked the Sural nerve when he did the percutaneous Achilles' tendon lengthening. It causes numbness that radiates down through my 5th metatarsal or little toe. But, 2/3rds of the bottom of my foot is also numb. Could this be from the Sural nerve or may there be other reasons for this numbness? What types of complications might occur with Sural nerve damage? How often does this occur with this type of surgery? This numbness is making it very difficult to walk. I can only walk very short distances at ten months, which is exceedingly frustrating. I am interested in hearing about others' experiences related to numbness and Sural nerve damage.
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I am probably worrying about nothing, but I had surgery on 11 July and since i had my stitches out and cast changed on Tuesday (22 July) my heel has been quite sore. I am PWB and the cast moves slightly when I walk... Could the pain be caused by the cast rubbing on my heel? During the surgery I had metal shards removed from the tendon (caused by calcaneal osteotomy screw disintegrating), treatment for tendinitis and the tendon was re-anchored. I also had a lateral ligament repair, but the site of that is not so sore. I'm not sure whether to call my doctor... I don't want to bother her if this is just healing pain and is normal.
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I am 7 1/2 weeks post of from Flat Foot Surgery and the outside area of foot from where my incision ends from the double calcaneal osteotomy up to my little toe the soft tissue is halfway numb and very painful. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how long did it last.
I am not sure how long it takes the soft tissue to heal to a point where it does not hurt when you are not walking. Or is what I am feeling nerve pain. I started PT this week and am PWB. My doctor thinks I will be in a shoe in 3 weeks and I don't know at this rate how that could be possible. I am icing a majority of the day for sure after I do my PT exercises.
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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.
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I am 7 and a half weeks post op after a Lapidus & an Akin procedure. I was in cast until last week and have managed a tennis type shoe and a sandal on so far.
The swelling has been bad as expected with full weight bearing, but the real pain is in the ball of my foot and my big toe does not lie flat, but rather sits elevated. I think the ball of the foot under the big toe is swollen so that may be the cause? I can only walk for a few minutes properly before the pain becomes too much and I am limping and walking on the outside of my operated foot. I can usually cope with pain so know this must be fairly severe.
I am doing my toe bending exercises and think that already the range of motion is not too bad.
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