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4.5 Weeks Post Bimalleolar Surgery

Posted , 6 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi Everyone, I'm about 4 and a half weeks into my recovery but still having restless nights. I really was not expecting to be so uncomfortable this far into recovery. Has anyone else noticed the pain, stabbing, burning sensations intensify at night?  Is it normal to still need prescribtion meds at this point? Also, the skin on my foot is extremely dry and rough  which I assume is normal but wonder if anyone has any tips or tricks to remedy this.  I had my foot in a splint for 3 weeks but then swapped the splint for a fracture boot. So anxious to be able to soak my foot!  

Any thoughts are appreciated! 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Missy1969
    Missy1969 Guest

    Posted

    I am like you, 4.5 weeks after my ORIF in a cast. And the nights are the worst. Right now it is 10pm and already the pain and burning begins. My toes hurt and the cracking/pealing skin is disgusting as well as painful. Lotion for itch (hydrocortisone) and coco butter too. My mom grimaces when I ask her to help put lotion on my toes. 

    I took my Vicodin. In an hour I will take an Hydroxyzine to help me sleep (I will take another if the first wasn’t enough ). But I’m getting less sleep now than when I first got surgery. I try to nap around 1pm if I have to. 

    My big worry: 

    The restless and painful nights that will make it impossible for me to go back to work.

    But as my mom and doc have said, “it’s only been a month ...” 

    But this is bad. The anxiety and depression are sure to kick in soon if I don’t get some feel of progress and relief. 

    Im sorry I doubt what I said makes you feel any better. But you are not alone. 

    Missy

    • jaide7878
      jaide7878 Missy1969

      Posted

      Sorry for the late response, I had to re-register for some reason. Anyway, thank you for the reply. I started taking pain meds before bed and it is finally helping. I am now 9 weeks post op. PT seems to be helping a lot also. It sure is easy to get discouraged isn't it? Hope you're on your way to feeling better.

  • Missy1969
    Missy1969 Guest

    Posted

    Ps for burning, tingling etc I was told is the nerves. My doc prescribed a muscle relaxant. 

    Missy

  • Guest
    Guest Guest

    Posted

    4 and a half weeks is still early days for it. nerves etc are still rebuilding and healing. Its worse at night as that is when your body goes into healing mode. Use the medication as required and prescribed. When I had my cast removed my skin was thick and calloused. Once I went into the removable boot I got my foot spa out and soaked it every day, used my pedi pro to remove rough skin (pumice or similar just as good) and then applied intense moisturiser. It will soon go back to normal.
    • jaide7878
      jaide7878 Guest

      Posted

      That totally makes sense that everything does tend to repair itself at night. I'm now at 9 weeks and the skin does finally seem better. I too used my foot spa. I put a little epsom salt in with cool water and that did seem to help. 😃

  • girlinacast
    girlinacast Guest

    Posted

    Hello,

    It’s pretty common for pain to intensify at night as the leg/foot is tired from the day and the nerves also rebuild at night. 

    I used organic coconut oil and it helped with the dry skin. 

    Hope you feel better soon. 

  • cheyenne78245
    cheyenne78245 Guest

    Posted

    Just to echo everyone, the nights are the worst. Nerves are healing, but also it's easier to dwell on the pain when you're trying to "sleep". I finally gave up a normal sleep schedule and just went to bed when I was tired and woke up when I wasn't and napped as I was able. Yes, it's totally normal to need prescription pain meds -- you're still early on! Keep your chin up -- fall asleep to Disney movies. That's what I had to do. 

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