Peroneal tendon repair surgery

Hi. I have had a lot of surgery on various bits of my body. I've had three ankle surgeries... a lateral (outside of foot) ligament repair, two arthroscopic surgeries for small fracture and scar tissue (one at the same time as the ligament repair) and in November last year, big Achilles Tendon Z lengthening. This one was literally hell of earth as I have bad sciatic nerve damage so my pain is amplified. My pain relief wasn't adequate so I just last there, staring at the roof, crying. Day 3, the pain was 20/10 and I tried to rip the cast off, which they ended up splitting despite it being a back-slab to allow for swelling. They had to cut my bandages off for the 2nd arthoscopy due to screaming swelling and pain. Obviously, they just cut the dressing, they don't take them off and then re-bandage them loosely.

First, don't look at your wound. It is a BIG infection risk, and honestly, taking them off is very painful. They have to do it and it needs to be re-bandaged exactly the same way. Second, yes, funny tingling, sharp like electric pains are all normal. When you have surgery, the surgeon has to cut through little superficial nerves, it's just them re-generating. It can take months though. Worries are anything extreme, like sudden severe pain that is not like you've been having, severe swelling, severe colour change etc. These repairs are long winded so take it easy. Keep your leg elevated and you can put a cold pack in a comfortable area of your foot - not on top of your worse pain ie. wound - to help swelling.

Hope this helps

Melissa X

P.S. since my tendon lengthening, my pain has been getting worse. An ultrasound has shown abnormal bone growth in my ankle at the front and on my heel bone. Seeing surgeon next Tuesday for review and X-Ray. It could mean more surgery which makes me want to vomit. I have this odd lump on the front of my ankle. It all sux.

Hello Beth, Andy here. I feel your concern and pain but certainly and most importantly I can respond about recovery in full! I had the same surgery due to an old athletic dislocation and subsequent scar tissue buildup in my right ankle. Basically my tendon wore out and was re-attached to my fibula above the ankle bone instead of back through the ankle/joint. I was on crutches with a soft, cotton and ace-wrapped cast for four weeks followed by three weeks in a walking boot. When that was taken off I swear I was going to fall down. But therapy, diligence and prayer as well family support got me through those down (tougher) days and now I am fine 9 years post OP! I have not had another issue in all this time. My scar is hardly noticeable. I has 21 stitches and healed well. It is hard to see to this day. The only concern I had was I was told that this foot/ankle would be weaker than before and certainly so versus the left. However I don't feel it as such and have not been limited at all. Though I was 53 when I had the surgery and now 62 some activity has naturally not sustained longer exertion but this is not because of this surgery. I struggled with the pain as you had for about four months until the tendon snapped...but all worked out as noted. Keep the faith and you'll be back in two hiking boots in no time. If you have any questions just let me know. 👍

Sorry I didn't see that you're already doing the elevate and ice thing. I know how frustrating not seeing your wound is. After my Achillies surgery, I was in casts for 10 weeks. When I finally saw it, it look horrid. It is 16 cm long. It's still extremely painful and I've lost almost all skin sensation or the sensation has changed so my skin hurts. I ended up taking my dressing off myself but that was with my surgeries permission and wad in early March from 27th of November surgery. Honestly, all this takes heaps of patience.

Take care

Melissa x

I read your reply to Andy... so the tendon had ruptured?? ... agony. I really hope things improve 😊

So update, I went for my follow up on the 10th. I have to drive about about 2 hours to my Dr. and the drive was not fun. I have been taking as little of my pain medication as possible mainly because I do not like the way they make me feel but also because I'm slowly getting to the point I don't need it as much. I was sore by the time I got there so getting my stitches out we will just say sucked. LOL I had 2 that the skin had grown over so I let a few choice words slip as the poor NA pulled them out. Incision is ugly, and goes right through one of my favorite tattoo's. It is still very bruised and swollen. X-rays were taken to see that the bone that was essentially broken during surgery was healing properly. All looks good so far. I have another week of just moving my toes then they want me to start trying to flex my foot up and down till my next follow up on the 10th of June. They believe by then I should be ready to put weight back on my foot. Plus side I got to go home and wash my foot and lower leg off and I'm now allowed to shower allow it is easier said then done.

hiyee! i had an extra bone in my foot that somehow shattered and tore my peroneal tendon. they did surgery on march 27, i was in a walking boot non weight bearing for a week before surgery. was in a wet cast for two weeks, then was placed back in my walking boot for six weeks. now im in a brace and doing PT. PT has helped with the nerve pain and twitching but it still is not fun. i dont sleep very much at all. i work in the OR in 12 hr shifts. so im still not working and not sure when im going to be released to go back. im extremely anxious, and hating not being active. bit im trying to be patient. good luck friend!