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Post op Peroneal tendon surgery week 5 questions

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dcelmer14
dcelmer14

Hello foot & ankle friends;

I am curious if any of you had also had peroneal tendon surgery; I am currently post op starting 5 weeks and let's say it's been fairly painful and a lot more intense than I was prepared for. The surgery went well, the first 2 weeks I was basically bedrest and in a splint/wrap. Then after 2 weeks the stitches were removed, lets just say I was not mentally or physically prepared for how large the incision was and I almost had a breakdown in the drs office. Ekk! That being said, I was then put into a hard cast for 4 weeks, I have 9 days left of the hard cast and from there I believe I am put into a walking boot for 6 more weeks with PT. 

My question is this; 5 weeks post op is it still normal to have numbess, tingliness and a lot of pain? Also I am still not able to put weight down on the ankle. The dr. confirmed that this is all normal due to the fact that this was a major surgery but I still have worries. My concern is the dr puts me in a walking cast and I really can't walk, what am I going to do? I also have nightmares of PT and how painful it is going to be. 

For a little reference I played college soccer and I am a runner, and I want to do everything possible to get back to where I was before the injury.

Thank you for all the info.

Signed post op concerns Danielle. :-)

1 like, 233 replies

233 Replies

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  • Taxladysrq
    Taxladysrq dcelmer14

    Posted

    I am 2 weeks post op - doing well very little pain - wandering how long usual wait is to start PT and become at least a little weight bearing ? 
    • cindy30526
      cindy30526 Taxladysrq

      Posted

      I had tendon repair nov. 9. Two weeks later not weightbearing but doing Range of Motion. Wasn't supposed to be weight bearing until Jan. 9th but on December 20th I received okay to walk with crutch for one week with 60 to 80 percent weight bearing. Full Weight bearing a week later without crutch. Started PT. So anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks.

    • Taxladysrq
      Taxladysrq cindy30526

      Posted

      Thank you - I see dr Tuesday afternoon so you give me hope - - Going a bit stir crazy 
    • cindy30526
      cindy30526 Taxladysrq

      Posted

      I am in walking boot. When I had my first outing I went shopping with my niece and was on my foot for about 4 hours. The doc said I could stay on my foot unless I had a pain level of 6 out of 10. Did not feel pain during shopping trip ( and a little house cleaning afterwards) but the next day I had pain walking. It took me 3 days to walk without pain. Try and get guidelines from your doc. I am going to be contacting mine to get better idea of how to do as much as I can without setting myself back. It's not that I injured myself, but I was uncomfortable. Tomorrow, I plan to go to track and walk a mile. I will see how that goes. By the way, flat surfaces are easy but watch out for inclines.

      Too, the first time on your feet feels uncomfortable but by the next day your foot gets used to having pressure on it. Too, if you can do your range of Motion exercises prior to walking, that helps. Compression socks are a life saver. Hope this helps. Just remember to pace yourself.

    • Taxladysrq
      Taxladysrq cindy30526

      Posted

      Thank you for the guidance - luckily I live in a flat area - I will get some compression socks - be careful with that track - I can also tell how easily I get tired from basic tasks and have to stop myself from pushing too much 
  • gloriarh
    gloriarh dcelmer14

    Posted

    How long until you all could walk again.

    A few things-1. My husband had a split in his per longus a few years ago. I didn't think it was a big deal so, when I got my surgery... I was very surprised and the pain and swelling.

    I had a rupurted and absent atl, splits of the per brevis and a bone spur removed. I am 6 weeks post op and my foot swells all the time. I can't even fathom walking or putting weight on it. I never got a cast because my sutcher busted. I'm in a boot, but am still 100% not weigh bearing. My husband won't let me drive since I can't walk on my own so, life is a bit complicated. How long till you all could walk with a boot??

    • Ankle_Surgery
      Ankle_Surgery gloriarh

      Posted

      It was in week 7 after one week of opening the cast that the doctor told me that I should have walked. and then I start walking first with one cutch then withoout any crutches.

      Wightbearing was painful for sure, but doctor told one should put pressure and start to walk after 6 weeks of completet immobolizxation. so pain is something completetly normal in 6 & 7 weeks!

      about Driving I asked Doctor and he told me I would drive when I was able to walk, BUT I personally didnt drive till maybe week 10 or 11, & I steel do not drive that much, Althoughe I walked from week 6.

      Right now I can walk about 3 km or even 3.5 without stop BUT after the first steps I start having pain in Big Toe! I dont know why?! and doctors where not useful about this...

    • Taxladysrq
      Taxladysrq Ankle_Surgery

      Posted

      I have not tried walking yet. Still in cast. Cast will be removed in a few more days then I go to a boot. My pain is quite minimal so far though 
  • frankenankle
    frankenankle dcelmer14

    Posted

    Going to jump in here.  I had Peroneal tendon repair 3 weeks ago.  I was in plaster splint for two weeks and last week was placed in a hard cast.  This cast comes off next week and I will go into a boot.

    ?History, I am in my 50s and messed up my foot and ankle pretty bad 18 months ago when I twisted my ankle in such a way it broke the Cuboid Bone (where the peroneal tendon attaches).   After dealing with swelling, pain and instability I agreed to this surgery.

    ?At the moment, I just cannot wait until I can start weightbearing again.  I have numbness on top of my foot, tingling and electric shocks, all signs of the trauma the nerves go through with being pushed around in there during the repair.

    ?As for pain, I stopped taking the perscription pain meds on day 5.  Getting by just fine with a combination of tylenol and advil. 

    ?I have had alot of different surgeries and firmly beleive that a positive outlook helps you heal faster.  Instead of dwelling on the symptoms, I focus on progress in the healing....Today I was able to sit at a table with a friend and make jewelry.  No pain and just minimal swelling from having the leg down for 2 hours.  WOOHOO!

    Can't wait to get this cast off.  Baby steps.  Thanks for listening.

    • Sweetpea1
      Sweetpea1 frankenankle

      Posted

      A positive attitude definitely does help. I am at week 11 and had the same surgery, boot came off on Monday and I started physical therapy yesterday. The process is long for sure but today I drove myself to work and it was empowering 😊. Everything you described was identical to my process. I still have numbness and my nerves are ultra sensitive but we are almost there.

      Keep that positive attitude and you will be back to normal before you know it. 😊

  • terrikath
    terrikath dcelmer14

    Posted

    I had this surgery two days ago. Tear was larger than MRI showed... about 2.5 inches. I'm taking Anvil for pain, which after block wore off, is really just the stitches. I can move toes and am doing leg lifts. I highly recommend getting a knee scooter as it really helps to get around. I also like my blue wedge, which elevates my leg.

  • abby39605
    abby39605 dcelmer14

    Posted

    Hi I just recently had my surgery two weeks ago and I'm about to get my hard cast this Thursday coming up, along with the surgery they also had to tighten up my other ligaments and tendons. But I was wondering if it was normal for my toes to tingle and my incision feel weird like at times wet and other times warm. So I was wondering if it was normal or not and if you guys have any advice for how to handle everything. I'm 22 yrs, living on my own, and this is the first surgery I have every had.

    Thank you, Abby k.

    • cyd2006
      cyd2006 abby39605

      Posted

      Hi Abby39605, I think all these different sensations are "normal" with any type of ankle surgery, especially when tendons/ligaments are near nerves.  My surgery last November ended up irritating the sural nerve which resulted in a lot of burning and stinging in my foot...I'm happy to say the worst of it is now gone.  Numbness, tingling and prickly sensations are very common and almost always improve over time.  All this is caused by trauma to the nerves and unfortunately nerves take a long time to regain their normal function.

      I find I still have a lot of hyper-sensitivity and strange sensations, especially at the incision, but it has been getting better slowly.

      You should be on the lookout for extreme redness and coldness in your toes which could be a sign that the wrapping is too tight.  Keep trying to wiggle them a bit.

      Good luck!

    • richardg2004
      richardg2004 abby39605

      Posted

      Abby, I am 10 weeks post op and I still have odd sensations on the incision and my toes. I think what your are experiencing is completely normal and will likely be around for a while.

      My only advice, take it SLOW and EASY. If you let it heal on its own schedule you should be fine.

      Good luck

    • cah2126
      cah2126 richardg2004

      Posted

      Im 10 weeks post t 6 weeks post i started getting a back crapping pain in my leg. I went to the doctor and ended having a dvt. Blod clots in my leg. Now in blood thinners. Has anyone else had that problem.
    • cah2126
      cah2126 cyd2006

      Posted

      Around what week are you able to fit a shoe into your ankle im 10 weeks post and ankle still swollen.
    • cyd2006
      cyd2006 cah2126

      Posted

      I would say around the 7th week post-surgery I started to wear my sneakers with a compression stocking.  But I couldn't tie it up, I just had to tuck in the laces so I wouldn't trip.  Right now, at 3 1/2 months, they are still the only shoes I can wear and I can finally tie it loosely.  My insurance paid for a Cryo-cuff and I use it for icing and compression several times a day still.  I think it has helped the swelling.

      Cah2126...do you wear a tight fitting compression stocking?  My physiotherapist got me in one almost a week after the stitches came out.  I still wear it if I'm going to be walking or standing a lot.

      Its not unusual to still have swelling, but if you think it is excessive, check it out with your therapist or surgeon.

    • cah2126
      cah2126 cyd2006

      Posted

      Yes my is still pretty swollen. Reason being 1 month after surgery i was having really bad pain. Went to my surgeon removed the cast ended up having a deep vein thrombosis in my leg. Blood clot in my leg. So surgeon said thats why. But today my therapist said to take a shoe next time. But i know none of the ones i have will fil. The only thing that bearly fits its a slipper. Thats how swollen ot is.
    • richardg2004
      richardg2004 cah2126

      Posted

      I had 2 weeks hard cast, 4 weeks walking boot then 4 weeks with a brace. Went and bought a pair of shoes 2 sizes larger than normal to fit the brace. About 2 weeks without the brace and it is pretty sore at times.
    • cyd2006
      cyd2006 cah2126

      Posted

      Then I would take the slipper next time!  My surgery was mainly working on and cutting off muscle tissue around the tendon.  Each person tends to have something a bit different and each person heals differently.  Swelling can be one of the things that hangs around for quite some time.  Ask your therapist about graduated compression stockings, they could really help.
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