Scarf + Akin osteotomy with distal soft tissue release, not as bad as people said it would be

Posted , 3 users are following.

I am 17 days post op, I had my stitches out a week ago,  I still have the surgical boot on  and im doing everything except driving, anyone considering this op shoudl go for it, Im going back for the other foot done asap, I have read a lot of horror stories on this site but I can honestly say that it has been nothing like I had read, the first 2 days were uncomfortable but not painful, I found trying to get comfy in bed the hardest   I am very pleased with the result  

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Posted

    Good for you. I had my left foot done the same way as yours on the 19th August and just 10 days ago on the 19th December, had my right foot done. Dressing off tomorrow. The second foot has been easier than the first as I knew what to expect. My left foot still swells after too much walking on it but a year from now they will both be well healed, make sure you get the second one done and good luck. Amanda
    • Posted

      Thank you.   I am deffinately going to get my left foot done  its just a matter of when,   i think december is probably the best time of year for me , I will see what the surgeon says when I go  back mid January . Good luck to you too
  • Posted

    Hello grannygrandma, How refreshing to read your posting. I am a (very young and active) 70 year old lady. I had my left foot operated on using the Scarf Akin procedure too, carried out at a well known hospital in Surrey, UK on 15th Dec 2014.  So far I am delighted with the way things seem to be going. Went back for my (2 week and 2 days) post op check on New Year's Eve and I was thrilled with how things were looking. The stitches (disposable ones) were trimmed a little and a new dressing applied. I was shown how to put on a fresh bandage and what exercises I should begin. Like you immediately after the operation,  I was a little uncomfortable for the first 2/3 days but nothing that I couldn't cope with. I slept pretty well too. Didn't bother much with painkillers. Only a couple of paracetamols to begin with at bedtime. Yesterday feeling blasé, I decided to make dinner for my husband and myself. Oh boy, big mistake. Foot began to swell and really hurt. Soon the sprouts etc had to be abandoned into my husband's capable hands while I hobbled back to the settee and elevated my foot once again. The lesson has been learned! I had a telling off from my husband too and now realise there's a good reason why you must elevate the foot as much as possible.  I am supposed to have the other foot operated on around the end of March but think I will delay it if I can. Would prefer to have a nice holiday in the summer and we have a family wedding too so it would be good to be free from surgical shoes and swollen feet. A second op in the autumn would be better. Like you I had read the horror stories of pain and swelling which filled me with dread, so I have been amazed at how well so far - touch wood - things have gone. Anyway, I am well aware it's early days yet so I'm keeping fingers crossed. You must be about a week ahead of me and I hope you will keep us posted on your progress. In the meantime, well done and best wishes. A Happy New Year, LadyPink
    • Posted

      Hi thanks for your reply, I had my op on dec 4th 2014  I am doing very well  I can't wait to get rid of this horrid clumsy boot and get back to driving, my foot is still swolen but i believe it can take up to a year for it to go completely, I was thinking of asking for the end of march for my other foot so that I will have 2 nice  feet by summer I will see what the surgeon says when I go back mid January, Happy new year to you and your family too
    • Posted

      Aaah, thankyou 'granny grandma' for your reply,

      It was good to hear you are still doing pretty well. I was impressed by your comments on this Forum mainly because of your positive attitude which reflects mine. I think with any operation it's important to firstly find out as much as you can, i.e. what's going to happen and what to expect afterwards. It never ceases to amaze me how some appear to have no idea of the procedure and the (maybe) after effects. I think being positive and upbeat really does help and knowing that when you have discomfort or pain it's par for the course. I had a double prolapse operation just over a year ago and that too was a long, uncomfortable and    challenging recovery with a lot of rest needed and this is much the same. Keep in touch I'd love to know how you progress and you never know, I may just change my mind and decide to have the second foot done in March after all. All the best. LadyPink

    • Posted

      Yes i agree with you  there are a lot of people on here who dont seem to know what is going on .i find it hard to believe that they have gone for an operation without asking basic but very important questions  and then asking on here for advice. Surgeons and their secretary are there for patients before and after the op    if i was unsure about or needed advice about anything  to do with my op and recovery ,i would not hesitate to ring them 
  • Posted

    UPDATE ON MY RECOVERY

    I am now 5 weeks and 5days post op, I cant wait until my appointment next week, hopefully it will be my last and I can get back to driving,  The last 5 weeks have been a lot easier than I was expecting and Im looking forward to getting the other foot done, For me the hardest thing has been not being able to drive , 

    Anyone thinking about having this op I would say go for it and good luck

    • Posted

      Hi grannygrandma, So good to hear how well you have done so far. I think I had the same operation as you but am a little behind at 4 weeks and one day. I have had very little discomfort only aching and jumping nerve pain -occasionally. The worst thing so far has been the fact I can't get around and do what I want or like you, get out in my car! The foot itself looks 'beautiful'. I am delighted with how it's looking. I'm planning on getting my other foot done at the end of the summer - NHS willing - as I'd like to get holidays and a family wedding over with first.

      Well done to you and keep us posted on your further progress. Best wishes, LadyPink

  • Posted

    6 weeks and 1 day post op. I dont to go back to see my surgeon until monday but i couldnt wait so i decided to havd a go at walking in my bare feet. Itwas very strange like i was going to tip over forwards. After a few goes its ok im just being careful not to bend my big toeim going to go for a little drive tomorrow .i will give an update then
    • Posted

      Ooooo do be careful! Well done anyway grannygrandma for doing so well. You really are an inspiration. I will be 5 wks post op on Monday 19th Jan 2015 and tonight I have cooked dinner for my dear husband - his first evening off from cooking since way before Christmas. My foot is feeling great today although I'm still walking mostly on my heel. Have still got my bandage and boot on so doing as I'm told. Have removed the dressing some days and rubbed E45 cream into my foot and scar which was marvellous. The cream helped lift the scab off along the scar line. On 27th I go for another boot (a slightly bigger one) from the hospital? (A bit late I think). The following week on 4th Feb I see the consultant again. I just hope all will be well. Can't wait then, to take my little dog out for walkies! She can't understand why we don't go out for our usual exercise. Best wishes and can't wait to hear how you get on next week. LadyPink
    • Posted

      Thank you...i thought it would be ok to walk without the surgical shoe because im over my 6 weeksi have been fine so far..im still going to drive today....im back to hospital on mon 19th i hope its for the last time for this foot anyway. Good luck to you
  • Posted

    6 weeks and 2 days post op...been for a short drive and i was fineso looks like im back to normal
  • Posted

    Hi grannygrandma, Can't wait to hear how you got on?....LadyPink

     

    • Posted

      Hi Ladypink. Thank you. I saw my surgeon today and he said hes very pleased with me and i just have to wear flat shoes and no heavy lifting for the next 6 weeks apart from that thats it i dont have to go for physio and no more appointments. Im so pleased. I asked him to do my left foot and hes put my name on the waiting list
    • Posted

      That's brilliant isn't it? So pleased all has gone so well for you. I hope that I will have a good result too when I get to see my consultant in two weeks. I shall be 7 wks post op by then. Take care on your 'new look' foot. LadyPink
    • Posted

      Thank you, I hope all goes as well for you aswel, good luck,  let me know how you get on please

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