Talonavicular surgery coming up,scared!

It's normal to be nervous. I was so nervous about my ligament repair that I didn't sleep for like a week beforehand, even though it was my second time having it done!

I was given the choice of spinal anesthetic or general anesthesia both times, and I chose general. The risks were about the same, but I've had general before so I figured I would go with that I knew (although the experience ended up being quite different! But in a good way!) So if you've got a good anesthetist, you should be given the choice and have each explained to you and any questions answered.

I had talonavicular joint fusion on January 9. My doctor did use general anesthesia, but so did the doctor who replaced my knee a few years ago. Don't be shy about calling the doctor ahead of time with any questions that you have. I kept a list of things for a few days and called with a list about 10 days before the surgery. I got to the surgical center at 7:30 am and was out of there by just after noon. The doctor did a nerve block so I didn't feel much pain at all until the next afternoon. I would say that the pain was bad enough to need round-the-clock pain meds only for 2 or 3 days.

The things that I have that have really helped are a knee scooter that steers, a bathtub transition chair, and an elevation pillow. The pillow that I have is made of blue foam and has an indention that holds the leg secure, even in a cast. I got in on Amazon for around $50 or so. I thought it was expensive at the time but it has been worth it!

I was up and getting around on my scooter really well after a few days. I can do almost anything that I could do before, such as cooking, laundery and working online, but it takes a little longer and I sometimes have to stop and think about how to get the scooter in the best position for the job. I even kept my young grandsons over the weekend and was able to lift the younger one into a baby bed to change his diaper.

I still sleep with my leg elevated just because it seems to swell a little by the end of the day. I can drive but getting from the house to the car and in the car is a hassle. Because of arthritis in my hand and the fact that I can't put any weight at all on the surgical foot, crutches don't work for me for more than a few feet.

All in all, this hasn't been the nightmare that I was afraid it would be, but I have to admit that I'm ready to bear weight on my foot again. Hopefully, that will be in 3 more weeks. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask if you think of anything.

Unfortnately it is not an easy surgery, be prepared to be no weight bearing for at least 10 weeks, get a knee scooter as thats the best for getting around, pain from the surgery is not bad at all it is the all the nerve spasms that will totally drive you crazy, I slept in a recliner as need to keep foot above heart and keep ice packs behing knee. Have plenty to do it can get quite depressing thinking you are not making any improvenment, its pretty much a week at atime. It is done with general anesthetic and a knee block is done. I am now 20 weeks out but I am 70 so getting back to normal takes alittle longer. I was so glad to get out of hard cast and into a partial weight bearing boot. So good luck and take pain meds just as ordered.

Being afraid is not unusual. I was originally scheduled to have talonavicular fusion in August 29, 2016 UT was afraid. I got off operating table and went home. Rescheduled and had surgery on October 17, 2016. Surgery went well. I had a block al9ng with general anesthesia. Did not have excessive pain. Only took pain pills for 2 days. Shower transfer bench was useful. Also had need walker which was great to get around. I hated being idle for 6 weeks in cast and. 6 weeks additional weeks in boot. I need physical therapy for 3rd week with 2 more to do. I could do most things on the walker. Go ahead because the results of walking with no pain are great.