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Wound keeps opening should I still wear the air boot?

Posted , 4 users are following.

nicola10996
nicola10996

I had surgery to repair my Peronial tendon 5 weeks ago. The wound was closed with clips and I had a cast. 2 weeks ago the clips were removed and a cast put back on for another fortnight.

Now the cast has been taken off and I have been given an airboot to try to move to fully weight bearing on the ankle. The problem is no matter how much I have tried to pad up the centre of the wound over the ankle bone keeps opening up which makes it too sore to put the weight through and makes me not want to wear the boot.

I'm due back at work in 2 days so I need to do something but I'm not sure whether to grin and bear it or even try without the boot.

Has anyone else had this issue please?

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • chrissybut
    chrissybut nicola10996

    Posted

    Hi Nicola.  I am two weeks ahead of you having had similar surgery.  My wound has not opened up and seems to be healing ok.  It does be very sore as the brace runs on it when I am walking.  However there has been no blood or indication that the wound is opening.  I think I would get it checked out as you could be at risk of getting an infection in it?
    • nicola10996
      nicola10996 chrissybut

      Posted

      thanks the surgeon didn't seem too concerned it was more the plaster technician and nurse who said I would have to keep it dressed because the rain was fragile and sure enough the ankle section started to gape in the sections between where the staples were.  How long til you take it off - they said a month to me?

  • kellee94011
    kellee94011 nicola10996

    Posted

    Hi Nicola.

    I'm way ahead of you, by almost 5 months.  I had stitches, they came out at just over 2 weeks and then I went into the boot.  I've had no pain and no problems, except for a small spot at the incision that took much longer to heal.  And then, once it healed, both the boot and the brace (that will probably be your next step) rubbed on the incision and made it sore. To remedy the rubbing issue, I went back to the department that fitted me with the boot and asked for help.  They promptly produced a couple of foam pads, about 5" x  3" and maybe 3/8" thick and told me to put them over the incision inside the boot.  They also cut me a big length of the "sleeve" stuff that they put on your arm or leg before they put on a cast, told me to cut it to the appropriate length and wear it inside the boot with the little pads over the sock thing.  It helped a lot. 

    As far as healing the small spot on the incision that took longer, I was told to take off the boot when I wasn't walking around to let it get air and to ice the ankle often to try to keep the swelling down so it wasn't pulling on the incision.  I did all that and put Neosporin on it as well.  It all worked and it started healing within a week after getting rid of the cast and was completely closed in another week.

    I would absolutely NOT walk without the boot.  My doctor said no weight on the ankle without the boot except for a few minutes in the shower, that's all. Except for my morning shower, I put no unsupported weight on my left ankle for a total of about 7 weeks.  I followed instructions to the letter.  I would also storngly advise that you go to Physical Therapy regularly (I went 2 - 3 times a week) and do the exercises at home.  It will make a huge difference in getting back the range of motion in your ankle.

    Now, 5 months later, I have graduated out of the cast, boot and brace and I'm done with PT.  My ankle is great, I've really had no pain (except the discomfort of the rubbing), I have total range of motion now and even though my doctor reminds me regularly that full recovery takes 1 year, even he is shocked at my quick and painless recovery. And I am 65 years old!

    If your incision isn't healing the way you think it should, get on the phone with your doctor and don't give up until he gives you some advice on getting it healed.  This must happen all the time, surely there is a way to get it to heal faster for you.

    So sorry you are having this problem.  My surgery was so painless and trouble-free, it makes me feel badly when I read about others that have troublesome issues.  Hope it heals up soon, but get on the doctor and get some advice and some help. But I personally would not put weight on that ankle yet, you could really screw yourself up!

    Good luck!

    • nicola10996
      nicola10996 kellee94011

      Posted

      Thank you that's so helpful! I hadn't thought of icing the wound and that's a really good idea about the padding - they did that under the cast so makes sense. I think because it was already pulling open when I saw the consultant and he was just happy with his handiwork he didn't seem overly concerned about it becoming sore.

      I will get back on to the hospital - good to hear you have recovered so well  - I am 43 and desperate to get out running again!!

  • shantell03710
    shantell03710 nicola10996

    Posted

    Hey that also happen to me the boot was rubbing up against my ankle and it was hurting my Incision i just stop wearing the boot btw i am 10 weeks in. .sometime you have to be careful ask your doctor.hope it get bettrr
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