Gosh where do I start ?! I had my Right Scarf and Akins osteotomy with screws and K wire seven weeks ago. My foot was heavily bandaged for the first 2 weeks with zero weight baring and elevation. However on the 7th day I had my dressing changed and they found a huge haematoma beneath the suture line (I'd been on Fragmin for 7 days post op due to HRT) The wound was still bleeding slightly and as it was only 1 week post op my surgeon rebandaged and gave appt for a further weeks time. On week 2 I saw the Podiatrist who proceded to take out the sutures (OUCH !) iT TURNS OUT THE SUTURES WERE DISOLVABLE AND NOT SUPPOSED TO COME OUT !! On week 3 dressing change the 4 inch wound had reopened and was now ulcerated ! I think my surgeon is so out of his depth now, at seven weeks the wound is still not healing and he is very reluctant to refer me for a specialist opinion regarding the ulceration (?? why ?? ) he just states he wants to 'manage' me within his clinic himself ! I've had 4 lots of antibiotics and twice weekly dressing changes, swabs taken weekly showing no growth, and am still on crutches. My big toe is still so stiff and foot so swollen I cannot tease it into a shoe that is 3 sizes bigger than normal. I'm not a person who is backwards in coming forwards and have demanded referall on at each appt for the last 3 weeks but still cant get one ! Apart from the pain I just cant see any end to this ! Is there anyone out there that has experienced anything similar or am I just the unluckiest patient ! any replies welcome.
No!! That us awful. Where was your surgery done? If I were you I would go and see your GP and insist on a referral elsewhere.
My goodness this is a terrible state of affairs, sounds like you have not had good advice. Hoping someone here can help, loads of advice, I think we need to know where you are . With regards to shoes, surely your not walking about, what exactly have you been told about recovery
Hi Joan and Linda, thanks for replies. Yes Joan he said can fully weight bare now but small steps, although within 2 mins of doing this my foot swells to the point that my toes dont touch the floor and to be honest I think that and weightbaring is causing stretching across the ulcerated wound hence further trauma, so I dont do it often ! I still use the crutches to take some of the weight because it is so painful. I had the surgery done in Leicestershire Linda, and I have never regretted anything so much. I know there is always a risk of complications but you tend to think it wont happen to you ! I will see my GP next week as I will need a further sick cert for work, I'm a midwife and work 30 miles from home so need to be fully mobile before I go back, not to mention the infection control issues with an open wound. I'll discuss referall to a tissue specialist with the GP - wish me luck !!
Hi
That is so awful...!!! Both my feet done on the 9th July and still wearing the super shoes. I have my last app on Wednesday with the surgeon then pysio straight after and I will be shoe free, but that is 6 weeks after my op I would defiantly push for someone else to take a look at you. I am not saying what you have been advised is not correct as each surgeon seems to have different advice. Best of luck and keep us posted..!! You poor thing x
Hugs hursty123,
I did not have the same thing as you but.........the foot surgeon kept on stating I should not be in any pain........at 9 weeks I was so so swollen and in so much pain I yelled at the foot doctor....the foot doctor finally sent me to a pain doctor who diagnosised me with reflex sympathetic dystrophy. I have had 8 nerve blocks since 5/23/2014. Physcial therapy 3 times a week. I am still in some pain. I had to switch foot doctors because when I went back to the foot doctor who did the surgery...he kept saying I should be healed that was the end of June it is now August. I hope you find someone that helps you. You are not alone and neither and I now. Thanks for sharing. Hugs again. I also may not regain a lot of the motion I had before surgery either. I am still hoping that I might get more. It has been very trying at times. Good luck.
Sorry to hear that you have to go through so much. When you say ulceration, was is on the top of the foot? Or on the incision?
Hi Simbacatz01
The whole wound bed is ulcerated, as to why ? no idea as I don't have any high risk factors, I don't smoke, am 47yrs old and in good health, eat a reasonable diet, but it just wont heal - nightmare !!
Sorry that wasn't clear - the incision is ulcerated
Hi Stephanie, I feel for you too. I've heard about reflex sympathetic dystrophy and know you must be suffering. I'm glad you've got support and are being listened to finally. Long road but keep your chin up. x
Have a read through the discussion "hello there" we been discussing things since February, maybe you will find some answers
Gosh this sounds really awful I would be really battling for referrals sounds awful. Does everyone get referral to a physio I didn't is it just in America or do uk consultants send you to them?
Hi Chris
I got referred to a pysio and I am in uk in the Channel Islands. Also weight bearing shoes for 6 weeks..!! I do feel so sorry for Hursty..!!! I had no problems and have found it annoying not being able to get about, but on reading their post I am thanking my lucky stars 😁
So so sorry. I am nearly 9 weeks out, and also wish I had never had this done. I had put it off for a very long time. I'm 67. Not only do I have the pain and swelling (like you, can't fit my foot into any shoe, except a trainer that I cut out the side.) I went to a party last night where two women who had the surgery showed me their feet. They both were perfect. I still have a bunion and the big toe crosses over the second toe, but I will never go near a surgeon again, unless I have to. So sorry your surgeon cut out your dissolvable stitches. How stupid. I think we will both be OK in the end, but I never expected to have this pain and swelling at 9 weeks. It's a very long recovery and I didn't expect that. Take care. Hope you're better today.
Sounds terrible. Poor thing. What is HRT? Do you by any chance smoke?
My doctor told me no weight bearing for 12 weeks. So I'm a bit surprised that I don't feel worse 7 days out. Still I fell yesterday when one of my crutches broke so I'm hoping I haven't damaged anything. It's a rocky road no doubt but I'm feeling good about deciding to do this at 52 rather than later.
I do not smoke I am 59 years old. RSD is reflex sympathetic dystrophy. At 9 weeks I was in horrible pain and swelling. I got knee high support socks and they really helped. I also am using Volteran gel and lidoderm patches. Not sure if it will work for you but you could ask your doctor. Hugs to all who have problems.
Hi lindley, I actually fell off my knee scooter early on, and just sat on the floor and cried. I was so afraid I injured my foot. But it was fine. that's why they put us in these huge casts and boots, I guess. Yes, I agree, the younger the better. My husband has been urging me to do this for years, but I didn't want to be inactive. Another friend told me last night that it takes about 9 months to heal! She told me everything was just painless and great, before I had my surgery. Now she tells me how miserable she was. I don't think I would have done it had she told me the truth.
Hi Lindleyk
No I dont smoke, and have never had trouble healing before this. HRT is hormone replacement therapy which is in patches as I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago so need HRT until i'm 50 due to a surgical induced menopause. x