4 weeks post fusion op. New cast two weeks ago.
Last night my ankle felt as though it was swelling inside the cast and this morning feels very tight in it. No pain just squashed and v uncomfortable. First time its felt like this. {except for a few minutes when i first got up in the morning in the past).
Is this worrying or expected?
Thanks
I would speak to the surgical team at once. Good luck.
I had similar issues and feelings of swelling when I had my cast
Keep your foot elevated as much as possible
If the tightness continues you may want to have your doctor check it
Keep it elevated. To monitor blood flow, press the tip of your toes for 3 seconds. The skin will go white, then count how many seconds it takes to become pink again. 3 and below is normal. 3 and above is slow and means the blood flow is restricted. In this case, you need to see your dr asap. I’m s registered nurse and this is how adequate circulation is assessed.
I had my cast split for this reason after a Z-lengthening Achilles lengthening surgery. I have severe sciatic nerve damage that all the drs failed to account for. Day 3 I was screaming, literally, and vomiting due to the pain. I was crying and saying it was 20/10. I actually wet the bed and had diarrhea at the same time. It’s a memory I can’t get rid of. They took soooo long to get a dr and by the time he came (I was in ICU), I was trying to break the cast to get relief. 
Many thanks.
Melissa, i’ll certainly want to avoid your experience!! Not forgettable.. Hope all good now.
Am squashing toe, ok at mo, and elevating. Fingers crossed.
when in doubt call doc. Elevate your foot above your heart for a while to see if it goes down.
we are waiting, how did u make out with he count?
I’m 7 weeks post op Achilles reattatchment/bone debriedment and the 6 weeks I was in a cast I went through 6 casts. They would feel just snug there and the next day would be be crazy tight. I had one that made my toes purple, so that was replaced, another rubbed my ankle bone raw and bruise, that was replaced, another had a dent underneath that was horrible…they extra padded me and it didnt matter I still had swelling and nerve pain so a total of 6 weeks I had toes above nose with half the time in ice. Now in a boot w crazy nerve pain and still swelling. My Dr said the cast should be comfortable, I honestly don’t think hes ever been in one, that’s far from my description of it.If you have any issue with your cast have it checked which really means you will probably get a new one. I like the nurses response above with timing circulation for toes. Ice definitely helps even through the cast, but elevation is key. Hang in there, seems alot of people deal with this and we aren’t prepared for it. I had no idea about all the nerve pain Ive been dealing with the whole time and I’m hoping PT has some answers since my Dr said it’s not his issue but from the nerve Block I had for surgery…nice. Make sure your sleeping with it elevated and iced if needed. Good luck and I hope you heal fast.
Many thanks.
Melissa, i’ll certainly want to avoid your experience!! Not forgettable.. Hope all good now.
Am squashing toe, ok at mo, and elevating. Fingers crossed.
Blood flow is OK. Still tight and uncomfortable but leg elevated and doesn’t seem to be getting worse. Taken ibuprofen to help reduce inflamation /swelling after phoning hospital.
Twice even!
Elevate! My husband bought me a wedge for my legs and to elevate a bit more comfortably. I love it. But I also I went through 2 casts due to uncomfortable and tightness. It doens’t hurt to call where you had the surgery and ask them to speak to the casting room. They will guide you. When in doubt, call.
Good luck! ******
believe it or not they say to drink a lot of water also. The prob is having to go to the bathroom so much,
When I had a total ankle replacement apart from elevation I found that iced bandages made a huge difference. Obviously you cannot do that with a cast but how about using a hair dryer to blow cold air down there. Should work! Cheers, Richard
Trying frozen peas now! Resting on the cast and cold seeping through.
The above is 4 months post op. Below is more recent. About a week ago. It’s now 10.5 months postop. It going to have more surgery to remove a lump at the front of my ankle and general clean up
I meant to say, ice packs under you cast work too. The cool eventually gets through.