What were other people's foot surgery experiences like?

October 4, 2009 8:53 AM

Found out I need surgery on my foot to repair a torn ligament. Looking for tips and stories from people that have been there done that. Plus I have some extra hurtles facing me due to the surgery....

Hurtle 1: I live in an attic apartment with no elevator. I'm not able to move apartments before the surgery, nor would I want to. Any tips on how to manage a lot of stairs on a daily basis while in a cast and crutches?

Hurtle 2: I live in Canada and it will be icy and snowy for much of the time I am in a cast. Anybody had to crutch around on icy snow ground?


Basically I'm just looking for suggestions and stories of what to expect and what other people's experiences with foot surgery were like in terms of recovery, unanticipated issues you wish you had prepared for before hand, how long before you were able to get back to normal activities, etc. I know that people's surgeries and recoveries vary, but I'm still interested to know how others' went.

posted by gwenlister to health & fitness (6 comments total)

I had foot surgery a few years ago, and I was surprised at just how difficult it was to use crutches. I was in good shape before the operation, but crutches make you use your side muscles in a way that you just don't work them in everyday life or normal fitness routines. Just getting around on dry, flat land was tough (and as others have mentioned in response to other surgery questions, it's amazing how exhausted you are after surgery and how quickly you get tired). Stairs were extremely difficult to manage, and it would have been impossible for me to carry anything (e.g. groceries) while making my way up. Any moisture on the ground made me a pig on ice: once I crutched my way into a building that still had slightly damp floors and slipped immediately. My crutches went everywhere and I landed on my healing foot.

I think your situation is going to be extremely challenging, but I know you are working within the constraints you mentioned. Here are a few ideas that might help:

--I would strongly recommend that you stay with friends or family who live in a place without so many stairs while you recover. I went to my parent's house in CA for three months to get my surgery done because the idea of trying to manage a fourth-floor walkup in NYC while on crutches made my head explode. We all drove each other crazy, but it was worth it. Is there anyone who might fit the bill? Maybe even for the first week, just until you're in a little less pain and have gained some facility with the crutches?

--This leads to an important question: do you live with a partner or roommate? Will they be on hand that first night after the surgery to help you deal with aftercare, make sure your pain meds are working, and help you navigate your first shower with a cast on? If you live alone and don't feel you can stay somewhere else (see above) please try to get a friend or family member to at least be with you that first night.

--If you have a partner or a roommate, can they do such errands as grocery shopping and carrying things when you need them? If not, is there a grocery delivery service in your area? You can also stock up on easy-to-prepare meal ingredients, and freeze a bunch of lasangna-type dishes for post-surgery.

--It sounds like driving is out of the question. Do you have someone who can help you out with rides so you can avoid venturing out on the ice? Your county may have a van service for the disabled that can pick you up as needed -- you might want to look into that, just to know it's there. Otherwise I strongly recommend you try to avoid any crutch-ing on ice. That said, most crutches have smooth rubber tips at the end, and if you call a medical equipment company there may be some sort of "sock" you can put at the end for winter traction on the ground.

I hope this is helpful and wish you a successful operation and a trouble-free recovery. If you have any other questions feel free to MeMail me.
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 10:40 AM on October 4

I recently spent about 4 months in a cast, 2 of which were after ankle surgery.

In response to your first hurtle: I lived and worked on the second floor of two different buildings, and had no trouble at all with the stairs. My technique, while not very dignified-looking, felt very secure. I inch-wormed up, facing downstairs, alternating between sitting on my butt and pushing myself up a stair with my good leg. Having tried going up and down on crutches a few times, I found it a lot trickier to balance, and was terrified that I would fall and further break myself. The seated approach felt much better.

About hurdle 2: My cast time was spent during a sunny summer. I learned of the existence of, but did not myself try, using a knee scooter. It seems to me like it might be more stable than crutches in icy conditions.

Some miscellaneous reports:

- Especially for the first couple of weeks after surgery, it was very uncomfortable for me anytime my operated foot wasn't elevated. This should be easy enough to take care of at home, but might take some arranging to have at work. For me, sitting in a desk chair with my foot elevated to about waist height was fine starting about 4 days after surgery.

- Make sure you have a backpack. Anything you want to carry needs to be able to go inside the backpack. Notably, this includes drinks and food -- I made lots of use of a water bottle and a fully sealable thermal mug. I usually had help at mealtimes, but you could use tupperware to transport your food to the table yourself.

- While crutches work for getting around, they are hard work, especially at the beginning. I would not plan to use them for stretches of more than about 1-2 city blocks, though you may find that you can handle more than that after a few weeks. Do you have a transit plan that will get you at least that close to where you need to go? If not, you might look into whether there are special shuttles or car services for mobility-impaired people where you live.

- If you drive, or will have a specific buddy driving you often, it might be helpful to apply for a temporary handicapped license/placard. I don't know how that works in Canada, but in California I could get a temporary placard that let me park in handicapped places close to entrances. If something like this exists and you want to do it, it will probably be helpful to apply in advance so that you can use it as soon as you need it.

- Being married, I had a helper for little needs around the house. If you live by yourself, you should spend some time arranging the area around your bed to include as many necessities as possible -- pills, drinking water, telephone, etc. It's a pain in the neck to get up and go get something, especially for the first few days after surgery. In fact, if I had to have foot surgery while living alone, I would try to find a friend or relative who would babysit me for at least the first day. I really did not feel up to taking care of myself for the first day or two.

Okay! I think that's the extent of my lower-extremity-recovery expertise. I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery!
posted by gorillawarfare at 11:02 AM on October 4

I had extensive foot surgery last year and this is what I learned:
1) Please get help the first couple of days, at least. I live in a 2 story home and was able to stay downstairs for the first couple of days until I was strong enough to manage the stairs. I was so tired and weak after getting home from the surgery there was no way I was going up stairs. I have one step from my garage into my home and it was nearly impossible to get up without help the first day. I know you don't have the option of staying downstairs, but I agree with foxy_hedgehog that it would be helpful of you could stay somewhere without stairs. Once I felt better, I crawled up the stairs and hopped down.

2) Get some sort of cast protector for the shower. Covering with a trash bag and tape is a huge pain. I purchased one from my surgeon, but here in the US you can also buy them at the pharmacy. They are inexpensive and very worth it. A shower chair is helpful, too.

3) Stay on top of the pain. Take the pain killers BEFORE it hurts. Once it starts to hurt, it's hard to control.

4) Get everything set up prior to the surgery. I set up a little table by the sofa with my cell phone and charger, laptop, medications, magazines, tv remote, etc.

5) Crutches are hard to use on dry ground. I would be really careful on snow and ice. I wouldn't say I'm super fit, but I am active and crutches take a lot of energy. I had to start college classes a week and a half after my surgery, so I ended up renting a knee walker. I felt like an old lady, but it was so helpful. Basically you put your bad leg on it and scoot around with your good leg.
Like this: https://www.rentakneewalker.com/?KW=1&gclid=COukwNP8o50CFZJM5Qodhlg_3A
Even if you rent it for just home use, it was a HUGE help. I could cook, do my laundry and go to the bathroom with relative ease. It's amazing how much mobility you lose when you're on crutches.

Mostly, just take your time and take care of yourself.
posted by fresh-rn at 11:10 AM on October 4

I tore all the ligaments on my foot/ankle when I was living in Austria. No surgery but it was late winter/early spring. About two months in a cast, and it kept hurting long after the cast was gone.
My friends were a God-send especially when I was bed-ridden for a few days and couldn't cook for myself. My advice: accept help, even when you're not used to it. And take it easy. If you're late to something, oh well. The last thing you want to do is hurt yourself again by falling. Plus, people will be well aware that your leg will be in a cast and that it's icy out, 99.9% of the time they'll give you some leeway.

A Chinese friend of mine looked up the proper nutrition for optimal ligament repair, such as what foods to eat and what to avoid. A doctor later told me it was a smart move. Maybe you could post that as a separate question?

Good luck and enjoy the super-toned arms you'll have!
posted by Neekee at 3:37 PM on October 4

Great tips, guys, thanks! This kind of thing is exactly what I was looking for. I live alone but plan on going to stay with my parents for the first week or so after the surgery, taking that time off work as well. The backpack is also a great idea.
posted by gwenlister at 7:40 PM on October 4

Regarding crutches and stairs, a mnemonic I came across when I was on crutches was "up with the good, down with the bad". In other words, when going up stairs, lead with your good foot and leave the bad foot and the crutches planted until the good foot is secure on the next step, then step up. When going down, keep both feet planted while you place the crutches on the next step down, then move the bad foot, then the good.

Also, do consider the knee scooter thing. I wish I'd known about them when my foot was out of commission.

And looking ahead to your recovery, I highly (highly!) recommend getting a copy of the book Pain Free by Pete Egoscue. After a bad foot injury two years ago, I spent 3 weeks on crutches and at least 4 more with a cane (I stopped when the pain in my hand from the cane was worse than the pain in my foot from not using it — if you do need a cane, get one with an ergonomic handle). Seven weeks of hobbling around with my weight mostly or entirely on one foot torqued my back so badly that it brought on the worst sciatica attack I've had in my life (and that's after 15 years of dealing with recurrent back pain from an old injury). The pain had me flat on my back for a week and a half (until I ran out of sick leave).

Six weeks into it, wrung out from constant pain and frustrated about being unable to get off the prescription painkillers, I got Pain Free from the library and started doing the program for back pain. Four days later, I was able to stop the painkillers. Now, I do the exercises most mornings (takes about half an hour to 40 minutes) and have just started training for my first ever marathon.

This page has an interview with Pete Egoscue that gives a good overview of the Egoscue Method. It's made such a difference for me (no more pain, more energy, better flexibility, taller) that I have a hard time not running up to strangers on the street to say "you look like your ankle/knee/hip/back/shoulder/neck hurts — this book can help!"

Best wishes — may your recovery and healing be speedy, uncomplicated, and complete!
posted by Lexica at 10:05 PM on October 5 [1 favorite]