Lisfranc dislocation, good news on recovery

If your swelling is that great you may want to back off your doing to much and elevate your foot. I also used a knee scooter to get around my house it was a lot easier it also didn't swell as much. Just a thought.

Sorry I didn't answer your question on icing the hard cast no not really some times if my toes were swollen I would ice them. But the ice really didn't penetrate the cast so there was really no point. I absolutely lived the ice machine it's the greatest. My neighbor had a knee replacement and lent me her machine and it was awesome. It had a wrap for the knee but I was able to wrap around my foot fine with out the cast. I liked it to because it kept everything dry. The bags all eventually leak over time. My doctor allowed me to remove my boot at night I would do my exercises and then ice right before I went to bed. Then in the morning I would do my exercises and ice in the morning about 20 minutes. It was great and kept me going. I also used a knee skooter to get around and cook much easier than crutches and if I was swelling to much at the end of the day it was an added relief . My doctor had me step on a scale with my boot weight my foot and put only 20% weight bearing at first and then gradually each couple weeks up until full weight bearing. Take care

Hi lisfranchope:

Tomorrow I get my dressing removed after almost three weeks after surgery. It should have been 2 weeks but with scheduling and all. I am looking forward to icing and removing the boot. But NWB for 6 weeks so I will be on the laptop for awhile.

If you don't use ibuprofen what else is there? Opiods? Isn't that the only way to make this worse by developing an addiction too.

But I do see your point about mending bones. Do you take calcium or protein powder too?

Waiting for Light -the light- At the end of the tunnel

LisaTom

Thanks for the information. I've been more careful with what I eat to keep the swelling at a minimum. I think I will try your icing regimen.

Tomorrow, the dressing and cast comes off. Yahoo - on to the next phase.

Waiting for light

Waiting for Light,
Congratulations. Another 'step' out of the way! I, too had my cast taken off after 3 weeks. You will enjoy the icing. I found it reduced pain and discomfort tremendously.

I took the strong meds I was prescribed post-surgery- (oxycodone with hydroxyzine, then hydrocodon). They were helpful to begin with, but, as I mentioned, made me quite irritable-at least that's what I blamed! So, after learning that ibuprofren was not a good choice, switched to Acetaminophen (Tylenol). For me, the Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation method works best to alleviate pain.

Yes, I am taking a calcium/magnesium/VitD formula, along with extra VitC, omega3 oil, Vit E and an 81 mg aspirin to prevent blood clots.

I am doing everything I can think of to promote healing. I looked up calcium-laden foods and try to get some each day: milk, kale, oranges, tofu, salmon, spinach, sunflower seeds. Also, I wheel outside for a few minutes and open my boot to expose my foot to the sun. I stopped taking antacids because they block calcium absorption, have given up my morning pot of tea-(that was a wrench), when I learned caffeine and tannin also block absorption. And no alcohol, of course.

You probably know these things, but just want to share all I've learned. I felt so lost at the begining of this process. I'd never heard of a lisfranc fracture and as you know, combing the internet does little more than strike terror into the heart of anyone with this injury!

I spend much more time on the internet now, so I can meet you here, if you like. The 6 weeks do pass, but I found my emotions dipping frequently. I didn't have anyone with this injury to communicate with, (until now). I would like support you as much as possible.

Take care. It does get better!

Good News on Recovery from Waiting for Light:

So far so good. The cast came off 9/13, so I'm in the non-weight bearing phase. The incision looks great. Foot and arch look good as well. It is a little bigger than the non-injured foot. No swelling either. I have iced it occasionally though, because the top of the foot still looks bigger than before the injury. No pain which is so encouraging. I have a aircast short boot to wear to protect the foot but I don't have to wear it at home or to bed. I have been spelling the alphabet with the large toe to move the area with the screw. I also move the rest of the foot and ankle. Otherwise taking it slow and just waiting for the 8 weeks to be up. I had been very concerned about swelling in the dressing and cast. But 5 days after removal, things really began to feel better and stronger. It's just a long process.

Waiting for Light.

Congratulations! It's nice to have access to your foot again, isn't it? I am glad to hear it is looking well. I AM surprised that you are allowed to go without aircast boot at home or in bed. I still wear my aircast boot to bed and I'm in the 9th week post surgery.
I've done the alphabet review quite a few times myself. Was nervous moving it at first, but gets easier each time.
What are you using for mobility? I tried the rollaround, narrow 2 wheeler that the knee of the bad leg rests on. But I was too weak, kept getting lightheadid and had to give it up. Crutches caused problems with carpal tunnel and have now developed DeQuairvens (spelling), so have used the wheelchair for weeks now. Started physical therapy 2 weeks ago and she requested that my doctor sign a prescription for forearm braces for a walker. I just started using that setup (alternating with the wheelchair), 3 days ago and it works quite well. So, I'm in that tricky weight bearing stage. Supposed to start out with 25 lbs, then 50, 75, etc., but it's hard to judge the amount of weight going on the foot.
Yes, those 8 weeks are challenging, but they do pass. I have never felt so dependent in my life and have found it difficult to ask for help. I am much better at it now.
Sorry, it took me so long to reply. I composed a reply 5 days ago and just prior to sending it, it evaporated.
Take care of yourself and please post again.

Lisfranchope

Hi Lisfranchope,

I'm happy to hear that you're going forward. I have a walker for the house and use crutches outside. I was pretty strong from running and going to the gym and until someone tells me different, I still feel strong. The crutches can cause nerve damage so you are right to be aware of leaning your armpits on them for long periods. It's also a little frustrating to have to figure out a plan of walking prior to venturing out. So I have given in to just resting the foot for the next 4 weeks of NWB.

The feelings in the foot are wild though. The big toe is less mobile from the screw but the ligaments in the rest of my injured foot have so much feeling as they heal and settle down: zingers, electric current, tightening of ligaments, etc. No real pain which I take as a good sign.

I have taken a little aspirin or ibuprofen: as little as 1 per week. It's just so slow waiting for the next step.

I still wear the boot to protect my foot. I wear it just to go out into the garden for instance. But it is much more comfortable without it and hopefully the skin will recover quickly. Now I have the scaly peeling skin problem.

Hopefully your PT is going well. I have had questions about the % WB too. But that would be getting ahead of myself.

The first time I met my OS I was mad that he was 1 hour behind. Now I get it. His patients walk slow, get everywhere late and don't care if the doctor is behind. All I got right now is time.

Best Wishes Em,

Waitingforlight-

Hi Waitingforlight,

Have been so busy with physical therapy twice weekly and at home exercise sessions twice daily that I have had little time for the computer! There is life after the NWB phase!

I am still experimenting with weight bearing. My physical therapist has spent several sessions teaching me how to walk in the boot, using the fancy walker with the forearm platforms. Two days ago, I was feeling quite confident and did some walking sans walker. Went from one end of our deck, holding the rail to the other, a distance of about 45 feet. Was quite proud of myself, but when I reached the far end, exhausted, the trip back seemed insurmountable! Later that day, I had some uncomfortable sensations in my foot and decided I need to ease into the unaided walking.

Yes, I am familiar with that kaleidoscope of sensation, that party in the foot post-surgery. I too, was surprised there was so little pain, just the occasional zinger and ache here and there, small bolts of lightening letting me know it was waking up.

My big toe is the slowest to recover. One of the PT exercises is picking up marbles with my toes. At first it was painful, the pads just behind the toes were quite tender as a result of their solitary confinement and I could hardly grip at all. But several weeks into it, the little ones are becoming quite adept, while the big toe and the 2nd (the one with the screw in it) lag behind.

I cracked up at your OS time schedule comments. I used to be a runner, too, (some time ago), and never imagined proceeding at a snail's pace, every step planned, as you say. Today, I sat in the car as my husband went into a store. I watched an older man get out of his vehicle, set his cane and carefully take short, uncertain steps. Another older woman offered him her unloaded shopping cart and I knew he would appreciate something to lean on as he carefully made his way from the handicapped parking spot into the store. I have a new empathy for the slow and unstable.

My outlook on life improved when I started physical therapy. Having exercises to do, and watching my progress gives me a sense of control. If you can retain your sanity during the NWB stage, life will get better I promise. I've stopped reading lisfranc horror stories and am focussing on taking sterling good care of myself.

There will be light!
Em

Dear Em,

Great to hear how well you are progressing! I started writing you yesterday before my 6 week post surgery OS appt. but I lost the post because my computer ran out of power. I am just as happy to have lost that post because I have updated news. My injury looks good and I can move on to walking with crutches, boot and touching just the toes on the ground for two weeks. Followed by 2 weeks with the whole foot touching the ground, continuing to use crutches, and boot. This is to slowly work toward walking. I also have to look for a PT.

Hey, I'm on my way too!

waitingforlight,

Fantastic report! I am so good your foot is healing! It's always good to hear something positive about Lisfranc recovery, (so little of it out there).

Hope you find your PT soon. I was lucky enough to find someone very competent and personable. Had a bit of a setback going into her clinic yesterday, though. I stepped on the injured foot and felt a short, but stabbing zinger go through my heel. Upon examination, she said I either have a bone spur or just tight muscles from lack of movement-sure hope that is the case. She is having me use my hand to bend and hold all my toes both ways to lossen things up in there.

I was a bit shaken by that zinger and am now getting up my courage to step again. I didn't really feel that it was pain from the injured bone, that's why it surprised me so much. Wasn't expecting heel pain! Oh well, maybe it's more of the waking up process. I am trying to stay positive about any potential pain and remember that most of it is the result of bones, muscles, etc, all being on vacation for several months.
I'd complain about having to go back to work, too.

Will be interested to know how you do with crutches. Unfortunately, I fell down a couple times with mine, so resigned myself to a wheelchair. One day, I discovered the hospital had sent me home with one crutch shorter than the other! Could have gone in circles for days.

Another potential crutch issue, (not to discourage you, but to give you a heads up), are carpal tunnel and arthritis exacerbation, if you are prone to those. Hopefully, you are too young for either to be a threat. Also, nerves in the armpits can be effected I read. The key is proper adjustment with appropriate weight distrubution to pits and hands. Sorry, if I'm repeating information you've already heard.

Yesterday, for the first time, I drove the car and was able to unload my walker and hobble into the house without my husband's assistance. So nice to have some independence back.

Take care and keep squinting for the light,
Em

I wanted to reply with your heel pain. I experienced the same pain and they said that it was plantar fascitis and it is very painful. I got it in both feet after my lisfranc injury. I think that it is from the lack of using the calf muscle and the atrophy sets in and when laying down your toe points down but I have been wearing boot to keep my foot flat while sleeping and doing the stretching exercises and feels so much better

Lisa,
Thanks for your reply. In both feet! Poor thing! How far into your recovery did you experience it. Glad you are doing better

Mine started just 3 days after beginning to sleep without the boot. I wonder if plantar fascitis could have developed that quickly. I'll do some research.
Would love to know more about your overall lisfranc experience. I'll comb this site for your other posts.
Again, thank you.

Take care,
Em

Hi Em,

How is your PT going? For me it is slow and unsure.  I can put partial weight on the front of the foot and walk with crutches and boot.  I have some exercises from PT.  Alphabet with toe, alphabet with foot, circles with ankle and an exercise to strengthen my hip on the uninjured leg which gets strained from taking all the weight.  I wasn't fitted with the right height crutches from the first emergency clinic.  Guess what? Now with the right height crutches, there is no problem with carpal tunnel or nerves.  The crutches fit at the side and have less contact with my under arms now.   I only just started putting weight on the injured foot so there is no long term harm but boy that first trip to the emergency.  I hope the doctor who saw me does better with other types of trauma.  

I wear the boot and use crutches and practice walking while concentrating on what would be a normal gate. I have to CONCENTRATE ON WALKING. It no longer comes naturally.  Its hard to remember how to walk.  Now I just remember to protect my right foot.  I have a tendency to still hop sometimes.  

I am also doing some hip exercises because it is a strain to walk with most of my weight on my uninjured leg.  I was also reminded to ice often which I am doing.  I try to follow a routine of exercise, then ice and elevate the foot.  Its been 8 weeks post op.  I do feel better and more energetic but still not really comfortable.

I haven't asked the doctor about the long term recovery.  Have you? It seems as if it is a wait and see thing anyway.  Although, the PT said that I should have less edema at this point.  Thus I am taking icing seriously. 

 

Waiting for Light,  

Hi Waiting for Light,

Glad to hear you are vertical! My phsical therapy is going well. She has me using stretchy bands to pull my ankle and foot in specific directions. I also do leg raises while lying on side (for hips, I believe). Another exercise she calls 'bridging'-on back, feet on floor, (in boot) and using flat upper arms to arch middle body. I also pick up a set of marbles with toes. Altogether these and other exercises take about 40 minutes and I do them twice daily.

I am 12 weeks post surgery and have only been experienting with walking for about 3 weeks. I moved from wheelchair to a walker with forearm supports (because hands became too painful for crutches or regular walker.)( Did I mention that my emergency room messed up on my crutches, too?  Sent me home with one crutch shorter than the other!) I started walking without the cane just 2 days ago. And I agree, it is strange to be learning how to walk again. It has taken awhile to get up the courage to put weight on that foot. Still am cautious when I take the first step. The pain that is a result of my foot being unused so long doesn't bother me as much as pain that feels like it originates in the injury site. It isn't terrible pain and the boot does a great job distributing my weight, but knowing there is a screw in there just bothers me. I try to remember that the doc says it is healing well, based on xrays-have to trust that. I still use the wheelchair when I feel my foot needs a brake, (bad choice of word). Also, started icing some again after walking.

I see my surgeon tomorrow to see if it is time to phase out of the boot. I DID ask him about longterm recovery. He was reassuring about the future, but said it is a "significant injury" and I would probably always have some pain. But at least he was more positive than horror stories online!

Take care,

Em