LISFRANC FOOT

Kelly,
I am not sure if you were referring to me, or hopalong in regards to the swelling issue?? My Dr. did not seem to be too alarmed when I told him about all the swelling I have. My foot swells when I work all day / walk a lot , and just don't have an opportunity to get it up, high up. I have a lot of pain in my ankle, it's very weak & hard to bend. I am supposed to be walking with my boot, but I admit, I try to walk sometimes without it. I still limp & have to be VERY careful. I wouldn't dare attempt this at work, I do it only at home.

So I have heard the swelling & pain that goes with it can last up to a year after the surgery.... I just wonder how much it really helps to have the screws removed. Boy, I do NOT look forward to another foot operation. Anyone who has had the screws removed, does it hurt as much as getting them in???

Thanks for all your advise Kelly.... how's the stomach surgery going? Cheers to everyone!!
SKH

I'm just over 2 weeks post surgery. I got my stitches out last week and got an x-ray and the Dr. said everything looks good. I went back to work after about 6 days on crutches. He told me that everybody thinks these surgery's are not a big deal but his exact words we're that they are a pain in the ass :-P
I am not dealing with all of the pain and swelling that I read from others, although mine was diagnosed right away and operated on within 10 days, and the method he used was only 1 long screw at an angle that he is for sure removing because I am young and active; After 2 weeks I feel like I could almost walk on it with the boot I have, but I am listening to the Dr. and staying on my crutches. I have noticed that it is still darker or redder than my other foot. I have been driving with my left foot which took a while to learn - I will never take walking for granted again!

Hi all!

Tummy surgery went well - although I'm back to taking breaks on the couch again. I must say, one positive (I guess), is I have to keep my foot up a little bit more. I'm hoping this will be a real plus in the long run and not just wishful thinking. I truly believe the pain and swelling can last for a year. Patience is not my strong point especially when I'm held up on the couch.

Shannon - I seem to recall from reading somewhere that removing the screws isn't that big a deal. I think they said that you're recovered in a couple of days. My brother has had both his feet operated on with screws and it didn't seem to fluster him at all. Although he did ride his bike for miles when he broke his foot so I'm not sure how reliable his pain receptors are. I always did think he had a hard scull. He now runs for miles, does hundreds of sit ups a day and rides his bike forever too. So there's hope everyone!

As for the choice of doctors, I think a podiatrist wouldn't be bad or a OR specialist as your foot has the most bones in it as anywhere so its more complicated. Hopefully the podietrist can refer you to the OR specialist and then you'd get the best of both worlds. I learned more about my foot from a kinesiologist when I went to get fitted for my orthotics - of which I'm still not wearing because it means I have to wear my runners. Its too hot here. He said the custom arch support (I have really HIGH arches) will help with some of the inflamation in my foot - ever since I learned that, I've been wearing my Reebok beach sandels everywhere. Normally I go barefoot.

Hope everyone gets out to partake in the July 4 celebrations. We had ours on Saturday in Canada.

Cheers, Kelly XD

You're very welcome, hopalong. I started this post a year and a half ago because I could find very little information from others with similar injuries. Since then, you guys have, unfortunately, been coming out of the woodwork. I think you and I are the only two posters here who got the lisfranc fracture in car accidents. Mine was almost identical to yours but I received vastly different treatment.

Within a week of my accident, I saw an ortho who suspected what had happened but couldn't confirm it because of the excessive swelling and bruising in my foot (I couldn't put weight on it to give him the weight-bearing xray). He did, however, repeatedly tell me to stay off my foot (I didn't listen - I didn't know at the time it was anything more than a bad sprain and contusions). Three weeks after the accident, I was able to stand on it for the xray and he sent me to a specialist in Baltimore the very next day. The specialist confirmed the diagnosis of lisfranc and did the surgery to insert the screws the following day.

You are absolutely right to stay off your foot and keep it elevated. It took me 2 weeks after my initial surgery before I could sit up without my foot swelling, turning blue, and getting that pins/needles feeling (which, by the way, is a sign your nerve is being damaged by the swelling - if it continues, the nerve can be permanently damaged so STAY OFF IT!) After that, I returned to work in a wheelchair with the leg lifting attachment for a month.

It took me 9 weeks of being off my foot before I was allowed to bear weight on my foot and mine was caught early. Everything I've read and that my docs have told me, it sounds like you're in for a longer recovery since your incompetent first ortho allowed you to walk on yours.

I also get a lot of c**p from coworkers about "milking" my injury. I have a permanent disabled parking placard from the MVA and I get told often by my coworkers that I'm abusing it. I try not to limp even when it hurts because limping just causes problems throughout the rest of my body (back, hips, knees, etc.) so they assume that since I'm not limping, I must be fine. But I'm not. I do have some nerve damage....nothing like some of the stories I've read, but every once in a while something will rub the skin where the nerve is and it sets it off and I feel like my foot is being held in a fire. I'm also the person who had problem moving the toe joint and that is, by far, the worst of the pain. Because the nerve that runs to the big toe ran right over my screws, I was unable to bend my big toe until after the screws were removed. Since yours are staying in, you may never be able to bend that joint again.

Forget what your husband and coworkers think. People who don't have to live with chronic pain can be very cruel.

Good luck with your recovery and keep me posted!

Anne :-)

hello all,
I had my pins pulled on Thursday after 6 weeks. If anyone gets the choice of screws or pins. From everything I've read here pins might be the way to go. I had little pain and as archaic as the removal was, ( Doc just pulled them out in the office, no drugs, no local) it meant one less surgery. There are two small spots on the top of my foot where the pins went in, but it looks like they will go away. I started bearing weight on my foot about 25% of my body weight, it seems ok. What seems to be helping is I started riding a stationary bike with very little resistance. I ride 10-15 miles every other day. It is getting my leg and ankle back in shape so I don't have to overcompensate with my foot. I wear a compression stocking during the day because my foot still swells, but I'll take that over my cast anyday.

Good luck with your healing

K

Anne,
Just read your latest and felt the need to respond. I can really relate to your pain & also it''s been pretty tough at work for me too. I am still wearing the walking boot, only 10 weeks post surgery. I work for a large company so I see so many people during the day. I admit I am getting tired of all the comments, when are getting that off, are you still in pain? , how much longer until your better?

Can you tell me what you wore when you were first walking? I go back to my Dr. ( ortho surgeron) 7/20.. I know when I get the okay from him to try to walk around without my boot, I am going to limp. I accidently stubbed my toe on my kitchen rug last night ( yes , walking around without anything on) and it just about knocked me down with the pain. My big toe does not have a lot of movement, so I sleep with the boot. If my foot jerks, which it does, in my sleep, it wakes me up due the pain. It's my nerves I would assume?

It does help to talk to people who are going thru this, I am now convinced to have my screws removed ( 3) - unsure when my Dr. will do it. ??

My hubby & I are off the Mexico Saturday.... though I plan to only stay poolside ( our anniver) no shopping for me.

Wish all you Lisfranc injuries well....

Timmy, I'm a waterskier and am about to have surgery (either reduction or fusion) in a few days for a lisfranc fracture. Happy things are going well for you - keep posting positive stuff! When did your doctor say you could go back to wakeboarding ? I'm missing out on a tournament next weekend, and was hoping to be able to pick it up again by next season.

Timmy, great to hear things are going well for you! I'm a waterskier - about to have surgery in a few days (reduction or fusion) for a lisfranc fracture I got last week. When did your doctor say you could resume wakeboarding ? I'm missing out on the rest of the season, and was looking forward to training again in the spring.

Wtrskid

I have heard the fusion can be a little longer recovery - but everybody is different. I feel I am recovering pretty fast and I think I "could" start walking now but I am trying to listen to the doc. I go for my 6 weeks follow up on July 28th. My Dr. didn't really say how long it would be - my surgery was June 13th and I believe I can start re-habbing and doing things after I get the screw out (12-16 weeks post surgery). 16 weeks will be mid October so I am going to probaby rule this season out and make sure I rehab all winter and try to be 100% by spring. I hope to do some snowboarding this winter. The thing is I had ACL reconstruction 2 years ago and the foot injury is on the same side, so I want to make sure all the muscles in my leg are back to 100% before I get too crazy. I'll let you know what the Dr. says at my 6 week appt.

You're right, everyone does heal differently. Were you in a lot of pain after surgery ? What can I expect ? As waterskiers/wakeboarders, we both build and stress our feet/ligaments to no end. I'm hoping some of that strength aids recovery. Have you done any tournaments ?

I just found out one of my girlfriends fractured her ankle ski-jumping - took a digger. She'll be off crutches in about 8 weeks.

I am now 2 1/2 weeks post cast and pin removal. I am supposed to be at 75% bearing weight on my foot, but I am feeling very good so I put my crutches down 3 days ago and I don't plan on going back. Since my pins came out I've done about 200 miles on a stationary bike and Saturday I did 15 miles on the road. It was good. If I feel good I dial up the tension, if not I take easy. The improvement to my atrophied leg and ankle has been very good. Which has improved my walking and my outlook. (that and alot of stretching).

Wtrskid, Good luck with your surgery. You are about to get very good on crutches.

K

I was not in a whole lot of pain after surgery (nothing compared to ACL reconstruction anyway). It was uncomfortable until I got the stitches out though. It hasn't really bothered me too much at all and I am 6 weeks after surgery today. I go Friday for my 6 weeks post Op. The part that is really frustrating is I know I could walk right now especially with the Boot on, and I am trying my best not to and listen to Doc. If I'm around the house I will just use 1 crutch sometimes or hobble around on the heel of my boot. I hope I can ditch the crutches at 8 weeks.



I usually don't compete anymore but I run a Wakeboard Organization that puts on tournaments and events during the summer in Illinois.

Had one screw inserted in my foot on Monday. Yesterday, Thursday, was my first day without painkillers. Though the first 2 days after surgery were pretty painful, I rarely feel any pain now. I'm still icing and keeping my foot elevated most of the time. Sleeping is difficult, since I'm aware of my foot, but if that's the worst that'll happen at this point, I can't complain! Am planning to go back to work (desk job) next Monday, one week after surgery. I'll be getting a bone stimulator soon (I've used one before for a Jones fracture on my other foot), and hopefully, 8 weeks later, I'll be able to walk on my lisfranc foot. Right now, the worst part is not being able to go to the gym or enjoy the hot weather (read waterski!) - but two months is relatively short. By the time I get off crutches, the heat wave should be over, and New York city will be fun to walk around again. Anyone find some good way to keep in shape while on crutches ? Sit-ups and upper body weights work, but I soooo miss cardio. Tried riding recumbent bike with one leg - NOT a good idea, and hard on my knee.

Wow, sounds like we're in about the same boat (hahaha). I'm glad it went well. I hope my Dr. lets me walk at 8 weeks. My friend who is a PT recommended those strenthening bands to do various excersizes, you can even do some legs without putting pressure on your foot. I was so tired from crutching around work all day I didn't feel like doing much at night. There are a ton of different high rep excersise you can do though. Sounds stupid but at work when going down the long halls I would try to do a crunch every step and count them. It would make a long trek down a hallway go by fast and you'd get a little ab workout. :$

Good luck and keep me informed of your progress.

Thanks!!! You mentioned wakeboard tournaments in Illinois - my girlfriend's boyfriend lives/wakeboards in Chicago, and does a bunch of tournaments. I understand that he's among the "older" boarders, though he's only in his mid 30's. They train out on a river in Chicago. It's a small community, so if you're around the Chicago area, odds are you've met him. :-) How do you do crunches while walking down the hall ?!? I can think of one way, but it sounds rather insane. Then again...