Hi- Lisa....Wow- am glad I found this post!! I was in a horrific car accident 2/1/2013....tibia, fibula, femur, ankle etc repairs...But- THE MOST painful is the plate/ screws they put on my navicular bone. The burning wakes me up all during the night. And, they say it's arthritis...I understand the other spots of arthritis- ankles, knee, etc, but this pain/ burning sensation has them all beat. I thought it was just me. So- as glad as I am to see someone with the same pain, am sorry you are feeling it.
I, too, change socks and shoes a couple of times a day.
Oh well- still making 'adjustments' to my new 'life', and grateful I came through with all my limbs. Still though- it sucks!!
Hi there..so sorry to hear about your accident...Yep that's arthiritus alright had it in my talonavicular for 6 years... no cartilidge aswell (so bone rubbing on bone) and the pain is with you day and night (and never ever lets ups) like someone burning you with a cigarette or sticking a knife through your bones (not that I have done that). I have had staples and screws on the mid foot through the talonavicular and I have absolutely no pain whatsoever now. Arthiritus has been removed. Last few days of all of my waiting time and back in a trainer Friday of this week - its taken 3 months and I am having physio (mind you the girl physio must be about 12 years old). Question they asked me "what do you want to achieve with this physio". I really like to be able to walk. How Bxxxxxxx stupid. Common sense has told me what to do..I actually do not know what I am going but I will do ...even if I have to give her a lession in physiotherapy...hahaha. Good luck regards Yvonne
Hi there California57. All over the end of this week, the boot goes and I am going into trainers. Only just saw your message have added another message but will repeat to you. All is going very well. Had my first physio last week (knee high to a grasshopper she was).. Personally I did not think she knew much ...she looked like she had come out of school. She read from my notes and said "right. walking after a week" and 5 weeks after the op, is that correct" I asked her where she got that infor from the Web. Asked me what outcome I would like for physio...walking would be a good idea. No massage or anything like that, glad really as I did not feel confident with her, she gave me two exercises and I was already doing those from the web. I feel great actually but I do not feel the same person as I did before. Cannot explain but I think the dependency thing has got to me and I need to restore my own self worth. Without going into too much detail the NWB needs to be fully explained before the op. How you will feel that NWB sent me nuts actually. MY foot is less swollen each and every day. achilles a bit tight but confidence in walking will return due to sure willpower. Glad things are working well for you. We are all on the road to recovery. Kind regards Yvonne
NB put a dry self adhesive dressing over the scar and wear two socks, that helped me when my scar had not healed. Massage with your fingers a small amount of vaseline each side of the scar tissue, I found that got the blood flow going.
Hi Yvonne
Wow you are progressing very well. I had my first real physio session this week. I had another physio 2 weeks earlier, which I found useless (just like your experience) - she gave me no exercise and said just bend the big toe back. I requested a sports physio therapist, who I saw just 2 days ago. What a different approach. He has me icing my foot up to 4 times a day for 20 minutes each, and provided me with 2 other exercises that were specific for my mid foot fusion. The icing is a killer, but I have started to see and feel the difference after only 2 days.
On Sunday my wound finally healed which allowed me to start swimming. I have swum 3 days in a row. I do feel the pain in the foot, but it is getting slightly easier. The physio advised walking and jumping with the foot in the pool, which I am trying, but do find these exercised more difficult.
I agree with you the NWB was too long, and results in all the muscle wastage plus tightness in the foot. In the course of 2 1/2 weeks I have progressed from NWB to the boot, to now trying trainers. I feel less stable in the trainers. The trainer rubs against my bunionectomy scar where it is still very tender. The good news about being weight bearing is that the swelling eases quicker as the muscles are working again to circulate the blood and fluids in your foot. I walk barefooted at home, do you? I need to walk slowly and force myself to walk normally through the pain. It is tempting to avoid the pain, and walk in a manner that would do more harm than good.
I am scheduled to fly out to the States in 2 weeks. I hope I will be able to walk more than I am now. Have you read some of the earlier posts where people struggled with walking half a block after being NWB and PWB for so long? I am glad we are not in that state.
Have you gone back to landscaping? That sounds too physical. I have sheeted over my allotment recognising I won't be able to turn over the soil this year.
What exercises are you doing? A good one you might want to try (warning it is painful) that my physio gave me was to stand facing the wall, the fused foot place against the wall (or slightly away from the way by 1 cm) and bend the leg/foot so that the knee hits the wall. Do that 20 times up to 4 times a day. You move it fast, not slow, as if you are walking. That is to ease the ankle and bottom of the foot. I find it painful, but it is working. I am now able to have my toe nearly 2 cm from the wall and touch the wall with my knee.
Keep up the good work, and let me know your progress. I still sleep with my foot elevated. Try the ice water baths - you will notice a difference in days on the reduction of your swelling. Kind Regards D
Wow you are progressing very well. I had my first real physio session this week. I had another physio 2 weeks earlier, which I found useless (just like your experience) - she gave me no exercise and said just bend the big toe back. I requested a sports physio therapist, who I saw just 2 days ago. What a different approach. He has me icing my foot up to 4 times a day for 20 minutes each, and provided me with 2 other exercises that were specific for my mid foot fusion. The icing is a killer, but I have started to see and feel the difference after only 2 days.
On Sunday my wound finally healed which allowed me to start swimming. I have swum 3 days in a row. I do feel the pain in the foot, but it is getting slightly easier. The physio advised walking and jumping with the foot in the pool, which I am trying, but do find these exercised more difficult.
I agree with you the NWB was too long, and results in all the muscle wastage plus tightness in the foot. In the course of 2 1/2 weeks I have progressed from NWB to the boot, to now trying trainers. I feel less stable in the trainers. The trainer rubs against my bunionectomy scar where it is still very tender. The good news about being weight bearing is that the swelling eases quicker as the muscles are working again to circulate the blood and fluids in your foot. I walk barefooted at home, do you? I need to walk slowly and force myself to walk normally through the pain. It is tempting to avoid the pain, and walk in a manner that would do more harm than good.
I am scheduled to fly out to the States in 2 weeks. I hope I will be able to walk more than I am now. Have you read some of the earlier posts where people struggled with walking half a block after being NWB and PWB for so long? I am glad we are not in that state.
Have you gone back to landscaping? That sounds too physical. I have sheeted over my allotment recognising I won't be able to turn over the soil this year.
What exercises are you doing? A good one you might want to try (warning it is painful) that my physio gave me was to stand facing the wall, the fused foot place against the wall (or slightly away from the way by 1 cm) and bend the leg/foot so that the knee hits the wall. Do that 20 times up to 4 times a day. You move it fast, not slow, as if you are walking. That is to ease the ankle and bottom of the foot. I find it painful, but it is working. I am now able to have my toe nearly 2 cm from the wall and touch the wall with my knee.
Keep up the good work, and let me know your progress. I still sleep with my foot elevated. Try the ice water baths - you will notice a difference in days on the reduction of your swelling. Kind Regards D
Hi Yvonne
I should clarify when doing the exercise I proposed above, keep the foot flat and have the hands against the wall, bend leg forward so knee touches the wall while keeping the foot flat the entire time. The movement should be bend, straighten leg, then bend and unbend - backwards and forwards up to 20 times. Do it in bare feet. Let me know how you get on with that exercise. Gradually increase the distance of the foot from the wall. This could take days/weeks. Regards, D
I should clarify when doing the exercise I proposed above, keep the foot flat and have the hands against the wall, bend leg forward so knee touches the wall while keeping the foot flat the entire time. The movement should be bend, straighten leg, then bend and unbend - backwards and forwards up to 20 times. Do it in bare feet. Let me know how you get on with that exercise. Gradually increase the distance of the foot from the wall. This could take days/weeks. Regards, D
Hi "D" - things are going well. I was supposed to have kept the "boot" on until Friday that has just gone but I felt reasonably good and took it off on Tuesday and put my trainer on. Very tight but I did not feel confident so I put my ankle support on the one I wore all the time (its a crossover one). However I have now taken that off because the inside of my ankle hurts. Have been to the shops several times and walking on pavements takes its toll so I go in the shops (love it) to the soft floor suits me better. I do the knee bend but not near a wall but will try it. I sometimes feel little clicks (not bone) in my foot I think its tight tendons but the swelling has reduced by 75 pct and more and scar has healed nicely, its because I have been using it. Tight tendons on the back of leg down the muscle but that has eased somewhat. Worked yesterday with my husband creosoting sleepers installed up concrete steps and did a lot of sweeping and tyding up at the school where we worked. Also stacked the wheel barrow to carry the stuff. I was slow but it felt good to do some work. I still do the bottle trick under the planta and put a scarf under my foot and point my toes). this is what the physio has said I do. I am actually thinking of telling her where to "get off" on Tuesday will have to see. I really don't like swimming but had a bath (unusual for me I shower) but moved my foot under water..that will have to do. Yes, you do have to walk through the pain. Have other things to worry about though, I had a car crash last August and that did not help the foot which is why I went for a fusion. It's still going on I was driving up a main road and a car came out across 3 lanes of traffic and crashed into me. He is now saying that he was stationary and I smashed into him. Nutter. Anyway it goes to court on 1 September but my experiences of people are that they lie under oath so what can you do. I went to court several years back about a verbal assault on myself and grandchildren "wanted to burn the house down". He turned out to be a "copper" and he lied under oath so I have not faith in the justice system. One year later he had a crash on his motor bike and died, what goes around comes around. Ah well have to wait and see about the case. All is well though and I am glad I had the op. I hope you enjoy your trip back home and continue to keep well. Kind regards Yvonne
Hi Yvonne
Very impressive all the physical labours you are doing. It sounds like you have moved back to a sub normal state quite quickly. Sorry to hear about your court case. That is awful. And you are right people will lie to protect themselves. Just come across as the most reasonable and credible defendant and you will probably win.
When I reflect where I was a week ago, I realise I've made progress. I also don't like swimming, but it is the only exercise that I can do. I have swam every day now and have progressed from 20 laps to 44 laps. I also simulate running on my toes and walking in the pool. That does hurt with each step on the fused foot. Today I am going to try a short session on the stationary bike, followed up with swimming. I want the sports physio to not laugh at me again and be impressed how far I've come along. Can you request a different physio, and have a sports physio since you are very active? I would call up and try to rearrange the session and request for a sports physio.
I still have under the arch pain. I have not tried the cold bottle trick. Do you freeze it? I roll the bottom of my foot against a rolling pin. I need to keep up with stretching the foot using a cloth like you do, and trying to squish a piece of cloth with my foot. The latter really pains the arch. I don't know why the arch should be in pain. Has the ligaments or muscles shorten during the period of NWB?
I am able to go up the stairs, but find down the stairs tricky. I still need to do that sideways. Is that a problem for you?
Good luck and sounds like you are doing great! D
Very impressive all the physical labours you are doing. It sounds like you have moved back to a sub normal state quite quickly. Sorry to hear about your court case. That is awful. And you are right people will lie to protect themselves. Just come across as the most reasonable and credible defendant and you will probably win.
When I reflect where I was a week ago, I realise I've made progress. I also don't like swimming, but it is the only exercise that I can do. I have swam every day now and have progressed from 20 laps to 44 laps. I also simulate running on my toes and walking in the pool. That does hurt with each step on the fused foot. Today I am going to try a short session on the stationary bike, followed up with swimming. I want the sports physio to not laugh at me again and be impressed how far I've come along. Can you request a different physio, and have a sports physio since you are very active? I would call up and try to rearrange the session and request for a sports physio.
I still have under the arch pain. I have not tried the cold bottle trick. Do you freeze it? I roll the bottom of my foot against a rolling pin. I need to keep up with stretching the foot using a cloth like you do, and trying to squish a piece of cloth with my foot. The latter really pains the arch. I don't know why the arch should be in pain. Has the ligaments or muscles shorten during the period of NWB?
I am able to go up the stairs, but find down the stairs tricky. I still need to do that sideways. Is that a problem for you?
Good luck and sounds like you are doing great! D
Hi "D" . 44 laps u r joking me..OMG I have this problem where I go in the pool (and I can swim) but my breathing seems to stop!! (not all together though) BUT I do like laying on my back and floating about but you cannot do that where others are swimming.haha. Stationary bike would be good, I am tempted to use the cross trainer but only to get the muscle/s going on my legs. The bottle need only be in the fridge not freezer, I have just done it and its really relaxing, just push down slightly from the heel to the toe (do it on a carpet as you will be rolling around trying to keep it stationary). The tendons and ligaments are shortened by no use, I recall stretching my foot out even when I was in the plaster but it's like a dull ache, sometimes on either side of my foot and then underneath it varies from day to day. Yep, I go up the stairs much the same as I did before (sideways) I think I am conditioned because of the pain I had I seemed to have not changed. I did however tread on a toy of my dog by accident and normally I would have been screaming with pain but I felt nothing (maybe it's so numb I could not feel it anyway, haha). I do have a very good physio lady and I might go to her and have some accupunture, I respond very well to that. She also places a needle in between the thumb and fore finger, middle of the head and I feel great afterwards. Both of us have come a long way, loved the "sub normal" description by the way as opposed to "abnormal". Take care and kind regards. Yvonne
I cannot work out the exercise facing the wall, so all I do is place my leg one foot in front of the other and stretch the achilles that way.
Hi Yvonne
You have been longer NWP then me. Will you ever gain full mobility in your ankle? Will you be able to rotate it?
My mid foot near the ankle is still quite swollen. The icing has helped reduce the redness and swelling somewhat. I can now stick my foot in a bucket of ice water for 20 minutes without becoming a drama queen!
I am not the best at explaining the exercise, but you are correct that one of its main purpose is to stretch the achilles also the plantar fascia which needs considerable stretching. It is a very hard exercise to do, I could not find a Youtube example.
The knee on my good leg is starting to get sore. Hopefully doing bike exercise will address that, eventually.
On the swimming. The first time out, when I did 20 laps: I swam a lap, then rested half a minute to a minute, then swam another lap, and rested. It was slow going. I also alternated using the kick board, doing breast stroke, side stroke, back stroke and crawl. Frankly if I am doing side stroke, it is like resting. Swimming is BORING. I even considered investing in one of those underwater MP3 but they seem to not be that reliable. By the fourth day, I could swim 10 laps non stop. I do sets of 10. I have no desire to do it completely non stop. I will rest 30 seconds between sets, and I will alternate the strokes. Just makes it easier and the time go by quicker. I am very embarrassed to do the swimming and have been using the outside pool, where hardly any of the members go. You should try walking in the poo. That is challenging.
Good luck
D
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Hi D.. I have absolutely no ankle rotation at all and never will have (never had anyway because of the pain) only up and down, tried that exercise this morning but did it against the kitchen units and it works so will continue. Also when I sit I stretch out my toes and bend my foot upwards to stretch the plantar, give it a try. I have had accupunture in my plantar it is excrutiating but my private physio is brilliant, one day I got out of bed and fell over, could not walk and I went to her and she fixed me with one set of needles.
I did laugh at your last sentence... look at the word "walking in poo". I bet it would be challenging hahahah,
Bye for now Yvonne
oops! I was quickly typing this at work, and someone came into my office, and I did a quick "send". I didn't do the spell check!! Well, you know what I mean, but it does make it funnier!
Just a follow-up on the acupuncture. Prior to this surgery, over Xmas in the States, I had acupuncture as well. It was painful. It only temporarily relieved some pain, but obviously could not sort out a dislocation caused by bone degeneration. When I am back in the states in a few weeks, do you think it is worth while to have another session of acupuncture on the fascias? How much does it cost in the UK?
Just a follow-up on the acupuncture. Prior to this surgery, over Xmas in the States, I had acupuncture as well. It was painful. It only temporarily relieved some pain, but obviously could not sort out a dislocation caused by bone degeneration. When I am back in the states in a few weeks, do you think it is worth while to have another session of acupuncture on the fascias? How much does it cost in the UK?
My physio charges £40 per session - whether its for physio or needles. It seriously does hurt but I have also had cortisone injection (which is one serious size needle) right into the bone - its a pain relief but it not supposed to cure the plantafascitus (it did mine however). It needs to hit the right spot. However when I was operated on at Guys in London I was speaking with a woman who had plantafascitus and they told her there was a new machine that you step into which only needs one treatment (a new thing) I have not heard of it. I used to have it a lot when I played lots of netball and rallies playing sometimes about 20 games in a weekend. It is tight today though - nuisance actually at it varies so much but I am sitting at computer that has a ledge on it and I have been rubbing the underfoot on the ledge - nice. I would go for it but be prepated my husband took a video of me when I had it done and he said it looks like I was going to punch my physio.hahah
Y
Hi D went to my physio yesterday she gave me that exercise. Could not believe how far away from the wall 6inches compared to the leg that's ok. This is a worthwhile exercise as I can feel the benefit. My tendons are so tight. Apparently I am walking strangely on my left side so have an exercise for strengthening the hip. It's amazing how much you take for granted when your body has been operated on and how long it takes to recover. The leg bend I was told to hold it for ten seconds and not move it back and forwards do about 6 reps of that. Enjoy USA as you r off soon if not already gone. Kind regards yvonne
Hi Yvonne
Glad the exercise is working. I had my physio on Tuesday. He was pleased with the progress I have made. I am suppose to swim and/or do the stationary bike daily. I find the swimming actually relieves the pressure and swelling of the foot, while the bike increases it.
This is the first week that I have been driving myself into work. I hate it. I hate the commute and I hate the tension of the drive. All the bloody roadworks and traffic, and negative news reports. I have to listen to radio plays or classical music. What I have noticed is my foot swells more that I drive, than when I was being driven. Hence, this week I take a bucket and ice packs to the office to stick my foot in ice water for 20 minutes in the afternoon. It helps. Then I follow-up with gym. I am getting exhausted. I wake up at 5:30 in order to get one ice water session (with the stretch exercises that only take a few minutes) before work.
It is hard not to walk with a straight leg isn't it. You want to avoid pain, so you don't walk as you should do, and keep the bad foot straight. I force myself to walk normally, albeit slowly, and walk through the discomfort. It is getting much better.
I am glad the physio is giving you the similar exercise. My physio has said I should make a vertical line on the wall which aligns with the second toe, that marks where your knee should hit the wall. You will notice, that your knee is probably drifting to the side, and this will help realign the hips as well. Well, someday if I make it to Surrey or Sussex (I assume you are down London way) I could show you the exercises!
Next Friday I am off. Trying to locate a local pool that I can swim at.
Have a nice Easter and good luck with stretching those tendons!
D
Glad the exercise is working. I had my physio on Tuesday. He was pleased with the progress I have made. I am suppose to swim and/or do the stationary bike daily. I find the swimming actually relieves the pressure and swelling of the foot, while the bike increases it.
This is the first week that I have been driving myself into work. I hate it. I hate the commute and I hate the tension of the drive. All the bloody roadworks and traffic, and negative news reports. I have to listen to radio plays or classical music. What I have noticed is my foot swells more that I drive, than when I was being driven. Hence, this week I take a bucket and ice packs to the office to stick my foot in ice water for 20 minutes in the afternoon. It helps. Then I follow-up with gym. I am getting exhausted. I wake up at 5:30 in order to get one ice water session (with the stretch exercises that only take a few minutes) before work.
It is hard not to walk with a straight leg isn't it. You want to avoid pain, so you don't walk as you should do, and keep the bad foot straight. I force myself to walk normally, albeit slowly, and walk through the discomfort. It is getting much better.
I am glad the physio is giving you the similar exercise. My physio has said I should make a vertical line on the wall which aligns with the second toe, that marks where your knee should hit the wall. You will notice, that your knee is probably drifting to the side, and this will help realign the hips as well. Well, someday if I make it to Surrey or Sussex (I assume you are down London way) I could show you the exercises!
Next Friday I am off. Trying to locate a local pool that I can swim at.
Have a nice Easter and good luck with stretching those tendons!
D