One more time, again.

Hopefully this last procedure will close the door on that problem. How soon will you be headed for re-hab? How long of a recovery are the doctors projecting?
 
There has bee no mention for therapy on this one. I'm kind of assuming I won't be having any. That said, it would be nice to get my foot heading in the right direction once again. It's pretty funny to watch my gate. I'm normally a little duck footed. I have been ever since my spinal fusion. Since this problem has been present my left foot points much further to the side and the toes drop. Maybe when the feeling is normal my foot will know it's not headed in the right direction.
 
Am I wrong in assuming that if you felt PT would beneficial to your recovery you could request either a directed program or at the very least a self-directed set of stretches and excercises?

I didn't have PT per se with my ankle, but the surgeon gave me some stretches to work on to restore some flexibility. Afterwards, I joined a yoga class which was a huge help in getting some flexibility back.
 
I actually called and spoke with the surgeon yesterday. I don't have an appointment for a couple of weeks yet. I was concerned that perhaps this was too long to leave stitches in. I asked him about therapy and he said to hold off on that for now and likely won't need it. Since the nerve sheath was opened up and essentially left open this needs a couple of months to heal, he indicated that the best thing to do is to resume normal activities as tolerated. He said that once I get to that point he would re-evaluate should I feel like it was needed. Since there was no bone, ligament or tendons involved therapy isn't required unless I stop using the muscles and the leg atrophies. I guess that's why it wasn't mentioned. I have no doubt that if I told the doctor I needed P.T. he would make the arrangements at the right time.

There is one thing that I've noticed as being better already. I shower with a garbage bag taped around my leg. I can get my foot under the shower stream and it isn't painful. It still feels strange (numb, tingly) but not painful. Prior to the surgery this would have really lit me up. The best description I can come up with is that my leg still feels like I've taken a major knee in the side of my calf during a ball game. Anyone who has been involved in basketball or football likely knows the feeling I'm talking about. I'm thinking from the size of the incisions this is probably normal. For now my fingers are crossed.
 
Nerves are slow to heal so don't get discouraged if it don't progress as fast as you want it to.

I just had 4 artificial disc's put in my back about 2 months ago so I know how you feel it is NO fun. :wall
 
I know it is tough to be patient after all you have been through. However, it has been my experience that nerves heal on there own schedule. I was in a accident and sustained major nerve damage in my arm. It took a long, long time for it to feel somewhat normal. Good luck to you. Be patient.
 
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