My lisfranc surgery day
My husband and I arrived early as we had heard my surgeon is typically way ahead of schedule. The dear friend who helped us get an appointment with my surgeon had left a gift bag for me with my nurse. So I already felt spoiled and loved.
I was taken back to a room and changed into a heated gown and was told to lie on the bed which had heated blankets. I felt like I was at a spa! My nurse was fabulous. She came in and told me she would be my best friend. I told her I was concerned about how painful the surgery was going to be and she told me not to worry since she came packing. She asked me what my favorite cocktail was and I told her a Belvedere martini straight up, a twist a couple of olives and extra dirty. And she said ‘coming right up!” And not only could I have 1 martinis she would give me 2. I said I can only drink one and she said in this room, I could have 2.
The anesthesiologist came in the room to discuss what he was going to do. He had me write on the foot that was going to be operated on and I drew a smiley face. I told him my surgeon said I could watch the surgery and he laughed and said, it wasn’t like having a baby where they have mirrors on the ceilings and that if I were to watch all I would be able to see was my surgeons head. He then told me I couldn’t watch anyway since I was going to be put under general anesthesia. Suddenly my wonderful nurse who was putting a needle in my hand for my IV ran round to the right side of the bed and asked me to hold her hand and squeeze. As I did and I felt the worst pain (level 9) since this whole thing started.
My anesthesiologist was finding the nerves in my foot so that he could do a nerve block. I didn’t cry out, but I did tell him he was mean (must of been the 2 martinis talking) and he said that I would be very happy with him after the surgery was over. Nerve blocks can last up to 24 hours and really help with immediate pain following this type of surgery. (I am so glad I had one!!!)
My anesthesiologist was finding the nerves in my foot so that he could do a nerve block. I didn’t cry out, but I did tell him he was mean (must of been the 2 martinis talking) and he said that I would be very happy with him after the surgery was over. Nerve blocks can last up to 24 hours and really help with immediate pain following this type of surgery. (I am so glad I had one!!!)
After Dr. Jekel was done with me, my surgeon came in the room and drew on my foot and assured me that all was well. Since my surgeon had already done 2 operations before me (and it was only 7:00am!) I offered to buy him a cup of coffee to make sure he was alert. (again the martinis were talking) and he laughed. I hate to think what else I might have said that I don’t remember!!!
Next I was wheeled down to the frigid operating room. I reluctantly left my heated bed as I was asked to transfer myself to the skinny cold operating table. I remember looking up at the white light fixture that looked like a giant spider with 8 legs. As my arms were being strapped down I said to no one in general, that I was claustrophobic. I told my nurse that I felt like I had been abducted by aliens and that they were going to do experiments on me.
When I woke up from surgery I was shown this picture of the operation:
Hey, did you have to wear a compression stocking on your non-operative leg? It tends to get annoying, so I've kept it off for a few days... Things seem to be okay. Just wondering.
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteThanks for reading and responding to my lisfranc blog. No, I never wore a compression stocking on my non-operative leg. I wonder why your surgeon had you wear one? I can see where that would be extremely annoying!!!
No, thank you! I only had to have two screws put in. The pain isn't bad at all, but I'm only a couple weeks into my hard cast... It's nice hearing how other people have experienced it. And I have no idea why he mentioned wearing one... I think I'm gunna keep it off from now on. You were off your feet for six months, right? I'm only off for two, with a less harsh surgery. That's why I find it odd no one else has had to wear a compression stocking, when others seem to be off their feet for six months, or more.
DeleteHi,
DeleteI was in a cast for 2 weeks and completely non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. After that I was partial weight bearing for several months. Honestly, this process has been much longer than I had planned for. I think having the hardware removed was the right thing to do in my case, but it also extended my recovery time. I am now 3 months post op from my second surgery and can walk on the treadmill slowly (2.5 mph) for 1 mile. My foot still gets swollen and sore, but I have hope that "normal walking" is near.
As far as the compression stocking goes, aren't they used to prevent blood clots? Was that mentioned to you? I have read numerous lisfranc recovery stories and also have never heard of anyone wearing compression stockings no matter how long they were off their feet.
Your plan is a lot like mine, except I'm in a cast for the whole six weeks, NWB. And a softer one after? Or a boot. Not sure. Slight weight bearing while that's happening. It's such a complicated process. And yeah, blood clots. I've read a lot online, too, and I haven't seen anything about it either. Maybe I just got a paranoid doctor... Haha... And I'm sorry that you're not feeling good yet. "Normal". I hope I'm not hurting
Deletelike that after so long... :/ Not sure about taking out hardware yet. If it's really needed...
Yes, this recovery is a long complicated journey and I am finding, very individual. I was shocked when my surgeon suggested hardware removal surgery since the original plan was to leave it in. My surgeon said he doesn't usually recommend hardware removal, but in my case I had 28 sessions of PT as well as 32 HydroWorx sessions and after 6 months, was still walking with a limp and needed a cane. So he thought taking out the hardware would provide a better outcome in my case. I honestly can say that 3 months after my hardware removal I am walking in far less pain than I was before the removal. So I know it was the right decision for me.
DeleteI hope that since you only had 2 screws put in, you will not have to have them taken out and that this in your one and only surgery and recovery! Have you found something fun to occupy your time while you are sitting around? Good luck with your recovery and I wish you permanent and complete healing!
Oh, I'm glad it's working out for you. Thank you! I wish you the best, too!
DeleteToday, just past 4 weeks post 4 hour outpatient surgery. With regard to compression sock question above. Surgeon has me in a tubigrip compression sock all the time on repaired foot except when showering. Asked if I could stop wearing tubigrip 3 weeks after surgery, sent foot photos of my progress and surgeon said to keep wearing the tubigrip. In hindsight, does keep swelling down and adds stability.
DeleteFirst night was easy since the nerve block was still working for 20 hours after surgery. It is very weird looking at your toes and not being able to move them at all no matter how hard you try. Then the block wore off. Noticed I could finally move my big toe every so so slightly and within 10 minutes pain level 8 to 10 which lasted for 3 hours. Pain was so big I couldn't think. Been taking prescribed big pain meds since the day before "keeping ahead of the pain". I recommend you keep ahead of the pain. They call it "break through" pain and it does break through. Went away fast but I remember that 2nd afternoon and evening. I had a similar amount of pain after my 2 week checkup, after removing the splint and taking out the stitches and getting fitted for a boot and doctor had me flex my foot a little, she told me to keep flexing it just no weight. My foot had not moved much for first 2 weeks and then there was a lot of movement which activated the nerves and pain level 10 again that afternoon. I took tylenol and loosened up my boot velcro straps and level went down to 5 within minutes.
Doing everything surgeon says. Following her orders to the letter. Religiously kept "toes over nose" first 2 weeks, 23 hours a day. More mentally difficult than physically, surprised at the mental part of this recovery. It isn't super mental, but the length of recovery time wears on you.
Surgeon was happy w progress at week 2 after surgery so elevating my foot 98% of the time paid off. At week 4 still elevate foot whenever possible.
Fractured 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsals w 3mm displacement of 2nd plus a bad Lis Franc injury. Big separation between 1st and 2nd metatarsals. 12 screws and 3 plates total. 11 screws in the top of my foot thru 3 plates and one long screw sideways through the upper part of my arch holding 1st and 2nd metatarsals together. Its a lot of hardware.
First 2 weeks in splint, which is half cast and half wraps (because of swelling could not put in solid cast). That came off at week 2 and stitches removed same time. Then 4 more weeks NWB in a tall boot + tubigrip compression sock. Today is day 30 post surgery, still NWB. Pain level usually a dull ache 3 or 4 which is tolerable for me, sometimes slightly higher. 100 % off pain meds, not even Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Am taking Vitamin D and Calcium pills + eating lots of protein and 3 meals a day. Sometimes shooting pain in different spots usually lasts a minute. Toes still tingly, top of foot very tender to touch, feels like 100 pins when gently touch top of foot near and between incisions. Toes less swollen that last week, still swollen, foot skin tight, very slightly swollen. Can't bend toes very well, but I can bend them, so that is good. Overall, I'm lucky or maybe because I've been elevating and doing everything surgeon says to do, my pain level is very low compared to what I a have read from the others in this blog.
Worried about my 6 week checkup. Don't know what is in store. Hoping I can put some weight on it after week 6. Maybe with a different walking boot?
One day at a time.
Hey, it's 11pm in here in Sydney Australia and I'm three weeks post op. I walked on my misdiagnosed, injured foot for nearly four months before finally getting the correct Lisfranc diagnosis. I'm so pleased I found your blog, I'm struggling today to keep my head level, this is psychologically the toughest thing I've ever done. I have two little boys aged 2.5 and 5 years. I miss being with them and feel guilt for my husband who cant catch a break. And I'm hating being reliant on everyone for every little thing. I think your blog is going to be my sanity. Still another 7 weeks to go of NWB then my hardware comes out and the surgeon is praying that it works and that I don't then need a bone fusion...I can't even think about that without tears streaming down my sad sorry face. Give me strength.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know how helpful I found your blog, I got my lizfrancs injury after returning from Hawaii ( yes, it happened after we got home and yes we brought home a lava rock, supposedly it is bad luck, think Greg Brady and the tiki statue) it took them over two months to diagnose it, & I was sent to another doctor in the same group who specialized in feet. I am about 3 weeks in and nights are very hard in the cast and I too get the shooting pains at all different time. Thanks again for speaking out so I didn't think I was crazy for still having pain
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