2 days after lisfranc hardware removal surgery

 2 days after my lisfranc hardware removal surgery I was told to remove the dressing and ace bandage.  I wasn't sure what my foot would look like, and I was surprised it wasn't more swollen.

2 days after lisfranc hardware removal surgery

You can still see where my surgeon placed his initials and where I signed "yes!" indicating my right foot was the correct foot to be operating on.  My surgeon used the exact same incision for removing the hardware as he did for my original lisfranc surgery repair.

lisfranc hardware removal incision

After a shower I had to let my incision air dry and I needed to elevate and ice, something I know how to do!  My nurse told me the ice doesn't have to be over the incision, and that icing the ankle will help just as much.  That knowledge came in handy since the incision area is very tender!

I have been keeping the incision covered with a large band-aid which protects the area from germs.  I remove the bandage daily to make sure the area around my stitches is not turning red with infection.

Lisfranc hardware removal surgical site

I have been meticulous about staying off my foot as much as possible and have been icing and elevating most of the time.  This has been hard, psychologically, for me because it seems like I have gone backwards in my lisfranc journey.  But I know, that in a little more than a week, my surgeon will remove my stitches and I will be able to resume walking again, and this time, I hope it will be pain free !

22 weeks post lisfranc surgery

Before I ever heard of a lisfranc fracture I took my feet and my ability to walk for granted.

Normal feet before a lisfranc injury

I was diagnosed with a lisfranc fracture of my first two metatarsals  with ligature rupture and joint displacement and on May 10th, 2013, I had this titanium plate inserted into my foot.

Lisfranc fracture repair X-Ray

Lisfranc fracture repair X-Ray 

2 weeks after surgery, I had my cast removed.

2 weeks after lisfranc fracture surgery

Today, 22 weeks after my lisfranc surgery, my foot is almost healed!  I am approximately 75% - 80% of the way to the finish line!

During my 27th physical therapy appointment, my therapist was astounded at my progress just in this past week.  I was able to get through my exercises with little to no pain, even when he decided to make them harder and more challenging.  

22 weeks post lisfranc surgery

In the midst of my weekly foot massage and manipulation, I was mortified that my therapist noticed I was beginning to get callous' on my recovering foot. ( I had made sure I received a pedicure before my appointment, so that my feet would look acceptable. ) He laughed when he saw how horrified I was and quickly explained that callous' were a good thing and showed him I was healing. Callous' mean that I am walking more and that my skin is starting to toughen up just as it is supposed to.

I shared a story with my therapist about how I woke up during the night, thinking I had a spider crawling on my big toe, which is still partially numb.  After snapping on the light and assuring myself I was not in bed with a spider, I realized what I felt was the sheet on my big toe!  Finally, after 22 weeks, I can feel a sheet sliding on the top of my foot!!!!!!  

lisfranc surgery image 22 weeks post op, right hand side

During my appointment my therapist worked with me on activities I can start to do at the health club ON MY OWN!!!  

At home, I can now be on my treadmill for 10 minutes a day.  (Forward, backward and sideway walking.)  I have permission to increase the amount of time slightly each week, because I promised to listen to any type of foot discomfort.

lisfranc surgery image week 22 left side view

It helps that my therapist is encouraging, patient, kind and is also my biggest cheerleader.  I am absolutely thrilled with my ability to walk forwards, backwards, sideways and with my strength to balance on my toes.  

But there is sadness to this process too.  I will soon be saying "good-bye" to the man who gave me back my ability to walk again.  Countless times he calmed my fears and patiently explained to me, in detail, what was going on during my recovery. Picking the right lisfranc surgeon is crucial, but having the right physical therapist is indispensable! 

22 weeks post lisfranc surgery image

21 weeks post lisfranc surgery

After 21 weeks of lisfranc surgery recovery I can now easily stand on my tip toes AND keep my balance without hanging on to the counter.

21 weeks after lisfranc surgery

My physical therapist told me I was about 65% - 70% of the way to full recovery.  I resisted the urge to hug him when I heard this news.  

21 weeks post lisfranc surgery left side view

In physical therapy this week, my therapist tied both my legs together with a band and had me walking sideways.  This action put a lot of pressure on the inside of my recovering foot which is where most of my pain still resides.

I was pleased this new exercise didn't cause any additional pain, but rather gave me new confidence in being able to side step.

lisfranc surgery scar week 21

I can now walk not only forwards and backwards, I can walk sideways pain free.  This new ability came in handy when my husband and I went to a movie and had to crawl over people by side stepping  to our seats.

21 weeks post lisfranc surgery right side view

Having gained confidence in my ability to move in any direction, I am experimenting with leaving my cane in the car.

To remain pain free, I have to walk slowly but I can now maneuver out of the way if need be.  I am continually amazed at how fast everyone walks and wonder why everyone always seems to be in a hurry.  It is like I am moving in slow motion and everyone else in fast forward. 

If I try to speed up, pain takes over, so for now, I will be content to watch the blur of people darting past me.

21 weeks post lisfranc surgery

Fired from the boot!!!!!

                       That's right!  
                                  It is official!! 
              My physical therapist has asked me to 
                      retire my boot!!! 

Bejeweled lisfranc recovery boot

 For the last 2 weeks, we have slowly been weaning me off the boot (when away from my home) by using the boot only when I had to be on my feet for 20 minutes or more.  

Lisfranc recovery boot

I am now officially in the next stage of recovery from lisfranc surgery.........I am bootless and wearing sneakers full time!

Making your lisfranc recovery boot a work of art 

It is a little weird to think I might actually miss my beloved boot, not because I enjoyed wearing it, (NOT!) but because every time I looked at it, I saw the signatures of all the people who cared enough about me to take part in my lisfranc recovery journey. Each signature represents a person who shared some of their life moments with me and participated directly in my care.  

My lisfranc recovery boot is a reminder of people who care
 about me

I may even miss being stopped by strangers who commented on how pretty my boot was decorated with signatures of my family, friends and caregivers.......

Good-Bye Boot!