Orthopedic venting

[ktulu]

Woot! That is good news! Let me know if you need anything :)

[BRWombat]

Woot! That is good news! Let me know if you need anything :)

Thanks! Hey, if nothing else, I'll have some time at home to work on the Virtual WDW!

[DisneyMom]

Wombat, we'll be wishing for a safe surgery and speedy recovery!
Don't harrass the Nurses too much, we have a multitude of ways to take revenge (Like icy-cold bedpans!:eek :)
If you can't walk, can you use an ECV? (maybe you CAN come to DLR with Ktulu in October) ;)

[Whazzup]

Wow - sounds like pretty extensive surgery - hope they make you good as new with no complications. How can they fix the tendon? Just wondering about that kind of surgery. Will you be bionic? Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound? Able to bounce like a wombat?

Good luck on your surgery. We want to hear from you as soon as the anesthesia wears off so we'll know you're okay. ;)

[BRWombat]

Wow - sounds like pretty extensive surgery - hope they make you good as new with no complications. How can they fix the tendon? Just wondering about that kind of surgery. Will you be bionic? Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound? Able to bounce like a wombat?

Good luck on your surgery. We want to hear from you as soon as the anesthesia wears off so we'll know you're okay. ;)

I'm hiding it in a "spoiler" box for the medically squeamish, but if you want the semi-gory details, just highlight the following.

[spoiler]Redoing the tendon is actually the minor part of the surgery. They don't actually repair the existing tendon, because they've found (fortunately on other people) that that particular tendon does not heal properly and is easily re-injured because of the load it bears. Instead they replace it with another tendon in the foot that doesn't otherwise do much. (Kind of like the extra button that comes with some clothes -- it's like God put in spare parts!)

The more gruesome thing -- and the more major part of the surgery -- is that they will be actually breaking my lower leg bones and resetting my ankle to correct a defect that's likely been there since birth or early age. The thought of it makes me squeamish, but hey, at least I'll be asleep for it.

Finally, for good measure, they'll be fusing a couple of bones in my ankle to limit how much my foot can roll inward and outward. Once it heals, though, the remainder of my foot motion should be unaffected.[/spoiler]
So, that's the fun I have to look forward to. I'll have to keep off of my right foot for three months, and after that -- since it will have been altered -- I'll more or less be relearning how to walk on it. I'm told it may be six months after surgery before I feel normal again (or as close to normal as I ever get!). In the end some of my range of motion will be affected (the doc tells me my Olympic aspirations are probably over, dang it!), but it will be much improved over how it is now.

The healing part of it really doesn't worry me as much as getting myself around while I heal. I'm already practicing getting up and down from the bed, couch, etc. without putting any weight on my right foot. It's not that easy, particularly considering my bulk. But I'll get through it.

As for posting here, I'm sure I will as soon as I can, but as you can tell the issue will be more one of my getting to the computer, not just out from under the anesthesia! Maybe I'll get one of my boys to post on my behalf.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I'm hiding it in a "spoiler" box for the medically squeamish, but if you want the semi-gory details, just highlight the following.
(redacted)
As for posting here, I'm sure I will as soon as I can, but as you can tell the issue will be more one of my getting to the computer, not just out from under the anesthesia! Maybe I'll get one of my boys to post on my behalf.

Hmmm, you know you COULD put up a web cam and we could watch!!!

hehehehehe

RUM??

[mechurchlady]

As a member of this board you know you will never be NORMAL as abnormal is the norm.

Hoyer lifts can help as well as grab bars, medical beds, and a tow truck. Check out what is available and you will find many home aides that are very helpful. Just remember the wife will be watching to make sure you do not bring home a home aide named Betty, lol, wink wink.

[Princess Susi]

I'm hiding it in a "spoiler" box for the medically squeamish, but if you want the semi-gory details, just highlight the following.

[spoiler]Redoing the tendon is actually the minor part of the surgery. They don't actually repair the existing tendon, because they've found (fortunately on other people) that that particular tendon does not heal properly and is easily re-injured because of the load it bears. Instead they replace it with another tendon in the foot that doesn't otherwise do much. (Kind of like the extra button that comes with some clothes -- it's like God put in spare parts!)

The more gruesome thing -- and the more major part of the surgery -- is that they will be actually breaking my lower leg bones and resetting my ankle to correct a defect that's likely been there since birth or early age. The thought of it makes me squeamish, but hey, at least I'll be asleep for it.

Finally, for good measure, they'll be fusing a couple of bones in my ankle to limit how much my foot can roll inward and outward. Once it heals, though, the remainder of my foot motion should be unaffected.[/spoiler]
So, that's the fun I have to look forward to. I'll have to keep off of my right foot for three months, and after that -- since it will have been altered -- I'll more or less be relearning how to walk on it. I'm told it may be six months after surgery before I feel normal again (or as close to normal as I ever get!). In the end some of my range of motion will be affected (the doc tells me my Olympic aspirations are probably over, dang it!), but it will be much improved over how it is now.

The healing part of it really doesn't worry me as much as getting myself around while I heal. I'm already practicing getting up and down from the bed, couch, etc. without putting any weight on my right foot. It's not that easy, particularly considering my bulk. But I'll get through it.

As for posting here, I'm sure I will as soon as I can, but as you can tell the issue will be more one of my getting to the computer, not just out from under the anesthesia! Maybe I'll get one of my boys to post on my behalf.

You should talk to Ralphie. He has had at least 16 surgeries on one foot. They had to rebuild his foot. He can tell you what to expect. If you want to call him and ask about anything, PM me and I'll give you his cell number to talk to about foot surgery as one who has been there...may times!

You will do just fine and recover well. Any surgery can be difficult, but you are strong and you will do great. We will be thinking of you and saying our prayers for your speedy recovery and for God to guide your surgeon's hands.

Susi

[DisneyMom]

Don't forget to ask for some EFFECTIVE pain meds! :D:

( 15 yr old Kid comes into clinic today, requests pain meds for something he broke, Dr. Says, Do you want a shot? Kid says no, can he have pills instead, so I bring the pills. Kid's eyes pop wide open, he says, Oh, ARE THOSE THE KIND OF PILLS YOU HAVE TO SWALLOW? I'm trying hard not to laugh, then I realize that the kids have all those meltaway medications nowadays:rolleyes :)

[Zazu]

Okay, got my MRI results and the good news is... well, not really there. The bad news is that my tendon is basically shredded and surgery is necessary, sooner rather than later.

My surgery is scheduled for Monday September 22. They will be not just shoring up the tendon, but completely reconstructing my ankle. Then I'm in a cast for two weeks and completely off my foot for three months. Such fun awaits! :crutch:

Ah, so you *can* be heeled!

A couple of years back I ripped my right Achilles tendon in two battling a six-foot wall of flames with my bare hands (at least, that's the version my supervisor was told even before the Alpha Unit arrived). It did take nearly a year for a full recover, but I'm all better now (at least, from the knee down).

Hey, I have a restricted motion boot, right foot, size large, with all accessory pads, only been used once by an old conductor who no longer needs it. If you don't get free accessories with your surgery, PM me your mailing address and I'll ship you the boot.

Yes, you read me right. I'm threatening to give Wombat the boot!