Post Op Appt w/Gross Pictures (10 days Post)

I'm not sure if excited is the right word, but I was glad to be going to the post-op appointment. The foot had been wrapped up in a mummy bandages with 10 lbs of cotton for tend days. Just getting it released from this bondage was something to look forward to. I was also wanting to hear more from the doctor about the actual surgery.

Mummy Ankle elevated in front of the TV

In some ways, things went good but in others, not so much. I met with a nurse instead of the doctor. She wasn't part of the surgical team for my work, so I didn't get any more details from the procedure. 

The bandage did come off, though, revealing two small incisions on the top of the foot that were used to look at the underlying ligaments. I don't know if he saw anything or did anything to these still, though. Also revealed was a the large incision on the outside of the ankle/foot complete with stitches. Frankenfoot for sure. 


Pretty Gross

It felt good to have them out in the open, but also I was pretty nervous about moving the foot in the wrong way or something. She took out the stitches from the top of the foot. The side stitches stayed in, except for some exposed dissolvable stitch ends (most of those stitches are internal). Then was the big question: cast or boot?

This was quite the decision. The wife felt much more comfortable with me getting a cast, feeling it was more protective. Additionally, I wouldn't be required to do any "maintenance" on the incision with the cast. With the boot, it is removable and redoing the dressing is required every two days. I do have to leave it on just like a cast, removing it only to work on the dressing and possibly trying to shower (very, very carefully). 

Here's the kick: I hate casts. Can't stand them. I get very claustrophobic for limb that is subjected to the casting. It makes me crazy. For me, it was an easy decision: despite the wife's objections, it was the boot. 

Back to the Boot

Oxycodone and Tizanidine were re-upped. She said the Tizanidine will help with pain, too. 

A follow up appointment was set for two weeks (ugh) later. At that point, the stitches should be removed and we'll begin a physical therapy regimen to move slowly toward weight bearing. We'll see how these next two weeks go. 

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