I went for my Post Op
I went for my Post Op appointment Friday and all is doing well. It's Saturday evening and my surgery was this past Tuesday and I'm still staying off of my foot except to go to the bathroom and get a bite to eat from the kitchen. My family is helping a lot by bringing me food/snacks/drinks. I just hate having anyone wait on me, but, I get yelled at if they catch me up walking around! LOL!! My foot is not painful at all when I'm sitting and have it elevated, when I walk I wear a boot and can only put weight on my heel and move VERY slowly. NO CRUTCHES...per MD orders. After ambulating a little bit my foot gets a heart beat in it and starts feeling really tight, but is better as soon as I sit back down and elevate it.
My surgery- IV sedation, IV antibiotics immediately prior to surgery and went home with 7 days supply of Keflex 500mg, 4x daily. The doctor went in through the top of my foot and removed the Neuroma and the entire nerve up my foot. He states this lessens the likelihood of a stump neuroma coming in. The doctor sutured the inside of the incision inside my foot, but the skin is not sutured, he used butterfly sutures, placed 4x4s on top and between the 3rd/4th toe, then wrapped my foot with a compression bandage to assist with reducing swelling. Sent home with a Ice Boot to use once every 2 hours for 20 minutes. I stayed off my foot for 3 days except bathroom. I woke up during surgery and watched them as they finished up. I saw the neuroma after they removed it! It looked to be about 3 inches long and as big around as my finger, with a larger swelling at one end of it. Now, mind you my mind was a bit fuzzy but that's what I recall. The doctor commented on my post op visit that he was surprised I woke up and actually watched the surgery. He also advised that my neuroma was quite large.
Below I answered your questions the best as I could for now. I will update more as time goes by. I'm off work for 2 weeks, then back on light duty for 2 more weeks.
How much of the nerve did the doctor remove?; The entire nerve for that area with the neuroma.
Did he take more than just the neuroma?; Yes, the entire nerve as far up as he could go in that metatarsal space.
Did he move the nerve, so if it should grow back, it doesn't become compressed once again creating the same problem all over again?; No need to move it, it's GONE!
How large is your scar?; About 2 inch incision, looks good already!
Is the scar horizontal or vertical? (BTW, use Mederma after it's completely closed--it really does work); Incision on top of foot straight up from between the 3rd/4th toes. From toes towards ankle. About 2 inches if that.
How long until the swelling went down?; Swellings not bad as long as I keep it elevated. It's only been 4 days so far.
How long until you were able to put weight on it?; Weigth only on the heel so far. The ball of my foot is a BIG NO-NO! Painful there!
Are you in a boot (to avoid getting Plantar Fasciitis)?; Yep, fancy black velcro boot....
Are you wearing crutches?; (I have to contemplate having both feet at the same time, so that's why I ask about the boot and the crutches.) No crutches, as a matter of fact a nurse I work with had this same surgery done on both of her feet at the same time and also had no crutches. Just wear the boots and stay off the ball of the foot.
How many off days did you have before you were able to walk again?; Walked same day, immediately after surgery.
How many off days did you have before you were able to run again?; Probably I'm guessing about a month at least and then start back gradually.
What does it feel like post-op 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, etc.?;
5 days post op - still sore but doing better. Minimal swelling, wearing boot and keeping it elevated. Walking as little as possible to give it the chance to heal properly.
Weeks or months or years later, do you feel it growing back (Stump Neuroma)?; Don't know yet. Doubtful though!
Were you able to get back into shoes?; In 2 weeks from surgery.
If so, were there any types of shoes that bothered you? (not that I plan to every put my feet back in traditional foot coffins again);
Once you have a good feel for the success level of this surgery would you do it again? Most likely would, but will let you know at a later update. Today is only day 5 so far post op.
) Any advise from anyone??? I would REALLY appreciate it. I'm sitting home with my foot elevated for the next 2 weeks while I recuperate from surgery. According to the doctor, my neuroma was large. I just hope to be back to running soon. I haven't ran in 3 months or better because of my foot pain from it and know I need to start out slow. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advise!
