Foot / Ankle :: Nausea, Constipation After PTTD - Failed Nerve Block And Pain
Feb 23, 2016
I'm a 38 year old with ankle and foot problems all my life. I was born with flat feet and I was always spraining my ankles. I acquired PTTD/Flat Foot on my left about a year ago and finally was diagnosed by an orthopedic foot and ankle expert. He recommended surgery and after a second opinion I decided I might as well get this taken care of so that I can go back to a normal life of walking through the streets of Europe.
I had my surgery about 2.5 weeks ago and I wanted to lend advice to those about to take on this crazy surgery. Firstly, the morning of surgery when the anesthesiologist was performing the nerve block it hurt like hell and made me even more panicked about the surgery. The relaxing medication they gave me did nothing to settle my nerves. I woke up from surgery a few hours later and I could feel all sorts of shocking pains coming from my foot. I asked if I should be feeling all the pain and they said that the nerve block failed. The anesthesiologist was busy for another hour and so I writhed in pain (crying hysterically) for the hour and vomited multiple times due to the extra anesthetic they gave me due to the failed nerve block.
Once the new anesthesiologist came she figured out that my nerve split into two and the other guy had not seen this split. After she was finished it was completely numb and I was worn out. I was sent home. Over the next day I vomited profusely, found out that I cannot breath when I take Oxycontin, I lost balance and fell on my foot and I was taking anything I could get my hands on for constipation. I finally found the foul tasting milk of magnesia and I can now go to the bathroom every few days.
My pain was managed by a morphine twice a day while in the splint, but now that I am in the cast my heel is killing me especially at night and the dr gave me hydrocodone which didn't touch the pain last night. Is it normal to have more pain at this point?
When will I be fairly pain free and when will I be able to leave the house? I live in Santa Barbara and i have an ocean view so I should not be complaining but i am feeling pretty horrid and ready to get out. When I think about leaving I worry about falling again and having my throbbing leg down.
Am I alone in all of this? Many experiences I have been reading say that after 5 days everything was hunky dory.
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I will be having PTT surgery(calcaneal osteotomy, lateral lengthening, gastroc recession, tendon transfer) next week and am wondering about your experience with the nerve blocks, in my case a popliteal nerve block. The research from my OS's office shows 13% have residual nerve pain following the block. Most of the posts here show that patients are very happy they had a nerve block for their surgery. Has anyone had residual pain from one?
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Okay, here again, asking if anyone who has had heel pain after pttd surgery has had any solutions to heel pain problems. Prior to surgery and the osteotomy, I never had the least issue with my feel. Now it feels like there is a rock under my heel in the middle, and I walk on the outside edge of my foot, with my toes scrunched tightly to the ground. Very unnatural. And the surgeon who did my procedure can't think of any reason why I am having this issue, and recommended that I go for a second opinion with someone else. Sooo...... For those of you who might have had this issue, any solutions? Did it go away by itself in time?
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I had double bunion surgery 7 months ago. With my right foot the pain is making it vert hard for me to get my foot flat onto the ground. I have had xrays and a scan and that show everything seems to have healed ok however due to the pain I am walking on sides of my feet this is causing other issues with alignment etc... So I am off to have a nerve block put into my back to help with this and hopefully get me walking. Sometimes talking to the surgeon is difficult as he does not really know what is going on. Has anyone had a nerve block put into their back for the same sort of reason and if so how was it done and did it help?
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I had ankle surgery to repair my medial malleolus back on May 8. It was fairly routine--just 2 screws. I was in a cast for a week, then was put into a boot but told to treat it like a cast--NO weight bearing for 7 weeks, keep the boot on 24/7 unless in the bathtub. I followed directions religiously.
I did notice that when I pressed on certain areas of the foot, I would feel a sharp pain. This occurred in the heel (from the bottom), toes (again, from the bottom, primarily the foot pad below the pinky, second, and 4th toes). When I asked the doctor about this, he said (around week 5) that it was just because I hadn't been using the foot.
The problem persisted, and this week, week 7, I was cleared to start partial weight-bearing--walking in the boot while taking approximately 1/2 the weight off my foot via the crutches. I don't have ankle pain to speak of (or at least, not often and only if I overdo it), but I have terrible shooting pains in my heel and toes as I step. It's OK if I take most of the weight on the crutches, but as soon as I go to more than just a little weight on the boot, the pain starts.
This week I also started PT and the therapist told me this is nerve pain--not uncommon after surgery (don't know why the doctor couldn't have told me this, but OK). I couldn't get much of an idea from her how long this will persist or if there is anything I can do about it.
I'm doing my ankle and leg exercises (those are mostly non-weightbearing at this point) and they are going great. The ankle is clearly healing well. But I don't see how I can progress to full weight bearing (supposed to try that next week!) when much more than a little pressure on the foot results in this nerve pain!
Help! Does anyone have experience with this? Is there anything I can do to speed things along? I need to return to my second job (barefoot hoof trimming for horses--how I broke the ankle!) ASAP and I'm fearful this will slow my progress to a crawl! The doctor is useless.
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It has been quite a while since I have been on here. I had surgery on Mar 14 to repair a tendon and release the nerve that runs on the top of my foot. I have had severe nerve pain since the surgery. I could only get so far in rehab - because of the severe nerve pain. I had a cortisone shot about five weeks ago - it was somewhat helpful. I can finally let a sheet rest on the top of my foot.
However, it is my right foot. It is extremely painful to drive - and basically impossible for me to be able to drive more than 25 miles without pulling over to alleviate the pain from the nerve. I still cannot wear anything more than sandals as I cannot let anything touch the top of my foot. Now mind you, it has improved some. It used to be the entire top of my foot. Now it is mainly the toes and about 3 inches up from my toes - it is so severe it has put me in tears more than once. I have been living with some friends of mine - about 25 miles from where I work. The problem is that I own a house about 52 miles from work - one way. There is no way I can drive that far - and don't think that will get better anytime soon.
I see my surgeon again on 8/16/13. I am willing to try another cortisone shot - but someone else has strongly recommended I cut the nerve to alleviate the pain. If he cuts the nerve - I will not have any feeling on the top of my foot for the rest of my life. I have asked him if I would be able to drive, etc....and he commented that cutting the nerve might actually make driving/pain worse?
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I went for all the fun preop tests today in preparation for my second reconstruction happening in two weeks. I'm starting to go a little crazy realizing everything I still need to do before the surgery. ..finish prepping my house, rent the knee walker, finish Christmas shopping! Yikes! In some ways it's easier having an idea what to expect the second time around, but in other ways knowing what the next few months will be like makes it harder.
Those of you who have had the joy of having to have pttd surgery on both feet, how did foot number one hold up to crutches, etc? Any suggestions for a successful second recovery?
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Disclaimer: If I ramble on and make absolutely no sense,
I blame my incoherence on the pain meds
Anyway, my second PTTD reconstruction is done! I had the exact same procedures on my left foot as I did on the right...FDL transfer, medializing calcaneal osteotomy, Evans calcaneal osteotomy, bone marrow aspiration, and Strayer procedure. The surgeon told my family that over two inches of the PTT was severely degenerated/beyond repair. Prognosis is a full recovery over the next 1 1/2 to 2 years.
Unfortunately, my nerve block didn't work as well this time; so, I woke up in pretty severe pain. The nurses were great and had the pain to a manageable point within a half hour. By the time I was discharged, I was able to take my first dose of oral pain meds...I was pretty comfortable on the ride home.
At this point, I am taking one oxycodone every 4 hours (down from 3 the first day) and think I will be able to start putting more space between doses tomorrow. The pain is not too bad as long as I stay "toes above nose."
Knowing what to expect in the days following surgery has definitely made these first few days smoother/less scary. Each day is one day closer to being active again!
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I have been dealing with pain in my feet for several years which has gotten progressively worse. The past 6 months or so have been so bad that 3 months ago my doctor prescribed Gabapentin which helped significantly for a brief few weeks, but I am at the highest levels now and there is a new pain in my right ankle that will just not go away. I am weaning off of the Gabapentin so that I can try Lyrica. I am being scheduled for a nerve conduction test to try and determine what is wrong exactly. I am not diabetic. I believe it is from too many years of standing/walking on concrete (I'm a caterer/chef) without proper foot support. My doctor seems to support this opinion, she does not seem to have any answers. Just had blood work done, I am in excellent health otherwise! Am so worried that I'll be unable to continue working. Pain is relentless. Cannot live on pain pills, just do not want to go down that road! Anyone out there have experience with this sort of problem? How about Lyrica?
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I am now about 11 weeks post op ... in a CAM boot and using a walker and sometimes a cane at home or where ground is flat and smooth.
I have just started to go to outpatient PT and my dr. suggested I use an ankle brace in a shoe for extra support ... while I build up my muscle and make the transition out of the CAM walker into the shoe .
What type of Ankle brace has anyone out there used? There is a Malleoloc Brace my PT therapist likes; and I have an Air Cast PTTD one with an air bladder under the arch . I have custom arch supports from before surgery that are still ok to use also.What type of shoes are best? My Surgeon seems to prefer a shoe that laces up and is not too flexible. I have a pair of Ziera lace up shoes I wear with my arch supports...
I am weight bearing and with very little pain...more stiff and slightly achy at times.
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I recently had surgery on my ankle for a fractured fibula and torn ligament. Prior to surgery, my surgeon told me that he would have another doctor (pain doctor) administer a nerve block once I was under general anesthesia. The pain doctor met with me prior to the operation and advised that the nerve block would last anywhere from 15-24 hours. Unfortunately, the nerve block did not work correctly at all and I was in immense pain for a few hours post-op until I was given strong pain meds. I questioned my surgeon (because the pain doctor left after administering the nerve block) who said the nerve block must have worn off by the time the surgery ended (a couple hours tops), but from what I've researched it's not possible. Plus, I began to notice that the middle of my thigh was completely numb in the middle of the night. This numbness lasted approximately 24 hours.
My question is: Where should the pain doctor have administered the nerve block. I woke up with a bandaid in the area of my groin and was told this is where the nerve block was given (under ultrasound). However, I've read that for an ankle procedure, the block should have been given just above the knee to be effective. Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject?
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My sister had Knee Surgery on her femur that came un-attached to the knee, she had surgery and they gave her a nerve block and now two days later she can't feel her ankle. It is numb and she can't move it, she can move her toes just not ankle. What do you think, she is in Rehab at hospital right now and they are giving her Physical Therapy but they are worried that she might not get any feeling back. They are going to do a CT SCAN with dye tomorrow. Will continue story but right now has anyone had this problem?
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Can a nerve root block eliminate musculoskeletal pain?
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I am 7 1/2 weeks post of from Flat Foot Surgery and the outside area of foot from where my incision ends from the double calcaneal osteotomy up to my little toe the soft tissue is halfway numb and very painful. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how long did it last.
I am not sure how long it takes the soft tissue to heal to a point where it does not hurt when you are not walking. Or is what I am feeling nerve pain. I started PT this week and am PWB. My doctor thinks I will be in a shoe in 3 weeks and I don't know at this rate how that could be possible. I am icing a majority of the day for sure after I do my PT exercises.
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I am 10 months post op spinal fusion and hardware revision from a "failed fusion and broken hardware". My fusion and hardware extend from T10-L5. Immediately after surgery i had numbness and tingling in my right thigh and right side of my lower back. Over the past couple months the numbness and tingling has spread completely across my entire mid/lower back. I have constant pain down the back of my left thigh down to my ankle.
Sometimes it gets pretty severe to the point where it is hard to walk and all i can do is cry and try and massage my leg. Also things have gotten to the point where it feels like there is something crawling on my back and its so numb so I cant relieve the itch by scratching because I cant feel it. It is really starting to drive me crazy at times!
Also, I felt that I started to slowly get better. Better movement, more activities, etc.
And I now feel I am going backwards. Is it possible to regress? I am starting to feel very discouraged and all my pain management dr does is keep increasing my meds for nerve pain. How do I get him to listen to me or find the cause of the nerve damage?
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I am currently 8 weeks post op from a very extensive flat foot reconstructive surgery . I was excited to start partial weight bearing this week starting w 25 percent in a boot.
My problem is I have sharp pains coming from the bottom of my heel which I am thinking may be from the screws from the calcaneal osteotomy. This is making it very difficult to put any pressure on my foot when weight bearing ?
Has anyone experienced this ? Did it go away on its own? Was there anything that helped this . I am afraid I will not be able to proceed the wt bearing with this continued heel pain.
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I am 7 and a half weeks post op after a Lapidus & an Akin procedure. I was in cast until last week and have managed a tennis type shoe and a sandal on so far.
The swelling has been bad as expected with full weight bearing, but the real pain is in the ball of my foot and my big toe does not lie flat, but rather sits elevated. I think the ball of the foot under the big toe is swollen so that may be the cause? I can only walk for a few minutes properly before the pain becomes too much and I am limping and walking on the outside of my operated foot. I can usually cope with pain so know this must be fairly severe.
I am doing my toe bending exercises and think that already the range of motion is not too bad.
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It is my right foot only. Heel pain, and basically all of my foot. I wear inserts plus an extra heel cushion. I been to the foot doctor and gave me a antibiotic and he recommended icing and heating and stretching bottom of foot. Any other suggestions?
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I had PTTD reconstructive surgery on Feb. 24th. I am still NWB and in the hard cast.
I have been good about icing and elevating, and now the swelling is rarely an issue. However, now that the cast is much looser, I am very aware of the feeling that my foot is turning inwards... as in...It feels like i'm "standing" on the outside of my foot. If I prop the foot up so that the bottom of my foot is all fully touching the bottom of the cast, I have significant pain along that outside area from what feels like right under my ankle to just below the ball of my foot. Is there any chance that I am healing "crookedly" due to the cast being loose? Although I can't put weight on it, just straightening my leg completely will cause that "rolling out" and pain.
On an unrelated note:
Is there anything that I can do for nerve pain at this point in my recovery? I am no longer taking the "heavy" pain medication. I am just taking Advil and Tylenol. I am finding, however, that these do nothing for the nerve pain. Is there anything that I can do besides going back to narcotics? I'm wary of taking them for too long, but the real issue is that I would rather be clear-headed.
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I have had diabetes for several years now. I have nerve pain in my feet that is usually not too bad and comes and goes. Lately, my left ankle feels like there is a hair being dragged across causing a tickling feeling. Tonight, my right ankle has this sharp stabbing pain in it that has almost caused me to fall while walking. I have medicine for the nerve pain but don't like the side effects so I quit taking it. Could the stuff going on with my ankles be due to diabetes?
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I had DeNovo surgery on my ankle 4 months ago - lesion was 11 x 13. Surgery went well. I was NWB for 6 weeks, then in boot for 4-6 more weeks with PWB. Started PT at 10 weeks and was out of boot at 12 weeks. No problem with recovery or PT until that point. After I was fully weight bearing I had much more pain. On sides and bottom of foot as well as at surgery site. Still have lots of pain and sensitivity if I walk barefoot. PT was successful as far as ROM and strengthening but he doesn't want to push me any further because of pain.
OS says too early to say it did or didn't work, but I think it didn't and he won't do MRI until 6 months. He'll give me pain meds, but I don't like them and don't react well to them. The foot pain is bad! Could it be nerve pain?
I knew this was a long recovery, but I wasn't prepared for this! I ran for 30 years, which could have contributed to this problem, but now I'm wondering if I will ever walk pain-free again?!
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