Sural Nerve Damage And Numbness With Achilles Tendon Surgery
May 16, 2015
Ten months ago, I had Achilles' tendon lengthening along with foot fusion surgery. Afterwards, 2/3rds of my foot on the outside edge and bottom of my foot has been numb. I kept mentioning it to my doctor, and he would say that it may take up to two years to fully recover from numbness. He even blamed the numbness on the popliteal nerve block that I had for seven days, but the anesthesiologist said that wasn't possible as the numbness started about two inches above my ankle and goes down into my foot.
Finally, I had a nerve conduction study (from my own insistence) that now confirms the injury/permanent damage to the Sural nerve. My surgeon must have nicked the Sural nerve when he did the percutaneous Achilles' tendon lengthening. It causes numbness that radiates down through my 5th metatarsal or little toe. But, 2/3rds of the bottom of my foot is also numb. Could this be from the Sural nerve or may there be other reasons for this numbness? What types of complications might occur with Sural nerve damage? How often does this occur with this type of surgery? This numbness is making it very difficult to walk. I can only walk very short distances at ten months, which is exceedingly frustrating. I am interested in hearing about others' experiences related to numbness and Sural nerve damage.
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I had my Achilles' tendon surgery two weeks ago last night I fell twice and now I am having numbness and tingling in my foot except when I get a sharp shooting pain. Do I need to call Doctor? I am still in cast
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I am seven weeks post surgery for an Achilles' tendon rupture and still have intense pain from the blood pooling when I stand for even a minute to brush my teeth. After one minute I immediately have to lie down and elevate my leg otherwise it feels like it will explode. Has anyone else felt this 7 weeks post surgery?
I also can only bear minimum weight on the leg at this stage. At seven weeks does that sound normal? I had my tear at the connection to the heel and had haglund's deformity where part of my heel broke off. Anyone else have that and is minimal weight bearing at seven weeks normal for this type of tear.
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Ruptured my AT two weeks ago playing squash. All the usual symptoms although not as painful as my previous calf tear - although now I'm starting to realise it's much more serious. And not a quick return to sport.
I'm in for surgery tomorrow morning and having read loads over the last fortnight, still not sure what the immediate post op advice is. It seems everyone has a slightly different experience.
I'm a self employed graphic designer and eager to know when I can sit at a desk again and do some work to keep the wheels turning.
Should I be lying down with foot elevated above heart for first few days or much longer?
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Background: completely ruptured my achilles tendon about a week and a half ago and just diagnosed last fri. Had surgery last night and now have an air boot.
Told to stay non- weight bearing for 2 weeks, then stitches to come out, then 4 weeks with instep thing to be lowered slighted each week, followed by 4 weeks with flat foot still in the boot. So total of 10 weeks in the boot.
Firstly, anyone else going through a similar treatment?
Secondly, how on earth do you sleep in this boot? Have it high on a couple of pillows and am on meds, but still v painful. I know it's only day 1, but any advice for sleeping?
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I injured this tendon at work. So this is a work comp case. Looking for discussion with others that have been through this.
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While playing Cricket i ruptured my right foot achilles tendon,i had x-ray and ultrasound, doc advised me its not into two pieces but broken more than 50%. They gave me two options Surgery or Plaster.I opted for plaster.
So what you guys think how much time will it take to heel and would i be able to play Cricket in next 2 months?
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Had surgery ten days ago for complete rupture, in a half cast at moment and go to hospital to get stitches out on Monday and new cast. Very worried about the recovery after reading up on rehabilitation.
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I'm still only 5 weeks post jury. But really dislike the sensation from injury. My foot isn't floppy but I definitely don't feel like I have full control over it. Its an odd feeling - hard to explain. Course i'm worried it's not healing as nobody ever seems to check that. Will I regain the control?
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Very nervous about this surgery. I guess it's the not knowing. I am due to have surgery on Nov. 5. The doc said I could be off work between 2 weeks and 4 months. He doesn't know whether I will have a cast or back in the boot I've been wearing since the end of August. He also said he won't know how much if any weight bearing I will have after surgery. The amount of damage is unknown and no real reason to due MRI since the injured area is visible.
I do know I have no support at home as hubby will be at work and kids at school. Please advise
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Tore my right achilles nearly 3 weeks ago now. Had the operation about 10 days after rupture. I am in my late twenties and it came as a bit of a shock if im honest. I go to the gym regularly and exercise with weights frequently.
Anyway, had the op and im in no pain and have no swelling. I was expecting a lot of pain but nothing. The most discomfort i have is when i have to get up to use my crutches, as after about 15 mins being stood up i can feel the calf start to swell a bit. I am told i am in this cast for another week and then they will change the angle of my foot for another cast. Looking forward to getting back to driving and the gym.
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I am probably worrying about nothing, but I had surgery on 11 July and since i had my stitches out and cast changed on Tuesday (22 July) my heel has been quite sore. I am PWB and the cast moves slightly when I walk... Could the pain be caused by the cast rubbing on my heel? During the surgery I had metal shards removed from the tendon (caused by calcaneal osteotomy screw disintegrating), treatment for tendinitis and the tendon was re-anchored. I also had a lateral ligament repair, but the site of that is not so sore. I'm not sure whether to call my doctor... I don't want to bother her if this is just healing pain and is normal.
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I had foot surgery 8 weeks ago - quite a major reconstruction that took a few hours.
when the plaster was removed at 6 weeks I was told that I had nerve damage causing partial foot drop and a lot of numbness and pain. I have just had nerve conduction studies and have started on Gabapentin and physio..
They said either the tourniquet or nerve block has caused it. I can't believe that this can happen, surely they know about these nerves and how to prevent problems.
Has anyone else experienced this and what has the recovery been like. I'm just wondering what my life is going to be like from now on.
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6 weeks ago I had foot surgery (modified brostrom procedure to tighten up ligaments near ankle, and a procedure to correct a calcaneonavicular coalition). I have on incision along my ankle, and another incision on my foot. My cast came off 3 weeks after surgery. 5 weeks after surgery, when I was changing my dressing, I saw some some black stitches from the ankle incision on my gauze pad. I called the doctor's office, and the medical assistant said that that was normal. After that, I noticed drainage for a few days when I changed the dressing. I called doctor's office back, because my foot was feeling hot and I was having a burning pain. They put me on an antibiotic (keflex). And I was told to stop walking and go back to non weight bearing. They told me not to clean the incision. I have only been on antibiotic for 3 days, and it is a 10 day course. In the evenings, especially when I am in bed, I wake up because there is so much pain in my foot, it feels like a deep stabbing pain that is sharp, and sometimes burning. Is this normal of a skin infection from an incision? Could it be a bone infection? Or nerve damage? How patient should I be with this doctor and doctor's office?
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I am one week post op after having achilles debridement & FHL tendon transfer. It all started following having my haglund's deformity removed last November, the pain in my ankle never got better following the original surgery infact it got worse. 4 months down the line I was still only able to mobilise for no more than 2 hours.
Following physio (which made things worse) & MRI scan my surgeon still thought it was a nerve problem. I had a constant battle with the surgeons for 6 months before they would do anything. I kept telling them it was my achilles!
Anyhow, last week they operated again & said my achilles was like "mush", they then debrided it & grafted the FHL tendon & muscle. Im now in a backslab, non weight bearing & still in a considerable amount of pain. I have been told that it is going to be a long recovery!
Would be most interested in hearing how people are recovering, what your mobility is & was post op & anything else that may help. Including recovery times as my job requires me to be on my feet for a minimum of 8 hours at a time!
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My mother who is 86 years old but quite fit has suffered an achilles tendon rupture about 7 years ago which has just been diagnosed!! After many visits to doctors and specialists, a podiatrist has just confirmed this. This is incredible, so now after this time my mum struggles to walk. Would an operation be an option? If not, does someone know of any shoes or braces that may give her strength around her heel area to assist in her getting around with her walker?? She is very with it and is suffering not playing her 4 games of regular golf a week and doing much exercise.
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8 wks post op for heel spur / tendon repair, just learned I have an abscess on tendon, with ulcer of the heel post op. What will surgeon do to fix it.
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After a period of much indulgence at the end of 2015 I am pleased to say I can touch my toes. Having suffered a ruptured soleus on one foot followed by achilles tendonitis on the other, the biggest problem I faced was not being able to run; ironic considering this is how I caused the injuries. Now in the recovery period I have clocked up some distance walking, but have learnt some valuable lessons. Before doing any walking, stretch thoroughly the affected area. On days that you don't walk, stretch as if you were going to walk anyway. Finally, rest. Muscle-tendon units are essentially springs. They work better when they have warmed up, so bouncing or ballistic stretching is counterproductive. Whilst a common problem found during recovery is underestimating the amount of static stretching that is required before exercise, the long period of recovery also leads to side effects of under- and over-using other muscles leading to compensation problems. Stretching therefore needs to be comprehensive and include all muscles in the legs to ensure the recovery process is not a step backwards. Happy New Year to all.
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Would welcome any comments if you've had ATR. I ruptured my AT (partial tear) 20th sept whilst playing basketball. Did not receive surgery saw one consultant who said 8-9 weeks with 3cm heel lifts (plantar flexion) non weight bearing in airboot cast. Wasn't entirely happy with this so got second opinion from an ortho surgeon who's allegedly one of the best in the country. He changed protocol to the more contemporary thinking with physio and weight bearing from week 4 as tolerated. Week 8 boot came off he was happy with healing, have continued physio am week 10 now am due to return to work next week but since my physio session on Thursday, the area around the tear is in quite a bit of pain. Tender to touch some swelling. I'm really concerned I've re-ruptured or is this normal after physio.?
I'm in bad luck with AT, did complete rupture in other leg and had surgery 10 years ago, so needless to say I'm very down in the dumps.
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In 2001, I had surgery for a 90 percent rupture of the Achilles' tendon for the second time, recently I did something to it because it is extremely painful to walk and sore to the touch. Has anyone ever had this problem?? Do you think even with all the screws that I could have ruptured it again?? I haven't been to a doctor yet.
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I was 8 months post-op from an Achilles debridement. Had a huge set back. I got cellulitis pretty bad I formed an abscess. I am the 3rd person my podiatrist has ever see this happen to. My Achilles tendon died and detached it got very infected. I had to have emergency surgery to cut the Achilles tendon out and clean up the abscess. Due to the cellulitis my Dr was limited to what he could do. So I am going to have a 3rd surgery next month to have reconstructive surgery he will take the tendon from my big toe and rebuild me an Achilles. I will be non weight baring for 2 months. A year recovery. Three surgeries in less than a year this has set me back a year own my recovery.
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