Recovery after foot surgery

I’ve recently had skin graft on tie. Told me I’d be fine after 3 weeks. I’m 8 weeks in and struggling to walk on it. Surgeon said skin graft taken but it goes red and bluish when it’s not elevated. Because the grafts taken they’ve washed their hands of me. Had to ask for physio twice and now that’s been rejected. Said I need a podiatrist. They said they don’t know what they can do. There’s some damage somewhere but I’m being left to it. I can’t go back to work or do anything for long. It’s so frustrating

Thinking it might be an idea to get one of those "machine thingies" (technical term....) whereby one sits down and does pushbike type exercising on the two integal "peddles" in order to keep up strength in leg muscles for some of the people that have posted on this thread?

I've just had one through in the post - as I realised my legs have obviously got weaker and I'm walking at what I call "old persons pace" rather than my own pace. It's been harder for me to walk as I decide to with chest problems I'm currently dealing with (?acid reflux?) and so my legs are clearly not as fit as they were. Thought - that shouldn't be too much of a hassle as I can use it whilst watching tv or a video on YouTube. It's so easy to get generally less fit than one was - especially if you've moved from an area where you just "go for a walk" if you decide to to one where you look at the weather first and often change your mind and don't.

I've come to the conclusion that it's so easy to "let things slide" healthwise as one gets older - by the time some things do seem to take longer to heal and there's probably more health problems to get rid of in the first place. Very easy to let months go by waiting for one health problem to resolve and then months more waiting for another health problem to resolve - and cue for fitness deteriorating (because maybe you've spent a couple of years waiting for the health to resolve and the fitness declines whilst you "wait").

I had foot surgery in February and was recommended a Stride On knee walker by someone else who had the same operation as I had. I bought one - as I couldn't find anywhere to hire one, and ended up not using it. If anyone would like to buy it off me, do get in touch.

I have had extensive foot surgery over the years. I sympathise with your need for activity. I found , rather than reading- which I too love - that writing relieves the boredom and is cathartic - therefore good for mental well being. Hoping that you have swift recovery and are back to normal soon.

If you can afford it I would recommend a private physio. When I broke my foot my mental and emotional health quickly deteriorated and I felt like I’d never get back out walking in nature. My balance is poor and I was hopeless on crutches. I felt hopeless and very tearful all the time so I sympathise. A friend suggested a local physio who came to the house initially and after a few weeks I was able to get a taxi to the clinic once a week where she taught me to walk again without crutches. It took a long time to get my confidence back and I was terrified of another fall but I did it. Don’t expect too much of yourself, it will take time. Be kind to yourself, you will get there.

I slipped on wet grass and had a dislocated ankle and a trimalleolar fracture 10 years ago. I heard the bones go " snap, snap, snap"! Pinned and plated and kneeling scooter after the cast came off. X-Ray after 6 weekss. Surgeon said no need for a boot. He showed me what exercises to do and I walked with one walking pole for a bit. No problems since and I do long walks

In this area AGE UK run a Tai Chi class which is attended by some people who sit down for the class and in a nearby village hall is a seated exercise class. . Maybe transport is a problem for you.
I hope you soon recover from your surgery. I am anticipating needing a bunion removal in the future. Not looking forward to it.

I had foot surgery last year, what should have taken 8 weeks recovery ended up nine weeks before I could walk and get a loose shoe on my foot. I started walking further and further until I could walk the mile to town and back.! You will get there it can take time, be patient.

I had foot surgery a few years ago. Fusing big toe and removal of a bunion. The doctor told me that it could take up to a year before I was back to my normal activities. It did take me almost a year to feel I could do all my normal activities and more.
Are you able to rent or borrow a knee walker so you can get out a bit.?

As many have mentioned, you will definitely feel better after the foot has held.
I tripped on a pothole that broke a bone in my ankle so had my foot in plaster for 6 months. However, the following year my big toe started to move to outwards. I couldn’t understand the reason as surely if the toe had also been broken it would have shown up on the X Ray I had the previous year. To cut the story short I had to wear awful surgery shoes until I was away with the family in Africa where I was envious of them all in summer shoes. When I returned,, now my toe had gone around to 4’0clock, so I decided to go ahead with the operation.
At first the foot was swollen but it was wonderful to at last not have to wear the awful surgical shoes.
Now, I am SO pleased I went ahead with the op

You WILL get back to normal, I promise, as long as you work hard at physio and are strong and determined.
In February 2018 I slipped on the first day of a walking trip on Harris and Lewis.
I smashed my left ankle to smithereens!
I had KEYHOLE surgery in the wonderful Western Isles hospital in Stornoway .
I had lots of wire and a couple of big screws inserted to hold the various slithers of bone together.
I was discharged home with instructions to not weight bear on my left foot for 12 weeks.
Back home in Hull I was told this was a very poorly ankle which required extra surgery and that I was looking at permanent disability.
I kept weight off the foot for the whole 12 weeks. Despite standing only on my right leg giving me terrible sciatica, my left foot did not touch that floor once in 12 weeks!
Once I was able to touch the floor I worked so hard at my physio that the physio shook my hand on discharge. He wished everyone was so keen to follow instructions.
I had been told a " normal " ankle fracture won't be fully recovered till at least a year after surgery.
I was thrilled that, by 11m , despite all the doom and gloom, I was back in my walking boots.
Now ,almost 7 years later, the only issues I have is that my left ankle , once so very trim , is now wider than my right and I have a tiny scar from surgery.
A miracle and a lot of determination.
Keep working hard.
You can and will get there but it's slow recuperation.

Query damaged my knee last week. No help from GP minor injuries or NHS24. Contacted osteopath have 3appointments with him. This was private and at a cost. Also thinking will I ever get going again!! Exercising and following all given instructions. I have been on the orthopaedic waiting list for 6 weeks now.There is a waiting time of 39 weeks to see an orthopaedic surgeon. Then after that who now's. So keep hanging in there.Alll the best.

Just had dental surgery this week with a GA. Really surprised how it knocked me back, I am fit and active and expected to bounce back within two days! Still feeling a bit down and miserable but each day I aim to do a little more. Ten minutes, yoga, ten minutes walking, stand every hour etc etc.
I think we underestimate the effect of surgery even if it is a day surgery. Hope you soon feel better xx

Try one of the “seated” exercises…. download a “lazy fit” app

I notice you had a GA for the surgery. Hiven your very active life before the surgery any slowdown will be really noticeable. Also the seasonal change may be affecting you too, not the best time to feel trapped indoors. The GA may have been playing a part in how you have been feeling though I notice from your further posts you are feeling more positive. All the Best for a full recovery.

Grantanow

When I was 13 I had surgery to restitch a partially severed Achilles tendon and was off school for a term so I guess 12 weeks is not out of order for foot surgery. I had to walk with an improvised cane for several weeks before I could take the weight on the repaired foot. The NHS offered no physio and took my crutches away after 3 weeks - too soon for me.

Crikey! That's shocking care (or lack of) from the NHS. How many years ago was that? - as I can only imagine they're even worse now....

But I do remember being shocked that the NHS offered my mother no physio whatsoever after she'd had a hip replacement operation. I got told she needed it by a noticeably younger-than-her work colleague who had had a private hip op and then physio - and promptly sent my mother off for several visits to a physio privately and didn't tell her I was covering the cost for her.

When I was 13 I had surgery to restitch a partially severed Achilles tendon and was off school for a term so I guess 12 weeks is not out of order for foot surgery. I had to walk with an improvised cane for several weeks before I could take the weight on the repaired foot. The NHS offered no physio and took my crutches away after 3 weeks - too soon for me.

They have Shelflife. It’s a lovely community we have here 🙏

I don’t have any experience of your situation thankfully but can understand how you would feel depressed.
The only suggestion I can make is to look at chair exercises on you tube. There may be something there to help your fitness and cheer you up a bit. Joe Wicks definitely has a video of chair exercises for seniors and there should be plenty more.

Hang in there ! All will be well eventually. Surgery as we age does take longer to recover from . There have been so many kind responses to your thread and I sincerely hope they have lifted your spirits. 💐💐💐

The procedure BTW was a straightforward day surgery case although I felt nauseous after the GA which took a while to settle. I had an Xray earlier this week which showed that it’s fused nicely.

I’m glad I did it silverlining48 as I do believe I’m on the slow road to making a full recovery. But as I’ve found out, forewarned is forearmed!

I have recently decided against my big toe being fused as I was very nervous about it, so am interested to hear about your progress Lacrepescule, do keep in touch and all the very best and hope you can go back to walking sooner rather than later. I know how much I miss it if I can’t,

What lovely posts and I appreciate the time you’ve given me so much 🙏 I had a big toe fusion (they break the joint and fuse it together with metalwork) for arthritis and they also removed a large bunion. They told me I’d be moreorless back to normal in 6 weeks! As I’d had the same procedure on my other foot 14 years ago and recovered quickly I believed them (I’m 67 now.)
Whiff I do feel more positive this morning and I’m so glad I posted.
I’m very much a glass half full type of person and rarely complain so this has knocked me but you’ve all helped me see it’s because my expectations were unrealistic. I thought it was because I was being a wimp and actually it was quite a big thing.
And it’s made me appreciate how important our feet are! Walking is so important to me and not being able to do that has really affected my confidence.
But it just needs a lot more time than I thought.
Hopefully anyone who’s considering this procedure and who might have read this will find it helpful. It needed to be done and in time I’ll be reaping the benefits.
Thank you again lovely GNers ❤️

LaCrepescule I hope when you wake this morning you feel able to something positive today . But starting this thread that was a manger positive thing. Don't think you realise that . You talking about how you feel after your operation will make people who have any sort of operation know they are not alone in feeling as you do . Hope you feel proud of yourself as it takes courage to admit you are struggling. 💐