Got on the elliptical today and felt no pain - Granted, it was only for 5 minutes, as the physical therapists say it's important to take it slow and not aggravate things. It was a baby step, but a significant one. Tomorrow or Wednesday I'll ramp it up to 7, and hopefully in about a week I'll begin light jogging.
Also, I have gotten numerous requests to recommend experienced surgeons from all over the U.S. - Problem is, I only know the one I had do the surgery in Boston. I think it would be immensely helpful if we could try to compile some sort of list of CS qualified surgeons in different areas. So if anyone has had a positive experience with their surgery/care of Compartment Syndrome, please e-mail me the surgeons name or comment on this page. It could give a lot of people who don't know where to begin a little help!
If you could recommend your Boston surgeon, I'd totally appreciate it. I'm seeing someone up at MGH at the end of the month, but I think it might be the same doctor you turned down.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I'm more worried about PT than surgery, since PT is on me, in terms of effort, and accountability!
e-mail me at nompetpau@gmail.com - And you should be just as worried (actually, more worried in my opinion) about the surgery as the PT - Sure, I guess you are more accountable for your PT, but whether or not you're accountable for the surgery, you are the one that has to live with the results for the rest of your life, so don't take your decision lightly - I've seen a couple blogs where surgeons are still using old techniques that require much bigger incisions than are needed.
ReplyDeleteI had my surgery on my right leg on 5/12. I was off the crutches by 5/15. The pain was much less than I thought. I have one long scar with little to no bleeding.
ReplyDeleteI walked into work today for the first time and made it without any of my normal CS pain in my right leg. While I can still feel the incision, the CS pain was not there. Looking forward to seeing how you progress.
I had my surgery on 5/4 on one leg - released the anterior and lateral compartments - did you have any strange swelling by your lower incision? I'm getting it checked out on Tuesday but the skin below it in the front is kind of pillowy and numb and yet it hurts at the same time when I do my ankle stretches. Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteI have already operated both legs in the posterior muscle, last surgery was for 15months ago. So today I made the pressure test and it showed the same high pressure as it did before the surgery. So the operations didn´t help at all. The question is if I should operate again?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your blog! I am having surgery (bilateral anterior compartments) in July and have not found much "real life" information about recovery until I found your blog. I just want to get back to walking without pain. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat job with your information. You are RIGHT - there's not nearly enough information regarding compartment syndrome. My husband had the surgery in both calves (lateral) 2 years ago. The recovery really took about 10 months - not weeks. After the first year he really did well. But this year it seems as if the pressure and pain is back. He went to another orthopedist last week and was basically told that there's nothing he could do. That another surgery wouldn't likely fix the problem and could make it worse because of scar tissue. He was also told since he is over 40 his flexibility would decrease dramatically and to spend a lot of time stretching. I've been researching rolfing and other techniques such as FST (Fascial Stretch Therapy) as possible ways to relieve the pain. It's to the point he doesn't even want to go for a walk because it hurts. If anyone knows or has had fascial stretching therapy I'd like to hear more about it. The rolfing therapy is interesting too - I think he'd be interested in trying it (minus the pain). Good luck with your recovery!!
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