With the swelling and numbness of the lower right leg somewhat subsiding, I was quite excited to go see what the surgeon had to say in terms of how my recovery was going. I also am planning on leaving the country in late May/early June, and wanted to understand if that would be detrimental to my recovery or not.After quite a long wait (While this doctor is know as one of the best sports medicine surgeons in Boston, he also has a reputation for really shitty waiting times - Either way, I'll take that combination over the reverse any day), an awesome fellow came in to remove my stitches. I had 4 incisions on each leg, with 6 of the 8 being stitches that could dissolve on their own, and the other two being ones that had to come out. The fellow said she would also try to take as many dissolvable stitches out as my legs would let, as the rule of thumb is usually that the less foreign bodies in a person's leg the better. She got all the stitches out except for one dissolvable one, which was alright with me. As far as pain went, I've read in other places that people have experienced insane amounts of pain during stitch removal. Except for when the fellow tried to remove the one stitch that wouldn't go, there was barely any pain worth noting - she had hands of gold!
What was also good about this setup was that while taking the stitches out, the fellow was able to provide me with all sorts of reassuring information - Men do tend to fare better overall than women (sorry ladies), and she had a friend who got the procedure done a year and a half ago who is now doing triathlons. When I expressed to her concern that I had heard people who are a year and a half out of surgery and still can't go full throttle, she replied that recovery is really different for everyone, but that a substantial percentage of patients in my situation were really able to resume full activity around week 12.
Shower-wise, she said I was all good to go, except that I should only let soapy water fall down on the lower legs, and there should be no scrubbing in that area. She also recommended knee-high compression stockings in order to allow the blood to flow easier throughout the lower leg and prevent swelling. When I went to the medical supplies store, they gave me two different compression stockings to try out - Medi, and Jobst. For me, Jobst was far and away much more comfortable than the Medi, so if you have the choice, I would really recommend going with it.
Finally the surgeon came in, said my legs looked great, and said that I was all cleared to start physical therapy tomorrow. While he said the physical therapist could give me a better idea, he recommended staying for at least 6-7 weeks from the start of physical therapy in order to get the greatest benefit. I guess I'll find out more tomorrow....
What did they mean by 'the greatest benefit'. I had my surgical follow-up at 3 and a half weeks, at which point the surgeon said it's important to start running as soon as possible and try different forms of activity in order to prevent the scar tissue from forming in a bad way.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like there isn't a prescribed form of recovery for CECS surgery and surgeons seem to just advise from experience.
I would like to add to that, however, that I am in no way recommending those who have had surgery to get back to full activity asap. If your doctor says 8-12 weeks, then wait 8-12 weeks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog. It has been a huge help to me. I have had my pain for years and this past year tried custom inserts and they worked for a bit but the pain just walking from my car to my desk is too much. I am meeting with the doc next week to discuss the pressure test. Any advice for the pressure test? I also read that while you heal you need to stay moving so your muscle expands while you heal so its not tight. Curious if your doc said anything like that.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteyour blog has been really helpful. I am 20 years old and currently 13 days post op having had a bilateral fasciotomy of the posterior compartments in both legs. I will try and keep my story short:
I started developing pain in the lower legs approx. 15 months ago during a skiing holiday. I went to the doctor and many physiotherapists on numerous occasions and was given a variety of diagnoses, including inflamation, shin splints, tendonitis etc. I went to see a number of physiotherapists (two NHS, one private) and we tried everything from strapping/taping to deep tissue massage, specifics, ultrasound, I had some orthotics fitted and I was even tested by a neurologist. However nothing worked.
Thus after self-diagnosing myself by constantly researching the internet and pushing my doctor (who wasn't interested) to consider that I should be tested for CS, I finally managed to get an appointment with the specialist.
Once I received an appointment with the specialist I went for another MRI scan (approx 12 months after my first.) The results showed a high signal of CS (MRI scans do not always show symptoms of CS, hence the pressure test) and he said there wasn't much point in doing the pressure test as the scan was enough.
As I said before, I am now on day 13 post op. I still have some numbness on my left leg (near my ankle & the end of the incision.) But I hope that this will subside as it did in the other areas. My incisions still feel a little tight, as do my calves but I am hoping this is normal and will go once I have started physiotherapy.
I was meant to have a review with my surgeon in 2 weeks but unfortunately due to appointments i have to wait nearly 3. I hope that this will not affect my recovery as I know that it is important to keep active.
Sam - how long did it take for your calves to loosen up again?
If anyone has questions I am willing to help :)
Jenny
Hi Sam,
ReplyDeleteI've been running Cross Country for five years(this upcoming season being my senior year) and two years ago I developed Exertional Compartment Syndrome in both of my calves. The doctors had me do stretches and stuff like that but it never helped like you said.
Just recently, May 24 to be exact, I had bilateral fasciotomy of the posterior compartments in both legs. Being only 17 and this being my senior summer it has been hard sitting around in a recliner for two weeks watching my friends come to visit me with all their stories. Two days ago for my first post-op appointment they took off my wrappings and like you they gave me the compression socks for the swelling.
How long did you have to wear the socks until your legs stopped swelling? And have you feet/ankles returned to their normal state as they were before your procedure?
The socks don't bother me that much, but they arent exactly something I want to be sporting all summer or until my next appointment which is a month away.
This blog has helped me more than you can emagine seeing how you handled this rare syndrome as well. If you have any certain exercises that you felt helped you tremendously please let me know! Thank you again for doing this.
Savannah
Dear Savannah,
ReplyDeleteI was told to wear the compression socks for 10 days but make sure you take them off at night! I found that post op my feet hurt the most this is because all the pressure and inflamation will spread to your ankle. You may see a lot of bruising around your feet and ankle area, as I did, but this will subside. The swelling around my ankles are still giving me a little grief but shouldn't be anything to worry about. Exercises that you should be doing for the time being before seeing your physio are manly ankle pumps, wiggling your toes. Also try drawing the alphabet with your foot. Most of all remember to keep your feet elevated.
Hope this helps and answers all your questions,
Jenny
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