Tarsal Tunnel

[winterface4]

IM GOIN TO HAVE TTS SURGERY FOR MY LEFT FOOT ITS WORSE THAN MY RIGHT FOOT. MY QUESTION TO THE ROOM IS HOW LONG SHOULD I TAKE OFF FROM WORK.IVE BEEN OFF SINCE JULY OF THIS YR AND IM ON PERSONAL LEAVE NOW I CAN GO AND EXTEND IT B4 MY SURGERY DATE...IS 4 MONTHS LONG ENOUGH??? NEVER HAD SURGERY ON FOOT B4 THANKS...SARAH

[RobinSchares]

Sarah,
I had the first surgery done on Sept. 10th (left foot) and was walking in the boot after 2 weeks, and then in a regular shoe after 3 weeks. I also had a neuroma removed on the same foot the same day. The surgery on the right foot has been a slower recovery time. He thought he might have seen scar tissue so I was not able to do anything for 3 and half weeks. Then I was released to walk somewhat. I guess that walking is limited due to swelling that takes place when I do too much. After 3 and half weeks I am released to walk (in the boot only) for another 2 weeks. Each surgery and each foot is different. This recovery is much longer than the last one and is so discouraging to be so limited for so long. I don't know how people with jobs are able to even have this done, or those with kids or that live alone. I have not been released to drive yet (cause it is the right foot). I wish you luck and let me know how it goes for you. The doctor was not up front about the recovery time as it would have made a difference in me scheduling the surgeries. I hope these surgeries end the foot pain that I have experienced for so many years and allows me to have a normal life without a lot of pain.

[winterface4]

he says that he wants to do the surgery on my left foot which is worse but its also bad in my right? so i dont know if he will do both at the same time or what??? id rather get em both done im off work anyway i just have to go in an extend it...i read another mans story and he said its a 3 or 4 month recovery period....where i work at u can take 1 yr off with no problem. not sure i want to go bk to my old job it envolves alot of walking to cover the 4 different depts i take care of when no one else is around............but im sick of the pain some days i just cry......like today was not a good day.ive allready taken my pain meds early they hurt that bad..........ill keep ya posted.thanks for reply...

[RobinSchares]

Wow I can relate to the pain. I didn't see the story of the guy that was taking 3-4 to recover. Where did you read that? I also take my meds early sometimes cause of the pain but sometimes I think they are thinking I am just a drug seeker and not really understanding of how painful it is. I know the left foot which was operated on Sept. 10th still gives me trouble, but thinking that will subside over time. I think the right foot which was done a month ago has some scar tissue which I was fortunate to not have on the other foot. I wanted both done at once as well and they thought I had a cyst behind the tarsal tunnel correction so they did them seperately. Turns out, it was just a mass of veins so I could have done them together. I am glad now that I did them seperate as I needed the other foot to use crutches. I felt so helpless and vulnerable during those surgeries and having to rely on someone for everything got old really fast. To get up and cook breakfast for my husband and myself was a real treat for today. Sorry you are struggling with the pain so much? What do you take? Is it helpful? My experince is that pain comes after the surgery and then when I can walk and then when I am released to walk in a shoe and other than those times, the pain was managed well. Get a good doctor that will help you with the pain. My podiatrist had my family doctor in charge of pain management as he was not comfortable perscribing narcotics. I hope you have a better day tomorrow. Take care

[winterface4]

IVE BEEN ON TRAMADOL WHICH REALLY HELPS ME OUT...DONT MAKE ME SICK TO STOMACH. I WAS FIRST ON LYRICA...BUT.....MADE ME SICK THEN I GOT REFERRED TO THE DOC IM SEEING NOW....SO IM GLAD HE GAVE ME THAT.....

[RobinSchares]

I have found celebrex to be helpful with swelling and pain too. I have been on that 5 days before surgery and then during the recovery and it has helped but for the pain I usually need something stronger which my family physician perscribes for me. I was on pain meds for a year before the surgery due to the pain of the tts and the neuroma. Looking forward to this all being behind me.
Good luck to you.
I don't know much about lycria and haven't asked, nor have they offered.

[winterface4]

SINCE I DONT DRIVE I DONT HAVE TO WORRY BOUT THAT....IM FINALLY SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY JAN 4TH...ITS AT A GREAT HOSPITAL OUT OF TOWN..WHERE I WORK I CAN TAKE UP TO 1 YR OFF...IVE BEEN OFF SINCE JULY IM ON LEAVE NOW THROUGH DECEMBER....BUT IM GOING TO TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 4 MONTHS OFF JUST TO BE SURE..I DOUBT IF ILL RETURN TO MY OLD JOB IT WAS IN RETAIL ON THE FLOOR AND I COVERED SEVERAL AREAS.....SO IM GOIN TO TAKE IT EASY...TAKE MY PAIN MEDS AND RECOVER.......ILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED WHEN ILL BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF BED TO GET TO THE COMPUTER.....THANKS FOR ADVICE...SARAH

[RobinSchares]

Thanks God you can take that time off. You will need it and recovery gets really old and I started getting into some self-pity on the third week.
This surgery was covered by insurance which is why i went ahead this year as I had already reached my deductible. make sure you stay off your feet during recovery, as it keeps complications done to a minimum. What are you taking for pain? I found it much harder to stay down after I was done with pain meds. I had to take them so long before the surgery just to walk and now I have no pain in the foot that is healed and minimal pain in the foot that had surgery 6 weeks ago and for me that was what the surgery was all about. For me to be able to work and not have all the pain so I believe so far it was successful but then I haven't had to walk for 6 hours on a hard floor either.
Take care and good luck.

[winterface4]

that is fantastic......in my job in retail i was responsible for my dept plus 3 other outline depts if no one else was around........so im not sure depending on how i heal if i can return to my old job if not ill look for a sit down job...but yeh ill be glad to get the surgery and get it done.......never had sameday surgery b4 that will be new.................glad yours worked out great...........sarah

[winterface4]

ive been off since july anyway.......so im at home with hubby he takes care of me.......yeh im glad i am able to be home and take the time off....