Just kitten around...

Elise4270

A supplement to the MFP monthly running challenge.

Being out is no fun! Feel free to cathart, solicit/give advice from/to others.

I'm facing piriformis release June 16th. I'm the only runner, I know of here, that's been down this road. Really glad of that. I wouldn't wish this on most of you

I know some have encountered some special experiences, figure there's strength in numbers runners.

ceciliaslater

I'd love to know who all in our thread has had surgery--especially those that affect the ability to run. What was the issue? What did the surgery involve? How about recovery--time, physical therapy, etc?

Could be a nice future reference for anyone facing potential surgery to see some first-hand accounts.

greenolivetree

I haven't had surgery and have "healed" my running woes on my own (SO FAR) with time off, but this thread is a great idea

ceciliaslater

I'm still in the early recovery stage from my surgery, but I'll spill some extra details here. Sorry this is so long-winded, but I want to be thorough.

I had surgery on my left ankle to remove an os trigonum (accessory bone inside the ankle joint) as well as to remove an accessory soleus muscle (an extra calf muscle extending down through my ankle).

The reason that I needed the surgery was that the bone and muscle were: 1) getting crushed in my joint every time I pointed my toe, causing inflammation and poor ROM, and 2) the muscle was compressing my FHL tendon. I had been dealing with pain on and off for several years, but the ROM problem became noticeable within the past several months and the pain became a constant issue. My gait was off and I was beginning to experience other injuries (stress fractures, etc) as a result. Diagnosis required an MRI.

The surgery itself took only about 30 minutes to complete. I was given some "happy juice," as the nurse called it, through my IV. They then did a nerve block to numb my leg. The nerve block allows them to give lighter anesthesia during surgery and also helps the patient get through the first day or so of pain without feeling too much of it.

The nerve block was injected into my knee (both front and back). The procedure involved the anesthesiologist finding the nerve that controlled my foot (and also my calf muscles) with the help of an ultrasound. Once they had identified the nerve (which involved stimulating the nerve and causing my muscles to twitch uncontrollably), a numbing agent was injected around it.

Once the nerve block was in, I was left alone for about 15 minutes to allow it to take full effect. At that point, I was wheeled into the operating room and moved myself onto the table. I was asleep within just a few minutes of being wheeled in.

The surgery required an incision of 3-4" in length on the inside of my ankle, behind the talus bone. They do not usually do this surgery with a scope because there are too many nerves, tendons, and ligaments in the ankle that can be damaged. It's easier to avoid those with an open incision.

I woke up right as they were transferring me from the operating table back into the bed. I felt wide awake and alert, but had no pain, thanks to the nerve block. They had already put me in a CAM rocker boot before I woke up. They took me into the recovery room and gave me some ice chips. I stayed the minimum requirement of 30 minutes and then was allowed to go home, with a prescription for Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen).

I had to use crutches for the first 24 hours, since I could not feel my lower leg at all. I was also instructed to ice 1 hour on/2 hours off for the first 5 days. I was allowed to walk (in the boot, but with no crutches) as soon as the nerve block wore off.

No wound dressing changes for the first 5 days, then changes every other day until stitches are removed--hopefully tomorrow. I am not allowed to get the incision wet, so I have to wear a waterproof cast cover when I take a shower and clean my lower leg/foot with baby wipes.

Pain has not been bad at all. I took the pain killer for the first few days, every four hours, as prescribed. After that, I switched to just ibuprofen throughout the day and have been taking a painkiller at bed time only. I think I'm about ready to dump it altogether and just stick with ibuprofen from here on out. I do have some severe swelling in my ankle (mostly on the outside of the ankle, behind the boney bits). That is where most of the soreness is--surprising to me since the incision is on the inside.

First post-op appointment is tomorrow, so I should have a (much shorter) update then.

5BeautifulDays

@Elise4270 I just googled your surgery. I'm praying for a really good surgical outcome and a fast recovery!

@ceciliaslater I'm so glad to hear that you're healing up well and I hope that continues for you!


My recent surgery had nothing to do with running, but it did affect my running. I had a sebacious cyst removed from right below my tailbone. The incision to remove it was about 2 inches long and close to an inch deep (give or take, I couldn't see it that clearly!) in the cleft of my buns. It was stitched closed, but loosely, and I tore my stitches out before the end of the first week. It was about three weeks before I could run. I'm a month out and it still bothers me a little. It wasn't a horrible surgery, but it is a horrible location for re-injury.

Elise4270

@ceciliaslater Yes, this would be great to scroll through and find someone with similar issues. How did they recover? Did they need PT, time off, what was the protocol? That's the kind of thing I hoped for it. And I just love success stories!

Thanks for adding your experiences! @greenolivetree @5BeautifulDays ! I'm sure it'll prove valuable!

juliet3455

Some people may have called it "Cosmetic Surgery" . For me I suffered from Skin Tag moles anywhere a clothing seam ( Inner thighs, top of shoulders etc ) would rub on my skin. As the moles got bigger they would then get irritated by the seam and be extremely painful so I had over 140 tags removed - 2 procedures 2 weeks apart.

MobyCarp

I haven't had surgery. Worst injury was multiple stress fractures of the left metatarsals. That put me in a boot for 3 weeks in June 2014, which felt like forever. Then it was longer before I could get back to running. What I'm going through now is a piece of cake compared to that.

Orphia

Great idea for a thread, Elise!

I haven't run since Tuesday 7 June. First, I was tapering for doing 42 km of bushwalking on the weekend. That part was awesome!

But during the bushwalk I twisted my left ankle twice, and it's been somewhat swollen and sore.

Plus, on Monday 13 June I went for a recovery walk and my lower back muscles seized up on me during an uphill stint.

I've been taking anti-inflammatories and not running since then, and feel a lot better, but still a bit fragile, although walking feels fine.

I've cancelled a 15 km funrun event I'd booked for this Sunday, as I don't want to cause myself further injury just when I'm coming good.

Instead, by Sunday I might *just* be alright to do a gentle 5 km or so.

Elise4270

Surgery is done. Worst part is the fluid he used to fill the surgical area. It leaks into the abdominal cavity. Most of the time its not an issue (according to doc/OR nurse), but since I had a tummy tuck 2.5 years ago (yes vainity and thought to help regain the proper use of displaced muscles). The pressure was horrible. My abdomen was/is so distended

Hip/a surgical area is fine. I'm in a knee brace that doesn't allow me to extend the knee to protect the surgical area. I'm not uncomfortable at all. Crutches are a work out. My back is a bit sore from just yesterday's hobbling. I still have a headache. I suspect they gave me morphine when I came to groaning about my belly. I don't know why I forgot to tell them not to give me that stuff.

If you need piriformis release surgery, I have just the doc for you. I'm really lovin' this guy. You need the hook up, just holler.

Just Tylenol needed so far.. and that for this dang headache.

Orphia

Good to hear you're on the mend!

greenolivetree

@Elise4270 Woohoo! You're gonna be running before you know it!

Elise4270

Thanks all! Getting around isn't getting any easier, yet. Doc said my sciatic nerve was "pretty banged up". I get frustrated with pain easily. Still taking otc pain killers twice a day.

My husband is bringing home more sod . And I won't be able to play in the dirt or choreograph it's placement. I miss being outside. I can't even chase my little cat. My big one is spooked by the crutches and doesn't love me no more. Oh wait, that's normal, she's a prissy B.

Wonder if I can go for a walk (on crutches). It'll take me forever to get half a mile (~1km). Might be fun though....

I am lovin'not being at work though!

greenolivetree

I think there was a time in my life I would've been fine being confined after surgery, but the past 5+ years I've become so active that I think I might truly go nuts. I even notice now that my mood quickly turns sad if we have just TWO cloudy days in a row. I never used to feel that way because I never went outside anyway so it didn't matter. So yeah, I'd probably be walking the half mile on the crutches, no matter how long it took!

RespectTheKitty

I had surgery for severe plantar fasciitis on my left foot about 8 years ago. At the time, I was working a job where I had to be on my feet 10 hours a day, and my feet were not happy about that I guess. The doctor actually loosened the PF tendon in my foot so that it would have more slack to it, and as a result, less pain.

The surgery was easy, only about an hour in an outpatient facility, but recovery was brutal. The post-op pain was pretty bad, plus I had to be in a boot for 4 weeks. After the boot was a compression sock for 2 more weeks. At the time I was not running, and I cannot imagine having the same surgery now that I am a runner. I would go nuts not being able to run for that long.

I haven't had any issues with PF since the surgery though, thank goodness.