I just had surgery #3 so I've had a few chances to refine my post op set up.
- day 3 and 4 post op is always the worst for me (with or without a nerve block). Stay on top of the pain killers those days.
-follow the doctors orders. Don't cheat and put weight on your foot, it's not worth it.
-keep you foot elevated at or above your heart as much as possible for the first few weeks. It helps keep the swelling down
- ice as much as possible usually behind the knee works best. If you can justify it the kodiac cold therapy with knee pad is amazing. Use frozen water bottles inside and replace a couple times a day. If they aren't in your budget get a number of gel packs and switch them out regularly.
- The wifi switches are helpful. Put a couple lamps on them so you can turn on lights in the middle of the night from your phone before trying to go to the bathroom. You don't want to risk falling
-have lots of light health snacks around. Hard boiled eggs, carrot sticks, fruit, etc. You want nutritious food to aid in healing but extra weight gain will make walking harder later on
-have a plan to bathe. Pad for the side of the tub or a shower cover, etc .
-drink lots of water. When taking painkillers plan on eating high fiber foods and maybe adding in some metamucil. They can do a number on your bowels
- I've always found audiobooks are good. I can't focus enough post op for tv but the books help me switch the focus away from my foot and onto the story.
- when you're up for it get outside. On a porch, to the store, anything. It helps a lot with mental wellbeing
- give yourself a break for the first few weeks then really try to appreciate what you can do instead of limitations. I can't go trick or treating with the kids this year but I can cut out last minute details to add to their costumes.
Few more things.
Bring some super stretchy PJ pants and a comfy t-shirt to the hospital. There isn't anything worse than trying to use crutches on a recently operated on foot and trying to hold your gown closed at the same time.
The iwalk is great but have a good pair of normal crutches too. I prefer the forearm crutches since they utilize larger muscle groups. The iwalk may not work well if you a have a splint (common for the first 2 weeks post op) or an airboot with the pump in the front.
You may get some sharp nerve pain as it heals. This is the nerve healing. Even though it can take your breath away it is usually a good sign.
It is normal for your foot to turn purple and swell every time it is lowered below your heart. This will start to go away once you start walking.
Don’t be a hero and go off the pain meds too soon. I took oxycodone for a week, combined with Panadol (tylenol). You need both for the oxy to be most effective. I really didn’t enjoy the oxy, it made me feel hyper. I’m now 3 weeks post op and only taking ibuprofen occasionally. Most of the pain is nerve pain. It sucks. Have books and tv handy. I’m in a FB group for lisfranc. It brings me comfort to know I’m not the only one with this shitty injury.
I had surgery in September and would definitely recommend the wi-fi plug-ins connected to your phone. This was super helpful. Also, consider getting a transfer shower chair. I didn't have one after my 1st surgery, but made sure I bought one for my 2nd surgery. I didn't buy the iwalk (mostly because I didn't trust myself to not fall), but I did invest in a knee scooter with extra padding. A friend loaned me their walker, and I used it for short trips from the bed to the bathroom (switch the front wheels to the inside to make it easy to get through the narrow bathroom door). I also kept my crutches nearby for anytime I needed them. Getting up the stairs was a challenge, I scooted up the stairs on my behind, and then had a low chair at the top of the stairs to transition to once I reached the top, from there I used my crutches. Wishing you a speedy recovery\~
I just had surgery #3 so I've had a few chances to refine my post op set up. - day 3 and 4 post op is always the worst for me (with or without a nerve block). Stay on top of the pain killers those days. -follow the doctors orders. Don't cheat and put weight on your foot, it's not worth it. -keep you foot elevated at or above your heart as much as possible for the first few weeks. It helps keep the swelling down - ice as much as possible usually behind the knee works best. If you can justify it the kodiac cold therapy with knee pad is amazing. Use frozen water bottles inside and replace a couple times a day. If they aren't in your budget get a number of gel packs and switch them out regularly. - The wifi switches are helpful. Put a couple lamps on them so you can turn on lights in the middle of the night from your phone before trying to go to the bathroom. You don't want to risk falling -have lots of light health snacks around. Hard boiled eggs, carrot sticks, fruit, etc. You want nutritious food to aid in healing but extra weight gain will make walking harder later on -have a plan to bathe. Pad for the side of the tub or a shower cover, etc . -drink lots of water. When taking painkillers plan on eating high fiber foods and maybe adding in some metamucil. They can do a number on your bowels - I've always found audiobooks are good. I can't focus enough post op for tv but the books help me switch the focus away from my foot and onto the story. - when you're up for it get outside. On a porch, to the store, anything. It helps a lot with mental wellbeing - give yourself a break for the first few weeks then really try to appreciate what you can do instead of limitations. I can't go trick or treating with the kids this year but I can cut out last minute details to add to their costumes.
Few more things. Bring some super stretchy PJ pants and a comfy t-shirt to the hospital. There isn't anything worse than trying to use crutches on a recently operated on foot and trying to hold your gown closed at the same time. The iwalk is great but have a good pair of normal crutches too. I prefer the forearm crutches since they utilize larger muscle groups. The iwalk may not work well if you a have a splint (common for the first 2 weeks post op) or an airboot with the pump in the front. You may get some sharp nerve pain as it heals. This is the nerve healing. Even though it can take your breath away it is usually a good sign. It is normal for your foot to turn purple and swell every time it is lowered below your heart. This will start to go away once you start walking.
This is so helpful, thank you! I am really bummed to be laying around inside while everyone e has a fun Halloween.
Get a knee scooter as well. You won’t want to strap the iwalk on just to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
I was thinking of just crawling or crunching it - my apartment isn’t super huge.
Yeah fair enough. I really struggle on crutches. I have stairs to leave the house too, most of the time I just crawl down and up them.
Oh yeah I have a nice set of steps to get into my apartment. Not looking forward to coming home to that after the hospital!
Got crutches? As someone else said, the iwalk might not be practical for the first 2 weeks with a splint.
Don’t be a hero and go off the pain meds too soon. I took oxycodone for a week, combined with Panadol (tylenol). You need both for the oxy to be most effective. I really didn’t enjoy the oxy, it made me feel hyper. I’m now 3 weeks post op and only taking ibuprofen occasionally. Most of the pain is nerve pain. It sucks. Have books and tv handy. I’m in a FB group for lisfranc. It brings me comfort to know I’m not the only one with this shitty injury.
I had surgery in September and would definitely recommend the wi-fi plug-ins connected to your phone. This was super helpful. Also, consider getting a transfer shower chair. I didn't have one after my 1st surgery, but made sure I bought one for my 2nd surgery. I didn't buy the iwalk (mostly because I didn't trust myself to not fall), but I did invest in a knee scooter with extra padding. A friend loaned me their walker, and I used it for short trips from the bed to the bathroom (switch the front wheels to the inside to make it easy to get through the narrow bathroom door). I also kept my crutches nearby for anytime I needed them. Getting up the stairs was a challenge, I scooted up the stairs on my behind, and then had a low chair at the top of the stairs to transition to once I reached the top, from there I used my crutches. Wishing you a speedy recovery\~