Tendon Surgery

[HornHuskerDad]

Well, folks, old age is not for sissies. Lucky me - I developed a bone spur on my left heel, right where the Achilles tendon attaches. After a brief attempt at some conservative treatments (steroid, stem cell injection), my doctor finally said surgery was the only remaining option. I had the surgery today. It turned out the bone spur was larger than originally estimated, and a fragment had broken off. Also, the damage to the tendon was a bit worse than thought. She removed the bone spur and fragments, sewed up the tears in the tendon, and closed it up. I'm currently in a soft splint for two weeks, after which she'll put it in a cast. I could be in the cast for up to four weeks. During this time I can't put any weight on the left foot. I have crutches, a walker, and a knee scooter for limited mobility. After she removes the cast, I'll have to go into rehab for an as-yet undetermined period.
I'd appreciate your prayers during this challenging period. I'd also like your prayers for Mrs. HHD - she'll have to do many of the things I've been doing, such as taking out the trash, watering the outdoor hanging plants, grocery shopping, and many other little things. And she is somewhat limited by Parkinson's - pretty much under control, but it affects her strength, stamina, and mobility.
God is great, and He will take care of us, as He always does. Your prayers for us will be sincerely appreciated.

 

[SabreHorn]

Prayers for both of you

 

[WillUSAF]

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Sabre, Will, thanks for your prayer support. I'm one week into the recovery period so far, and I am figuring out how to do some tasks on the knee scooter - that will take some of the load off Karen. She will have to do the grocery shopping, but at least I can help keep the kitchen clean.
One step at a time. Patience is not my strong suit, but I'll have to learn to be more patient while I go through the recovery.

 

[SabreHorn]

Do yourself a favor and make a padded hubcap for the inside of the rear wheel. I went to the store, ran errands, church, etc, but the hardest thing was manipulating the bathroom and kitchen. Constantly taking the hyde off my ankle.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Excellent suggestion, Sabre. I've reached the same conclusion as you did - getting into and out of the bathroom is tough! Because I can't climb the stairs, I'm confined to the ground floor - the only bedroom on this level has long since been converted into my office. So, I'm making a bed on the sofa in the family room - not much problem getting into and out of that space, but the downstairs bathroom is small, and there is no room to maneuver.
I think I'll do as you suggest and find a way to pad the cap on that wheel - I've already scraped my good ankle several times. Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

[SabreHorn]

 

[horninchicago]

My dad is 78 and had his left knee replacement surgery yesterday. Right knee was in June. He was ahead of the scheduled recovery throughout the first replacement and his wife was a trooper along the way. No issues yesterday.

You got this and will have the same good recovery and help as well, I am sure.

 

[Dionysus]

Best wishes to you and Mrs HHD — you will prevail!

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Thanks, hic, Dion. Appreciate your prayer support and encouragement. God will see us through - He always does.

 

[Horn6721]

Hope things are going well
One point I wsnt to make is to take it slow NOW
Considering your past and career I am guessing you are not used to bring patient.
But in this case going slow for now can mean getting to optimun recovery
Or you could rush it now and only achieve a half azzed recovery.
Good wishes for you both.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

^Thanks, 6721. You're right - patience is not my strong suit. Fortunately, Mrs. HHD is watching me pretty closely. So far, so good - I see the doctor on Wednesday to get the sutures removed and get a cast. So I'll still be very limited mobility with the cast (2-4 weeks, depending on the doc's guidance) before I can start a rehab program.
Appreciate the thoughts and excellent advice.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

First Update Wednesday, 30 Sep. Went to the doctor today. She removed all the wraps, the soft splint, and the sutures. I have full range of motion with my foot with little or no pain. She was surprised - showed me the pics from the surgery, and the bone spur was HUGE! She thought we would have a very slow recovery, but she was surprised by my quick bounceback. Now I have a hard cast - see her again in two weeks. If I'm still progressing ahead of schedule, she'll let me start formal rehab.
I was really shocked when I saw the pic that showed the size of the bone spur - I knew it really hurt; now I know why. I'm grateful to God for my quick recovery. Thanks to y'all for your prayer support and encouragement.
I'll update again after I see her in two weeks.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Update #2, 13 Oct. Just got back from the doctor's office. She took me out of the cast and put me back into the boot. I start rehab sometime next week. I can get rid of the knee scooter now - she says I can put about 40% weight on the left foot, so I can use my crutches now. Good thing - I'm sick and tired of that knee scooter.
If all goes well in rehab, I should be back on the golf course in December. Maybe I will have forgotten my bad swing faults by then!
Thanks to Hornfans friends for prayer support and encouragement.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Update #3. Saw the doc. Recovery ahead of schedule. She took me off the crutches - have to wrap the foot in an Ace bandage and wear the boot, but I can walk now. All our bedrooms are upstairs, so I actually got to sleep on a bed for the first time in six weeks!
I see the doc again on 10 Nov. If all is well, I get to boot the boot and wear a shoe again. Probably another four weeks or so before I can play golf again. But so far, so good. Thanks to all for the encouragement and prayer support.

 

[LHABSOB]

Update #3. Saw the doc. Recovery ahead of schedule. She took me off the crutches - have to wrap the foot in an Ace bandage and wear the boot, but I can walk now. All our bedrooms are upstairs, so I actually got to sleep on a bed for the first time in six weeks!
I see the doc again on 10 Nov. If all is well, I get to boot the boot and wear a shoe again. Probably another four weeks or so before I can play golf again. But so far, so good. Thanks to all for the encouragement and prayer support.

Just saw your updates HHD- Glad recovery is going well and I lifted you up in prayer as I read this. Keep your swing ready for the golf course! Sounds like you will be hitting the links soon!

 

[SabreHorn]

HHD,

Great news and progress, much because you had a good doctor, followed instructions, and prayer. Keep up the good work and plan your first golf somewhere you really enjoy or have always wanted to play.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Thanks for the prayers and encouragement. It's been a trying time, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Update 12 Nov: Doc is very happy with my progress and is letting me "boot the boot!" I'm now in a shoe for the first time since May. She put a hard foam booster in the heel to protect my heel for another month. I can work out again - but no squats, leg presses, or calf extensions. I can use my elliptical for aerobic work, but no running. I can chip and putt, but no full swings until December. She said "Let pain be your guide - when you get to the pain level, stop and rest; ice the foot, wrap with an Ace bandage for a while, then move again." So - progress! Given how much damage there was due to the bone spur and the fragments embedded in the tendon, she is amazed at how quickly I'm recovering.
Thanks to all of you for your prayer support and encouragement. And thanks to God for His healing power and answers to prayers.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Update 20 December - I saw the doc last week, and she pronounced the surgery a success. I am now cleared for all normal activities, limited only by my energy and any pain level. Right now my energy is still limited, due to the six weeks the foot was immobile. I'm in Physical Therapy to rebuild strength and range of motion, and will probably be there another 4-6 weeks. I tried to play golf - did okay for the front nine, then my legs turned to Jello and I played only four holes on the back nine. Guess I really do need some more time in PT. But I'm very grateful to God for the successful surgery and the progress so far in my recovery. And thanks to all of you for your encouragement and prayer support.

 

[Horn6721]

When you think about it HHD. Playing golf 3 mons after surgery is pretty amazing.
I don't want to say I told you so on being dedicated to physical therapy BUT
Great news.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

^You did, indeed - and you were right! Thanks for the info and the encouragement. My Physical Therapist is working me very hard on leg strength and flexibility, and it's starting to pay off. I suppose a little patience would be in order - but patience is not one of my strengths!

 

[Horn6721]

I suggest letting Mrs HHD read that last post.
I bet she can find some "patience " for you.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

I suggest letting Mrs HHD read that last post.
I bet she can find some "patience " for you.

I think the applicable phrase here is "If you can't stand the answer, don't ask the question."

 

[Vino Bevo]

I appreciate this thread more than you all know as I just ruptured my Achilles yesterday playing pickle ball, and the suggestions and experiences I'm reading will help as I head into the orthopedic surgeon's office tomorrow.

The ER doctor yesterday said middle aged white guys are the largest and most likely demographic for this injury. I certainly fit that description, and it's now abundantly clear I ain't "got it" like I used to.

 

[SabreHorn]

VB,

Seek multiple opinions, and choose your surgeon wisely. Lots of bad doctors everywhere, but Austin seems to have more than its share.

 

[HornHuskerDad]

Vino Bevo, Sorry to hear of your trouble with the tendon. Hope your meeting with the doctor goes well. If your doctor is like mine was, you'll have to go through the gamut of "conservative options" for treatment - steroids, stem cells, and whatever else there is. I lost four months while we went through those, knowing that we'd end up in surgery.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[Vino Bevo]

Thanks fellas - met with the surgeon this morning and appears I can go the surgical repair route or the non-surgery, immobilization route to let it try and heal on its own. There are pros and cons to each, of course, and I've set up a second opinion discussion with another orthopedic surgeon who as it turns out has done work on a couple family members and is more of a foot and ankle specialist. Once I get his input I will make the decision.

Sad thing is, among others, either way the recovery is around 4 months so the first few home games appear to be a no-go.

 

[SabreHorn]

Sad thing is, among others, either way the recovery is around 4 months so the first few home games appear to be a no-go.

Vino,

Don't be too quick to rule out the games. I had to have seven surgeries on my foot and leg after trying to dance with a mare. That includes total reconstruction on the right foot. Casts to the groin, casts to the knee, crutches, walker, canes, but was able to make all the games - had to use the elevator to the 7th & 8th floor. Having seen over 50 Texas/OU games, I found out I could ride the elevator to the upper deck.

 

[Vino Bevo]

Good to know Sabre - thanks. I was thinking more about the walk from our garage at 15th and Trinity but can probably swing a way to get dropped at the gate. From there I'll have to get up to Section 2 but there's always a way!