I have learned several things after having a lapidus procedure with 3 screws done 10 weeks ago: 1. Everyone heals at different rates, 2. TIME is your best friend, and 3. Foot surgery is MAJOR surgery- trauma to the foot and not an easy feat mentally!
Thinking of the first point, I thought I would share my timeline so far. For those of you recovering and those of you contemplating the surgery, perhaps this will help you. Although each surgeon seems to recommend different timeframes, this is what I have dealt with so far. I would have LOVED to read this in the initial weeks of my own recovery. So many question marks, so much impatience.
Week 1- prescription pain meds needed; stayed in bedroom, NWB (non weight bearing- crutches); wearing aircast boot from now until week 11; elevated foot almost 100%
Week 2- only OTC pain meds needed (including Tylenol pm for difficulty sleeping) but no ibuprofen (interferes with bone growth); continued to stay in house, but was able to go up and down stairs once a day, still NWB/crutches; propped foot up often
Weeks 3-6- able to leave house from day 15 on, still NWB/crutches. Foot still swollen, still purplish at times; iced foot frequently, still propped foot up; Had xrays done at 3 weeks to make sure things were progressing as planned.
Week 6-7- partial weight bearing with crutches
Week 8- weight bearing with one crutch; had xrays done to make sure it was healing as planned
Week 9- full weight bearing with no crutches (hooray!); able to drive for the first time with a post op shoe (double hooray!!); able to remove aircast boot at night (triple hooray!!!); foot still purple and swollen; pains from time to time in screws, but not enough to warrant any meds
Week 10- should be my last week of the aircast. Next week I will move to a post-op shoe for 3 to 5 weeks, then a regular shoe. Hoping to resume my passion of running at the 4 month mark.
If this helps just one person to compare and feel better about their timeframe, it was worth the time to write it. :)
Best of luck to all who are preparing for or in the middle of recovery!
Thinking of the first point, I thought I would share my timeline so far. For those of you recovering and those of you contemplating the surgery, perhaps this will help you. Although each surgeon seems to recommend different timeframes, this is what I have dealt with so far. I would have LOVED to read this in the initial weeks of my own recovery. So many question marks, so much impatience.
Week 1- prescription pain meds needed; stayed in bedroom, NWB (non weight bearing- crutches); wearing aircast boot from now until week 11; elevated foot almost 100%
Week 2- only OTC pain meds needed (including Tylenol pm for difficulty sleeping) but no ibuprofen (interferes with bone growth); continued to stay in house, but was able to go up and down stairs once a day, still NWB/crutches; propped foot up often
Weeks 3-6- able to leave house from day 15 on, still NWB/crutches. Foot still swollen, still purplish at times; iced foot frequently, still propped foot up; Had xrays done at 3 weeks to make sure things were progressing as planned.
Week 6-7- partial weight bearing with crutches
Week 8- weight bearing with one crutch; had xrays done to make sure it was healing as planned
Week 9- full weight bearing with no crutches (hooray!); able to drive for the first time with a post op shoe (double hooray!!); able to remove aircast boot at night (triple hooray!!!); foot still purple and swollen; pains from time to time in screws, but not enough to warrant any meds
Week 10- should be my last week of the aircast. Next week I will move to a post-op shoe for 3 to 5 weeks, then a regular shoe. Hoping to resume my passion of running at the 4 month mark.
If this helps just one person to compare and feel better about their timeframe, it was worth the time to write it. :)
Best of luck to all who are preparing for or in the middle of recovery!
timeframe for lapidus procedure
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