OpenHealth Q&A

Surgical Repair of Posterior Tibial Tendon with Removal of Additional Tarsal Navicular Bone

Last week, I underwent a surgical procedure to address a chronic foot injury. My foot was first injured on November 24, 2024, while at the lake, and despite my hopes for recovery, it didn’t heal properly. Upon visiting CORE in December 2024, X-rays revealed a ligament issue (I can't recall the specific term they used) alongside a minor fracture. I was fitted with a boot and received a follow-up appointment three weeks later. Expecting to be prescribed crutches for a non-weight-bearing recovery, I was surprised when the doctor chuckled and told me I could live in the boot indefinitely. Instead, he recommended switching to an ankle brace and starting physical therapy. I continued wearing the boot for a week or two before transitioning to the brace and starting PT. Despite several months of rehabilitation, my condition was stagnant, and most of the exercises could be performed at home, prompting me to discontinue my sessions. Gradually, my condition deteriorated, and I began limping after just 5-10 minutes of walking. The pain intensified to the point where I found myself crying during prolonged walks or standing. At the end of July, I had an MRI, which revealed "mild intermetatarsal bursitis, accessory navicular syndrome, chronic high-grade partial tears of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments, and a chronic low-grade sprain of the deep deltoid ligament fibers." A new doctor at CORE reviewed these results and stressed the urgency of the surgery I just went through, explaining that without it, I would likely continue to suffer and worsen, especially since it had already been 8-9 months since the injury. The surgery took place on August 7, and since then, I’ve been experiencing numbness in my foot. When I touch my toes, the sensation is minimal, and while I can wiggle them, I often feel intense burning and tingling that radiates up my leg, accompanied by tremors in my foot and leg. These tremors have created pain around the incision area and remind me of similar but more severe tremors I experienced immediately after waking from surgery, which subsided but have since returned intermittently this past week. I'm currently non-weight-bearing and in a soft cast, ensuring my foot is elevated most of the day. I even apply ice to the back of my knee, a recommendation from my medical team, which offers some relief. I mainly avoid prolonged standing with crutches as it exacerbates my discomfort. I don’t believe the cast is overly constrictive; there’s no discoloration in my toes, so I hope blood circulation isn’t an issue. However, I’m still experiencing significant pain—though it's less severe than just a few days ago. Interestingly, the pain seems to migrate throughout my foot, affecting areas beyond just the incision site. I’m unsure about the incision's size or whether it was closed with staples or stitches, leaving me feeling somewhat uninformed. Perhaps these sensations are typical after such a surgery, and I need to exercise patience until my follow-up appointment on August 22. Still, I can’t shake the anxiety about possible complications or the fear that I might not heal properly, worsening my situation, and potentially losing my ability to stay active. While I acknowledge I can be overly dramatic in my worries, I can't help but feel that this anxiety complicates my recovery process!

Answers (1)

8/15/2025, 2:41:21 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's completely understandable to feel anxious and concerned after undergoing a significant surgical procedure, especially when recovery isn't progressing as expected. Your experiences of numbness, burning, tingling, and tremors are important to monitor, and they can often arise following foot surgeries due to nerve irritation or inflammation.

Key Points

• Post-Surgery Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, and pain can occur after surgery but should be closely observed.
• Recovery Expectations: It's not uncommon to experience fluctuating pain and discomfort during recovery, but communication with your healthcare team is essential.
• Managing Anxiety: Understanding your symptoms and having a clear plan can help alleviate feelings of anxiety.

Explanation

Following surgery, especially for foot injuries that involve ligaments and tendons, some level of discomfort is typical. The nerves in your foot may be sensitive after the procedure, which can lead to sensations like tingling, burning, and tremors. The migration of pain you mentioned could be due to changes in how you're using your foot or compensatory movements since you're avoiding weight-bearing.

Next Steps

1. Document Symptoms: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their intensity, and any activities that seem to exacerbate them—this will be invaluable for your follow-up appointment on August 22.

2. Communicate with Your Doctor: Let your healthcare team know about the new or worsening symptoms you’re experiencing. They may need to reassess your pain management plan or evaluate whether further imaging is necessary.

3. Manage Pain and Discomfort:

   • Continue using ice as recommended, especially after any activities with your foot, to reduce swelling and discomfort.
   • Elevate your foot whenever possible to decrease swelling and improve circulation.

4. Mindfulness Techniques: Consider incorporating relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness practices to help manage anxiety. Keeping a clear mind may enhance your healing.

5. Stay Informed: While you’re waiting for your follow-up appointment, educate yourself about typical post-surgical recovery for the procedure you had, focusing on understanding what symptoms are normal and when to seek help.

6. Maintain Non-Weight Bear Mobility: Be cautious with your movements on crutches to avoid exacerbating discomfort. Try to balance activity with adequate rest to promote healing.

7. Use Supportive Care: If you haven’t yet, ask about physical therapy options that may be beneficial following your re-evaluation. Early, gentle movements under professional supervision may help adjust to your recovery better.

Conclusion

Healing after surgery can be a slow process, and feeling anxious about your recovery is a common reaction. By actively documenting your experiences and maintaining communication with your healthcare provider, you can develop a clearer view of your healing journey. Remember, with each passing day, you're one step closer to recovery.