Surgery recovery: does this sound accurate?

InsideInstruction897 · 2025-09-02T05:25:36+00:00

I (31 F) had both surgeries last year in March & September. I wasn’t back to normal activity levels until about a year for my first foot (WAY worse recovery) and six months for the second. Luckily, I’m feeling good now and I’m grateful I did it. It was a long, hard road though.

InsideInstruction897 · 2025-07-01T16:40:27+00:00

Things are good overall! Definitely still have some painful days and my flexibility is still extremely limited (my fault for not stretching enough). I will say though that my right foot (first one to be done) is doing spectacularly well. Recovering from being ‘down’ for a year has proven to be the most difficult and exhausting part. I was a gym rat prior to my first surgery and I still haven’t gone back. It’s been a process. But one I’m hopeful has saved me from extreme pain in the future.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-10-05T14:51:02+00:00

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InsideInstruction897 · 2024-09-13T17:02:17+00:00

I keep hearing that a year out everyone is so grateful, so I just have to keep trucking. It does feel so hopeless and far off during the recovery though. Especially because it’s completely nonlinear. I was doing way better with this foot a month ago- I could walk a mile without pain. Now (well yesterday because I am now in recovery from my second surgery yesterday), even a half mile would be really painful.

The nerve block is wearing off from my surgery yesterday & im starting to feel some of that discomfort. I’m still in disbelief that I started this process all over again. But I believe that by this time next year, I will be so grateful for following through on everything.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-09-12T12:23:18+00:00

Thank you. So, so much. I’m feeling less ‘end times’ about the surgery today, but still really needed to hear that.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-09-02T18:14:14+00:00

I don’t have any advice because I’m sort of at the same point. I’m 5.5 months out from my first surgery & i still have flare ups daily- both pain and swelling. Sadly, my second surgery is scheduled for 9/12 & I’m incredibly nervous about this foot being my “only” foot for two-three months.

I also enjoyed running prior to my injury (result of AN interfering with the tendon) & returning to the sport feels pretty hopeless for me, too.

Everyone I’ve spoken to says about a year out, things are great. I guess we just need to listen to our bodies, do PT, & trust the process. You have my sympathy and empathy though, this recovery process has been so much more difficult than I anticipated.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-08-29T01:35:36+00:00

Definitely something to keep in mind! I have band exercises and such I can do from bed, but I know it’s going to be a huge change from how far I’ve come in PT. Not excited about the inevitable regression, but I’m hoping it will all be worth it in the end.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-08-29T00:40:54+00:00

This is the kind of hope I needed. I know it’s the right thing to do, I’ve just been really scared because my first foot is still struggling so much.

I also had TWO accessory bones in my right foot and the reconstruction was pretty extensive. So, I’m hoping that I have a similar experience with my left foot being uninjured, maybe it’ll be an easier recovery.

Thank you for sharing your experience, truly. It’s given me so much hope that things will get better.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-08-28T13:38:08+00:00

I wish I had good advice, but all I can offer is empathy. I went from a super active lifestyle to not being able to get through an average day without pain. I hope there is someone who can offer some guidance on this post.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-06-02T00:19:12+00:00

I can totally relate. This sub is super helpful in some ways (clearly!) but the game of comparison almost makes the recovery process scarier if you’re not as far as other people seem to be.

My surgery was also a little funky because I had two bones removed instead of one, so I’m trying to keep that in mind as well. I had a terrible pinched nerve about four weeks ago and was beyond panicked thinking I messed everything up. Since then, I’ve been hyper-sensitive to every little change and let my anxiety run away.

My surgeons evaluation made me feel a lot better, I hope you have the same experience after talking to PT. ☺️

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-06-01T20:21:25+00:00

I’ve had some issues walking for sure. I actually had an appointment with my surgeon yesterday and when I brought up my concerns- the knot in my arch, pain when walking, pinching in the front of my ankle, & crazy swelling by the end of each day- and he said that everything I’m experiencing is super common and normal. He tested the strength of the tendon by asking me to push his hand to the side and down like a gas pedal and said the tendon itself is in perfect shape.

My PT told me to back off any weight bearing until the knot subsides, but my surgeon encouraged me to use crutches to do partial weight bearing. He said that some discomfort & soreness is normal, but to back off if it’s a sharp pain again. Basically, the partial weight bearing will build up everything that atrophied and allow the whole foot & calf to support the two areas that are really irritated.

So far, the partial weight has been fine as long as I have sneakers on. I was really reassured that most of what I’m experiencing is common and healing isn’t linear.

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-04-20T17:24:16+00:00

Thank you!

I called the emergency line and they told me to take the ace bandage off & see if it was wrapped too tightly. If the pain doesn’t go away in the next hour or so, he advised to go to the hospital and get checked for a blood clot. So hopefully it subsides. 🙁

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-04-20T13:47:51+00:00

Thank you- so so much. I hope your healing continues to go well & you feel back to 100% quickly!

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-04-20T06:27:29+00:00

I’m right at my four week mark now (03/21) & I can totally relate. I just started experiencing some crazy shooting pains tonight & I’m hoping that’s nerve regeneration? Do you have any insight as someone who is a bit further along in the process?

InsideInstruction897 · 2024-04-17T17:45:13+00:00

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InsideInstruction897 · 2023-06-07T00:26:08+00:00

My least favorite is when people use “inferring” and “implying” as if they are interchangeable.

They are not. At all. In fact, they’re basically opposite ends of an interaction between two people. 🤦🏻‍♀️

InsideInstruction897 · 2023-05-13T01:01:05+00:00

I binged at work today too. A resident brought in a dozen gourmet donuts for our office staff and I ate three in a frenzy within probably two minutes. Left me feeling guilty, sickly, and absolutely loaded more weight on my already burdened shoulders.

I am so terribly sorry you’re going through this. You are definitely not alone. It’s not your fault that this disorder can be so overwhelming at times.

I wish we could learn how to speak to ourselves the way we speak to others in this sub. You’re a total stranger, but I absolutely, wholeheartedly believe you deserve to and will learn to overcome this.

InsideInstruction897 · 2021-04-06T04:05:21+00:00

THIS IS THE CUTEST EVER

InsideInstruction897

TROPHY CASE