leg-pain-after-plantar-fasciotomy

It’s been over a month since my last update. I’ve been having pain up the side of my leg and it started with my right leg (right foot surgery was in November 2008 – left foot surgery was in August 2008) and now my left leg is hurting as well.

I noticed that my knee area had become very tender and I couldn’t kneel on the floor or even onto a chair because it really hurt. It was as if I had a terrible deep bruise that was tender to the touch. But then I noticed that it wasn’t just my knee, the pain ran down the side of my leg to the area above my ankle.

I told my physical therapist and she said it was the fibula head (I think I’m saying that right) and apparently it’s from tweaking my foot. Whether walking, standing or sitting I tend to roll my foot. I noticed that after my surgeries I was rolling my foot, not on purpose, to get away from the pain. Natural right? Maybe, but it’s not a good thing to do.

Now both of my legs hurt and it’s all the way up the sides of my legs. It is sore and feels bruised. Alignment is very important and with plantar fasciitis we tend to walk incorrectly because we’re in pain. I wish that I had been told to be very aware of how I was walking and to be sure my feet stayed flat on the ground at ALL times. Then perhaps my current pain wouldn’t be so bad or maybe I could have avoided it altogether.

It’s easy to forget this stuff unless someone reminds you time and time again.

PLEASE keep this tip in mind: be aware of your alignment at all times and keep your feet flat on the floor even when wearing shoes.

It could save you the pain and discomfort I am going through. Now I have about 13 different exercises to do and I have to ice my feet and fibula head (knee area) five times a day.

So what I do is make an “ice bath” by putting ice + water in a plastic tub. Then I put my foot in it for about 20 seconds, remove it for about 5 seconds and repeat five times. My foot is pretty numb at that point. Then I do the other foot. While that’s going on I put an ice wrap around each knee.

That’s a lot of ice and whole lotta cold considering it’s winter time! But it really is the only thing that helps me feel better. I took 2300mg of ibuprofen a day for nearly two weeks and it didn’t do much.

My surgeon “ordered” six additional physical therapy visits. Sure am glad it went through okay. I have physical therapy just about through the end of the month.

I’ll be sure to post an update on how I do after being on my icing routine and 13 exercises. :)

My body needs to hurry up and get strong. I have some hiking and traveling to catch up on!!

Have a great weekend!