[judiesva]

Hello everyone-

I had surgery on my ankle 10 days ago, "obliterated" ligament and severe cartilage damage. Will be non weight bearing for 6 weeks. The cast that was put on last week is driving me NUTS. It seems to be rubbing everywhere and now I have sharp pains on the outside of my foot and burning over the whole incision area. When the dr took off the first cast last week, I was in bad pain under my outside ankle bone-and he said the nerve there must have been irritated during surgery. A new cast was then put on. Any ideas whether to have them take off this cast now and see what is going on??? I told the dr to begin with that I had PN, but he didnt really seem to care! The last thing I wanted was MORE aggravation of nerves in my foot!!!

Judie

[Camchase]

I had FEET surgery (one within 6 weeks of the other) and I, too, couldnt move them or put weight on them but he used a wrapping and then a soft boot instead of a cast. Still sort of drove my nerves crazy but in a softer way. It was much easier than a traditional cast. Perhaps he would consider it. Can't hurt to ask.

[mrsD]

Try putting an ice pack just above the cast edge on the skin with a thin cloth protector... 20minutes twice a day. It might cool the nerves off. Heat often stimulates them, and cold suppresses them. Don't overdo.

A lidoderm patch if you have any, just above the cast edge on the skin may also help.

[judiesva]

Thanks for the feedback. I will talk to dr about a soft cast on Thurs when he takes out the stitches.

Mrs. D-my cast goes all the way up to about 2 inch - 3 inches below my knee. Would the icing still work being that far away? I have seen you mention the patches before. Would those also work so far removed from the area that is bothering me?

Thank you,

Judie

[mrsD]

Ice is worth a try. The nerves go down the back and sides
of the lower leg.

The sciatic nerve splits behind the knee just above the bend.
I put 1/2 lidoderm there when I have severe foot pain, and it
helps.

Try the ice pack there or along the side of the leg on the outside.
Move the ice pack around. There may be a "sweet spot" .

Can't hurt to try and be a little creative.