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Forum Name: Surgery Topics

Question: Problems following surgary

crbrooks - Wed Feb 28, 2007 12:12 am

My mother had surgary for plantar Fascheites(sp?) on Feb 9. She visited her doctor on the 23rd for a two week checkup and because she was having some problems with her leg. It is swollen up to the knee, and she can't put any weight on it, which the surgon told her she should be able two after around two weeks or so. He checked her legs for blood clot by doing a doppler and said there were none. basicaly I'm wondering if there are any specific questions she should ask her doctor when she returns? or what the problem could possibly be.

Marceline F, RN - Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:54 am

Dear CRBrooks, There are many unanswered questions that are presented through your post regarding your mother's post surgical pain, swelling and questionable complications. While plantar fasciitis is not an uncommon complaint among adults today, surgical intervention is not as common. I would be interested in knowing several things in order to perhaps steer you toward the answers you are seeking: How old is your mother? Why was surgery the elected treatment option? Does she have other underlying medical problems? Is she a diabetic? Does she have peripheral vascular disease? Does she have any cardiac problems? What was the immediate post op period of time like for her? Was she compliant with the treatment plan? When the doctor "used a doppler", was it a hand held variety in his office or an official ultrasound of her leg done at a facility? What relieves (if any) her swelling? Is the leg/foot the same color as the other leg? If the doppler was not a formal ultrasound, I would certainly suggest that you consider asking your MD for a referral to the local outpatient clinic or the local Emergency Room to have that done. Your next course of action would be based on those results. If your doctor is not available to issue a referral, you may consider taking her to the local Emergency room and ask the ER MD to evaluate the leg. Hope that is of some help. Marceline

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