Achilles Tendon Release/tendon Transfer Surgery on 23 Month Old

My husband was born with club feet and had a few surgeries to treat the condition when he was a baby. While I don't know what the surgery or post-op recovery will be like for your daughter, I can tell you that my husband's feet are now fine. He is extremely athletic, loves all sports, and is able to participate without any problems. Although I don't know your daughter's specific case, I would be very optimistic with the outcome. After all, my husband's surgeries were over 20 years ago and I am sure the procedures today are much better.

I had this surgery. The first one involved the tendon release and tendon transfer when I was thirteen years old. The other foot was done a little over one year later. I wish to God I could've had this surgery when I was your daughter's age! Because I was a toe walker for so long, my toes were permanently clawed and I had to have surgery to remove their joints and fuse them in later years. In this short post I can't really convey how difficult it was to grow up with those foot deformities. I did have an excellent recovery when I was a teenager, but I really missed out on being a kid during those pre-teen years because it was so difficult to get around.

My advice is that you speak to the surgeon about pain management. Make certain that s/he will take pain management seriously - even considering how young your daughter is. (Since those first two operations, I've had at least a dozen major foot surgeries - the most recent was two weeks ago. The BEST thing I've found is when the surgeon shoots the foot full of a local anesthetic immediately after completing the surgery. The foot is completely numb for MANY hours after you wake up and I cannot tell you how important this is for the healing process. My third surgeon's philosophy was NO pain for the first 24 hours - and this cut the recovery time by 2/3rds.) Talk to the surgeon about what exactly will be done to manage your daughter's discomfort.

The tendon release is REALLY easy. It only involves soft tissue - so it's really not painful. The worst thing about dealing with the Achilles tendons is that you have to protect them while they're healing . . . which is why she'll be in the casts for six weeks. (When you get older, it's an eight week recovery period!)

My tendon transfer was the most painful procedure - mostly because my surgeon wasn't concerned with pain management for children. (This was back in the 80s, so it was before pain control became a priority. Things have really improved over the last twenty years on this note.) Anyway, my tendon transfer meant that they had to drill a hole through my foot in order to attach the tendon to the new location. With proper pain management (which I most definitely had during subsequent operations, the recovery was easy.)

You don't say what the underlying reason for the surgery is, so I'll tell you what I usually experienced after surgery. I was groggy and grumpy after waking up. I really wanted my mother nearby - even though I was grumpy at her. I was always very thirsty and hungry, but the darn hospital staff would keep me restricted to liquids for the first several hours. (I got to the point where I'd sneak food in to the hospital because I never had a problem with nausea, but many people are queasy after surgery.) Honestly, my biggest post-op problem is that they never padded the casts with enough dressing - except for the heel cord procedures!

The younger you are, the quicker you bounce back. She will recover from this in record time and will be raring to go. She won't remember this operation. It's a simple and easy procedure and I can tell you from personal experience the results are AMAZING!

I'm sorry this is as long as it is. I know you wish you could have the surgery on behalf of your daughter, but I have to tell you that I am excited for her. This surgery will have an amazing pay off. The pain is virtually nothing compared to that - and the pain is only on the radar for the first 72 hours when you're an adult. (Again, I had tendon and bone work done two weeks ago so I really know my stuff here!) At the age of two, her healing process will be faster than that! I'd give her two days before she's raring to go.

Please don't hesitate to shoot me a private message if there is any information I can give you.

Of Course you can do it K.! Because, frankly, what choice do you have! That's what mom's do - whatever they have to. Just pray, God will give you peace through it. I like reading the "about you" part - funny. My oldest is 16 and youngest is 4. (I have 3 - the other is 13). I know what you mean about taking all your time - whew! Thank god my husband is older and calm and patient, because even though I am not in my early 20's this time - I'm 36 - this little boy of mine is sure a go-getter! Well, good luck with the surgery - when my 16 year old was almost 2 she had to have surgery also. Nothing huge, arm surgery for a birth defect. But it is scary, she was such a little trooper. I think it's the mom's that need the care - the little babe's get toys and lovey's but it's the mom's that wait around gritting their teeth and pace.

Well, I'll say a prayer for you also :) C.

Larrlee, I know a little girl that had this surgery and she did just great. I thinkas you,her Mother stressed over it more than the little girl. She had the surgery andactuallyenjoyed all the attention that she got. Her Mom got alotof toys that would keep her busy sitting and doingthem. she said afterwards that it was not as bad as she thought after the first two days and that was mostly onher part learning to take care ofher with the casts on. Kids are sodurable and adjust tothings so much better than adults.
I think that things will be just fine and please stop stressing. She is going to do great...you on the other hand the doctor will be consoling you more than her,LOL
I hope thishelps knowing that you are not aone andthere areother Mothers that have gone through this and come out with flying colors. The time will go faster than youthinkand it will be over and she will have it all done...Hugs L.
Oh yes it works very well.....

Karlee,
I just wanted to tell you that God never gives us what we can not handle. He will also give you the strangth to get through it. That is why he is there to be there for us. I will be praying for your daughter to bounce right back from this surgery, for your strength, and for the surgeon. You were saying that it is hard because you were consenting of this suregery that will give your daughter pain,but I have to tell you that you are a great mom for trying to make her whole life better. She may feel bad for a little while but this is for her future. God will guide you through it!! I will pray often for you guys!!

K,
While post op pain will be normal, know you are helping her and taking away future pain. I am a PT and have worked w/kids who needed this, and have/not had it done. Find the strength and support you need. A big thing I've seen parents do is to get a wagon to pull their kids in. It's the best mode of transportation while in the long casts. If you need more help please let me know.
M.

Hi K.,
My son and daughter-in-law have been dealing with a similar situation with my soon to be 3yr old granddaughter. She was diagnosed with Hip dysplasia when she was 15mos. old. She had her second surgery in Feb. She was in a spica cast for the first one for 3 months, and 2weeks for the second one.
It was very hard on everyone to imagine the pain she was going through. But,children are very resilent. We have another surgery next Feb. to remove the plate and screws, she will have to learn to walk again for the 3rd time. If i may ask, where and who is doing the surgery? Make sure to ask for a hippo car seat, they accomadate a cast great, and a wheelchair. They get pretty heavy in that cast. She will need physical therapy also. There is a wonderful guy in Silverdale named Gerald who my granddaughter loves. Please take heart, everything will work out fine.

good luck and god bless
Grammy, (N.)

O.K...

First thing,thank goodness that you are having this done now...A 3 year old will be able to bounce back from this fairly quickly.(my guess would be to give her 6-8 months to be feeling super)

I am 30,and I had something similar done June of 07.(double calcaneal(sp?)osteotomy, debridement of the Achilles tendon ,Achilles tendon lengthening,and tendon transfer....and I was in a cast for 6 weeks..NWB for 8 weeks,and am still having problems with the screws.I swear those things feel like they are going to pop right out of the bottom of my heel....lol:)

I am sure your daughter will have a great recovery,and kudos to you for getting this done NOW!!!Good Momma!!!

No matter the age of your children, waiting in surgery is always so hard. You are not alone. One of my sons is almost 25, and single, so I cant put anything of on his wife! ha ha. He was fishing in Alaska (worlds deadliest catch kind of thing) and he got his hand caught in a conveyor belt. To save his hand he had to pull off his own thumb. Long story short, they could not reattach it. So we have made many trips to Portland OSHU, and now he is facing his fourth surgery. The last one they amputated his toe and transplanted it to his hand for a thumb. 18 hours of surgery and I was freaking out. Hang in there K and know in your heart we are blessed to live in 2008 where they can do marvelous things with medicine. Because you are brave enough to allow this surgery, someday your baby will walk and someday my son will have the use of his hand again!! God Bless ~ B

Hi,
I have not gone through this type of surgery with both of my boys but have gone through 6 surgeries between the two of them. My oldest is now 11yrs. He has gone through 3 types of surgery. 1st one was dental surgery they had to put 2 yr old to sleep because he had so many teeth needing help do to genetics of soft teeth. The second one was tear duct surgery and then the 3rd was three hurnias. Then with my second child he is now 8 years. He has gone through bi lateral intestinal surgery when he was 8 weeks old this was my hardest surgery I went through with how little he was. I did have good emotional support but it still was not easy not letting my infant eat that morning and the middle of the night. His second surgery was the same as his brothers and it was tearduct surgery and he had added lazy eye tendons shorten. The third is for his lazy eye tendons again and it finally worked. The worse with this surgery with him is that he had post op problems with breathing. I made it through them and so can you. Get a good book or something you like to do during the time your little one is in surgery to keep your mind busy.

Little ones have a special something to watch over them. A strong mom and dad is what your child needs to make it through and to make it through the days after. Good luck and best wishes and many prayers for you all...

I love to do arts and crafts as well. Make something for your little one to hold onto when she comes out of the surgery. That will make her feel special and happy you gave her something from your heart to her.

Good luck again please let me know how it goes.

A.

A good sense of humor will help you get through anything! Attitude is everything and knowledge is power. So keep the positive attitude. Don't let your apprehensions over the surgery invade the conversations and interactions with your daughter. Even at 2 yrs old, she can sense your fear, it will be this downward spiral for the two of you if you let it start. If you're having the surgery at Childrens, they have a wonderful team of folks who are there for the parents as much as they are for the kids. Two of my 3 have had surgeries there, and they walked me thru each step of what was going to happen, so I could ask the questions, get the answers. If you're not at Childrens, ask your doc to do the same. On the day of surgery, keep that optimistic attitude you have and focus on the recovery room, the following doctor's appts, the physical therapy. Everyday is a good day because it's another day and a day closer to her being able to chase you all over the house. There will come a time you wish that she didn't run so fast or get into so many things, put that's part of growing up. It will be okay. Here's to a speedy recovery for the both of you!!!

Hi K.,
I just want to start by saying I know exactly how you feel. My daughter is now 6 years old and is on her way to her 3rd surgery concerning bi-lateral club feet. She has had 2 surgeries that have lengthened her achilles tendon and she has also had tendon transfers. Her first surgery was at 6 months old and her second was when she was 4 years old.

I can never forget the first time I saw her after her surgery. I know she was in pain. However, she has never said anything negative about her surgery. She just talks about how she had "pink castes". You are not a bad mom and creating her pain. You are a good mommy by giving her something that can only improve her way of life. My daughter only has scars on her feet not on her heart. I have to say I have such a deep respect for her. She isn't ashamed, mad, or embaressed. She is proud of who God made her and how he made her. I have learned so much from her. I know that looking at your daughter as a hero rather than a victim will help you through the rough times that will follow. But I have to say you will be her hero too.

My advice about the post-op is to stay on top of the pain. No matter what the night nurses say or how fast they want you to be able to take your baby home. Make sure you keep you motherly senses about you. You know your child better than anyone. Yes there are a lot of appointments and such. Casting, AFO's, finding shoes to fit, etc. As for clothing I just had her ware dresses or shorts. But as I look back at all we went through, I would have to say it was such a fast moment in time. And for her it was all worth it.

K.,

If it helps any my son had surgery at two days old, and five surgeries his first year of life (heart and cleft palate and lip). We just embraced it and thank God for modern tech. that gave us the opportunity to watch him develop walk and talk, smile and goof off for 16 months and 23 days before he went home to Jesus. Our hearts rest in the certainty of a Heaven reunion. All this to say - yep life doesn't seem fair- but you can't camp there or you'll miss the joy of now. Embrace the now and enjoy the dance - enjoy your little girl and smile she needs to know from mom that everything will be okay!

Just some thoughts from me!

You sound like an incredible woman and wonderful mother. I know it's so hard to see our babies in pain, but know you are giving her a life of freedom for it. I'll keep your family in my prayers, especially on the 23rd! Lots of love to you!
K.

Hi K.,
First of all good luck. I know what you are going through one of my twins had this done when she was about 6 yrs. old they did abductor releases(groin), hamstring releases and the achilles(sp) tendon releases on her right leg she has Cebreal palsy(CP) they waited for her to start walking and went through physical therapy before surgery to see if she would walk better, which was about 90% better after surgery and physical therapy she is now 17 and you can hardly tell she walks with a slight limp. My son who also has C.P. went through the same surgeries but on both his legs and was way younger about 3.5 yrs. old. The one thing in common on both of my kids after surgery was muscle spazams from having there muscles cut. The bad part is you can't really do anything for it, but it only lasts for about a day not much longer and they give them pain meds and I think a muscle relaxer don't really remember sorry. The good thing is when they are younger they bounce back fairly quickly my son bounced back a little faster than his sister after his surgery, I think because she was older. Another thing is if you are having it done at a Shriner's Hospital they try and get them up and moving the very next day which also helps in the healing process. You will do fine I have gone through way to many surgeries and everyone gets a little easier in the waiting process but the after I feel really bad because I know they are in pain and not much you can do except hold her and try and comfort her the best way you can. Best of luck to both of you let me know how things turn out.