Subluxing Peroneal Tendon Repair & Brostrom Ankle Repair with Internal Brace - Pre-Op

For many months, my ankle has been in constant pain. My tendon would pop out of place and send a seething pain when it popped back in. It was weak and would give out on me frequently. I am an athletic person. My primary sports now are competitive bowling and softball. I also enjoy a great hike and running around with my children. So, needless to say, the weakness and pain has been interfering with my life dramatically lately, since I can not participate in any activity due to my ankle.

My PCP (primary care physician) suggested I be seen by a foot and ankle specialist. It took 4 months to get an initial appointment, and in that time I had done my own research. I had a feeling I knew it was subluxing. In that September appointment, my doctor could did not feel my ankle sublux but felt some other things he found concerning. He took an X-Ray right there in the office and was able to see that I had many previous injuries in which the bones had not healed right. He stated that the physical exam and x-rays gave enough evidence to warrant an MRI.

The following week, I went to a local hospital to have my MRI. I was laid on a table and my left ankle strapped in. It was not allowed to move, and it was in an extremely uncomfortable position. I was given headphones to drown out the noise from the machine, and the operator kindly tuned it in to my favorite local radio station. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the music and not my intense desire to move my foot into a comfortable position. About 20 minutes later, the test was over. I would get the results in a few weeks in my doctor's office.

On Oct 26, 2015, I went in for what they now call my pre-op appointment. My doctor stated that the MRI confirmed the peroneal tendon subluxation as well as the need for a Brostrom repair on the inner side of my left ankle. As I can recall, he described the procedure like this: on the outer side of my ankle he will groove the bone and place the tendon in the groove, covering it with bone. On the inside of my ankle, he will remove the sheer tendon currently there and replace it with an internal brace. Prior to the procedure, I will be getting a nerve block and since he plans on using a thigh tourniquet, he is also doing the procedure while I am under general anesthesia. I will be having this surgery January 15, 2016.

In the meantime, I get to wear this all too familiar ankle air cast to prevent injury prior to my surgery. I was just seen by my PCP, who completed a thorough physical exam and blood-work, and cleared me to have the procedure.

While my surgeon has not discussed with me in full the recovery of this procedure, from my research  I know it is going to be a long rough journey. I'm grateful to have such wonderful people in my life to help this mom get through this. I hope the posts of my experiences with this will help others know what is to be expected. 

Prayers Welcome.