Did you ever try wearing the braces at night?



On Mon, 1 Mar 1999, Jan Nottmeier wrote:

> Hi Linda,
>
> Saw your post and I thought I should respond.  I had my tendons
> lengthened behind my knee about ten years ago.  I had my tendons
> lengthened in Germany because the health care insurance covered it over
> there at that time But that is another story.  Anyway before I left for
> Europe my doctor in the United States told me to expect to be
> hospitalized 4-5 days, had I elected to have the operation in the US.
>
> Right after my surgery I had major cramps for about ten days while I was
> in a hospital in Germany .As for recovery time, my legs were in a cast
> for about 6 weeks, followed by 2 months of exercises to get the strength
> back into my legs.  After spending 6 weeks in a cast I was unable to
> lift my legs out of the cast after it was cut open.
>
> Following the surgery I could really tell a difference I was able to
> strengthen my legs out and could stand up tall.  After about seven
> months however, my legs started to get weaker again.  My doctor at the
> time said that I should start wearing braces again to straighten out my
> lags again.  But I had trouble sleeping because they really hurt at
> times.  I should have most likely tried to fight through the discomfort
> but I didn't.  Now my walking is getting worse and worse with time, but
> I don't know if I want to go back to that doctor.
>
> I didn't mean to discourage you, but I wanted you to know the possible
> advantages and possible drawbacks both short term and long term.  But I
> am not a doctor, I was telling my personal experiences, so the surgery
> may work for you.  If you do decide to have the operation I hope
> everything will go well for you.  If you have any more questions please
> do not hesitate to ask.
>
> Jan
>
>
>
> Linda Wagner wrote:
>
> > Kim,
> >
> > How old were you when you had your achilles tendons lengthened?  What
> > was your recovery like?
> >
> > Linda
>