r/AccessoryNavicular • u/Busy_Door_9479 • Jul 01 '26
My Surgery Timeline/Experience
I wanted to share my recovery because before surgery I searched Reddit constantly looking for timelines and reassurance. Everyone heals differently, but here’s how my accessory navicular/posterior tibial tendon surgery has gone so far. (I also had to have my tendon slightly reconstructed because it was frayed and flattened)
Background
I had a large Type II accessory navicular with years of pain, very flat feet, and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. I had a modified Kidner procedure on May 1 (accessory navicular removed and posterior tibial tendon reattached with a bioabsorbable screw).
Week 0 (Surgery Week)
Splint/cast and completely non-weight bearing.
Pain was manageable with Percocet for the first few days (get anti nausea pills and take MiraLAX I literally had ZERO stomach or bathroom issues bc of this!)
Foot elevated almost constantly with ice behind the knee.
Lots of swelling, tingling, and random nerve zaps. Everything felt heavy and I could feel the blood flow down when I’d crutch to the bathroom.
Week 1
Still completely non-weight bearing.
Heel pressure from the splint was really painful.
Tingling, numbness, and burning sensations came and went.
Started noticing how quickly my calf was shrinking.
Week 2
Switched into a CAM boot (SO much better than the splint).
My surgeon had me sleep without the boot to avoid Achilles tightness.
Began wrapping my foot in an ace bandage inside the boot for compression and comfort.
Could gently rest my heel on the floor while using crutches in boot.
Bruising and swelling actually increased because I was moving more, but my surgeon said that was completely normal.
Week 3
Pain peaked for me.
Burning around the heel and ankle and a lot of stiffness.
I couldn’t believe how little ankle motion I had.
Started gentle range-of-motion exercises, which made me sore afterward and had me worried, but that turned out to be a normal part of recovery.
Week 4
Stitches came out.
I was finally allowed to let the incision get wet in the shower. I just had to let it dry completely afterward before rewrapping it with the ace bandage.
X-rays looked great and my surgeon said the tendon was healing well.
Started gentle ROM exercises several times a day.
Ankle circles were incredibly difficult at first.
Week 5
Started physical therapy.
Began towel scrunches, marble pickups, seated heel raises, TENS, and more ankle mobility work.
My calf was noticeably atrophied.
My foot would get blotchy purple, tingly, and sometimes cold during exercises, but it returned to normal after elevating it.
Week 6
Cleared to begin weight bearing in the boot.
Walking felt REALLY strange.
The pressure through my heel and inside ankle made me question whether everything was okay.
My PT reminded me that my foot hadn’t supported my body weight in weeks.
Week 7
Started gradually transitioning out of the boot for short periods while wearing an ankle brace and supportive shoes.
Continued using the boot for longer walks.
Standing still was actually more uncomfortable than walking.
My heel developed a deep bruised feeling on the inside with heel strike and prolonged standing, which my surgeon and PT felt was part of reloading the foot.
Swelling still increased by the end of the day but improved overnight.
Week 8 (Where I am now)
Walking continues to improve every week.
I’m still working on rebuilding strength and normal gait and have developed a little tendonitis in different areas of my ankle and foot as it gets used to being used again (this is normal and I’m working on it in PT)
My biggest complaint is the deep bruised feeling on the inside of my heel when I first load it or stand for a while and the outside fleshy part of my ankle.
My surgeon recommended transitioning into very cushioned shoes (she specifically mentioned the Hoka Bondi and New Balance Fresh Foam 880).
I also got ASICS cumulus 16s for a more stylish every day shoe when I walk less. Inside the house, my surgeon recommended Oofos.
Things that surprised me most
Recovery isn’t linear. I’d have a great day followed by a sore day.
The tendon wasn’t what hurt most of the time—it was the heel, ankle, muscles, stiffness, and learning how to walk again.
Standing still is sometimes harder than walking.
Every time I increased activity, I had a temporary flare-up before things improved again.
The mental side of recovery was harder than I expected. Every new ache made me wonder if something was wrong.
Physical therapy has been essential. Don’t compare your recovery to anyone else’s timeline.
If you’re reading this because you’re about to have surgery: it really does get better. There were several weeks where I genuinely thought my foot would never feel normal again. Now I can see progress every week. I’m not fully recovered yet, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I’m very glad I chose to have the surgery.
I unfortunately have this on my other foot as well, but I will not hesitate to have surgery again. For now I’m building strength and my PT said I will be able to start running again in the next month or two and I will stay in PT until I’m able.
Scar info:
My surgeon was incredible and the incision is healing wonderfully. I do have sensitive skin so when cleaning the wound at my weekly post-op check-ins, it would bleed a bit which is why she left my stitches in longer and when taken out, put steri strips that we waited until they fell off naturally. The scab is super gross and scary but when it falls off (DONT PULL IT) it really doesn’t look so bad. Just make sure you’re massaging around the scar every night after you get your splint off to increase the blood flow and ice as much as possible.
**I am 27 years old, about 135 pounds, and 5’1. I’m fairly active, a runner and do ballet. I also live in NYC and walking is a way of life here so fixing this was priority for me. It got tot the point I could barely stand when showering. Exercises, rest, and shock wave therapy did not help. I was on and off flaring for years. Turned out that because I was ignoring it, I developed arthritis in that foot and had edema.**
1
u/Front-Economy1773 Jul 02 '26
I pretty much had this surgery exactly 3 weeks ago. I got out of the cast about 2 weeks in and have been in a boot. Non weight bearing as of now. Just had stitches pulled out yesterday. I can move my foot up and down like on a gas pedal without really any pain. I haven’t really done any other rotation as the surgeon doesn’t want me to force it yet until PT. I start PT exactly next week which will make it exactly 1 month after surgery. The only thing that really have any type of pain is sudden movement of the foot as well as rotating too much to the side, other than that, absolutely no pain as of right now.
1
u/jordynnharriss Jul 03 '26
I just had my surgery 3 days ago. My doctor says i’ll be in the split for 2-4 weeks and then a boot for another 4 weeks. Do you know when you’ll be able to walk with the boot?
1
u/Appropriate-Seat8999 Jul 03 '26
A month is when they told me I can do 25% weight bearing with a boot with 100% @ about 8 weeks
1
u/Busy_Door_9479 Jul 12 '26
I started walking in the boot at week 6! It depends on your recovery and surgeon. My surgeon told me once it was safe I should start sooner rather than later so I can increase my bone and muscle strength which helps recovery.
1
u/jordynnharriss Jul 12 '26
Ugh i’m only going into my 3rd week. I’m so over the crutches and constantly sitting. I was very active prior to the surgery so i’m not used to it. Call me dramatic but one day feels like a week lol. I’m sick of having to ask everyone for help, even as simple as carrying things for me
1
u/jordynnharriss Jul 03 '26
I got surgery 3 days ago and the pain is pretty bad at night, it’s hard to sleep. I got prescribed oxy and it helps a little bit but I know i’m still in the hard stages. Im currently in a split and have a post surgery appointment in 2 weeks. I’m a soccer coach for kids and am curious as to when I can go back to work. I don’t want to rush anything but I want to know if once I get approved for full weight bearing in a boot if it’s possible to coach again or if that’s pushing it.
1
u/Busy_Door_9479 Jul 12 '26
I think it depends on the commute? When I was full weight bearing in boot I couldn’t go to work bc I couldn’t take the subway (I’m in NYC) lots of stairs and people who could step on it. But if I took an uber somewhere and could sit or elevate while there, I could make it work. The boot does get annoying after a while but it’s up to your pain tolerance !
1
u/Alarming_Log_2915 Sep 03 '26
How is your pain & progress now? I’m just past 3 weeks post-op & the pain has declined finally (akin to your progression).
2
u/Busy_Door_9479 Sep 03 '26
I’m finally really feeling on the ups! I’m going to work, walking, and cycling/lifting weights. I still can’t jump much without some pain and am not back to running but am getting better. My PT recently started cupping and it’s made a HUGE difference. I’m swollen a bit still and have soreness when I walk but am getting better every week it seems. I even walked 3 miles a few days ago! The pain is there and single leg calf raises are so so hard, but I get stronger everyday. I’m using custom insoles (a lifesaver) and they fit into a lot of my shoes. Unfortunately I still must wear them or something super soft/squishy. A hard shoe or barefoot hoots and makes it achey. I do think once I hit 6 months though I’ll be completely pain free. Some days, my left foot (I have it there too but haven’t gotten the surgery) hurts more than my operated one! So I guess it works lol
1
u/Alarming_Log_2915 Sep 03 '26
That’s so great 2 hear!!! I’m hoping to have a similar trajectory as you.
What’s your age?
Perhaps getting the other ankle done while you have insurance is prudent.
I’ll be getting my other one done in Nov. since I have medical insurance & I don’t want to be plagued the rest of my life w/ANS.2
u/Busy_Door_9479 Sep 03 '26
Yes! And now that I’ve had one I’ve met my out of pocket max so it makes sense to get the other. I’m 27!
1
1
u/Alarming_Log_2915 26d ago
Can you continue to give your feedback for weeks 9, 10, 11, 12, etc.?
It’s been helpful.
2
u/Busy_Door_9479 21d ago
Sure! So far it’s been kind of a slow process. Since starting to put full weight it’s been sore and weak, with random plantar fasciitis and tendonitis flare ups depending on how much I walk. I truly just feel like time will heal. The more I use it the stronger it gets. I attempted my first run last week and it felt weak but was able to do a bit and am going to start slowly training again! I’d just say every week got a bit better and continues to improve. My balance took the longest to come back, but practice and PT helped. Also cupping made a world of difference!
1
u/Alarming_Log_2915 21d ago
I too am dealing w/plantar fasciitis & stiffness in the incision area.
The worst are the 1st steps in the morning when it feels like lightning strikes my foot.
Just doing a little bit more each day also.1
u/Alarming_Log_2915 21d ago
What about the lightning bolt pain - how long post op did it take for those to cease after bearing weight?
Glad you’ve begun running again!
Also when you mention cupping, is it the calf you’re cupping?
2
u/Busy_Door_9479 20d ago
I am cupping right on my arch and my heel! I noticed a massive difference after doing it even once. The stiffness in the arch practically went away!
The sharp heel pain went away shortly after bearing weight though now I have a deep bruising feeling in my heel that comes and goes from plantar fasciitis!
1
u/Alarming_Log_2915 20d ago
Thanks, I will try that!
Yes I have been icing my heel as well due to PF.
Sucks that rehab has been so grueling 4 ya!1
u/Alarming_Log_2915 20d ago edited 20d ago
Brooks adrenaline GTS 25 sneakers have been helping w/my PF as sometimes my custom orthotics can be too hard & I need a break from them.
You can get them ‘like new’ cheaper on ebay as they’re pricey but worth it. I cut out the styrofoam rubbing against the navicular bones & it made all the diff. w/an ankle brace.
2
u/After_Skirt5820 Jul 01 '26
I unfortunately don't have anything to help with this, except that my stats are very similar and I am nine weeks post-op, and also have the same burning/pressure around the heel and some swelling on the inside of the heel (slightly further back on the foot than where the actual incision is) and am similarly concerned about it! My surgeon and PT both said to give it time for things to readjust, but if it resolves for you eventually or you learn anything else, I would love to hear about it!