Question
Hello Dr. Tsatsos.

I am 13 days p.o. a lapidus bunionectomy with a gastroc slide.  At first my entire foot was numb but now it is primarily following the pathway of the sural nerve, beginning at the posterior/lateral aspect of my calf and moving distal to the lateral aspect of my foot. I only have a deep touch sensation to this area on my foot.  I am occasionally getting a mild burning pain on the lateral aspect of my foot that I am attributing to the nerve trying to repair itself.  Am I in the ball park thinking that?  Also, is it common for sural nerve numbness after a gastroc slide?  Any idea's of expected length for its optimum return?

Thanks so much for your input!  Happy 2013!!

Answer
Dear Jackie,
This Chicago Podiatrist located in West Loop 60661,Roscoe Village 60618,Elmhurst 60126 & Bartlett 60103 says...
For your sural nerve numbness-Make sure your parents are involved in all aspects of your treatment. Make sure you talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Ask him/her the same questions you are asking me.
Sounds like you are improving-which is good. If the sural nerve was irritated/minimally injured during the surgery-then it could take up to six months for resolution. Swelling of the leg post-op would also produce some of the irritation you are talking about---and so keeping it elevated above heart level will help for the swelling. This improvement should be noticed within a few weeks. If there was damage to the sural nerve-then it would tale longer for adaption & healing---and there could be some leftover numbness.
PS-Am in Park City Utah now for a vacation with the family. Also have a license in Utah. It's a great place!

Happy New Year's to You also!
Hope This Helps!
and
Good Luck!
The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot & ankle pain.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661


DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.