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Weakness, fatigue after foot surgery

Posted by bob76farmer @bob76farmer, Dec 3, 2018

I had foot surgery 7/25, screw put in a stress fracture and torn tendon on top of same foot reattached. Cast from toes to knee for 8 weeks with no weight bearing on that foot. Since cast was taken off I have felt very weak and fatigued, both legs and all of my body. Had a blood test, all numbers look good except Testosterone, lost 100 points, down to 213 from 313 10 months ago, could this be the problem? I'm 76 years old and very active or at least I was. Any help would be appreciated.

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @bob76farmer "Hello Mamacita and Lioness, Thank you both for you're responses. You both put great emphasis on..." + (show)
@bob76farmer

Hello Mamacita and Lioness, Thank you both for you're responses. You both put great emphasis on doing PT. The surgeon did not order any PT, I don't know why, unless it was to protect the re-attachment of the torn tendon. I see him next week (it's a 200 mile round trip) and that will be my first question to him. I still think I have something else that is causing my weakness and low energy. Blood test eliminated anemia as a potential cause but did show a low testosterone number, see doctor tomorrow to discuss that. Going to try to walk more, I've always believed that walking and running heal.

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@bob76farmer, my Podiatrist did not order any PT either, possibly because there are simple things I can do on my own to build up strength and flexibility. Insurance won't cover an unlimited amount of PT visits, at least, mine does not. As for the Testosterone level, that seems to be a going thing around here. A male friend of ours was taking pills for low Testosterone ( He was in my age group also) and it seemed to do him a world of good. Wishing you well on your visit with your doctor and hope that all is sorted out for you soon!

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bob76farmer | @bob76farmer | Dec 11, 2018
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "As @lioness said, muscle atrophy occurs when you are unable or don't use a muscle for..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

As @lioness said, muscle atrophy occurs when you are unable or don't use a muscle for a long period of time. Typically, people experience muscle atrophy (loss) post surgery because you are unable to move a body part until you are healed. From my own experience, not following a PT's guidance on recovery plans can accelerate atrophy and make recovery harder than it needs to be. Also, for me, dealing with the loss of muscle from surgeries is one the hardest things I struggle with, both physically and mentally.

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Hi Justin, The last line of your post really hit home with me, you said you struggled both" physically and mentally". How can you measure the mental impact on your physical body of not being able to do your thing. You said you played sled hockey and golf. I have been a runner for 35 years. When you take the thing out of your life that defines who you are it takes a toll on your body just as great if not greater than an atrophied muscle. Thanks for letting me put my thoughts into words.

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Dec 12, 2018
In reply to @bob76farmer "Hello Mamacita and Lioness, Thank you both for you're responses. You both put great emphasis on..." + (show)
@bob76farmer

Hello Mamacita and Lioness, Thank you both for you're responses. You both put great emphasis on doing PT. The surgeon did not order any PT, I don't know why, unless it was to protect the re-attachment of the torn tendon. I see him next week (it's a 200 mile round trip) and that will be my first question to him. I still think I have something else that is causing my weakness and low energy. Blood test eliminated anemia as a potential cause but did show a low testosterone number, see doctor tomorrow to discuss that. Going to try to walk more, I've always believed that walking and running heal.

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Hello, @bobfarmer, and you are most welcome! It occurs to me that the foot surgery that was performed on you was way more extensive than my piddly little hammertoe surgery. Ergo, longer time for healing, and more attention to staying off the healing limb. PT must be done at the optimum time and circumstances. Immediately after surgery is not usually prescribed. Just a thought.

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terri672 | @terri672 | Dec 13, 2018

Start slow and build up as for the exercise. The 100 lb weight loss, although probably needed, would be my concern. I don't know what time frame that was in, but that is a lot of weight. Sounds like a lot of bloodwork is in order to rule out other health issues. Please see a doctor who can order you some labs right away. Physical therapy may be helpful. Also, look into restoring your gut. I'm sure with the surgeries, came antibiotics and other medications which have probably caused issues in your gut. 70% of your immune system is in your gut, so read up on gut health. Hope you feel better soon. I had 2 foot surgeries within 5 months. The second one was a year ago and am still having issues with pain in my ankles, achilles and swelling...

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Mamacita, Alumna Mentor | @mamacita | Dec 13, 2018

@bob76farmer , did you say that you lost one hundred pounds in ten months? Somehow I missed that.

Mamacita

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bob76farmer | @bob76farmer | Dec 13, 2018

To all my friends Mamacita, Justin, Lioness, Terri, No I didn't lose 100 pounds. My Testosterone blood test dropped 100 points in the past 10 months. Saw my Dr. and had a Pituitary gland blood test and if no other problems show up on that test we are going to try a testosterone treatment. Started some PT today, 45 minutes of that really proved how weak and out of shape I am. The good thing about it is, now I'm even more determined to come all the way back. The best to all of you.

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Dec 13, 2018
In reply to @bob76farmer "To all my friends Mamacita, Justin, Lioness, Terri, No I didn't lose 100 pounds. My Testosterone..." + (show)
@bob76farmer

To all my friends Mamacita, Justin, Lioness, Terri, No I didn't lose 100 pounds. My Testosterone blood test dropped 100 points in the past 10 months. Saw my Dr. and had a Pituitary gland blood test and if no other problems show up on that test we are going to try a testosterone treatment. Started some PT today, 45 minutes of that really proved how weak and out of shape I am. The good thing about it is, now I'm even more determined to come all the way back. The best to all of you.

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@bob76farmer Great to hear you,ll be fine now

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bob76farmer | @bob76farmer | Dec 15, 2018

Hello Justin, Mamacita, Lioness, Terri,
Just to clarify, I did not lose 100 pounds. My testosterone level dropped 100 points in the past 10 months. I have seen my Dr. and had some more blood work done. At this point I'm thinking there is something else going on to cause weakness and fatigue other than effects of the surgery. I have started PT on my foot. Thanks to all of you for your interest.

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