Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous mother. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 We're all nervous mothers, no need to apologize for that! I'm not sure they cut the entire tendon, I hear different stories regarding that, some say they only nick the tendon much like snipping an elastic band to make it stretch a little further with out cutting it all the way through. In any event, it does grow back together rather quickly. Is there nothing you doctor can recommend for pain? There is some pain involved but probably not as much as you are fearing - and take heart in that a baby's nervous system really isn't mature yet so they often don't feel the intensity of pain an adult would feel experiencing the same procedure. It only hurts for a day or two though, give him lots of love and cuddling to help him though. Also, in case the doc doesn't warn you ahead of time, you may see a small amount of blood soak through the cast immediately afterwards. This is normal. I was told the spot may reach about the size of a Quarter, but again take heart and realize how tiny of an amount of water soaked in to a paper towel for example looks like a huge puddle. The bleeding is actualy very minimal. If it continues to grow (the stain), contact your doctor of course - and ask him a head of time what he feels is a normal size blood stain to expect. There may even not be one at all, just didn't want you freaking out if you did see one. Good luck and let us know how it goes! s. Tenotomy My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous mother. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 My son had his tenonomy at 2 months old. He was not a preemie, but my concern was there too. My doctor used a local anes and general anes. woke up very angry because I was not there. Once he was in my arms he was fine. That day and the next I tried to keep his feet elevated but would have no part of it. He was fine. I think that your son will do just fine. From my understanding, the achillies tendon will regenerate itself with in 3 weeks. Adults it is the same but takes much longer for the regeneration, something like 6 months. I know that it is a very stressful time. And no words will comfort you or put your mind at ease. We have all been there and felt similar feelings. I know that I was a wreck for the week prior to the procedure, but of course hind sight is 20/20 and it was not so bad. May I ask - Where are you from? and What doctor/hospital will be doing the surgery? Best, Dawn timmygreen16 timmygreen16@...> wrote: My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous mother. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Our son had his tenotomy in the beginning of December. Our surgeon cut the tendon all the way through and said it just grows back by itself and actually really quickly! He said it grows back faster than they would like it to in fact. As far as pain goes… our son definitely cried during the procedure but calmed pretty quickly afterwards. I remember right when we got home I put him in bed with me, propped his little foot up and we both slept for 3 hours. It was traumatic for all! I remember him being a little more fussy but overall, he handled it really well! Just keep his foot elevated during sleep.. that seemed to help. As far as Tylenol goes, our pediatrician okayed Tylenol. Our son was 2 ½ months when he did the tenotomy but our doctor okayed Tylenol from the very beginning with the casting. Our pediatrician explained that doctors are reluctant to okay pain relievers because they would mask a fever if something serious came up. We did use the Tylenol for early casts (10 days old) and with the Tenotomy. I would just go with your gut! Good luck and hang in there! Lori _____ From: Number23 Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2005 8:35 AM To: nosurgery4clubfoot Subject: Re: Tenotomy We're all nervous mothers, no need to apologize for that! I'm not sure they cut the entire tendon, I hear different stories regarding that, some say they only nick the tendon much like snipping an elastic band to make it stretch a little further with out cutting it all the way through. In any event, it does grow back together rather quickly. Is there nothing you doctor can recommend for pain? There is some pain involved but probably not as much as you are fearing - and take heart in that a baby's nervous system really isn't mature yet so they often don't feel the intensity of pain an adult would feel experiencing the same procedure. It only hurts for a day or two though, give him lots of love and cuddling to help him though. Also, in case the doc doesn't warn you ahead of time, you may see a small amount of blood soak through the cast immediately afterwards. This is normal. I was told the spot may reach about the size of a Quarter, but again take heart and realize how tiny of an amount of water soaked in to a paper towel for example looks like a huge puddle. The bleeding is actualy very minimal. If it continues to grow (the stain), contact your doctor of course - and ask him a head of time what he feels is a normal size blood stain to expect. There may even not be one at all, just didn't want you freaking out if you did see one. Good luck and let us know how it goes! s. Tenotomy My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous mother. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 I don't know if it's different for premies, but a 6 week old CAN have infant tylenol, they'll tell you how much when they release him. My daughter had the tenotomy at 7 weeks, she was only 10 lbs at that time and they told us how much we could give her. But she mainly slept the rest of the day & didn't seem to be in much pain. I did give her a little tylenol, but more for my own peace of mind. She was barely fussy the next day, nothing a little extra nursing couldn't handle. Don't worry too much (easy for me to say now that I'm on the other side!) but I'm sure your little guy will be just fine! My doctor said the tendon " regrows " or " regenerates " on it's own in babies under a year. Honestly, though, as stressful as it is that day, it goes very quickly and you'll be home and fine before you know it! Is he having general or just a local? , mommy of: Guinevere, on, Ava 8/4/04 right CF DBB 23/7 > > > My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to > get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed > to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do > after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain > the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they > actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in > the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without > stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous > mother. > > Thank you > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 That's a really good point...our doc circled the blood stain on the back of the cast before we left the hospital & told us to call if it got any bigger. It actually faded, never got any bigger. He had offered in a week to change the cast so it would look nicer, but it was so light we didn't bother (saved the $30! hehe). I just decorated that cast with polka dots & covered the spot! (Once we knew she wasn't bleeding anymore) mommy of: Guinevere, harrison, Ava 8/4/04 right CF DBB 23/7 > We're all nervous mothers, no need to apologize for that! I'm not sure they cut the entire tendon, I hear different stories regarding that, some say they only nick the tendon much like snipping an elastic band to make it stretch a little further with out cutting it all the way through. In any event, it does grow back together rather quickly. > > Is there nothing you doctor can recommend for pain? There is some pain involved but probably not as much as you are fearing - and take heart in that a baby's nervous system really isn't mature yet so they often don't feel the intensity of pain an adult would feel experiencing the same procedure. It only hurts for a day or two though, give him lots of love and cuddling to help him though. > > Also, in case the doc doesn't warn you ahead of time, you may see a small amount of blood soak through the cast immediately afterwards. This is normal. I was told the spot may reach about the size of a Quarter, but again take heart and realize how tiny of an amount of water soaked in to a paper towel for example looks like a huge puddle. The bleeding is actualy very minimal. If it continues to grow (the stain), contact your doctor of course - and ask him a head of time what he feels is a normal size blood stain to expect. There may even not be one at all, just didn't want you freaking out if you did see one. > > Good luck and let us know how it goes! > s. > > Tenotomy > > > > > > My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to > get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed > to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do > after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain > the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they > actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in > the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without > stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous > mother. > > Thank you > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2005 Report Share Posted January 22, 2005 Hi nervous mother! We've been there, I think I cried in the waiting room when Aidan had his tenotomy. He was also a preemie but we were able to use Infant Advil. He slept all the way home and wasn't really fussy at all. I'm not sure they seperate the tendon completely but it does grow back the correct length. You may see some blood come through the casts but don't worry it's perfectly normal. It's like when a paper towel absorbs something it spreads, so it's more than likely not very much blood at all. How premature was your son, if you don't mind me asking? timmygreen16 timmygreen16@...> wrote: My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous mother. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 Hi, My son was born 7 weeks early and had his tenotomy at about 2 months old. I was told they cut the tendon (I assumed all the way trough) and that it would grow back on its own. He didn't need any stiches, just a tiny little plaster over it before the plaster cast went on. He didn't need any pain killers either and was perfectly happy afterwards. Otherwise I was told I could give him Calpol (paracetamol, the UK equivalent of tylenol I think) even though the package said from 3 months only (apparently this is because they only have a licence for over 3 month-old babies). He had surgery for a hernia at 6 weeks old by the way (ie even before his due date!) for which he had general anaesthetics followed by some pain killers, and he was fine! (The tenotomy didn't worry me at all after that...) Good luck, with (*9/02) and Alister (*9/02, RCF, Ponseti method, UK) --- timmygreen16 timmygreen16@...> wrote: > > > My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. > He is scheduled to > get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. > He is not allowed > to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering > how baby's do > after they get home from the procedure? Are they in > a lot of pain > the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I > understand, they > actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back > together while in > the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back > together without > stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many > questions. A nervous > mother. > > Thank you > > ___________________________________________________________ ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 I am in Florida. The doctor is Dr. Romano. Thank you for your words, they really help. > > > My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to > get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed > to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do > after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain > the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they > actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in > the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without > stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous > mother. > > Thank you > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 He is have a local shot in each heal before the surgery. They are doing it right in the doctor's office here in Florida. Thank you for your input, I appreciate it. > > > > > > My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled > to > > get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not > allowed > > to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do > > after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain > > the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, > they > > actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while > in > > the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without > > stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A > nervous > > mother. > > > > Thank you > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2005 Report Share Posted February 1, 2005 He was one month early. He weighed 5 pounds 12 OZ. I will ask the doctor about the infant Advil. Thank you for the advice. > > > My son was born premature and is now 6 weeks old. He is scheduled to > get a Tenotomy on Tuesday and I am a bit nervous. He is not allowed > to have any tylenol at this age and I was wondering how baby's do > after they get home from the procedure? Are they in a lot of pain > the next day, after the shot wears off? From what I understand, they > actually cut the entire tendon and it attaches back together while in > the cast, correct? How can a tendon attach back together without > stitches to help with the process? Sorry, many questions. A nervous > mother. > > Thank you > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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