Ankle Fusion
Posted , 3 users are following.
i am getting a ankle and subtalar fusion in a few weeks. I’m wondering how I am going to manage getting around. Everything I read says it is horrible.
0 likes, 12 replies
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Notes on Ankle Fusion
marian01540 kathy18445
Posted
I got around in a wheelchair for the first six weeks.
kathy18445 marian01540
Posted
marian01540 kathy18445
Posted
You learn to hop really well on your good leg and hold on to things .
kathy18445 marian01540
Posted
marian01540 kathy18445
Posted
Hi Kathy,
I really don't remember, I stayed in the hospital for a week because there was no one to look after me at home. When I got home I spent quite sometime in bed, sleeping and reading. I was lucky friends would come around and take me out in my wheelchair. I do remember spending lots of time on the couch. The painkillers zonked me out too for a while.
kathy18445 marian01540
Posted
What helped you the most when you had to get around? I’m thinking a wheel chair.
marian01540 kathy18445
Posted
I had a wheelchair it was great, I moved the microwave down to bench height so that I could cook meals, had my groceries delivered, my wine delivered and did have a cleaner for about 4 weeks, she changed my sheets and put the washing on for me. Then I had friends come and change my sheets, and wash them for me. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I had a showerchair in the shower, so I could sit and wash myself.
alison42577 marian01540
Posted
Hi Marian when you first started partial weight bearing was it painful. I've been in tears today for the first time as I feel it's all going backwards now. Am in aircast boot but ankle is very sore and when I try weight bear pain shoots through ankle whereas I had no pain before. I'm 8 weeks post op.
kathy18445 alison42577
Posted
marian01540 alison42577
Posted
I think that it was painful to start with, remember you have been non weight bearing for 6 weeks, all the muscles and tendons are starting to work again, however, if you are concerned I would suggest going back to the doctor.
Hope this helps.
alison42577 kathy18445
Posted
Hi Kathy, I stopped pain meds 5 days after surgery had no pain just the odd twinge but now I'm in boot, 8 weeks later, I am taking pain relief as and when I need to. I'm hoping it's just the readjustment to walking again although it is quite sore on the underneath of my heel. I'm wondering if that's where one of the screws are? I think this is the hardest part of the journey which I wasn't prepared for.
daren50410 kathy18445
Posted
I am almost 10 weeks post subtalar fusion. My knee scooter was a godsend for 8 weeks or so. Once you are partial weight bearing, the scooter is nice to rest your knee on to brush your teeth. You can also use the knee scooter to ease onto the toilet or climb into the bath tub.
Make sure you have plenty of soft pillows to prop your leg up on, and plenty of books or a Netflix subscription.
Other life savers were a cast cover (from Amazon) and a shower stool.