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Ankle fusion post op 8 weeks

Posted , 4 users are following.

alison42577
alison42577

Hi I'm 8 weeks post op ankle fusion, in aircast boot, partial weight bearing but finding it quite hard. Had no pain after surgery but have now got pain in heel when I try to weight bear and soreness on side of foot.is this to be expected?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • tessa98714
    tessa98714 alison42577

    Posted

    Hi Alison, yes I’d say that’s normal, at least from my experience.  I had  a lot of muscle / tendon pain when i started weight bearing as my foot readjusted to walking in a different way.  It did get better eventually but it took a while.  The recovery in general was slower and longer than I’d been expecting so just be prepared that it can take a while for everything to settle down and don’t expect too much too soon. Good luck. 
  • daren50410
    daren50410 alison42577

    Posted

    Hi Allison. That seems completely normal based on my experience.  I had a subtalar fusion and Wednesday will be my 10 week mark. Up until this past Friday, each step in the aircast boot was incredibly painful. Week 6-8 I could partial weight Bear with a crutch. Then week 9 I transitioned to a cane but was very painful. Now I can hobble without anything with some pain but much better than previous weeks. Less pain now than before surgery to be honest.  My ligaments swell and my calf and shin gets really big and swollen too.  Each day is slightly better.  Our ankles will hurt until they’re strong but won’t  get stronger unless we walk on them.  Good luck. 
    • alison42577
      alison42577 daren50410

      Posted

      Hi Darren, thank you for replying. Has put my mind at ease. Nobody tells you what comes with each stage so its a little bit worrying. Will take each day as it comes. I have a dull ache on my shin but the worst is underneath my heel. I have no swelling but still elivate as it seems to ease the pain. Perhaps I am expecting too much too soon!! I wish you well.
    • daren50410
      daren50410 alison42577

      Posted

      Im glad I could help! No two recoveries are identical, but one thing for sure is that recovery of ankle fusion can be very painful once you start walking.  My doctor tells me to just do what I can and if it becomes to unbearable, then to rest and elevate for a bit.  As long as your bones are fused, then you are good to go.   The pain can be scary at first.  It was excruciating at first but will ease with time!  
    • alison42577
      alison42577 daren50410

      Posted

      Hi Daren, I've decided to go back on crutches instead of walking frame as I can control the weight bearing where as with the frame I think I was putting too much pressure on foot. Seems to be working better today. I'm lucky that I have no swelling. Havnt had x ray yet but Dr. seemed happy enough and said he'll x ray in 4 weeks time. Thanks for the reassurance and I hope all goes well for you.

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