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Ankle fusion & put in boot 3 weeks post-op (but NWB)

Posted , 6 users are following.

nichole.nls
nichole.nls

Has anyone else been put in a boot very early due to difficulty with pain, sweeling, etc.? I was supposed to be in the very cast I came out of surgery in for 8 weeks but due to severe burning, pain, and swelling that would squeeze my toes together my doctor put me in a boot at 3 weeks PO. I have to admit I am so happy with it even though its much bigger and very heavy.

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • cheryl96314
    cheryl96314 nichole.nls

    Posted

    Surprised this was done but hope you aren't putting weight on it as it takes 8 to 10 weeks to heal and then I was in a ankle n

    Brace for 4 weeks so just be careful.

    • nichole.nls
      nichole.nls cheryl96314

      Posted

      Of course not. I'm pretty sure it would just break if I did. I'm NWB at least until 8 weeks.

  • sally48028
    sally48028 nichole.nls

    Posted

    Hi Nicole i had a moonboot at week three after having a cast because my consultant said it would help with flexibility and I was given exercises to do, i noticed it felt heavier but got used to it after about a week, i love being able to take it off to shower.
    • nichole.nls
      nichole.nls sally48028

      Posted

      I haven't showered, I only bath because I don't want water in my incisions. I'm just to afraid of infection being introduced. I won't shower because I don't want risk falling.

      Did you keep your boot on all day? What surgery did you have?

    • sally48028
      sally48028 nichole.nls

      Posted

      I was afraid to wash but was told this was ok as long as i patted the scars dry afterwards and it seemed to dry the wounds out, sounds daft but it worked for me that was week 3 though when my cast came off and my wounds had knitted well. I also have a bath chair, it sits on top of the bath and swivels so i just sit on it and the swivel so that im sitting in the bath but on the top if it and use the shower head to wash its heaven.

      Ii broke my ankle in three parts don't know the terminology but had major surgery with plates and pins, i have a 10 inch scar on the outside of ankle and 5 inch scar on the inside of my ankle.

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  • marian01540
    marian01540 nichole.nls

    Posted

    I had my op 18/1/17 have been in my boot since 1 week after operation. I have a shower stool and shower everyday. No infection, have had the screws removed because they were giving me pain, still in boot weight bearing only in boot. I take my boot off in the afternoon when I am lying on the couch and also when sleeping.
  • lors23
    lors23 nichole.nls

    Posted

    Hi

    I had an ankle fusion on 5th april and was in a cast for just 3 weeks before he changed me to moonboot l have been in this ever since 24/7. I can take it of if lying on couch but sleep with it on. I am back at hospital this wednesday where my consultant said l will be able to put weight on it a bit after that but l already am when l have boot on because my other leg needs knee replaced and l cant take all the weight on my one leg. My consultant knows this as l had to tell him but l feel my ankle is healing as there is no pain or swelling and it was keyhole surgery and the wounds have all healed up. I cant wait to get this boot of as l am stuck at home unable to drive. Its driving me crazy and getting me down.

    Lors x

  • jenni_24876
    jenni_24876 nichole.nls

    Posted

    Are you wearing a shoe of equal height in good foot. I wasn't told this by disability aide shop or dr but am hearing a lot of people come out with hip damage from walking crooked. I couldn't wear boot or caste because of nerve damage after surgery. Pressure caused too much pain.8 weeks after injury wound healing and xray showed no evidence of break and fracture. 

    • lors23
      lors23 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Hi jenni

      I have also had both hips replaced and my knee and the prressure of wearing the boot on my leg that l have had been both hip and knee replaced is sore l am scared it damages my hip and knee as they have only been done in the last year and a half but the doctor does not seem to be concerned.

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 lors23

      Posted

      Hi lors. Another poster on this forum mentioned a product called "EvenUp" got from amazon. Unfortunately surgeons don't give enough info and expect GP to. It's up to us to educate on our own after care. I'm still baffled about the lack of information about everything especially medication addictive constipation fluid loss hives. Like we don't have enough going on. 

    • lors23
      lors23 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Yeah l agree l honestly had no idea how hard the recovery from ankle surgery would be. I was told it was a small keyhole surgery and would be in hospital for 1 night. I thought easy as l have just had 2 hips replaced and a knee and they were major surgeries yet l spent 4 agonising days in hospital after them but came home to recover very quick no cast or boot. This time wearing the cast and the boot has been a nightmare. Worse than any other surgeries. I was at hospital last night and my comsultant said it has fused perfectly and is healing fine. But l have had 7 weeks so far in the boot non weight bearing. And last night he said just walk normal now with boot on for another 5-6 weeks but can take it of in bed. That will be 12 weeks l have been stuck at home unable to drive and my husband does not drive. I stay out in a rural town with nothing close for 10 miles.

      I think if l knew how bad this would be l would have thought twice about it and suffered the pain.

      Laura x

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 lors23

      Posted

      I'm so sorry your suffering. And yes the pain is unreal. My bone and wound is healing well but the constant burning nerve pain and I still can't even have air blown on it or shower hitting it. Can't wear clothing near it. Mine wasn't keyhole so gave a long cut running down. I can't believe they stapled it then plastered it. I didn't sleep for weeks. I've never cried with pain before but cried for weeks. The tired and depression had me contemplating acting on very  bad thoughts. I'm very lucky to have a good friend to bounce off. I was hesitant to go to hospital as found the staff incompetent. I had 8 plasters in 4 weeks. They folds on the inside near wound for the first 4 and then as swelling went down the staples rubbed in plaster. Sorry for sounding off but seems like we've both had a hell time. Are you getting any home help. I got 2 hours a week for 4 weeks which helped hubby out with housework. I'm so fortunate that he's a great cook. 

    • lors23
      lors23 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Oh god jenni that sounds awful getting staples and then a cast on top that must have/is agony. My husband is my carer he works from home and l am.lucky to have him.

      I went through the depression and crying everyday and dark thoughts to. I just felt useless and that there was no light at the end of the tunnel. So l understand. I am going stir crazy being stuck at home. I have 5 weeks more in this boot l have to try and think there is an end to this. I have been on strong painkillers for more than a year because of the other operations and l have a knee replacememt to get after all this. But all l want is to get this boot off.

      Stay stong jenni l know its so hard but it will eventually get better.. i could not get that in my head for so long l just thought this is never going to end. But going to hospital last night and them telling me it is healing perfectly l feel better. Just a few more weeks in this boot and then l am going to burn it.

      Hope you feel better

      Laura

      X

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 lors23

      Posted

      I hope you find this forum to be as valuable as I have. I think knowing we're all feeling the same normalises every thing. I'm in Australia and our health system is under a lot of stress and unfortunately it flows to patient and good people leave the industry and a lot of the bad stay. 

    • lors23
      lors23 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Jenni l have been a member of this forum for 2 years l started in the hip forum when l was getting my hip replaced. I have found it so helpful. I know your in australia l am in scotland but it does not matter where we are we are going through the same stuff. I have became friends with someone in sunderland in england and calaforrnia and diffrent places and they are close friends now. l am.here if you need to talk anytime. I found out l had Ostioarthritis when l was 42 l am now 44 and have spent the last 2 years going through various things hip replacments 1 knee replacement then my ankle fusion. Its been so hard Jenni and l understand how down you can get. I have been there so many times. I stay at home with my husband and god knows what l.would do without him. I sometimes think he would be better of without me. But he hates it when l say that we have been married 20 years and he is my best friend. But if l never had this forum and the people on it that you meet l would have went of my head. The thing is when l am recovered from the ankle fusion l need my other knee replaced. But l am thinking have some time first before l go back for another operation. I work part time to but its become no so important anymore where as it used to be everything.

      If you are having a hard time or need to talk pm me if you want l am here everyday at the moment.

      Laura

      X

    • jenni_24876
      jenni_24876 lors23

      Posted

      Thank you. Had an insane day but doing ok now. I'm 60 married 40 years. Great supportive husband. I don't know anyone could manage alone. After what you've been through I coincided myself lucky. 

    • lors23
      lors23 jenni_24876

      Posted

      Not at all jenni we all go through hard times l just have to make the most of things now even though the last 2 years have been hell. They will feel the same for you and its hard. No matter what your going through. You will get there xx
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