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Ankle Replacement Surgery

Posted , 196 users are following.

Ultraboxer
Ultraboxer

I would like to estabish contact with anyone who has undergone ankle replacement surgery and reflect a ittle on the aftereffects and the longer term prognoses for recovery and mobility.

Having undergone such an operation about 9 months ago I am currently coming to terms with a less than welcome (and certainly unexpected) imapct upon my life and mobility.

Issues such as lack of mobility, excessive swelling and cronic pain from the ankle itself but also from the toes and lack of sensation and feeling in parts of the foot are those I am facing and would like to know how other poeple have fared, both in the short and longer term.

16 likes, 848 replies

848 Replies

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  • MDW
    MDW Ultraboxer

    Posted

    Following up to see if anyone has had a Zimmer Total Ankle replacement and currently in recovery.  I had my surgery on Jan. 6th and had the cast removed Thursday Feb. 18th.  Currently walking in a boot on crutches with limited weight on foot, but occasionally using a cane.  Tremendous pain, very limited mobility of the ankle and significant swelling.  I begin PT on Tuesday Feb. 23rd.  Wanted to share and exchange information to know what to expect, how hard to push my recovery and exchange ideas for greater success.
    • LDT
      LDT MDW

      Posted

      Hi.

      I had the Zimmer Tribucular implant done about 18 months ago. As I have mentioned somewhere on this thread, it has become loose. Looking back and thinking what I could have done better, the one thing that stands out is the fact that I should have stayed off my ankle for at least 8-10 weeks. Secondly would be to have had an inner sole ready to wear in the Moon Boot rightnfrom the start. I waited 6 weeks for mine and the boot was just too uncomfortable to cope with for a full working day. That forced me walk without a boot and opssibly contributed to my loose prosthesis. Another interesting fact is that smoking has a huge adverse effect on the healing process of bones. I don't smoke but it's worth taking notice of.

      My ankle is ok, no pain and I have been up and about working with heavy metal..welding etc. and it's fine. Sometimes I can't believe it's loose inside.... 100% painless movement the works.

      All the best.

  • kenneth01219
    kenneth01219 Ultraboxer

    Posted

    I have joined the site to read words of encouragement in healing with my recent TAR. I am 69 and have had  (3) three TAR! The right ankle in 2010; the left was in 2013 with outstanding results and recently a revision replacement of the right.   All were Wright Inbone TAR done by the same very skilled surgeon.  The right actually resulted in failure because of the deformity in the right ankle that had excessive cavovarous deformity  (opposite of flat foot)The ankle deformity caused the device in the talar to rotated outwards.  In October 2015 I had a Dwyer calcaneal osteotomy on the right ankle. Three weeks later (November 2015) as the wound healed I had the total revision of the right ankle. I seem to heal well on the first two TAR.  This third one has been very difficult and slow. My current doctor thinks I am doing well considering the two surgeries and my age (my primary surgeon left and accepted a new position in another state as head of Ortho department) My Physical therapist, who I had for the other two TAR feels I am too impatient and should not try to rush the process.  Next week I depart for a 15 day cruise in South America.  I had planned this before the surgeries and was hoping to be "ship shape" for the cruise.  I use a walker/crutches to move around.  I plan to rent a knee walker for the cruise.  I have swelling when I walk and use compression stockings during the day.  These two recent surgeries has resulted in poor Proprioception which I hope will improve in time.  Well as you in the UK say, "stop your wingeing; you are going a cruise and can recovery in the pool!" Very true!  I am now resigned to the fact that this will take a lot of time. Cheers! Ken
  • July2014
    July2014 Ultraboxer

    Posted

    Greetings,

    I was a healthy athletic paddle boarder, jogger, hiker until I was in a severe motorcycle accident in July of 2014 in which I broke my neck, crushed my right lower leg loosing 4" of tibia and fibia bones, crushed my left foot and ankle and lost skin on all side of my body. It's now 2016 and 41 surgeries (motorcycle accident related) later. They spoke of removing my right leg and left foot, however by the grace of God the trauma doctors did what they could to save them. I am not fully walking yet, my skin has active hypertrophic scarring and my neck is fabulous. My latest two surgeries were a left foot fusion followed by a left TAR mid Dec. 2015. All went well. I was non weight bearing for approx. 2 months. I increased weight slowly 30lbs at a time till I was at full weight. I walked without much pain at all for a few days, then the outer side of my foot and heal be gain to hurt. The more I walked the more I hurt until I couldn't walk on it any longer. I went in for X-rays a week later. He saw nothing but suspected a heal fracture, saying you've been immobile for 1 1/2+ years and your bones have lost strength. He put me back in a cast for a month, non weight bearing. So I see him in 2 weeks for cast removal and an X-ray to confirm fracture, or decide if not a fracture what to do. It's hard to have such hope of carefully walking with reduced pain to back in a cast, elevating. However I have great hope to walk again, and swim, paddle, gently trail walk and live a somewhat active life.

  • andy14600
    andy14600 Ultraboxer

    Posted

    Hi all

    I went under the knife in Chicago area on Jan. 26th 2016 for an ankle replacement.  I had no cartilage left in my ankle and had been dealing with agonizing pain for the last 7 years or so. I had to go down to a couple days at work and on my feet the whole shift.

    First 2 weeks in a splint with no weight bearing allowed then had the stitches removed and put into a cast for 4 weeks. X-rays taken at that time showed favorable results and no shifting of the implant. No real pain to speak of after the first week so I took myself off most pain medication except for Aleeve. I had more pain caused by the cast than the surgery and demanded that the cast be removed 4 days early due to all the issues I had with it.

    They removed the cast, took more x-rays and placed me into a walking boot for 4 weeks. Swelling is minimal and pain is very low or non-existent under normal conditions. Some tingling pulsations around the ankle which I was told are just the nerves waking up and recovering.  As expected, the pain increased some once physical therapy started a week later. My therapist is very positive for a full recovery and stated that I was recovering better than most people that have gone through the replacement procedure. I will pop back on the forum and give updates periodically to inform everyone on how recovery is progressing. Even if I have mild issues it will still be better than the agony I was in before surgery. It is so awesome to put my foot on the floor in the morning and not feel pain. After reading some of the stories here I feel truly blessed and lucky so far.

    On a side note I look forward to my next doctors visit, his physician assistant is quite a hotty and I enjoy flirting with her.

    • rayner70214
      rayner70214 andy14600

      Posted

      Hi Andy.I had full ankle replacement December 2nd 2015 Non weight baring 2 weeks in boot.stitches removed.boot replaced further 4 weeks.Boot caused more problems.Used walking frame for 2 weeks very painful.Took a further week to learn to walk unaided and now don't even use a walking stick.My problem is swelling.I keep it raised when I am sitting down.Numbness to big toe and a cross part of foot.At least I can walk now without severe pain. Before op my foot was turned out to the side because it wouldn't go forwards.I now walk normal.
    • kim30180
      kim30180 rayner70214

      Posted

      You still have swelling? We are concerned about swelling with my Fiance TAR, but are only 7 weeks in. I know the ortho checks every 2 weeks, but am more comfortable seeing posts from others that this swelling is normal.
    • JohnCaleb
      JohnCaleb rayner70214

      Posted

      Hi

      I had a wright in bone TAR on Feb 16, 2017. It's been three months and am happy to say that I golfed 4 times last week. I ride in a cart but I am on my feet for most of the four hours it takes to play a round. The doc says the surgery was successful. I broke my left ankle when I was 16. At age 50 I noticed some stiffness in the ankle. Mind you I was a sports junkie until then and in fact I was running and playing full court basketball with the young bucks. That was the last time I played as my ankle was totally arthritic. I dealt with it for the last 15 years until I finally decided to do the TAR. One night in the hospital and in a cast for 10 days and then into the boot. As the operation was on my left foot I was able to drive and go back to work after 3 weeks. I was able to walk after about 6 weeks. My biggest issues are numbness and swelling. My foot is numb from the top of the foot running to my big toes and down the right side of the foot and under the foot to the ball of my foot. It feels like there is a big plate in there. I don't have pain but the numb feeling is a drag. I have to be careful when I walk barefoot because I can't feel the bottom of my foot. Here's my question: have any of you experienced the numbness? And did you get back some or all of the feeling in your foot. My doc says just give it time and it should come back. I am 65 and live in Oregon.

    • yvonne13888
      yvonne13888 JohnCaleb

      Posted

      Hi John,

      My surgery was eleven months ago. I was also a sports junkie. I am a 'young' 59 year old. I can't walk on the floor barefoot or do my 3 mile daily run. But I am doing everything else. I also have that annoying plate feeling in the left foot. My right foot had a big toe joint put in it 9 years ago: So my right foot also has that plate feeling. The numbness is present in my left foot, along the bottom and top. It may probably be slight nerve damage or maybe tbe veins and nerves are still all reconnecting. I wasn't supposed to run on that first surgery nine years ago: But, I did. Then my left ankle, seriously, all of a sudden got pain and swelled up and it seemed that arthritis set in overnight!

      Thus, after two years of that, I had triple ankle arthrodesis(fusion)and ligament surgery repair. Best of luck to you!

    • emile04479
      emile04479 JohnCaleb

      Posted

      My situation is very similar to yours, and I am considering the Wright TAR.  My concern is how long after surgery until some weigh bearing is allowed, such as using stairs in the house, and navigating 11 steps to get into the house?  I am 74 and live in Lake Arrowhead, California. 
    • Petemon
      Petemon JohnCaleb

      Posted

      Had my TAR on Feb 27th -  My heel is still numb, but they also did a subtalar fuson and put in a BIG screw.  After 25 years of pain, best thing I ever did. The Doc said numbnesss and swelling will decrease with time.  Are you still doing any rehab? - they have me going twice a week.  I'm 65 and live in MN.

    • JohnCaleb
      JohnCaleb emile04479

      Posted

      I was allowed to put about 25% weight on foot after about 3 weeks post surgery.  I was in the boot and using crutches.  I gradually started walking with just one crutch and no crutches after 6 weeks.  I can go up and down stairs now but using a hand rail is beneficial.  It's challenging going up and down stairs while on the crutches.  Fortunately I only have a couple of small steps at my house so it wasnt a big deal.  

      I would recommend the Wright InBone TAR. The device is very stable and xrays are all very positive at the 3 month mark.  I had to have a bunch of arthritis scraped away and the doc had to move the nerve out of the way.  Consequently the numbness and swelling.  The good news is I can walk.  I am doing physical therapy three times a week.  Twice with the PT and once in the pool in addition to my playing golf.  Just hoping for the feeling to come back.

      I wish you good luck in making your decision.

       

    • JohnCaleb
      JohnCaleb Petemon

      Posted

      Hi Petemon,

      Doing PT 3 times a week.  I do pool therapy on my own and meet with the PT twice where he has me do agility and strengthening as well as manual manipulation to help get more range of motion.  I have also been doing massage therapy and accucpuncture.  No sure the accupuncture helped but I like the deep tissude scar release therapy provided by my massage therapy.

      Hope you continue to improve.

       

    • Petemon
      Petemon JohnCaleb

      Posted

      Hey - John

      Just got back from PT - One more and thats it. They said there is not a lot more to do and learn.  The massage theropy sounds interesting - Hummmmm, wonder if i can get my wife to do it? I have a Integra Cadence TAR and so far its been great, even bought some stock in the company.  Stay in touch and we can compare our progress.  

    • JohnCaleb
      JohnCaleb Petemon

      Posted

      Hey Petemon,

      Played golf again today and had to walk more because the fairways were so wet.  I had no problem walking and actually feel like my swing and balance is getting better.  Even though I have numbness, if I can just forget about my foot and take a full swing I have better results.  I am encouraged.  I go to physical therapy again tomorrow.  He does foot manipulation and has me go through a little circuit.  The circuit includes assisted squats on a machine, toe raises, stepping up and down  on a step stool and then stepping sideways up and over to the other side and back.  Then I try to balance just on my new foot (can't do this very well) for 10 seconds.  Then I stand on a styrofoam foot piece and shift my weight to the outsdie of the foot and then to the inside of the foot.  Finally I do range of motion on a round board that sits on the floor.  I flex up and down, left and right, and then around the circular board.  I do (3) rounds of this after I warm up on the stationary bike for about 7 minutes.  This routine seems to get my ankle going.  In additon to this I'm doing pool therapy and walking backwards on a treadmill.  Hope your day is going well and yes let's keep in touch.

       

    • Petemon
      Petemon JohnCaleb

      Posted

      John – must be a standard regime, they have me doing the same things. You mentioned water therapy. A bunch of (older) guys in town get together to play water polo once a week and its great exercise. Keep in mind we all wear float belts and don’t keep score. Even when I was none weight bearing, I made my way to the school pool, it was fantastic. (used a pool side lift and my knee scooter). I think anyone with any kind leg joint issues should consider getting in a pool, it’s like being weightless. Hummm- might give that golf thing a try.
    • RichardKen
      RichardKen Petemon

      Posted

      When I had to greatly reduce my walking when my TAR started premature failing I decided to take up swimming to stay fit and carried it on until my twenty year old hip packed up. At the time I gad built up to swimming something over half a mile every other day and was starting to feel a lot fitter.

      Cheers Richard

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