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Ankle Replacement Surgery

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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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  • Luchie
    Luchie Ultraboxer

    Posted

    One thing that might help swelling is to ice ankle while at work and foot is elevated on box. May get some relief with a copper stocking as well. Ice works well for me.  I also use slanopas pain relief patches.
    • gilbert-grapes
      gilbert-grapes Luchie

      Posted

      Hi Luchie,

      Well, interesting enough I got a "box" and the "sox" right now at work! I still don't know well about the 'copper' property on swelling but I got these because they act with some restraining force which keeps the swelling from concentrating around the ankle and scar areas. I don't use ice though, but I make sure I move around from my chair as often as possible, plus I do a good deal of elongation exercises early in the morning. The only pain I feel lately (this is 6 months after my procedure) is minor, just around the instep of the ankle and it happens when I do movements forward or waking downstairs. I am quite okay with that, I should not complain much, really. All I want is to share here my progress with others who have gone through the same, and I know every case is a case.

      G.

    • MR_ANKLE
      MR_ANKLE Luchie

      Posted

      THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM IS A PACK OF CHEAP FROZEN PEAS FORGET THE ICE
    • Luchie
      Luchie gilbert-grapes

      Posted

      i look forward to the no pain part. Although I don't have any pain where I did before TAR which was done on 4/3. My pain is on the outer side of foot below the femer. 
  • MR_ANKLE
    MR_ANKLE Ultraboxer

    Posted

    The answer is a pack of cheap frozen peas forget the ice
    • LDT
      LDT MR_ANKLE

      Posted

      Hi MR ANKLE

      I agree. The trick is to have the cold part curved around the ankle joint and not just on it... I had a bit more "advanced" ice packs but the concept is the same.

      Regards

      Leon

    • Luchie
      Luchie MR_ANKLE

      Posted

      Yes, ice foot with whatever form you choose to use.  The key is to ice it.
  • sadxhorsedancer
    sadxhorsedancer Ultraboxer

    Posted

    Hi. I am a 49 yr old woman who was always thin and very active. Spent most of my years training and riding horses was an aerobic instructor and loved to hike...my arthritis is bad now and had to have a total ankle replacement as my ankle kept breaking and was causing my leg to break..my tibia and fibula ..I suffered for a debilitating couple years on crutches before having no choice but to undergo a total ankle replacement. Its been 2 &1/2 yrs since my total ankle replacement and my life it seems has been such a struggle not because of the replacement but the whole thing. ..the replacement has made it better as my ankle and leg isn't breaking over and over but the pain is STILL EXRUCIATING and my mobility is limited. .Im depressed and sleep alot because of the pain and am disappointed as I thought the replacement would help ease the pain and give me my active life back.I don't ride horses anymore nor can so work full time and gained 50 pounds which I'm not handling well...to tell you the truth I'm not handling the pain well either or how my life is so debilitating now. It's hard to get up or even walk ...so my heart goes out to you..but on a happier note I'm blessed to have my leg and be able to do what I can do even tho the pain is extreme.
  • Luchie
    Luchie Ultraboxer

    Posted

    It has now been 12 weeks since TAR and it seems like every few weeks, just when I start to feel discouraged, there is a little breakthrough!  Yesterday, I was having some of those zinger type of nerve pain issues.  I have come to look forward to it because it is usually followed by a positive change in pain level.  I realize today that I am not as aware of my foot and pain as I used to be.    Pain has lessened on outer foot area and 3rd-5th digits.  I still use one crutch  when I go out because I concentrate on how I walk, being sure to walk heal to toe and not half step. Bottom line, today is a good day.  I encourage those with challenges to press on and I hope that there is relief for you in the very near future.
    • gilbert-grapes
      gilbert-grapes Luchie

      Posted

      Dear Luchie,

      Having good days certainly makes us optimistic, congratulations. My procedure is three months older then yours, I too feel good about the results of TAR - my main issue was athritis pain which is gone from my life! - but I still feel the discomforts of the recovery, namely: swelling, slow walking, tendons not flexing or extending fully. I will soon re-start PT, doctor's orders since he says I have to try further to "grind off" those scar tissues around the area. I don't mind that at all, to tell the truth. He also told me the recovery is going as he expected, and I should be gaining more mobility in time, as I work more over it.

      I hear other patient's stories here that make my heart hurt, but I also know that every case is different, depending on every person's history of injuries, thus limitations are expected to be different as well. Therefore If my experience serves as a positive message to anyone with any past case, I am then happy to share.

      Wishig the best to all,

      G.

  • Ritameter
    Ritameter Ultraboxer

    Posted

    I had ankle replacement surgery two an half years ago. I still have pain every day; it varies from bearable to extremely painful at times. The swelling is ongoing. I have maintained an average weight for my size and am healthy. I also have a "cup half full" attitude. I am disappointed with the overall outcome of my surgery but I also understand that my ankle was severely damaged and this may be as a good as it gets. My activities are Iimited and I take Aleve for the pain. I do not expect that I will ever be pain free.
  • MR_ANKLE
    MR_ANKLE Ultraboxer

    Posted

    I had an ankle replacement 2 months ago. Firstly investigate the market place for the best hospital for ankle replacements and then the surgen with the best outcomes. This i did and the result at 81 is that i am walking with 1 or no crutch.

    I only have pain walking and the swelling is going down. The reason is daily masarge of the foot for half an hour plus a routine of excercies. I am also using an excercise bike. Yours Mr Ankle

    I hope to be back on my moutain bike in 4 to 6 months.  

  • Princessvirgo
    Princessvirgo Ultraboxer

    Posted

    Hi there I had my total replacement ankle 4 years ago I was great at the start but for the last 3 years plus I have struggled with pain and swelling I am sat here just now with a shoe from hospital unfortunately my own bone started growing back so I've just went through an arthroscopy to get rid of the bone so I'm hoping that this cures the bad mobility issues and pain and swelling I got told they had good results but it's not been my experience fingers crossed its just been because of the bone growing back but only time will tell I have been worse since the replacement and wouldn't recommend it to anyone I hope you get better soon
    • Ritameter
      Ritameter Princessvirgo

      Posted

      I wish you well with your issues mine are ongoing I have had an ankle replacement total ankle replacement since March 2012 and continue to have great pain swelling and total discomfort I will add that I am 61 not overweight medium height and build and have tried and tried everything I can think of and have heard of to make my ankle hurt less I'm now told that it's probably more arthritis than anything else but that does not help the feeling or the hurting or how to deal with it on a daily basis. My ankle replacement came about due to a fall on my front porch my foot was completely turned around backwards and I completely trashed my callous they went through the bottom of my heel inserted the by the rod in my bone and I have a right WR IG HT ankle replacement. When you say your bone was growing back in curious about which bone you are referring too? I had several surgeries before the complete ankle replacement and they put rods and pins and brackets around my foot to support what was still left of it they left those items in there when they made the replacement so I'm not sure if that's what's hurting me or if it's something else but bless your heart I hope yours goes much better than mine
    • Princessvirgo
      Princessvirgo Ritameter

      Posted

      Hi there it's called bone spurs I had total ankle replacement in my right ankle but mine was because of arthritis I'm 62 and size 10 so I'm like yourself not overweight I honestly don't know what to say to you I got told they hadn't done ankle replacement for years as they hadn't had good results but now they do but not from what I've seen you might have the bother because of the damage that was done to your ankle I can only say I hope it does get better for you I'm hoping this arthroscopy helps me I wasn't in as much pain before it big hugs for improvement in your pain regards Meg
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