Ankle Scope, Hardware Removal, Severe Arthritis
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello,
Looking for some advice..
I broke my ankle in June 2019. Had ORIF surgery and was still not making much progress with walking, ton of pain, difficult to walk... I went to seek a second opinion and my new ortho took MRI but not much showed on MRI. He agreed to remove the one long screw on my inner ankle as thats where I felt stabbing pain when walking and scope it out.
I had surgery two weeks ago and ortho said the arthiritis was so bad and i was the youngest patient that day and the worst he saw. I'm still in a lot of pain, my big toe and foot is completely numb and my ankle is still very sore in the same area. Im praying I will start to feel better soon by starting PT etc.
I just feel hopeless at this point.... any advice would be appreciated
0 likes, 13 replies
deedeemouse Anklesurgery
Posted
A broken ankle is a long recovery and I really thought I was NEVER going to walk and get better. You really have to walk thru the pain. I started PT right after surgery.You have to have patience, something I don't have especially when it comes to being dependent on ppl. My recovery was like watching paint dry. Seems for over a month no improvement, Same ole same ole everyday( I'm used to quick recoveries). Then some progress then regression, then a little more progress until finally I can walk again. My surgery was July 10, 2019 .I broke all 3 bones and I probably started walking unaided like after 3-3 1/2 months. My ankle is still a little swollen and bone can be sore and right now I can't last on my feet as long as I used to but I think I'm doing better than most. Doc said it can take a year before completely back to normal and I have to say this ordeal has taken a lot out of me. You have to put in your mind that you can't rush recovery which was a hard thing for me to do. PT forces you to do the things you're afraid to do. It will be hard to believe you're not making it worse but Iike I said, you have to work thru the pain. Good luck
deedeemouse
Posted
I forgot to add that therapy at first was to learn how to use walker and do things while I was non weight bearing.They didn't want me using crutches or kneeler. Then eventually therapy to walk.
Anklesurgery deedeemouse
Posted
Hello,
Thank you for your reply I guess my concern is more with severe arthiritis that developed and had to be cleaned out. Thats what was causing all the pain and limiting my walking. Im trying to figure out what is going to happen long term if the arthiritis will take over my ankle again eventually need a total ankle replacement in the future which is what happens when this happens.... just scary and looking for advice from anyone who is familiar with that
sandra91776 Anklesurgery
Posted
sorry to hear this
Im schedulef to have long screw removed in January.
My surgery was in July and fortunately I have no arthritis
PT was very helpful but I still have numbness in my foot and toes now and then
Start PT and see how that goes
I can walk pretty good Sometimes limp but can spend long periods of time on my feet
Good luck
Anklesurgery sandra91776
Posted
Thank you for your reply Sandra. Good luck with the removal althought I have been able to walk around pretty much a few days after second surgery (screw removed) im still in a lot of pain but im hoping it will subside just afraid the arthiritis will come back and take over my ankle again ☹
sandra91776 Anklesurgery
Posted
Hopefully you wont need ankle replacement, I dont know a lot about that type of surgery but I know plenty with knee or hip teplacements and they seem to do well
Of course ankle supports all your body weight so Im sure much more complicated
Anklesurgery sandra91776
Posted
Yes I just am nervous but I guess at this point its best to focus on rehab and regaining my ROM as I am pretty stiff and limited again.
I just cant believe that much arthiritis developed in just 5 months... the orthopedic said it was really bad I am going to ask next visit how long ankle scopes are good for and how long until I should feel some relief because as soon as I started walking around again I feel horrible once again ☹ and yes I mean I hope I wont need that for a long time if thats the case but ankle is definitely complicated and Ive been reading that the arthiritis develops like that when the joint isnt positioned as properly as it should be after the ORIF surgery. Just a lot I dont know and would like answers to
karen70040 Anklesurgery
Posted
Hi, you and I had the same Injury and surgery at the same time. I also have pain on my Inside ankle when I walk. I feel what you are going through, I'm wondering when I will be back to normal etc. But like most of us on here, it's taking time. I've had PT and do excersises daily, but wonder If I'm doing enough? I even purchased a stationary bike PT said pedalling is the best. I'm pedalling away hoping for the best. I Will see my ortho doctor in January to see if everything is alright. I did see a video by brad and bob just last night on how to prevent an ankle fusion and replacement, with certain excersises as according to them , they don't work out. So the message to me was just keep doing excersises to work that ankle joint. Its a complicated to joint to begin with, so the more we work it the better. With excersing we can eliminate further surgeries perhaps. They did mention Infra red heat wrap for Arthritic ankle joint, that applies the good heat that goes to the bone. I found one on Amazon for $ 50, which is the low end, they are expensive, but worth it according to the reviews. That may be something for you? I wish you the best. Keep at it. Happy holidays to you, don't let this get you down too much. x
Anklesurgery karen70040
Posted
Hi Karen,
Thank you for reaching out. It's definitely been rough, I guess the whole time I was just thinking it was the screw bothering me but really I think it was the combo of both however the arthritis seems to be worse. I guess I'm just confused why it formed so badly and quickly I was very aggressive in PT and at home throughout the whole recovery but it makes sense why I was not progressing and my previous ortho was no help at all and that is why I left to see a specialist. I am just praying everything goes okay and I start to feel better soon. I have watched Bob & Brad too they are great. I will begin PT again this week so we will see. Hang in there!! and Happy Holidays to you too!!
karen70040 Anklesurgery
Posted
Hi. I would like to ask you some questions.I am just wondering about my pain that I have. Did your arthritis pain hurt whilst resting or just when you walked on it? I get pain on the inner ankle when I walk, but not when resting. My ankle is still a little swollen too though. The pain comes and goes too. If it wasn't for that pain I'd be good to go I think, because my gait seems to be ok. I'm just curious to know your symptoms If you don't mind. Thank you 😊
Anklesurgery karen70040
Posted
Nope while resting or non weight bearing/minimal activity I am fine and can tolerate it but I noticed while barefoot I could barely walk at all so I would always be in my sneakers when doing any activity but for instance after going to the grocery store I'm done for the day and would just have to rest but that inner ankle stabbing seemed to get worse and the stiffness got worse as time went on. I was making zero progress since the first 3 months or so. I was still wearing boot if I knew I had to walk anywhere far or be on my feet a lot... the xrays and MRI did not show the arthritis either I was pushing for the screw removal and once scope was put in is when the significant amount was noticed. ortho said my ankle looked like an elderly patients ankle
and im only 28. so im very concerned
Anklesurgery
Posted
I shouldnt say the xrays/mri didnt show it because there were notices of it but both orthos didnt see it as a major concern so I felt like I was crazy with how much pain I have been in especially still being out of work and having people tell me I should just push past etc.
karen70040 Anklesurgery
Posted
Hi ya, so nice of you to reply, thank you for taking the time Yes Its,a case of listening to your own ankle and getting the help needed. If there is pain, there is something to it, usually. Well let's hope that the cleaning will make it good and now you can heal up as you should. My best wishes to you.