Ankle Surgery

Hi Patti. It's nice to hear that you have been thinking about me.I am pleased to read that you are improving, that's great news, well done. I had taken a break from posting on this forum as have been increasingly busy at work, then any spare time has been taken up with family commitments.

I am still doing stretching & stengthening exercises but not as frequent as I had been doing, I have been doing alternate days, rather than every day, but think that is partially my trouble. It's the coming down stairs that causes me the most issue, going upstairs is much easier. I wear an ankle support sock when I  come home from work and my ankle is very swollen, this reduces the swelling, but still have some swelling 24/7. I have considered having the 3 screws removed, but am hesitating due to being off work again and struggling financially & physically again. I think with me a lot is physiological with me, and wish I had opted not to have the operation initially, but to have waited, then if needed to have the operation, but listened to the "specialist" who assured me that having surgery was the best decision, who knows?

I know we are recovering at different stages due to different levels of injuries, I wish everybody on here a speedy recovery and to try to remain positive 

Good to hear from you Paul. It is hard to make time for all the exercises with all the other commitments in life- you are right. That's the one thing I heard from people I spoke with, who had healed from ankle breaks, is they were often sorry they didn't do the exercises as much as they should have done them, so I have tried to make time for them as much as I could. I posted some ideas today of how to gain strength, to help with walking downstairs. That was certainly the biggest hurdle for me, and I am still working on getting much better at it too. It really comes down to foot and toe strength. Hang in there and try to make a little time for yourself too. I know you have a family depending on you and that's probably hard to do!

Thanks, just arrived home from work and starting my "work outs" ??

Hi Paul,  

I had surgery 2 weeks ago and had my hardware out.  I wanted to let you know.  We had surgery at same time.  I had continued to have pain, swelling and stiffness.  The surgery and anesthesia was much less than the first time, but it wasn't nothing.  I woke up easily in the recovery room and was able to go home. I was told to wear an airboot for 2 weeks with an ace wrap.  The incison was a little smaller.  I had my stitches out today.  I had nerve pain and redness at the site for 7 months.  The pain had only recently gone away, but now it seems to be back.  They told me to take gabapenin, I may do that.  I only wore the boot for 2 days and then only outside for a few more days.  I  used crutches for 3 days.  I removed the bandage in 3 days and could take a shower.  I have been full weight bearing, moving the ankle around.  It burns at the sight.  I do feel that my range is better.  I won't know for sure until I start pushing it some.  It swelled some the first 2 days, but the swelling seems less.  I have hopes of it being much better.  Most people do not get this burning nerve pain and I think it would be doing great if that was not going on.  It did go away totally last time.  I too, wondered what it would have been like if I had not had the surgery the first time.  If I were guessing I would say you would need a month off work to be comfortable with another surgery since your job is so physical.  Best wishes to you!

Hi Linda. Thank you for posting your recent experiences with hardware removal, I really appreciate your comments. I'm at 8 month post surgery, the pt has left my file open till August but doesn't think that having further sessions will improve anything. My ankle is constantly swollen still despite the bathing, massage, and support bandage for when I return from work.

My foot is still a different colour and my lower leg is swollen. I can't afford another month off work but can't see any improvement happening anytime soon, so in a predicament as to what to do. The stiffness is still present and ankle gives minor pain around the incision area. I think you have made the correct decision based on our similar experiences. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery

Thanks Paul.  I can understand your predicament.  I will let you know in the future if I have a major break through after the hardware removal.  I can't tell yet.  I rode the stationary trainer for 20 minutes today, but now tonight I have burning pain at the site and it feels stiffer than pre op.  So no miracle yet, but I'm hoping for it  I never would've thought we'd still be having pain like this, but there's still time for improvement.  

Thanks again. I'm hoping that the burning pain is only temporary due to your exercising and your second operation, I think it will settle down in time.i would appreciate any future feedback, as I am obviously still very uncertain as to having any more surgery. It's certainly changed my life and restricted me from walking distances, stairs are an issue and bending/squatting. Keep up with the exercises etc and look forward to getting your life back on track. Take care