Ankle Surgery

Hi Margarita- I'm so sorry you and others, are still experiencing these problems. Everyone's comments here seem most helpful. I have done a lot of research on removing hardware, and I have yet to find someone who was unhappy they did the procedure. I'm just thinking, for those of you who are still in pain over 7 months out, it may be something to think about. I know it is scary to think of having another operation, it certainly worries me too, but I have read a lot of blogs from people who got it done, and some say the doctor told them to wear the boot for 4 weeks, but most people don't do it and seem to be feeling great even a few days later, and wonder why they didn't do it sooner. It seems from what I have read, that they just have a bit of pain from the incision for a week or so, and not anything else. Just an idea you may want to research further. Everyone knows their own bodies and situation best (and age and overall health could factor into this decision as well). Also, I like Daphne's ideas of looking at your gait carefully in a long mirror, as we get so used to our conditions, that perhaps some obvious things are getting missed, that may be easily seen in a mirror. I also agree that the knee, hip, back etc. pain can be caused from unbalanced walking, so be careful about that. It's hard to be patient when you need to get somewhere and difficult to remember to slow down and do the heel toe proper walking. I found at one point, the walker (frame) was the one tool that didn't let me cheat on my stride, and sometimes going backwards a little could help to bring us forward. You may want to try it for a while to get your step more into alignment with your body. Re. steps downstairs, I had to work on that for weeks and weeks. I noticed not everyone has this problem and I struggled with it and was quite frustrated. I have just started being able to do it. Basically, at least for me, all it all came down to, was building strength in my foot and toes and calf flexibility . Try to look up these exercises:  1.) Gastroc stretch (and all kinds of other calf stretches). The Gastroc is an amazing stretch that is hard at first and gets easier as you do it. 2.) Standing on a step, stretch the injured heel over the end of the step while holding onto the rail 3.) Sit and cross your injured leg over the good knee and pull and stretch your toes toward you and way from you 4.) Try working on 2" steps then graduate to 4" (once you can do a 4" well, you are almost there). 5.) Try balancing on one foot for 1 minute (then try to do it on a flexible pad or pillow for 1 minute after you get that one down). This is another important one.  6.) Hold onto the bed and stand on both your toes and hold as long as possible (later try doing it on the injured foot only for however long you can -even if it is a second, and build up on those toes alone as you can until you can stand holding onto something on just the injured foot's toes). I think being able to do the steps is primarily due to lack of toe strength. Now I can do them, and it just so happens I can also walk across the room on my toes now too. I don't think that is a coincidence. 7.) Get a rubber lacrosse ball, or other small ball, and roll your foot over it at night as you watch tv. This loosens the whole bottom of the foot and helps with the calf muscles too. 8.) You may also need to continue to do more ROM exercises. A good one for stairs is called the windshield wiper ankle exercise, where you put your heel down on the floor and move your foot right and left, like a car's windshield wipers. My ankle still feels these when I do them, which tells me I need to do them more. There are so many resources and exercise ideas online, you can easily keep up with the PT until you can start again. Also try the hot and cold dips (contrast therapy) and Epsom salt baths as well. Also, I just got rid of taking Motrins in the morning and at night just by using a strong compression sock regularly and stretching at night before I go to bed and in the morning before walking. I am so glad to be off meds. I had been on two Motrin a day ever since my second week of PT, to be able to get through the day's exercises. Doing these things has also substantially helped with the stiff foot in the morning condition. I hope you feel better soon!