Nine weeks post op
Posted , 7 users are following.
saw my surgeon today & was given the go ahead to put as much weight in the boot that I can stand. I start Physio tomorrow. I'm nine weeks after a double ankle fusion & arch reconstruction. I find I can't put any weight in the boot but I can put weight in my bare feet. My foot is as stiff as a board, no give whatsoever. Especially around the ankle by the incision & back of the heel. Well, everywhere really. I hope physio can get my foot to loosen up. How do you walk without bending your ankle since it doesn't bend? Will my heel eventually learn to lift up again when walking? It feels so weird. Like I have a rubber band tied around my ankle. Will that feeling go away? Thanks for answering my questions. You guys in this forum have been wonderful.
1 like, 13 replies
diane_41179 barb1953
Posted
Hi Barb, I'm 21 wks post op. Broken rt ankle 6 pins/plate. Bad break from a drunk driver. I wasn't allowed to bear weight until week 15. The boot will help give the ankle stability while walking and bearing weight. I prefer walking barefoot myself. Your stiffness is very normal. I've had 5 pt sessions and today was my first day walking with just a cane. While you are in a hot tub start flexing your foot forward. Also write the alphabet with your toes. Massage your ankle as much as you like. I used a walker in my house while barefoot and that too helps to stretch the ankle. Start very slow and don't push yourself. My ankle is still very stiff and pt said it takes time to get the tendons to stretch again. Good luck with everything!!
barb1953 diane_41179
Posted
Thank you Diane . How awful that your life has been turned upside down because someone decided to get behind the wheel drunk. That makes me so mad I hope you sued their ass off. I know I have a long road ahead of me & I will take it one day at a time. I'm going to work so hard though to regain my mobility. Then I get to turn around & do it all over again next summer on my other foot. That really sucks but when life throws you a lemon, what do you do? You make lemonade. Stay positive & keep one foot in front of the other. Good luck with your healing journey. I hope this all works out for you.
diane_41179 barb1953
Posted
Thanks Barb! I had court last week with the drunk driver and spoke in court. I was very happy with his sentence. I do have an attorney and am suing his auto insurance. My recovery will take about a year. He broke my left hand, bruised ribs, cut my leg, bone bruise on knee and broken ankle. Please take your time with your recovery! Our bodies are working very hard at repairing itself. 🙏🏼🙏🏼😇
deb42707 barb1953
Posted
Hey Barb,
Glad to hear you are weight bearing now...
I know what you mean about your ankle being stiff...I wasn't sure mine was going to start loosening up, but bit by bit it started to cooperate. I just propped it up and kept flexing my foot straight towards me, for the longest time it just sat there...lol
I have no doubt that the physiotherapist will get you going, I am waiting for a call from one that will come to my home because I am still captive.
You're making good progress Barb, glad to hear it. Soon you'll be doing the jig
barb1953 deb42707
Posted
Thanks for the encouragement Deb. He also thinks that pain in my ankle will work itself out. Now the fun begins but I'm looking forward to it. It's better than sitting around all day waiting & waiting. Now I have something to work towards. I hope your seeing improvements every day. We'll get there some day, soon I hope.
ed25584 barb1953
Posted
barb1953 ed25584
Posted
Thank you. I'm so looking forward to that day when I can throw the crutches & the boot out the door.
tessa98714 barb1953
Posted
Hi Barb, yes it does all feel very stiff initially and it takes a very long time for the muscles and tendons to stretch out and it can be very frustrating. The physio should help but I was told that everything loosens up eventually through walking. Your foot has to take a lot more strain after ankle fusion since the ankle doesn't bend. Nine weeks after surgery is still very early days, I didn't come out of plaster till 12 wks, so take it easy and don't expect to be running about just yet! Walk as much as is comfortable with crutches for support. And massage, elevate and ice!
barb1953 tessa98714
Posted
Thank you Tessa. Did my first Physio session today which was not very pleasant. I've set a goal (although may be unrealistic) to be off crutches & just using a cane ny October 20th. Day by day. I'll eventually get there.
sandra81957 barb1953
Posted
Great news we'll done. I'm 5 1/4 mths dwn the line and walking free of aids but with a very bad limp and unable to walk far because if pain and the discomfort around my ankle and even more at the back of my ankle. Most of my problem is the heel pain and tightness nor allowing me to walk correctly. I've had 5weeks off from physio. Waiting for a letter from either my ankle surgeon or knee surgeon ad I'm now waiting to go for knee surgery.. Hence my fall!! But still no heard anything. Don't think physio will be happy as I myself don't think she will see any progress since last appt. Just need to get the tightness loosened up and I would be happy. Hot Epson salts soaks really help but it short lived after hr or two. We will get there. Great feeling throwing that bloody boot into the back of the wardrobe. Plus crutches have been leaning against the wall being the door for weeks... So progress there. Now come on Sandies heel... Let's get going.. 😁 sx
barb1953 sandra81957
Posted
Wow, that's awesome Sandra. No crutches or boots is an elusive dream right now but will soon be reality. I understand about the heel & ankle pain. I can't even step down much on my heel as it's so tight. What a journey. We'll get there. One day at a time.
sandra81957 barb1953
Posted
Thanks barb. Another thing I'm finding hard is coming down steps one foot in front of the other. Just too much pain and heel not allowing me. Going up is fine. We just don't think about all these things in the beginning do we. It's a hell of a journey. Your time will come where you can get rid of all the aids too. I just can't get over how much dustruction has been caused from such a little fall.
😔. I'm hoping I can walk better by December as my daughter always books up a nice Christmas market somewhere nice and I love our day out. But could no way do it as I am now. Let's hope..... Sx
sandra76190 barb1953
Posted
It will loosen up! I promise!! I am 11 weeks post off (right ankle, big breaks on inner AND outer ankle) and I can finally twirl my foot in a circular motion! Didn't think that was ever going to happen. Those first few weeks are ROUGH! Massage it as often as possible, I literally just played with my foot all day! Point toes, pull them back, massage every inch of it and really get in there. At first I was scared to even touch it but the massaging actually feels good. After first massage I compared it to having congestion in your chest and feeling relief once mucus starts loosening up...I could feel the swelling leaving my foot by me rubbing it up the foot while elevating it. It feels like a tight band, but the more movement you get through it the better this feels. Stretch it girl! Once I could feel bones popping again it was such a welcomed relief. Still not walking (on crutches), but finally able to put weight on it! Excited about taking steps!!