Pain at 18wks post ankle fusion

I have just come across this conversation whilst looking for an explanation for my post op pain.

I had my ankle fused four weeks ago and have followed instructions to the letter! I am in a moon boot and using an ankle scooter. After the initial surgery pain subsided I brought myself off pain killers and had two weeks pain free. Over the last three days though pain has returned and is getting worse. I didnt sleep last night and ended up taking pain relief again ( and I too am not a wimp - four children with no pain relief!!)

Is this normal? Do I just anticipate this and worse? After 10 years trying everything else this fusion has been my last resort. After a very active life  ( running etc) I have slowly become more sedentary and am hating it. Now I cant do anything as can put no weight on ankle ( according to my surgeon's instructions) and as I cant drive am stuck at home going mad with boredom and being alone. I am set to go back to work next part time ( and they will be wonderful and let me elevate my leg etc) with my partner rearranging his work and social life to do this but now am scared about what is happening.

Sorry for rant - am feeling a tad sorry for myself!!

Hello Amanda,

So here we are in a broader discussion and perhaps there will be more ideas in addition to mine that may help.

First off a little history on my ankle. I first shattered it 4 years ago and it was put back together as best as the practices were then. However I lost almost all mobility and once healed I was in pain a significant portion of my waking life. I learned to deal with that and I also learned to deal with the ankle which was essentially fused naturally. I may have had less than 10% function but I still played tennis, biked, hiked, climbed mountains, trail walks, etc. Sometimes that meant I would be in pain for up to week that was bad enough to need a cane and lots of ibuprofen. When I went to the surgeon at the largest teach hospital here he told me that the fusion would alleviate the pain (after fully healing) and I would be none for the worse and actually better because I would be pain free. As before the recent injury from bicycling I would play tennis, etc. and you should know that I could run and I anticipate I will again. I walked more than a mile on a easy mountain trail last week and am going to walk to an appointment this morning, so don't assume you're going to be much limited.

As far as your recovery I am amazed that you are going to be allowed to swim so soon. My doctor would have never allowed that and as I wrote I was in a solid cast for over 3 months, then the moon boot and no "airing out" for another month. Immobilizing the ankle was paramount. Just the action of removing and putting on the boot causes some minor flexion which is not good and I, not remotely qualified, think that is where your pain is coming from. It didn't start until the moon boot, am I correct? If that's the case then I believe that you are not even near fusion just based on the time frame. As I wrote, I was in a solid cast for 3 months and so believe that your time in one was insufficient to not allow some movement in the joint and that is a bad thing. Perhaps requesting to be recast is something to discuss with your doctor. Swimming, bad idea.

I was not given an option for the iWalk but had seen a woman at the clinic using one so I asked her about it. I was given the options, and got, crutches, a walker and a wheel chair. When I showed up to my surgeon with the iWalk he was bemused as he had never seen one but "approved" it. I found a new one at a medical supply shop and it was about $175 and worth every penny. My niece broke her ankle and got a scooter and then trying to negotiate with it tipped over and broke her wrist! With an iWalk one can carry food, or anything else. I even did cleaning and laundry, making the bed and other tasks which made my wife's life much better. I can't imagine having to have had her or someone bring things to me on demand, or use the toilet, etc. I would suggest that if at all possible you sell your scooter somehow and purchase the iWalk by whatever means possible. It will change your life during recovery.

Bottom line is I believe that you are far to ahead of a recovery schedule if mine is any example. Yesterday I was outdoors clearing brush on very rough terrain. As I've written the main issue now is atrophy but I will get stronger as I use that leg. Have a very serious talk with your doctor and though I am not qualified I would tell him to recast you for another 2 months and I suggest you not wait until your next visit but get right on to it. It should not be viewed as taking a step back in my opinion and now, experience.

If your doctor is approachable he could check out my doctor. His name is Richard Miller and he is on the faculty for the orthopaedic clinic and the University of New Mexico Hospital. He can, of course, be found on the web.

My two cents. Feel free to ask any questions at all that you might have. Keep the boot on and do not remove it for airing. I don't know if you were given a pair of knee-high cotton stockings but I was and they make the moon-boot much more comfortable and they are absorbent. Try that and keep the boot on.

Anyone else have free advice? Mine is exactly worth the price you pay Amanda. It's my experience.

Hi, I'm 8 months post fusion on my right ankle/foot.

At first it was a real nightmare getting around with a few scary moments where I got out of bed and forgot my frame/crutches and everything crunched.

I am now walking as normal but by choice I don't walk as fast as I used to.

I always carry a nordic walking pole with me as this gives me the will to keep moving.

I am 67 years old and so very glad I had this done. My advice is keep moving