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Pain walking in airboot / aircast after fusion operation

Posted , 37 users are following.

kim07568
kim07568

I came out of plaster after 8 weeks after ankle fusion operation. 2 weeks in I am unable to completely weight bear, and cannot wear the boot longer than 15 mins before foot starts to feel like burning, then swelling starts, making walking in the boot unbearable. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has had similar experience, I am feeling so frustrated at the moment. and feel that I have made no progress at all.

0 likes, 76 replies

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  • Pauli
    Pauli kim07568

    Posted

    Hi Kim I had a triple athrodiesis on 22nd July I got cast of 12 October ..aircast on until end of November start of December physo foot still very stiff but swelling  down January first week foot less stiff end of January I now feel less pain less stiff I now feel I am on mend not walking like a penguin ..my pain level has dropped from a 9 out of 10 ...now I am a 2 out of 10.....it takes time Kim ...I had my other foot done 12 years ago it's pain free and you forget the trouble it put you through ..I expect to be able to walk the hynland way in August this year it's a 100mile trek ..walk and camp over several days ...so don't worry I can assure you it will be worth it in the end ..it does take a full year although you should start to feel better about six or seven months ..This is a cure for your athritis in your heel ...good luck 

     

    • kim07568
      kim07568 Pauli

      Posted

      Its good to hear of your progress so far Pauli, good luck for August
    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Pauli

      Posted

      Sorry to jump in  just wanted to just say Paul what good news this is, a corner turned - so happy for you. I'm picturing your fabulous holiday. Enjoy your day 🏃
    • Pauli
      Pauli jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi Jamie 

      thanks for the kind words ..I to agree with you ..after 12 years my fused ankle leg is the same as the one  that wasn't ...be careful with anti inflammatory meds as they can stop the fusing process ..All I will say to all you who have had a triple athrosiesis it takes time we all heal we all heal at diferant rates but plan by the time you get to twelve months after op you should be pain free ..hold onto that thought ...and of course it is a cure for that horrible pain in your ankle ...plan what you want to do after the 12 months have past especally after those down times ...good luck to you all ...Pauli 

    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 Pauli

      Posted

      Paul, I'm already planning  a beach vacation with miles of beach to walk in 2017' this year is a bust but have one road trip planned for May walking or not. Just to say thank you for your posts and 'steps' your taking on your healing journey......👣🏃🏄
    • Barb2015
      Barb2015 Pauli

      Posted

      Wow what a great holiday to plan - and a great inspiration for everybody else ! Mine is a TAR rather than an arthrodesis (in fact I am part of the trial that is testing the relative results - TARVA) but hopefuuly I can expect a similar kind of outcome. Well done Paul
    • iris64202
      iris64202 jannie26408

      Posted

      Hi, Good to hear you are planning a holiday.  Just a gentle word of warning about beaches.  When I had my first ankle accident, some 15 years ago I made an excellent recovery and luckily I can now rely on that ankle holding me steady while the current one is recovering.  Just thought I would mention that pebbles, rocks,shingle and soft sand are really taxing to walk on after ankle surgery and for years to come.  If you can find a beach with firm sand and walk in the water you will feel as though you have new legs.  I had a holiday on a Greek Caiique sail boat, about 8 months after my accident/op. The only difficult part was using the ladder to get back into the boat after swimming but I explained the situation to the crew who always helped me scramble/slither back on board.  Some time later I resumed gentle cycling but being a wimp in traffic, only use cylepaths, with which we are well blessed in this area and am fully expecting to do so again now I have two Meccano ankles.  Can't wait for half term holiday to be over so I can try out local swimming pool when child-free.

      Can't stand golf, just spoils a decent walk.  

    • jannie26408
      jannie26408 iris64202

      Posted

       Hi iris thanks for the info. I learned this in Maui last year all beaches are not created equal. West coast beaches seem to have firm surfaces and I hope I'll be walking by then it's over a year away. I hope this finds you well swimming would be excellent. It's been a long hard go but each day is bringing us closer. Take good care, has Jannie 

       

    • kevin2712
      kevin2712 jannie26408

      Posted

      Sorry Jannie, im going to ruin your day; (

      U have bucklies chance of walking on beach, especially if had tripple (full) fusion.. unstable ground is where youl get most pain

  • Barb2015
    Barb2015 kim07568

    Posted

    There's lots of sensible advice already for you on here Kim so I've only one thing to add - if the severe burning sensation continues try and keep a track of exactly where and when and talk to your consultant & physio. I had a TAR 13 weeks ago and in the last 4 weeks have really turned a corner, apart from the really severe burning and numbness in one part of my foot which is nerve damage (temporary we hope). Mine was in such a place that I simply couldn't bear the pain it caused in the boot so I went more or less stright to trainers and crutches too. If it is nerve damage its a bad idea to ice it (believe me, I tried - ouch !)

    And Jamie made me laugh with his hobby (which I absolutely agree with) I took up knitting !!! Its just that concentration on something miniscule and fiddly which really does distract.

    It s a bit of a long haul but all worth it.

    • kim07568
      kim07568 Barb2015

      Posted

      Thanks Barb, consultant said no ice just anti-inflamatories and elevate when possible.He didn't think the burning was nerve damage but the stretching of the tendons, hopefully this will be alieviated with physio. i have a couple of puzzles so might make a start on them
    • jamie95127
      jamie95127 Barb2015

      Posted

      the nerves do heal up in time to a degree,its been two years now and im still a little numb around the scars,still small price to pay,good luck with ya healing process
    • jamie95127
      jamie95127 Barb2015

      Posted

      forgot to say,it took me a year and a half to build that poxy bridge out of 30.000 matches,a litre of pva and one marriage,still it might be worth a few quid later..........
    • Barb2015
      Barb2015 jamie95127

      Posted

      Yes I'm hoping so - long story short but I had really major surgery on it 30 years ago and was left with some residual nerve loss which didn't bother me at all. At the minute though it's quite a major issue for me in my foot which is inhibiting driving (can't feel the pedal) and some physio - and stops me sleeping aaaargh . . . Other than that I am really pleased where I am at the minute, apart from the trainers; which are another story ha ha 
  • Pinoyboy
    Pinoyboy kim07568

    Posted

    Don't back it completely off, but do try a slightly looser setting on the boot.
    • Pinoyboy
      Pinoyboy

      Posted

      Never mind.  I see that your PT has told you to dump the boot.
    • kim07568
      kim07568 Pinoyboy

      Posted

      Thanks for the suggestion, it was a good idea, i did try that a few days ago. and it made walking in the boot more comfortable for an hour or two, but then the swelling started again. 
    • Pinoyboy
      Pinoyboy kim07568

      Posted

      Air boots are not suitable for everyone.  I thought mine was almost impossible to walk in without the aid of crutches.  So, I used crutches with it for a week, and then got rid of the boot.  Afterward, I used crutches and always wore shoes to walk.  After another week, I replaced the crutches with a cane -- which I used for another three weeks.  Swelling was, and still is a problem for me.  In fact, it seems to be a part the lives of everyone on this forum.  Good luck to you.
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