Pain walking in airboot / aircast after fusion operation

Thst seems like very quick progress! I was 3 months in plaster and then moved to the boot- I have had a lot of foot pain since moving to the boot. It's settling down a bit but still painful at 16 wks. I still use the boot for walking outside but don't wear it indoors, just used 2 crutches then just one. When i was having foot pain the nurses told me to ease off the boot gradually - 2 hours on 2 hours off etc. which has helped. They said it's normal for the muscles to take a long time to build up again. It all seems to take ages and you have to go in little steps and notice the small improvements every day / week! When I go into shoes I think I'm going to go back to my MBTs. Good luck!

Thanks to you and this site, I know that my concerns are the norm. I am supposed to wear the boot for 3 weeks -began on 5/9. Can't keep it on for long as pain and swelling get unbearable. After the 3 weeks I am to wear a shoe around the house but need to find out what kind of shoe. I have had a knee scooter which has been a life saver. My Dr says I won't need physical therapy but I notice many people have found it helpful. Thanks again for your help.

I was supposed to wear the boot for 4 wks but looks lovely like it'll be a bit longer outside at least. I've been wearing sturdy slippers around the house but MBTs are good for outdoors as they have a rocker sole. My surgeon also said I didn't need physio as walking is the best way to recover and that your body has to gradually learn to walk with the ankle fused. I've been doing a walk round the block in my boot every day to try and build up some strength in the legs and calf muscle. It's also so nice to get outside and walk to the local coffee shop to meet friends after so long being housebound. They say it'll all be worth it after 12 mths so let's hope so!

I too had ankle fusion on April 3rd. I was no weight bearing for 10 weeks then started 50% weight bearing with air boot & crutches, now 100% weight bearing going on 4 weeks (supportive tennis shoes). Started with physical therapy for 3 weeks to stretch achilles tendon, learn how to walk heal to toe. But, after some isometric exercises, had excruciating pain outer ankle, now back in air boot, taking a break from PT. Having this set back is frustrating to say the least.

I suggest you talk to your Dr. about physical therapy but be very careful not to overdo & be careful of isometric exercises. All the other exercises really helped. Ibuprofen is my best friend. Elevation above your heart is essential to decrease swelling, several times a day. Then do a few things, then elevate again. My PT says pace yourself, take it slowly. I have a very close relationship with my recliner & 4 pillows. Lol...

Hi Foxy, was reading your post about excruciating ankle pain & wanted to know how are you doing with that? I'm 11 weeks today & still can't put any pressure on my ankle where the incision is. I'm not sure if it's the screws, nerves & muscles needing strengthened or if my ankle is not aligned properly. Are you still having issues or did it get better?

Hi barb, i wanted to ask you what did you meen by alignment issues that you are experiencing after have ankle fusion done jan 2014. Reason I am asking is because i also had an ankle fusion i am left with a disfigured ankle/foot extremely poor mobility, as my arch has collapsed. Top it off march 2017 im told a fusion has never happened.

Hi Maria, I’m not sure that’s what’s going on but it feels like there’s a lot of pressure being placed on my ankle when I stand. Like it’s not sitting right. I’ve had pain in that ankle from day one. I’m going to ask if I can have the screws out to see if that helps. I’m thirteen weeks & still stiff, sore & lots of ankle & heel pain. Can hardly put any pressure on my foot. 

I cant believe they are saying you never had a fusion. Was there ever a time that you were pain free? What do you mean by disfig? I also had an arch reconstruction as I didn’t have an arch. I had twisted bones to begin with as I was diagnosed with skew foot before the fusion. Maybe the fusion isn’t helping because of that. That’s terrible what you’ve been through. Are you going to get it redone?

That's so great you have no pain with walking. Once I started PT, they taught me exercises to use my toe joints to walk since ankle is fused. That can be painful, especially once wearing shoes but after a few months, it gets easier. I still battle moderate swelling & small amt. of pain (I'm now 5 months out), I use compression stocking when doing long errands. Dr. & PT continually tell me it takes a full year to get swelling under control & not to think of ankle when getting out of bed. I still have a limp only because I have a complication that will hopefully resolve by a year. I am so happy I had this ankle fusion even though I have swelling, I'm hoping it will go away by a year. I would like to hear from those who are 1+ years out. What to expect & if still having swelling & limping.   

 

You don't know how happy to readt this. I had surgert on July 12th. Quad fusion in the lower ankle, 60&80% tears on the laberal tendons over the ankle, 6 bone spurs, tendonitis, artheretis and complete reconstruction of the shape of the ankle and foot due to 30 years of damage since I lost my arch in the foot and also had to have the ACL llengthened.

I was off pain meds 3 days after surgery and have just had an ibprophren here and there. We back to work after 9 days (thankfully I could keep my leg elevated at work). Aside from diving my.leg is always elevated and for the first 6 weeks I kept it iced a lot on the back of the knee. When it came to cast time I didnt do so well and it was off in 6 hours so I have been in a BBQ fixed position boot since after the 2 week mark. It's helped thru the summer heat as I could take it off and vent it ad well as take seated showers and wash it as long as it's no weight bearing. Foot hasn't touched the ground since July 11th. Lol. I havnt seen any X-Rays but the surgeon said there was 5 pins, 2 plates, 2 staples and a clamp installed... I am interested to see the X-Rays now. But it has been very pain free and the boot itself is more uncomfortable than the surgery honestly. Next Tuesday I go for xrays to see how everything has healed up and supposed to start PT Wednesday if the doctor clears me for weight bearing. Personally that moment has be the most nervous but reading your post is reassuring and hoping for the best. I have a vacatiin planned in December with the family which involved a 27 mile mountain bike ride in Hawaii and then scuba diving in the south pacific the following week and Mr Dr keeps telling me I should have no.issues if I do what I'm told. Crossing fingers.

The walking boot is the best, I've never been in your situation but I know that your in alot of pain. Just keep positive and just keep working to get better cause you will. I felt hopeless in the beginning and thankfully my family was there for me but i got better and I'm walking again after 4 months of hoping on my right leg everywhere and it feels awesome. I slipped on mud and broken my ankle in half, I have screws, plates, and wires on both sides. It's a long process but you can do it just believe in yourself and you will succeed I hope I boosted your confidence in some way.