Pain walking in airboot / aircast after fusion operation
Posted , 37 users are following.
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
Jaysgirl kim07568
Posted
In response to Kim, I would definitely be asking questions of your surgeon, and your physio.😎Had tibiotalocalcaneal fusion on 26th July '17 (is this same as triple artherodesis?), hoping to go into walking boot tomorrow. I have been pain free for some weeks now, although I do get the odd twinge I believe are my nerves settling down. I'm told the swelling takes around 12 months to settle. Please seek some answers. 🙏??My other ankle (L) has had TAR 5 yrs ago, and needs fusing, have been reading the posts on this subject and wondering about the gait of my future walk? I guess I won't know really until other ankle is done, as it causes me a lot of pain and I've been using a wheelchair for the last year or so. I'm finding it all a bit daunting and wondered if others have had both ankles done? I try and count my blessings; it could always be worse. But sometimes it's all just a bit much. Is whinging allowed on here? Haha. Thanks for listening.
maria30441 kim07568
Posted
Hi kim. Sorry your post is 2 yr old. I have just joined. Your problem with wearing the beckom boot i also suffered yhe same after an ankle fusion jan 2014. I wanted to ask if you if you suffered from losing your balance leeding to falls, and not always being possible to keeping non weight bearing from the wieght of the boot that also had to be off the floor. As i found i couldn't help putting foot down directly on floor with leg & boot would high percentage would lose balance. I hope you're well now Maria
rebecca1999 kim07568
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Well I have slipped on mud running to a taxi in the pouring rain and broke both my fibula and tibula in my left ankle. I have surgery done and got plate, screws and wire on both bones. Its been a difficult time for me because I'm a very heavy girl, it have a hard time getting up stairs and down. I hop down with my uncle as a help and crawl up the stairs but when I get up to the top I have to hop up one stair. I am five weeks past surgery and next wednesday I go to get my cast off and x-rayed, fingers crossed I get the boot to start a new journey to walk again. I am most definitely looking forward to walk and work hard everyday no matter the situation I will make it. All you have to do is keep positive and work hard and keep moving I know I will. This whole adventure I've have absolutely no pain and I stopped all pain meds way before due and I know I can do it
Amie24 kim07568
Posted
I had a ankle fusion on Oct 24 and at 8 weeks was able to put some weight on with a walking cast and crutches . Then 10 weeks was advised I could be full weight bearing in the cast . After about a week of this I noticed my ankle was randomly popping when I would take steps . No pain with the popping just like popping your knuckles . Is this something anyone else has experienced ?
lynne1953 Amie24
Posted
Hi Amie, that sound unpleasant even if there's no pain. I had a triple fusion of 4th October, been through the cast, onto the boot and yesterday was able to walk short periods without the boot if I feel confident. The boot hurt so much rubbing the scars that I've been without it in the house as much as possible. I'm not pain free by any means but I don't have the ankle popping. Are you due to see the Consultant soon? If not I would try to get some reassurance just for peace of mind. The thing that bothers me most is being able to feel the metal, I hate it! Let us know how you progress and best of luck.
rebecca1999 Amie24
Posted
helen_86603 lynne1953
Posted
matt44893 kim07568
Posted
I had ankle fusion surgery on 20/11/17. Initially I was in a plaster cast until 21/12/17. I was then put in the air walker which I walked in pain free for a day, then it started irritating one of the incisions on my outer ankle so stopped wearing it for a day. I no longer have this irritation of the incisions but after wearing the boot all day the ankle is extremely swollen and it can be painful when I walk. I can only move my toes with absolutely no movement of the ankle, is this normal? I can have a shower and put my full weight down but moving is a problem due to the stiffness of the ankle. I am due to throw away the boot on 15/01/18 and begin physio all being well. All seems to be going to plan but it seems a long process!!
rebecca1999 matt44893
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It's totally normal because I have the same thing to me, it's just because your ankle isn't used to the weight so your ankle gets tender and in pain just keep trying do alot of exercises and work at it with some breaks in between. Your lucky because it's been 4 month long process and I just started walking with the crutches and boot. Still not allowed full wait bearing. Some heal slower than others clearly but no pain at all until the half weight bearing started
alison42577 rebecca1999
Posted
Hi Rebecca I am in same situation as yourself , I had no pain untill started partial weight bearing in boot and now I feel things are going backwards not what I expected. I am seeing consultant on Wednesday and hoping he will do x rays. I now take painkillers everyday whereas I wasn't taking any 3 days after op. I am interested to know how things are going for you as everybody says it does get better but I can't see it at the moment.
rebecca1999 alison42577
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hi alison42577 after I was told I was ready for full weight bearing I was walking with the least amount of pain, it was more just achy. I recently had another surgery done the doctor took one long screw that was holding the two bones together. it was supposed to give me more range of motion and honestly it didn't do anything differently in my opinion. after the surgery I was walking right away, the only thing is that I feel a popping feeling like the screws are popping in my ankle. other than that I still have the hardware in and i am fine, I walk differently but its ok. I personally wanted to keep the screws in so I wouldn't chance breaking my ankle again and thumbs up to that! but its up to you whether you take it out not but if it still bothering you keep it in, if it hurts everyday get it taken out, its your choice. thanks for replying hope everything goes well.
alison42577 rebecca1999
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Hi Rebecca, just thought I'd let you know I've been to see consultant today and had x rays. I've got a plate and 5 screws and fusion ok but my 5th metatarsal is the one giving me all the pain so it's back in plaster for 8 weeks. He says it's because I'm not walking properly after being in airboot for nearly 2 years, was wearing boot for 15 months before operation, I'm pleased fusion is OK but it's so painful to walk flat on floor but at least I know I'm not doing more damage. Hey ho it's a long recovery and I hope everything is going well for yourself.
vicky95009 alison42577
Posted
Hi! I had surgery 3 years ago! Total reconstruction ! Now going to need a triple orthadesis! Things that have helped me.. cold water to warm in the shower,massage foot with lotion. Go to a pool and just walk back and forth to help flex your foot to walk. Also moving your foot back and forth and side to side in the pool helps loosen it and strengthen it! In bed using a band around your foot to stretch it first thing in the morning! Always ice and elevate when you can! And last but not least when in the boot be sure to get a massage or see a chiropractor because being uneven messes your back up??
rebecca1999 alison42577
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Im doing okay thank you i have a follow up appointment soon the end of may which is 6 months after surgery coming up and im just going to be fine. this surgery stuff is super annoying and i hope he doesn't change anymore. im OK but the reason why i think he will do another thing is because i don't feel anything different since he last did surgery on me, im not sure ill keep you posted! but other than that im fine just achy sometimes
alison42577 rebecca1999
Posted
Hi Rebecca, glad all is going well for you, it's good to hear positive results. I have appointment first week of June and get this plaster off but all is going well, I have no pain as such now but like yourself a bit achy and I can feel the metal plate sometimes. I do feel I'll be able to walk once plaster removed as fracture has healed hopefully.
All the best for end of may.