Rehabilitation after ankle fusion
Posted , 56 users are following.
I had an ankle fusion 14 weeks ago and after 12 weeks in plaster, progressed to an aircast boot. The surgeon told me to walk around the house without the boot from 14 weeks, so I've just started doing that, but am finding I have lots of pain in the foot - below the toe and along the left side of my foot when I attempt to walk and roll through the foot. Am walking with crutches now without the boot, and trying to roll through the foot as much as possible, hoping that the muscles will relax. The hospital told me very little about what to expect at this point and haven't referred me for physio so I'm feeling a bit lost. Is this foot pain normal? (I don't have pain in the actual ankle, it's just everywhere else, including my opposite hip and knee too!).
3 likes, 150 replies
Blobette tessa98714
Posted
Hi Tessa
?I wonder how you are doing since having your screws removed earlier in the month? I hope you are recovering well. I have translated all your valuable experience to my father who really appreciates you and others sharing the experience of post ankle fusion.. Unfortunately for my father his surgery date at RNOH (under A Goldberg) for December was cancelled as complication arose, now he is being re-scheduled but date probably isn't until May or later!! He is disheartened. He was asked whether he would like to go on Mr Welck's list instead which may bring the date forward by a month. I recall you said he did your op, what was your view of him? I am sure he is an excellent surgeon. But for the sake of continuity of care we had hope that his original surgeon will be carrying out the operation. Any views or opinion appreciated.
Thanks.
tessa98714 Blobette
Posted
Hi Blobette, well I went to RNOH this morning for a 2 week check up after the screw removal. It all seems to have gone well although it's still healing and a bit bruised. It hasn't been too bad at all in terms of pain, just a bit of a nuisance using crutches again for a couple of weeks. I won't know if the screw removal has had any long term effects for a few weeks though. I'm really sorry to hear your father had his operation cancelled, that must be very frustrating and upsetting as it's hard preparing yourself mentally for the op. May is a long time to wait but I suppose it depends on how much pain your father is in as to whether he wants to wait or bring it forward. Re Mr Welck, I can only say that he's very nice and approachable. In terms of his skills as a surgeon I wouldn't be able to compare to Mr Goldberg but I'm sure they're all very good surgeons at the RNOH as it's a specialist hospital and a centre of excellence so I think you're in good hands there whoever you go with. I wish your father well with whatever he decides and I hope he doesn't have to wait too long. I'll keep you posted about my progress. Best wishes
Tessa.
brigid15071 tessa98714
Posted
Hi all
Had my final consultation (op was 2nd Aug) and bone has healed well. I still get some soft tissue swelling and a feeling of a tight band on the ankle -but it is still improving and walking feels more fluid. I've not really tried running though! I am still trying to do the exercises as they do help with the legs. The foot is just having to adapt. Good luck all. Brigid
gailie tessa98714
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You're probably experiencing nerve pain. Those are the exact areas where I have nerve pain from a damaged nerve that runs down the outside of my ankle( well I lost my entire ankle in the accident but you get my drift). It feels like someone has tied rubberbands around my heel, top part of my foot and each toe. I have a high t tolerance for pain (severe fibromyalgia for most of my adult life, I'm 58) so I am just dealing with it but eating an antinflamatory diet. Gabapentin might help you.
Crutchy tessa98714
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Had Fusion 12/17 been in cast for 6 weeks and will be in cast for another 4 weeks with shoe . Lite weight now if I can tolerate it. No walking yet. What is the differance from walking boot and air cast will have that in 4 week hopefully. Doctor thinks will need boot for a few months because of ankle have 8 screws,plate and bracket to fuse the ankle. Any suggestions on exercises when I'm in the boot?
mammalu Crutchy
Posted
Walking boot and aircast are the same. Exercises, anything to strengthen core muscles, upper body and arms, back and thighs. Swimming and hydrotherapy are excellent. Don't let them say that you don't need pt as 'there is no movement n the ankle'. Your body needs to adapt to the new way of walking.
kristina73093 tessa98714
Posted
I've been doing some research into ankle fusion and this topic has given me so much insight.
I haven't had a fusion surgery, but may get to that point by the end of the year.
I have ligament and tendon damage after failure to diagnose an unstable talus fracture in April 2015. Spent 16 months between hard casts and an aircast due to instability. I had an idiot surgeon who has caused a nightmare for me.
During recovery of that surgery, he ignored 2 accidents I had, said there was nothing wrong. He got snarky when I said I was going for a 2nd opinion.
This was December 2016. Testing revealed nerve involvement, but no damage, no idea why 4 perfectly good toes prior to surgery suddenly didn't work. R.A was ruled out via MRI in April 2017, but ligament and tendon damage was confirmedi had surgery 3 week later, and the tendon could not be touched due to scar tissue that the idiot surgeon said I'd never have.
November 2017 saw a freak accident at home, turned out I'd damaged that tendon further and completely tore the twice repaired ligament. Surgery again at the end of April, less than 3 years after the 1st.
My surgeon said that if what he does this time fails, I'm looking at fusion being my only option. And knowing my track record, he'll keep me hard casted for 8-12 weeks to make sure the fusion takes.
I fear, based on some of your stories, my recovery will be hell for me, and I'm afraid of doing the fusion if it needs to be done.
linda28371 kristina73093
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Like you I had an operation on my left foot after operation the doctor turned out to have left for India then they found out he was not ever insured and they couldn’t prove he was a qualified doctor. When the cast came off he had done the wrong operation and damaged under my toes where I had no trouble before. I had to wait a year to have corrected surgery done. What no one noticed though he had damaged my tendon. Years later when I had an operation on my right foot the tendon went completely which resulted in an operation to replace the tendon. All went well for 12 yrs until I went over on my ankle at work and was told I needed a triple joint fusion. Went in for opp on 12/3/18 had cast on until last week now in boot. My foot feels tight on top it also sometimes feels hot and the swelling is not going down. When the cast came off my foot was bright red and is still a lighter red now but I am hopeful that this operation was a success I don’t care how long it takes as long as I can walk again. After all my trouble because of one doctor after a hospital I will not go to again. If I have hope I hope all go well for you. I am 66 and still working at least when I get back to work.
linda28371 kristina73093
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lynne1953 tessa98714
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My biggest mistake was not asking questions Tessa and not believing that recovery is slow. That led to a lot of my problems but you've been diligent. You are also expecting the worst case scenario which might not happen. If it does then you are armed with information and plenty of people here to reassure you. I have had lots of surgery due to arthritis in my early 20s but the fusion is the only one that left me dependant upon my husband and it was that, being able to manage absolutely nothing without gadgets or help. I hope for the best for you
krista43206 tessa98714
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Well bad news for me! I had my appointment at the hospital a few days ago to get the results of a CT scan I had on my ankle. I was told my bones aren't knitting together so I will need to have another operation. Yep, I have to go through all that again. The horrible thing is I wouldn't have been given the CT scan if I hadn't made a fuss over the lack of progress i'm having since my operation in July 2017, because my xrays were coming back fine. So the next operation will involve bone graft and more metal work. I am so stressed to say the least.
mammalu krista43206
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krista43206 mammalu
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Wow! Looks like we're both in that 10% of people where the bones don't knit together. Keep me posted how you get on. I'm thinking of giving it a bit more time before I go for another op because I have had some improvement despite the bones not knitting properly. My surgeon said sometimes the bones will still knit but it just takes longer. I haven't fully decided yet really.
I have my fingers crossed for you with the healing.
DavidCantSwim tessa98714
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linda28371 DavidCantSwim
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You you could be co-codamol are only for short time use as you can hooked on them like any drug it is best to take for short times only