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
geraint87484 tessa98714
Posted
I was 'signed-off' last week after X-Ray confirmed that the ankle and sub-talus had fused very well. I might have over-done it a little this week because the pain in my foot is almost as bad as it was pre-op'. So I've reverted to the boot at work and I'm staying off the foot as much as I can. I get the impression that this is the way its going to be, 2 steps forward, 1 step back. Seeing the Podiatrist on Friday to have orthotics fitted as the surgeon thinks this will ease a lot of the pain in the foot. I guess I have not walked correctly for years and now that the geometry has changed completely my foot is complaining.
I would be interested if anybody has some experience of wearing specific footwear to help the walking process?
marian01540 geraint87484
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tessa98714 geraint87484
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Yes I have also have orthotic insoles - I walking on the outside of my foot so they are supposed to straighten the foot up. They did definitely help with the pain in the ball and arch of the foot because they give more support. Apparently I'll need to wear them for 6 months. Finding good footwear is difficult too, nice shoes are probably off limits for ever unfortunately.
linda28371 tessa98714
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linda28371
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Sorry Tessa that should have read Hotters 👠
karen_50799 tessa98714
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ginnymcc tessa98714
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I had my surgery in mid October 2017. My experience is very similar to your. The cast was removed at 8 weeks and I wore the air boot for another 8 weeks. Early in February when the air boot was discontinued, the doctor told me to start walking in the mall/shopping center. The ankle was very stiff. There was pain in the ankle and down the instep. We took a two week vacation to Arizona the last two weeks of March. Walking in the larger airports was a bit of a challenge as was walking on uneven trails and rocks when sight seeing in Arizona. Stairs are definitely a challenge and I have to use the railing. We've been home a week from vacation and it's just this week - over 4 months post surgery - that I'm feeling only stiffness and very little pain in the foot unless I move it the wrong way. I donn't feel that I was prepared sufficiently for the aftermath of the surgery or the length of time it would take to feel somewhat normal. I had been given a choice between "cleaning out" the ankle and fusing it. I chose fusing because I figured that fusing would be necessary eventually and I didn't want to undergo the surgery and recovery twice. I wish now I had not chosen the fusion. I don't feel that my doctor really prepared me for the recovery and final results. The recovery has been very long. I am walking fairly normally on flat surfaces but our life pre-surgery was not confined to flat surfaces. The most surprising thing was that the doctor did not recommend physical therapy when he released me. My thigh muscles are not as strong as previously because of the 8 weeks of no weight bearing followed by eight weeks in the air boot. Additionally, my right knee is very painful with the additional stress that has been put on it. I'm having a routine check up with the ortho who did my two hip replacements next week and I'm going to ask him for a physical therapy referral as I'm not ready to give up the low terrain hikes we were enjoying and doing pre-ankle surgery.
Wapkia ginnymcc
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Hi Ginnymcc
i have had exactly the same thoughts as you. My surgery was in early November 2017 and I had the left ankle fused. I was totally unprepared for the length of time of recob
very. I have previously had both knees replaced and in my ignorance, thought ankle surgery would be comparable. My right knee has suffered as a result of the extra stress put on it and I, too, struggle with stairs and uneven ground. My surgeon didn't think it worth while having physiotherapy but, fortunately, I was referred via the occupational health department where I work. I am just beginning to feel that I am improving. The pain is reducing and my walking is better. I have lost a lot of muscle tone and I tire very quickly but I am hopeful that my exercise programme will be beneficial in that respect. It has certainly been a long haul. I think there should be much more information available prior to surgery. This forum has been so helpful and it has certainly kept my spirits up to hear that others have being traveling the same recovery route. I hope you soon get back to full strength.
linda28371 ginnymcc
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ginnymcc tessa98714
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tessa98714, it seems that our experiences are similar and probably "routine". I had had both hips replaced and was hiking on easy trails in 3 weeks for geocaching. My left knee is okay but we'll see what the doctor says about the right one next week. It took the brunt of the left ankle surgery during "recovery". Maybe they can just clean out the knee as another surgery isn't really appealing.
DavidCantSwim tessa98714
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I'm having my fusion on Monday at the Peninsula Medical Centre here in Plymouth. I will be an inpatient. I think we are fully prepped for recovery.. Things like a bath/shower stool that rotates, cast cover and my wife will see that everything I need is in grabbing distance.
I will be getting a wheelchair for a while as I'll go nuts staying in.
Any tips welcome
David
geraint87484 DavidCantSwim
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Good Luck on Monday. I'm 8 months post-op and I still have a long way to go. My advice is be patient and stay positive. This is a big operation and takes a year to recover fully. The worst part for me has been the feeling like a bruised heel constantly. (due to the fact that I had a hind-foot nail) The effect it had on the other leg was also a shock. I'd been walking in a similar way for years and now I'm trying to walk properly !!
linda28371 DavidCantSwim
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Good luck on Monday hope you manage ok afterwards I have just getting to the boot stage after surgery on 12/3/18
linda28371 geraint87484
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I’m just at the boot stage and have been taking it off for bed as nobody told me any different am I doing wrong as I don’t want to do damage to it.
geraint87484 linda28371
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I kept mine on every night. I took the boot off for around an hour every evening and then put it back on to sleep. It was only after the doctor said I didn't need to wear it anymore that I slept without it. I suggest you call the doctor or his secretary to check.