Rehabilitation after ankle fusion

Feeling really negative today. Its almost 9 months and whilst I'm not in much pain when non weight-bearing or sleeping, the pain and soreness when I try to do any more than just moving around the house or office is getting me down. I'm toying with the idea of going back to the doctor.  

You should speak to the doctor and request a CT scan. I had ankle Fusion last year and after 6 months I was still struggling to do more than walk around the house and office the same as you. I requested a CT scan and i'm glad I did because it established that my ankle hadn't fused properly. In May just gone I had the surgery redone with bone grafts etc. I am two weeks weight bearing now. It's still too early to judge the pain but fingers crossed it's worked this time. The only real concern I have at the moment is my toes are curling when I walk which I have a feeling is to do with the tendens being tight. This last surgery was pretty intense. Fingers crossed things improve for you.

what city/country are you located? 

When I had an x-ray before my second surgery everything looked fine as well. It wasn't until I had the CT scan that they found that my ankle hadn't fused (over half of my ankle hadn't fused) and it caused a lot of pain. I would go back to the surgeon and demand a CT scan.

Oh dear. I am quite concerned that mine may not have fused. Just needless worry I think. I am 9 weeks post op and only wear the boot when info out the rest of the time it is crutches and very light foot touching the floor. D

Sounds like a lot of BS...unless, the pain is coming from someplace other than the bones that were fused.  

For me, I am feeling some pain in other bones in my foot because I am walking differently. 

But, even though my ankle is not fused 1 yr post op, I don't have pain

What city/country are you in? 

I’m the UK. I live close to Exeter which is in the South West.

I would see another orthopedic surgeon and get a second opinion that the screws are in right

 

Sorry that you are experiencing so much pain. I had a Blair Fusion on my talus bone 6 years ago, only after 5 surgeries to avoid fusion. I also needed a subtalar fusion, but he held off until I absolutely couldn’t tolerate the pain, because I would have a club foot. Now entering my 6th year this is what I’ve learned. There is a brace called the IDEO/Exosym that one person in this world makes. He created it for the military for those who had mobility issues. I have it and it is AMAZING. Please look it up it is worth it. People come from all over the world to have him make it. He is based out of Seattle and works through the Hanger Clinic. It was actually a very easy process to move forward. You can find information and videos if you search it. Secondly, my pain has increased and I knew it would due to not having my subtalar fused. I finally went to a pain doctor who thankfully doesn’t throw pain scripts at you. I just did a stem cell treatment and Platlete Rich Plasma injections. It takes about 6 months to know the full effect, but so far the swelling in my ankle has decreased about 75%, and it’s only been 8 weeks. Unfortunately these injections have not been FDA approved yet and only a few insurance companies will cover the cost. I’m willing to pay out of pocket if it prevents the need of another fusion. I hope this helps and you check out the brace. It enables me to run and jump where I couldn’t do that even if I tried. I’m one of the ones that would say before my brace, if I had an option for amputation I’d seriously consider it. That’s exactly what people in the military said to Ryan Blanck, that their buddies had a better quality of life with their amputation than they did with their fusion. Out of those conversations he created the IDEO/EXOSYM. I’m not quit sure when it was released to the public, but I’m so grateful it was. Otherwise I’d be on disability at this point and I am a very active 43 yr. old woman. I’m on my feet constantly since I work with children all day. Best of luck with everything

Your story and treatments sound like I wrote your note. I was born with a club foot, casted until I was 10, operated on at 13 and 18, and again 2 more times at 34 with an osteotomy (which all failed). Did prolotherapy, bee stings, and platelet treatment for 10 years. Finally, I flew all over the country (NY, Dallas, Israel, Oakland and LA) - and was referred to Dr. Thordason in LA. Met with him 5 times before he decided to do a 1 layer fusion of my tibia and talus, but pointed inwards like a club foot. I don't have pain - but my ankle has not fused yet. He thinks I have scarring by now - and it probably failed because of a lack of blood flow due to 4 prior surgeries. Seeing him again next week...He suggested a few months ago that I continue with 3 hrs of bone stimulator, Forteo, and human growth hormone shots. I can walk on the treadmill for 30 mins (about 1.25 miles) no real pain or swelling. But, I am mostly laying down for the rest of the day.  I am a little unstable because he pushed my tibia forward 1" before fusing to the talus. Yes, I thought about amputation....but, my hubby (a doctor) said the phantom pain might be worse. And, I love my little-left club foot.I don't want a stump.....call me vain. 

Hi Erin,

I also have the Exosym Devices on both feet. It is the best thing I've ever done as It has improved my quality of life 100%. I'm not totally pain free & at the moment, I have another issue going on with a bone that is protruding on the side of my foot that keeps rubbing even after two straight weeks of adjustments. I may seek to have ti cut out or shaved down. I had failed fusions among other failed surgeries. If I could do it over, I wouldn't of had my ankle fused. I also had a subtaler joint fusion. All it did was create more pain & left my foot in a very twisted position. I do recommend the Exosym devices.They're very expensive but worth every cent.

 

I LOVE hearing that you have the Exosym. It is absolutely AMAZING. I wouldn’t have known about it unless our school nurse told me about it. I feel like it isn’t advertised nearly enough. I honestly wouldn’t be working if it weren’t for that device. I was fortunate that my insurance covered the entire cost. That was shocking, because my insurance is not that great. How long have you had your devices? I’m so happy that you are getting relief with them. 

WOW!! What a journey you have been on. I just recently started with the STEM cell and PRP treatments. I didn’t even know that was an option until 6 months ago. I just started looking on here to learn about potential procedures. One doctor told me

the Talus bone is the worst bone in your body that can be broken due to the lack of blood in the bone. Not sure if that is fact or opionion. My injury was caused when I was on a deck and it collapsed. I ended up being taken to shock trauma with a compound fracture. The first surgeon put pins in my foot the wrong way causing it to point downward. He referred me to a doctor in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. and he admitted me as soon as he looked at my foot. They took great care of me there. Since then I have moved to North Carolina and there is not one orthopedic doctor that will take me as a patient that I can follow up with to make sure everything is in place. I don’t get to D.C. enough to have him check my ankle out. If you went to LA for treatment the doctor must be excellent. 

I don’t think you’re vain by any means. I’m sure people who have had amputations would think I’m crazy for considering it.