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
mars44904 tessa98714
Posted
I have pain in my opposite hip, too. For me, the hip pain is probably caused by my left leg is 1 " shorter than my right leg....so, I bear most weight on my right leg, etc.
I don't understand why you should be having pain in other parts of your foot, except that now you are bearing weight on the other bones.....
mars44904 tessa98714
Posted
lakelizard tessa98714
Posted
I broke both bones and dislocated my right ankle in the late 1990's. The last couple of years it had got more and more painful. I went to a ankle specialist last Dec. and was told I had ugly bone spurs, extreme arthritis and bone on bone. He suggested ankle fusion to relieve my pain and swelling. I had the ankle fusion surgery on Dec. 29, 2017. I have been in as much if not more pain, than before the surgery. My Dr. has taken x-rays and said the bones are solidly healed. The outside of my leg and last 3 toes have numbness. My toes feel very cold but when I touch them, they are warm. If I don't keep my leg elevated my foot swells. There are often sharp pains just under my ankle bone. When I stand up it is very painful, I have to put weight on it to squish out some of the swelling before I can withstand the pain, to walk. The pain is not from the ankle fusion site, my foot always feels very sore on the bottom. Also, the site where part of my outside leg bone was removed is always sore. Just having it touch the couch a short time causes severe pain.
I am almost to the point of depression. I was let go from work since my short term ran out. I have been declined for disability through Social Security. My family is helping me with bills, but I know the burden I am on them. I may have to break out my camping tent, to live in.
I keep hoping it is going to get better.
mammalu lakelizard
Posted
So sorry to hear that things are not going well for you. I would speak to the surgeon again. I has a subtalar fusion in April 2017. All x-rays showed it was healed, but my pain was getting worse. My Dr ordered CT scan which showed it had not healed. I had the surgery done again in January this year, and have not looked back. No pain at all. Had overseas trip from July and climbed castles, lots of walking, etc. As for the numbness, there will be some as the nerves are cut during surgery, but it does get a little better. I had a lot of swelling after the 1st surgery, but now it's all fixed, all the swelling has gone. Get another review. Good luck.
DavidCantSwim tessa98714
Posted
Yes the pain is normal. I had my ankle fusion on June 18th and am walking properly again. There are difficult parts of the rehab such as going upstairs or up a slope. Also if I stand on a little pebble or such I can feel that (ouch) BUT it is much better than before the surgery. I can go for a 3 mile walk easily and have just a little pain but I just know that will get better, it has to.
I massage Arnica oil into my foot every night too. I don't know if that helps but it feels really good.
I also use a Nordic walking pole instead of a crutch or cane as this helps propel me better. I have a set of Nordic poles and go for the occasional walk in the woods with them.
I would recommend using a Nordic pole. Best wishes David
linda28371 tessa98714
Posted
I asked to go to physio it wasn't offered and use various things to get my balance back I had my triple fusion and ankle straitened and stretched in March and since I am on my feet at work all day I am still off.
bernadette99896 tessa98714
Posted
I had a triple ankle fusion 2 weeks ago. I went off the pain meds a few days after i got home. Just got into a fiberglass cast. It is making my foot swell and hurt a tad! Get staples and stitches out next week. Then back into the a cast until i see my surgeon 6 weeks. Wondering if everyone has to get there screws and plates out at some point? I don't want anymore operations. So depressed being housebound. I am using a knee scooter! Highly recommend it. I will keep posting. Good Luck to all! Long process. Happy healing!
christine76972 bernadette99896
Posted
I'm also using a knee scooter, what a great invention. Cant use crutches as waiting for elbow replacement surgery. I had a triple fusion 13 weeks ago. THE BLESSING WAS GETTING OUT OF PLASTER AND INTO An air boot (sorry caps) Iwas non weight bearing until after my 12 week exray as I had snapped a tendon and needed repairs. Im 4 days into weight bearing and as I cant use crutches its painful across the top and up the heel. Im keeping a diary and making myself do a little more each day.
Btw my surgeon allowed me to not wear the air boot at night which was bliss. I got a frame to keep the covers off of my foot.
Good Luck, this is what my surgeon said to me. At 6 months you may wish you hadnt had the surgery, same at 9 months but by a year you should be fine and very happy. The ankle takes a long time to fully recover.
bernadette99896 christine76972
Posted
Thank you for your reply! It is now 17 weeks. Making a transition from boot to runner. Boot is great to walk in but,, the running shoe causes pain and swelling. Walking surface has to be level. Coming along. I haven't driven yet. Afraid to get pain while driving..
christine76972 bernadette99896
Posted
I was really worried, but this week have been working hard, massaging my foot and stretching it by hand. PUTTING TRAINERS ON AND WALKING 20 paces each day,...sorry caps on. Im now up to 80 paces then rest elevate and ice. I BOUGHT A LITTLE FOOT BIKE THAT SITS ON THE FLOOR SO HAVE been doing 200 revolutions at a time which I'm hoping will build up my calf muscle. My ankle is not so painful now, so I DO FEEL ENCOURAGED. apologies for the caps lock my ipad doesnt like this system.
lori21370 christine76972
Posted
Hi Christine! I am new to the forum. Am just 14 weeks today since triple fusion and am amazed at how long it is taking to feel like I can bear much weight. Is this normal from what you have learned? I am in a Vacocast boot, but really any more than about 30% weight bearing leads to a lot of pain on outside of the foot. I am looking forward to being part of this forum - having never joined any forums before now!
linda28371 tessa98714
Posted
Yes pain was bad but doing gentle movement of my foot and pain relief helps.
christine76972 linda28371
Posted
i will give that a go x
lori21370 tessa98714
Posted
I am new here - is anyone still following? had a triple fusion in May about 10 weeks ago and amazed at how long the recovery is taking. Walking in vacocast boot very painful on outside of foot! without cast its much worse. from this forum i am thinking this might be normal?
DavidCantSwim tessa98714
Posted
i had a triple fusion early last year and it was challenging but i took it as a lifestyle change and just kept doing whatever i could.
very soon after being out of the airboot stage i took to using Nordic poles and my recovery rate got better very fast. i could not go zooming around with the poles but they certainly helped. i am back to the best i will be now. i am 68 in December and use just one pole now.
i am very happy with the recovery as i could barely walk before the fusion.
i get a stiff feeling in my foot at times and a tiny bit of pain if i overdo it but i am so very happy i had it done. good luck.
gailie DavidCantSwim
Posted
Hello David, I crushed my leg and ankle 2 days before Valentine's day 2015. it was almost a below the knee amputation twice. l have great swelling and constant nerve pain. But ... i could not waste my trauma surgeons skills and time. I begged for as much water and land P.T.
l was serious about doing all of my exercises, taking vitamins to supplements, losing weight, and my goal was to be able to work as an SLP at a the longest overnight therapy camp for kids 3-17 with handicaps in the USA. I made it 6 weeks after my fusions! yes, I have tremendous pain, but I got off fentynal, hydrocodone and used herbs to take their places. l was able to go back last year and this year. l've found the key to be helping others, staying active in church, takes my focus off my pain.