sports - post ankle fusion

I didn't have a fusion but rather an ORIF of the left ankle, lateral and medial. I did range of motion as much and as early as I could and I'm 37, no serious athlete, but I am fairly active and couldn't stand the sedentary life. I started walking the day I got the go and almost every day after. Tennis shoes worn since day 2 because the boot limited movement for function. It's been a month now and I just went back to work for the first time in 10.5 weeks. I feel like the pain I had was normal for the amount of activity I was doing. Not doing anything or enough of anything is the worst thing I could do. I can notice a considerable difference in my comfort level with regular use and increasing strength in time. I could hardly push the minimal weight at first with the calf press. Today I could do 25lbs. I reverted to 10-15 after trying it a bit so I'm not too sore later. My calf is still smaller than the right! I need a norco once in awhile but it's rare now. When wearing the boot, I took it off to do some flexion/extension of the affected leg because it didn't involve the ankle so much. I really have pushed myself and I am happy with the results. I did whatever the calf raise machine is called after finding out the bone was healed/knitted. I waited to applying weight (lol) to the ankle until I knew the bone was good. PT said my muscle was developed really well for what it was. I had a couple moments of paranoia like maybe I overdid it but I would just ease up and listen to my body. Be gentle but firm. I feel like if I only did what PT said I'd not be where I'm at now. Everybody is impressed and it feels good for all the dark trouble. Don't hurt yourself and ice so much because you're going to swell. My scars could be a little nicer but I walked a lot and they kind of swelled and wept a little so they're just purple ish. No infection and all healed now. Good luck. If your fairly active before just start super slow as you don't want to make more trouble. Good luck with your recovery.