Swelling after ankle surgery

Thanks Susan :-)  I try to stay positive but can't always keep it up.

It is 4 months since the surgery and I am still in pain.

All I do when without crutches is shuffling and dragging my bad foot for a bit.

Not knowing when it will all be over isn't helpful either.

I do appreciate being in this group.

Take good care of yourself,

Molly

Dear Molly

I really feel for you and everyone who is finding that their recovery is slower and more painful than they expected.   I wish I had a perfect solution to offer, but I found that it was essential for me to keep my foot raised whenever I felt it was swelling or painful and that was very often over the first few weeks and iced frequentty but you already do these things.

I wonder if your walking would be aided by the use of what are known in walking circles as walking poles?   The benefit I see it in these is that it should enable you to stand up straight and help the adoption of a good and confident gait.    If you also feel more relaxed ths will help your body as your muscles are less likely to be in spasm.

I do hope that this will help you on the road to recovery.

All the best  Richard

 

Thanks Richard.  As it happens I have 2 walking poles but I had forgotten about them.  I will try them.

Molly

Hi Molly,

I have graduated to a cane which works for me. I use the walker for cleaning , it is more hands free. I even vacuumed with it today! You would have had a laugh at that, it would have made a hilarious U- tube video. At one point I had the hose wrapped around me. I feel I can be much more active now. The more you do builds your confidence.I found my fear levels and really was holding me back. I have more good days than bad, but usually need a recovery day if I do too much.

I'm so glad you found an encouraging PT and we are progressing!!!!

I'm going camping this week end, so wish me luck- I'm excited and nervous.I would call it glamping because we have a pretty cozy RV with a washroom.??😎

Happy week end!!🤗😘💕

Margie

Hi Margie,

Ha, ha, ha...  I think it is a good idea to make your vacuum cleaning with a walker a You Tube video for a laugh but also ideas 

Definitely the fear of pain holds us back.

With the right encouragement I did so much better at the physio.

I also realised at some point I was showing off, like kids do, saying “Just look at me what I can do!”

Wow, going camping!! I wish I was there. You have sooo beautiful landscapes in Canada but I am not so fond of cold temperatures.

Anyway, enjoy but don't go mountain climbing!   😘💕

Molly

We had a heat wave here really hot temperatures and we stayed out at the campfire with just a light coat on u til midnight watching all the beautiful stars! My sister has one of those scooters for handicapped people and I was able to use it to zoom around the campground. Her husband broke his ankle a couple of years ago and has recovered now from his 4 th surgery. That really made it easy to get around the rocky uneven surfaces.

My dog Callie loved riding in it with me!🐶

Margie,

My reply to your posting seem to have suddenly disappeared so, I am trying again.

I am so glad you had a good time camping and weather was mild.

It would have made a great video seeing you on the scooter with your Callie zooming around the campsite 

I was happy on Saturday when my son came to visit after his trip to Peru and Amazon.  He had a few very nice presents for us. I miss my children but am happy when I know they are OK.

After my attempt on weeding I had a back pain on the top of the foot pain.

My husband said: "I told you so."  And he was right but what am I supposed to do?  I can't any more just sit and do nothing or so little.

Anyway, I am doing much better.  I couldn't imagine myself doing what I can do 3 months ago.  

Hope you are doing much better than yesterday,

Molly

 

I here you my husband is always saying just sit back and relax, but I want so badly to be doing stuff. I'm a project oriented person, I like to create a project for my self and work on to thru to completion. I sorted thru my winter clothes and switched out my summer and bagged a bunch for good will. That was yesterday's project. Today I'm bored trying to think of a new project that would be more exciting. Anyone have any ideas on keeping busy with limited mobility?

Yes I will have to take a video of me and Callie on the scooter next time and post it, she is a cutie!🐶🛵

Dear Toby

Great to hear that you have good ROM. Have you anything to give you some support such as a walking frame, crutches or a stick? Do you do anything to exercise your ankle? It will take time to get muscle strength back but do concentrate on achieving a good gait and ankle movement rather than speed at this stage.

Cheers Richard

Hello Richard

Yes I do use the crutches and also doing some exercise what my PT told me but it's been also 2-3 weeks my sweeling is still there I can walk with the crutches but not with full weight don't know what else should I do

Regards

Toby

Dear Toby

Ankle replacement recovery takes quite a long time is also much garden than a total hip replacement from my experience.

If you are not elevating at every opportunity and using iced bandages then you are missing out. Using an elastic stocking was also a great help to me.

Oh yes do keel ahead of the pain so as to allow your body to repair itself.

It's a right PITA but once you start to get your life back you will know that it was worth all the effort.

Good luck.

Cheers Richard

Toby,

I agree with all what Richard had to say.

And yes, it is tough.  It will take time but you will get better.

Docs don't tell us how long recovery takes because

it can be dishearteaning. 

If you can stand on your feet is good news.

Not to worry about the change of colour or swelling of your foot.

It is all part of healing process.

How did you breake your ankle?

Keep posting and let us know how you are doing.

Molly

Hi molly

Thank u for the reply . I broke my ankle (fibula) on march 6 2017 . I came from work park my car near my apartment near to the main door there was black ice I didn't notice that and I slipped for a few seconds I was blank and can't help myself . So next day they did the surgery and put 5 screws and plate . Now I don't have any cast or boot doc told me I can put weight

Toby

Hi Toby,

It just takes a second and your life changes...

I also had similar experience on black ice.

I was having a great start to the day enjoying myself

and soon after was in the emergencies!  That was in 

January and still can't walk but it is much much better and

so will it be for you.  No quick fix when it comes to ankle fractures...

If you don't have any cast or boot might mean your situation

is not like mine and you will have even quicker recovery.

Molly

I was so cross with myself having caused the first major damage to my ankle seven years ago when in a split second I let a half ton plus generator slip off rollers onto my foot. Then to cap it all a few years later I was trying to select a large oak beam in a stack of them in a field and the seller rolled one down and it did nod not step down sufficiently quickly and Ooch that really hurt and the die was cast for my poor ankle.

I was talking to a friend today of about 56 who eighteen months ago in a moment of inattention stepped into the road and was hit by anuninsurred

Sorry... an uninsured driver who very badly damaged her leg and ankle breaking several bones. Many plates and screws later she is having a very tough job getting around and is in increasing pain and her entire life gas been turned upside down.

I think I've been very lucky in that much of my life I have been in high risk activities and am still here to tell the tale!!

Best wishes to everyone here for the week ahead.

Cheers Richard

That is awful Richard!!  How dreadfully paiful must have been and I am amazed how well you recovered.  

 

Thanks Molly.

Yes jt hurt like hell and my ankle went purple and swelled up so large.

I've been blessed with good health genes by my wonderful parents sadly no longer alive, and they instilled me with confidence sometimes a little misplaced!

Having been self employed since 1963 I've developed an annoying attitude that if you want to achieve something enough you can. It does not always work out but it sure as hell makes success more likely.

Cheers Richard

Richard, it sounds like you are indeed blessed with good genes but your being active all your life must have helped too.  

Being determined is good and I also believe if you really want something you can do it.  But as you say it doesn't always work.

Molly

Dear Molly

Life can be a bit of a s**t sometimes but we have to just get on with it as best as possible as we both know as do many on this forum.

Cheers Richard

This is a reply to all  - Hello all ankle people,

Sorry, I am behind with replies.  I just fritter the day away without

achieving much.  I find my ankle is stiff and more painful in the 

mornings.  I don't know if I am imagining it...  After nearly  4 months

of surgery it can still get quite swollen.  So, I forgot all the positive things my PT said the other day and was again disheartened. Hope you are all doing better than yesterday.

Molly

 

Dear Molly

Sorry to hear that you are still in a lot of discomfort. I wonder if it would be worth trying soaking your ankle in hot water then cold and doing this several times one after the other to help to stimulate blood flow?

Cheers Richard

Morning Richardken

You seem quiet good at reccovering😊

How important is icing and painkillers??? I dont do none of these i elavate my foot all the time but just wondering should i do the other 2 as well... hope your ok Maria😻

Morning Molly?

Oh how things change over time some days i feel lost n the next im bragging about what new thing i can do...for example crutches help me open n shut my curtains on my own now😂😂😂 such a little thing but a month ago if no one did it in the morning before they left i would be in darkness for the day as i couldnt reach..i class me opening them as improvement😂(how funny and sad) my walking is better i can do 1 crutch/no cruch inside but just muddle between alot of different moves😄..my kids are funny dont like me getting to school as they have to walk home hahaha.....my ROM is shocking i keep doing the alphabet but i think i need some extra help (still waitng for hydrotherapy) hills suck and i feel for you im imagining you live in a nice area as they all seem to be hilly...i hope you have nice views where you are

Take care Maria xxx

Hi Maria,

All you talked about are bring my memory back. I had been there, e.g. use crutch to switch off the aircon at night, as it was on the other side of the bed, which I can't do before the injury. :-) I didn't want to wake up my hubby at night.

I am on the sixth months post surgery now, and can pretty much do anything, except running and hiking. But I still try to put my foot up as much as I can. I believe that icing and elevating are both very important for the recovery. Though, I don't ice the foot as much as before, as here, in Australia, we are approaching winter.

Helen

Hi Maria,

Yes, it is amazing how good we feel when we can do something more 

I realised I was at some point showing off to my PT what I could do, just like kids do and, is funny! 

I am just like you with the use of crutches.  Sometimes I forget or can't e bothered so, I shuffle walk.

What would the hydrotherapy involve?  Is it part of nhs treatment or private?

As you say, we have great views that is what charmed us to get this house.  I wish I had thought twice before settling for it.

I can imagine how your kids must be enjoying their independance and walking home on their own.  How old are they?

Good hearing from you Maria,

Molly 

Thanks Richard.  I do that from time to time.

Molly

Wow Molly what a view, your garden looks so lush and green. Our trees and grass are finally just starting to leaf out and turn green. We have been getting hotter weather around 20-28 degrees or 70-80 not sure if you are on F or C. I toohave been discouraged, I am doing more, but my walking is still as you say like a shuffle and very slow- 80 steps then I'm sore exhausted and swollen. I do RICE still but don't ice as often- lazy and hate to big my hubby as he is so busy with his new job. I hate my staircase!!! I can go down no crutches holding the rail but not up yet. I will be at 5 months the 16 and thought I'd walk pretty good by now, so frustrating. My poor dog hasn't had a walk in a while, as my so. And hubby don't get home till late. How did you send a picture Molly?

Well keep on walking ladies and Heen I really hope 6 mo this I'll be where you are at🤗🐶🙏

Margie

Dear Maria

It is really important to keep just ahead of the pain to allow your body to be able to heal. Icing works well for many people and elevating always works.

Good luck.

Richard

Dear Molly

Please report Ba k and let us know how it worked for you.

Cheers Richard

I'll be at 6 months on Saturday. Today I went to 2 of my growers to pick up plants for a garden I'm planting on Friday. Going to 2 more growers on Thursday. THIS IS HUGE for me! I am a garden designer and seriously wondered a month ago if I would be able to do any of my work. Now, my sister who works for me will do most of the work on Friday but I'm going to try. My pt has been helping me on how to get up from a kneeling position.

I just unloaded the plants from my truck. 👍🏻

I may be sore tonight but this is huge progress. I even went to my 4 year old grandson's preschool mother & grandmother day at his preschool this morning.

Finally light at the end of the tunnel which we will all experience. Spring & flowers certainly help.

Dear Moll

How did it work for you?

Cheers Richard

Wow that is fantastic Janesse!

Landscaping is hard work so you'll be back in shape in no time! I'm at 5 months on Sunday, I just did 220 steps today practically double yesterday so I'm hope at6 mo this I'll be at where you are at. It must feel good to get back some normalcy to your life.

Happy planting!!!!🌱🌼🌻🌾🥀

Margie

You will be !! At 5 months I was weary thinking what my spring & summer would be like. It does feel good to get my life back little by little especially when the first few months I could do nothing. I'm an active person so sitting was grueling. This forum and an awesome PT and family support got me through.

Dear Richard,

Sorry, not sure if I understood well what your question was about  

if it is about hot and cold bathing of foot, yes, it does help but

I am too lazy to do it too often...

Thanks. Hope all is well with you,

Molly

Also a stretch stocking can be very helpful. Cheers Richard

Dear Molly

Sorry for not being clear but yes you guessed correctly Glad that you found the hot cold soaking helped you. .

Cheers Richard

Hello Richard

Today I m kinda worried reason is that I actually disbalanced and put little bit extra weight on my broken ankle and it start paining . Should I see my doc bcz after that my foot start paining more and swelling increased near the ankle

Sorry but I do not remember how old your TAR is but if you are worried that you have done something bad to it yes do see your surgeon. I rather suspect that rest along with elevating and ice may be all that is needed.

Cheers Richard

It almost 2 month now for my surgery and yes I do elevate my ankle also using ice pack pack which gives me great relief. But still should I see my surgeon I m kinda confused

Hello Richardken

Yes i asked physio also yesterday and they said ice is important i did do it last night but as much as i want to get back to normal all these exercises take time which i have plenty of but carnt be bothered most of the time😂😂 i do them though hope your well Maria?

Oh Molly

Your view is beautiful...i would have to travel a bit to see something like that...My hydrotherapy is NHS like i said i can walk/hobble now but ROM is terrible..2nd physio yesterday and he said if i dont get in the pool soon hes going to have to make my foot move😱😵 ive got some new moves to do both are painfull but the saying is "no pain no gain"😦 wish it was a different saying like "eat nice food and all will be good"😂much better phrase😂 now i have to wear my trainer with no laces in so it will go on my "bad foot" as my airboot is not needed no more🎉 so just keep trying 1 step at a time 👣 hope your ok and as long as we keep trying we will get their

Take care Maria😄

Dear Maria

I'm sorry to have to say it but recovery from ankle replacement surgery is hard work over a long time scale so it is no good expecting the good results to automatically happen because that just will not work!

You have said you have the time so please use it wisely.

All the best

Richard

Maria,

I have a special sandal for my bad foot.  I am amazed your foot can fit in a trainer even if it is without laces. 

Are you going to have someone like a PT with you when you go to the pool?  I bought myself a new swimming suit and will start having swimming lesson in July.  I can float but thought it would be good if I get better at it.  Everybody says swimming is a great exercise.  I need to lose some weight after spending all this time sitting down!!

Today I managed to go down to my garden and collect the clothes my husband had hang in the morning.  He will be amazed when he sees that and start telling me off for not having waited for him to do it.

I will miss this group I think 

Soon is Cori time Maria!  Take care,

Molly

Margie,

Glad your weather is improving.  A bit of sunshine is bound to cheer us up after this dark and long winter we spend indoors   On the 14th of this month it will be exactly 4 months for me.  I am a month behind you.

I can go very slowly up and down using one crutch and holding the rail.

Going up it is easier, have you tried it?  

I saw a video on You Tube and learned to always put the good foot up first and then bring up the bad one next to it.  I do the opposit when I go down.

The way I remember it is by saying "the good foot goes up to heaven and the bad foot goes down to hell".

To send a picture as attachement you go to the top of your message and click the first square on your right. It has something like a mountain and a moon on the top of it (well, it looks so to me).  It is next to smiley faces.

I am fed up with ice too!  I raise my foot and also wear this support stocking; I find it is really good.

Enjoy the rest of your day! 🤗

Molly

Wow Janness, glad you are doing soooo well!! 

I wish I could do some gardening.  There is so much clearing and cutting down to be done and, planting of course.

I planted some hollyhock seeds.  I can see a few coming up but they are thin and sort of flopping...

I can't put the geraniums out yet; there is still risk of frost here.

My roses and poppies are doing really well.

What are you planting?🌱🌼🌻🌾🥀

(I borrowed this from Margie!)

Hope you are being careful.  No more falls!! 

Enjoy your gardening world!

Molly