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Swelling after ankle surgery

Posted , 28 users are following.

molly8693
molly8693

Hello,

I had ankle surgery and my cast was taken off over a month a go.

I can stand on my 2 legs but can't walk.

Every time I exercise with crutches or stand to cook my foot swells and goes purple.  Does anybody know how long the swelling will last for?

I was cryptically told by a nurse that the last thing to go is the swelling.

Any ideas?

I am really fed up and frustrated.  It is all taking so long and progress is so slow.  The whole business has made me depressed and negative.

Molly

2 likes, 318 replies

318 Replies

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  • karencanbbttr
    karencanbbttr molly8693

    Posted

    Hey gang.

    How is everyone today? Hopefully its a good healing day.

    I hit my 3 month mark tomorrow. I think I got a little ahead of myself. The PT and my ability to walk with one crutch got be back in my garden for two days but now the muscle just above my ankle on the inside of my leg is speaking to me. It's saying OUCH! So I'm listening and giving it lots of ice, elevation, and rest today.

    It's kind of fascinating watching the body repair itself. Learning so much.

    Learning a lot about patience too. 😀

    Oh and I'm using bio oil on knee scar and it seems to be working.

    The two scars where they inserted clamps are fine but where they opened my knee to insert the rod, that is a mess. Have to re-stretch it every morning. That's always a good time. 😱

    Has anyone flown since their injury? I have a big trip coming up in July. Little nervous about that.

    Ok, I'm off to sit outside, leg up, glass of wine.

    Much love and healing to you all.

    Karen.

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen karencanbbttr

      Posted

      Dear Karen

      Good to hear that you are continuing to make good progress and being sensible and listening to your body.

      All the best Richard

  • Tobymaan
    Tobymaan molly8693

    Posted

    Hello it's been 3 month post op and now my ROM is getting better and I m walking most of the time without crutches at home but still too much swelling if I m walking or standing my PT is just giving me normal exercise to inprove my strength. Yesterday I was try to walk up and down on stairs and I feel something weird in my ankle . Like my ankle or idk is that my plate is rubbing with my bones it's is weird to explain but when I going down to the stairs than kinda click inside my ankle . Is someone having same issue or should I see my surgeon?

    • molly8693
      molly8693 Tobymaan

      Posted

      Hello Toby,

      You are doing really well walking unaided at home after 3 month post op.  Swelling is to be expected and I was told that it is the last thing to go.  About the clicking you felt inside your ankle, it is best to ask your PT or doctor.  They might give you another x-ray to put your mind at peace and let you know how your ankle is healing.  Were you told if you are to keep the hardware or if it will eventually removed?  

      Best wishes,

      Molly

       

    • Tobymaan
      Tobymaan molly8693

      Posted

      Hi molly last time when I talk to my surgeon he told me that the plates and screw are temporary but I have to w8 a year than there is Another surgery for removal of hardware about clicking I m kinda confused I definitely talk to my surgeon nd my physiotherapist. Is there any cream or gel that can help in swelling I saw arnica cream for swelling . Do u have any idea about

      Regards

      Toby

    • molly8693
      molly8693 Tobymaan

      Posted

      Hi Toby,

      I would think having to wait a year before the removal of hardware is rather too long but may be people in our group would have more knowledge than me on the subject ...

      Arnica Cream as far as I know is for bruises.  You will need to keep your feet raised and use ice cubes to reduce swelling.

      Which country are you from Tobby?  I ask because my understanding is that in UK surgeons don't go for removing hardware unless it is really necessary.

      Best wishes and let us know how you are doing,

      Molly

    • Tobymaan
      Tobymaan molly8693

      Posted

      Hi molly I m from canada well I don't know any other surgeon from different countries what they do about the hardware but here in Canada most of the hardware were removed after certain period bcz it's getting irritated and less flexibility in u r ankle

      Toby

    • molly8693
      molly8693 Tobymaan

      Posted

      Hi Toby,

      I think in Canada they often go for tne removal of hardware but try to talk it over with your doctor to make sure where you stand.  

      Hope you are coping well with pain.

      Keep posting when you can,

      Molly

    • janness_43536
      janness_43536 Tobymaan

      Posted

      Hi - I'm in the USA. Almost 7 months since injury. Anyway I'm to keep the hardware in unless I have issues. I have a friend who has had the hardware in 15 years, another for 5 years, another 10 years. No problem except when it gets really cold in the winter.

  • karencanbbttr
    karencanbbttr molly8693

    Posted

    I think the insomnia is going to drive me crazy. Three months of doing nothing but watch tv and do PT exercises. Walking for a bit throughout the day. I do nothing but toss and turn at night. My leg still too tender to be confidant enough to treat it as healed. Ugh!

    Tonight is a bad night. Sorry to whine.

    • molly8693
      molly8693 karencanbbttr

      Posted

      I feel much the same Karen.  Not fun being stuck in the house.

      i became really grumpy so, i understand ...

      Hope tomorrow will be a better day lol

      Molly

       

    • karencanbbttr
      karencanbbttr molly8693

      Posted

      Thanks Molly,

      Yesterday I had very aggressive PT then came home and slowly but surely cleaned entire kitchen. I still need one crutch and can only take a few steps without any assistance but my kitchen is horseshoe shaped. That really helped. 

      My husband was out dealing with his mom in her assisted living home where she is dealing with memory loss and calls him up to 100 times a day. 

      When he came home and saw the kitchen all cleaned up, made him sooooo happy. 

      I helped cook dinner with him, we had some wine. I cried and told him how frustrated I was. He listened and said all the right things

      My leg was pretty swollen from the day so ice pack and 2 pain pills. 

      We went to bed early. The pills gave me the giggles so we laughed a lot then I fell into a deep deep sleep. 

      Sleep. Wonderful deep sleep. 

      Wishing you good days and nights too. 😁🌻😁🌻😁

    • molly8693
      molly8693 karencanbbttr

      Posted

      Hi Karen,🌻🌻

      I am glad you had an interesting and active day smile

      and, slept better too 🌻  

      Hope you MIL settles in well and likes her new home.

      It is hard for all concerned...

      My foot is much better and can wear my new sandals.

      They are flat of course and comfortable.

      My mood is on the low and don't sleep too well.

      I guess as I get bored, I end up napping during the day which

      affects my night sleep.  

      Have a good day and wish you feel much better soon,

      Molly 🌻🌻

  • helen00131
    helen00131 molly8693

    Posted

    Dear all,

    Just wondering if anyone have heard about 'osteectomy' or 'osteotomy'? 

    Also has anyone have done the arthroscopic surgery?

    My surgeon is going to carry these procedures, while removing the hardware from my ankle in two weeks time.

    Any information will be appreciated.

    Thank you!

    Helen

    • araceli96380
      araceli96380 helen00131

      Posted

      Is the doctor doing it as corrective surgery like non fused bones or not align? This was explained to me that in case of malunion( non fused ) or misalignment ,osteotomy can be done. I was also thinking about that procedure just in case of misalignment coz I don't want to be limping. Good luck with the procedure. I hope everything will turn out okay. Let me know also what the doctor told you about the procedure. I'm curious.

    • helen00131
      helen00131 araceli96380

      Posted

      Thanks! I am also curious to see what the doctor will do to my foot on that day. I will keep you posted.
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