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Talus recovery

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lauren10701
lauren10701

Im 8 weeks post talus fracture and almost 7 weeks post ORIF surgery. I had two displaced fractures to the head of the talus and shattered part of the body of the talus. I had my cast removed last week and im now in a boot. I can barely move my ankle at all, it all feels so stiff and as if something is stopping it from moving. I started physio yesterday and the lady was really shocked about how little i could move my ankle/foot. im hoping to hear some recovery stories and reassurance that it is possible to regain movement. Thank you!

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2 Replies

  • thesixer
    thesixer lauren10701

    Posted

    Hi Lauren!

    I am 6 weeks post op. I had a large talus lesion and my tibia (medial malleolus) was cut and removed to access the lesion in my talus. Then once the lesion was cleared (pathology benign) they did an autograft using bone/marrow from my iliac crest (hip) to fill the hold that the lesion left in my talus. I had a splint/cast for 1 week and was put into a boot after having a terrible skin reaction to the cast.

    I saw my OS two days ago and he said I am ready for FWB with the boot for 2 weeks and then progress to FWB barefoot and then with my sneakers. Like you mentioned, Lauren, my OS said my foot seemed unusually tight and I have little to no dorsiflexion. I have been doing daily exercises since OS removed sutures at 2 weeks. I start PT next week. I have tried for the last two days to put weight on my foot with the boot on and I cannot even stand on it for a second. It is extremely painful. How am I supposed to get started with FWB? Should I be stretching, icing, and then trying to take a few steps? I just don't even know how to get started.

    I was very active 44 yr old before this surgery (running 10+ miles a week, walking my dog 3 miles a day, and strength training 5 days a week). I'm very worried that I will not be able to resume my activities. I had no choice but to get the surgery once they found the lesion. I was only having a little bit of discomfort in my ankle once or twice a year and finally decided to get it checked out. I had no idea I would need surgery.

    I am so happy to have found this forum to share our stories and advice.

  • ravishanka39759
    ravishanka39759 lauren10701

    Edited

    Hi Lauren,

    Thanks for sharing your story here. I am sorry that you are going through this and glad that you started PT which is the last step of the recovery. I am reading a lot of blogs to find some information on post cast removal but couldn't find much. I could figure that the movement in the ankle will be minimal and is nowhere near really when compared to the good ankle. The process to regaining your ROM is stressful and not easy. PT is what I was told can really accelerate the ROM. I would suggest you to keep going to PT atleast 2 times a week and do not overly stress your feet which may cause swelling and keep you down for 2 to 3 days increasing your time to recover. I am currently 5 week post op and hoping to be at your state in the next couple weeks. I think we can stay in touch here to share experiences for sure. I was told swimming can help greatly but ask your PT or doctor before doing this. Hope you feel better pretty soon. I am thinking in the next 2 weeks you should see a rapid improvement. Keep exercising that ankle.

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