TEDIOUS RECOVERY from FOOT FUSION SURGERY

Hello Helen,

I'm so sorry to hear about your fall. None of us need any additional problems. I will keep you in my thoughts.  

Let's hope for the best for both of us.  I had this really bizarre looking bump that just got bigger over time and became very painful.  The revision surgery was to remove that cluster of...Who Knows What?  3 months post surgery, I think it's growing back!  I also think doc think it's growing back too, although keeping his opinion to himself.

Hello I had a midfoot fusion 3rd - 4th metatarsal on April 9th 2018... but also a triple arthrodieses in 2003.. Spec Ct scan shows lots of arthritis in ankle.... it’s now August 18 still in my black boot... I developed a severe case of DVT.. And lots of infections in wound it took 4 months to actually clear up..., But just been cleared from DVT . I’m hoping to start partial weight bearing in boot next week after I see surgeon... I have tried putting pressure on but I keep getting a shooting pain going up the ankle.. I’m a bit worried about this as my surgeons are not very polite.. 1st surgeon refused to do the op.. but 2nd said he will do it.. But bedside manor is not his strong point... All I want to do now is heal and go back to work full time.. But I feel I’m still going to have pain with this foot constantly...  can’t they just chop it off and give me a false one... 

I had the same thing done 8 wks ago. Also have a 2 story. I am 69 y.o. Also a retired a retired RN. I crawl up the stairs and scoot down. You HAVE to MAKE yourself move. AND have a positive attitude. At my 6 wk check up my foot was 80% fused! I take a Vit D supplement. I am now in a boot and and walking around great. Numbness is normal, as is some pain and swelling. Getting around isn't easy, but things could be worse. I am a very determined person. I am walking, with the boot a mile a day! THINK POSITIVE and MOVE as much as you can! Good luck!

wow so sorry to hear of your problems. do smoke or drink alcohol? i know that those two can make recovery from these kinds of surgery. i know i have a very good surgeon here at duke university.

hope you eventually get some relief.

very sorry to hear your problems - how long were you told to be non weight bearing and I'm assuming you had no falls or accidents whilst in recovery? i had a mid foot fusion 3 years ago and it was very difficult - I was non weight bearing for 3 and a half months (which my medical team said is the correct time if you want the fusion to work) then I found I had plantar fasciitis which makes walking incredibly painful at the heel so I was then off work for another month at first non weight bearing and stretching my muscles and tendons.

I am still in pain walking because I have a different joint that also moves and I'm flat footed and my arch on the foot that was operated on collapsed years ago so I now have medical inserts for my shoes which help enormously and cut some of the pain- incidentally this type of inert made no difference to pain levels before the mid foot fusion but 3 years on and I live them. Whilst I've yet to hear of one person who has been entirely pain free afterwards, it should have helped cut out some of the pain so you can cope better. I had to lose 10 stone pre operation and know if I had not I would never have walked again if I hadn't lost the weight. I think if your mid foot pain is worse and its not now something like plantar fasciitis I would go and get a second opinion by a different surgeon/hospital and find out if they've done a bodge job due to incompetence or lack of training or if you now have something else going on. I do hope things improve over time for you

I've had a midfoot fusion, achilles tendon lengthening & heel realignment surgery seven weeks ago. I too find that the top of my foo all the way to my toes is numb. zero movement. i keep trying to stretch it but cant. i cant even bend my toes. i wonder if this extreme stiffness ever goes away.

this is a revision surgery for me. two years ago I had a subtaler joint surgery & an arch reconstruction. the surgeon fused my foot in a crooked position. the pain never went away & i had a hard time to put weight on my foot because of the positioning.

I'm praying this one works out or I'm screwed. i can't stand the stiffness, numbness & lack of movement. i hope I continue to improve over the next few weeks.

I'm supposed to be partial weight bearing but still too painful.

Hi Helen. Thank you for sharing your story. My grandmother actually sent me here to ask how long after the surgery will the pain last? She had a triple arthrodesis and is in severe pain, she is wearing a boot. Any advice?