Triple ankle fusion
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi I recently had a triple ankle fusion on the 22nd may I was just enquiringly if I can take anti inflammatory tablets to help with the swelling
0 likes, 16 replies
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Notes on Triple ankle fusion
Morrismanc007 willfullard84
Posted
Hi. Yeah you can take them 400mg x3 doses a day but be carful as they can really aggravate your stomach.
I had my x3 fusion done on the 17th May and was taking it for about 10days post-op. I've now got awful reflux which can happen with NSAIDs and have been put on a proton pump inhibitor medication called lansoprazole.
If you do take them make sure you take them after you have eaten. If they do help and you want to take them long term maybe visit your gp and ask about medication to protect your stomach.
I only know this as I'm a sister on a trauma unit and have, over the yrs seen anti-inflammatory meds cause havoc with patients stomach...mine included now!
Anyway, how you are doing ok and are healing well.
willfullard84 Morrismanc007
Posted
Morrismanc007 willfullard84
Posted
tessa98714 willfullard84
Posted
Hi, I had an ankle fusion at the end of January. I was 3 months in plaster, and have now been in a aircast boot for almost 8 weeks, (only outdoors, indoors with no boot). I've had foot pain since I came out of plaster when walking but in the last few days I've started walking outside without the boot and have a lot of pain in the foot especially on the outside of the foot. Is this normal? I've been in touch with the hospital and they say it takes a long time for the foot to adjust to the new mechanics of walking, but it's all starting to get really frustrating. 4 and a half months on and I'm still in a worse situation than I was before the fusion. Does anyone have a similar experience? Thanks. Tessa.
Morrismanc007 tessa98714
Posted
Tessa I really wish I could give you some advice but I'm only 4wks post-op. I have been warned though by my own consultant and those that I work with (I work on an orthopaedic ward...lucky me) that the recovery is a long one.
They did say 12-18mths as its major surgery and like you said it all takes time I guess to settle. Saying that though if you are worried you have a valid reason for contacting your consultants secretary and make an appointment with him so you can speak directly. Phone the hospital switchboard or outpatients department and ask for the number and they should give it to you.
If they will not your hospital will have an inhouse complaints department, raise your concerns with them and they will be able to get you the number and make you an appointment.
Like I said I wish there was more advice I could give but you are 3mths+ ahead of me with your recovery. Let us know how you get on and I hope the pain eases soon.
margie41357 tessa98714
Posted
Yes the boot really limits your foots mobility , so when you come out of it for a long period all those stabilizer muscles and tendons and joints that haven't been engaging in the boot now have to start to work again and yes it is painful, go easy one crutch then a cane. This is what my physio therapist told me. Use aids to walk if it gives you a. Water gait and causes less pain until those muscles strengthen and joints get moving again.
Good luck
Margie
margie41357
Posted
tessa98714 margie41357
Posted
Thanks for the advice Margie. I'll persevere without the boot and with one crutch and hope things start to improve soon.
tessa98714 Morrismanc007
Posted
Thanks for your advice. I'm due to go back to hospital next month for a check up so hopefully they can advise me there too. From what everyone says though it just seems to be a matter of time for everything to heal and settle. I just wish they made it clearer how long the recovery takes before the op so you knew what to expect. Thanks again and good luck with your recovery.
kevin2712 tessa98714
Posted
Hi Tessa, today i went for CT scan, its been 8 months since my surgery and i had no pain til i had to fully weight bare and ive got high pain tolerance so if im saying its not right id expect them too listen!! Everytime, nope alls good they say; ( im big solid guy, my usual weight 100kg, was 110kg at surgery date as couldn't exercise.. i kept saying, im 30 odd kg heavier than average bloke, now 45kg. so 125kg as i cant exercise for the pain...
Well TODAY they tell me it hasnt fused (oct 15 was surgery last year) now they want to take top screw out to allow bone to drop in hope it will but no guarantees
IM 40YO, LOVED SPORT, WORKED HARD, IM unsure if i will come good!! I dont know how ill mentally cope as last 8 months been struggle but my puppy got me thru!!! Get second opinion, push 4 answers and ask questions til your satisfied as its your life they r shortening and happiness at stake!! Best of luck
kevin2712 tessa98714
Posted
Welcome to my hell; ( roughly 8 months after my op now, at every pain clinic and appointments with surgeon ive said it doesnt feel rite, pain suppoze to b less not more(alot) but each time i was told, looks fine, time time time they said, im like, well, u neva told me fibula was broken permanently or that you's would be so unhelpful, not show me all xrays and when requested, the information given was dismal.. Now after CT scan on last appointment u find that its not fused fully and try blame it on smoking and occasional drug use!!!!? Couldn't be that im 30kg heavier than average guy fit and 40+kg heavier now, that my fibula is clean broken.. they really dont give a fXXk about my circumstance!!! Certainly haven't given me the care, information or directive on successfully recovering.. now, young registrar had to give me news and point finger at faults in my rehab that he says r to blame, no offer of speaking to surgeon.. not even showing me on scans until i demanded, just want to do surgery it feels and patient follow up a unwanted thorn in their work bliss... GET 2ND OPINION!!!!
PUSH 4 EARLY CT SCAN, xrays dont cut it, video your appointments.. cert wish i did
Moderator comment: I have edited this post due to the swearing. These are open forums so as per the T&Cs please do not use offensive language in posts otherwise they may be deleted.
margie41357 kevin2712
Posted
Sorry for your pain Kevin , it does sound like anyone's worse nightmare. I am glad you are advocating for yourself, you have to persist until they listen!
I wish all the best!
Margie
margie41357 willfullard84
Posted
The anti inflammatory have show to slow bone healing in some studies. Tylenol3 was what my doc gave and they don't upset the stomach. Ice, ice , ice is the best for swelling! I got a cold therapy machine which you can leave on for hours. Look them up on Amazon it was a lifesaver to reduce pain and swelling. The knee and shoulder pads easily fit the ankle.
Good luck!
willfullard84
Posted
Well I don't think I'll be back at work after 16 weeks then if it takes that long to heal
Morrismanc007 willfullard84
Posted
I guess it depends on the level of activity at work, I know I'm looking at hopefully going back next Feb/March on a phased return.
willfullard84 Morrismanc007
Posted
I'm a chef so I'm on my feet all day 🙄