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Walking after ankle fusion

Posted , 13 users are following.

christy66575
christy66575

I had talonavicular fusion 5-18-16 and will be 12 weeks postoperative this wednesday. Today is the day that my surgeon told me I could start walking with 50% weight bearing. He said some pain is normal but if there is too much to wait and try again in a few days. My question is how much is too much pain? I've been walking just a little bit and am already sore. My recovery has been text book (which I didn't expect!!) and I really don't want to set myself back any. I'm 47 years old, female.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Tituscanby1
    Tituscanby1 christy66575

    Posted

    Too much is when you've finished your exercises, taken pain killers, put your foot up and your still in agony!

    @(*+*)@

    • christy66575
      christy66575 Tituscanby1

      Posted

      Lol!!! Hopefully I won't get to that point! Thank you for your response and giving me a giggle!

    • gailie
      gailie Tituscanby1

      Posted

      Tituscanby1 is absolutely 100% correct! My fusion was the day before Thanksgiving. I had a splint for a week and This is my 10th week in a fiberglass cast. My surgeon gave me a cast shoe and said I could do a little standing in the bathroom and a few steps in the kitchen. Elsewhere in and outside the house to use my knee scooter. I asked how much is a little and how will I know if I over do it. He chuckled and said oh you WILL know, your leg and every muscle will tell you. He knew I rarely took pain meds and insisted that I get the prescription filled and keep on hand for when I start standing. And yes over doing it is when you use a bag of frozen peas behind your knee and across your toes, take your pain pills/muscle relaxant, elevate your leg and you are STILL are having pain and Charlie horses! I promise you, you will be more aware of pacing yourself after this event!

  • danielle60870
    danielle60870 christy66575

    Posted

    I think you will somehow know with the pain.. I'm kind of in the same boat.. I had a fusion done 6/30 and after being casted for 3 week I'm in a non weight baring brace until the 29th.. Then rehab to walking.. Each case and person I've noticed handles this surgery different and your body will let you know when you've had enough.. Getting the joint to fuse is the problem once it does you really are good to start getting back to normal.. Slowly of course.. My pain tolerance is unique and higher than normal so this was a fear for me.. Being in the brace I use a knee walker (peg leg) to do daily tasks and have since surgery.. I don't feel pain at all and have been fine.. My tell is the swelling.. My foot swelled the other day.. A lot.. Clearly that was my body telling me to take it easy.. Just watch it and take it slow.. I am nervous for the same reason.. When I can walk and get the all clear.. I know it will be difficult to know what my limits are but seeing the swelling was a bisual sign that I will watch for now..

    Good luck!

    • christy66575
      christy66575 danielle60870

      Posted

      Thank you for replying! I kind of like the pain...not in a weird way but, because it has let me know when there is something wrong. I can't imagine how hard it is without that sign. I know it's supposed to hurt but I'm less than anxious to feel it again and just fearful that it somehow means there is something wrong. I think in general I'm just worrying a lot over nothing, lol!! Hope you heal well!!

  • yvonne13888
    yvonne13888 christy66575

    Posted

    Hi Christy,

    I am 58 and in the 7th post op week. I am trying to walk with crutches and walkung boot with some weight bearing. My Dr said I could possibly be no crutches at end of week 8. I had ankle fused in two places, plus a plate put in for big toe fusion, plus a tendon pulled up. I have the same thoughts as you, how much is too much?

    • barb1953
      barb1953 yvonne13888

      Posted

      Hi Yvonne,

      im not sure you still get these emails but I'm curios to know if you were able to be crutch free at week eight? I'm week nine with doubankle fusion & arch reconstruction. I just started PWB in aircast boot & it's not fun. I'm in a lot of pain & very swollen. This is only my second day. Please tell me it gets better fast. 

    • deborah78814
      deborah78814 yvonne13888

      Posted

      Im in week 7 in boot with pwb some days the pain is bad i try yo do more everyday at end of day I have to sit down take pain pill and rest will this het better some days it don't feel that way

    • Mayor
      Mayor yvonne13888

      Posted

      HI please forgive me for noticing your age. I've got a couple on you also noticed the post is a couple years old.

      Docs are talking seriously about ankle fusion. I've had two surgeries one on outside to shorten tendon and tendon replacement on inside both have lived their usefulness.

      My question is I'm still very active with hiking and with fishing walking on uneven wet surfaces so how is your mobility. I don't run unless someone is chasing me with a stick but should the need arise I would like to be able to.

      Thanks for your time , Bobby

  • lori94557
    lori94557 christy66575

    Posted

    I had Talonavicular fusion 4/22 with a tendon reattachment. I was in a hard cast, non weight bearing for 7 weeks. I used a knee scooter to get around. After the cast came off I was put in a padded boot for two weeks, but at the 2 week appt it was determined that the fusion was not quite all the way fused, so it was two more weeks in the boot for a total of 4 weeks. My Dr said that it is not unusual for women to take a little longer to heal all the way. I have been in an ankle brace for the last 3 weeks and hope to be brace free by Tues. At every stage after the cast came off there was pain walking for the first week or so, so I used crutches. It does become less painful as you continue to walk, but I would recommend you not overdo. As my Dr said, this surgery is a big deal! When it starts to become really uncomfortable, sit down and put your foot up. I am hoping to begin PT next week and then a whole new phase of pain will start (lol)! Good luck! Remember, this surgery is a BIG DEAL!
  • jackie196465
    jackie196465 christy66575

    Posted

    Hi guys hope it’s ok sorry to interrupt your conversation...  don’t know which way to turn at the moment I had ancle fusion 24/10/2017 I have a club foot which ment my foot leaned outwards when I walked all my life I have dealt with this problem but over the years I’ve began to fall over a lot and as I’m now 53 it was beginning to take its toll on me 

    So ancle fusion was offered  I’m now in trainers  I’m still struggling to walk and my ancle feels very stiff I’ve got no movement in my ancle at all which I knew would be the case ... but I feel that now I’ve got rid of one disability and gained another I can’t walk with any speed at all .... I’m worried because my job means I’m on my feet 7 & half hours a day I work in a hospital and I’ve only got 6 weeks left before I start work again ...... is there anyone who has gone through this operation because of a club foot ?? My surgeon said that there wouldn’t be physio because my ancle is fused feel a bit lost at the moment  

    Thanks xxxx

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