Weight Bearing Progress

[Brian Beitz]

Hi everyone. I am curious to hear how everyone progressed once weight bearing was reintroduced after surgery. I got approval 3 days ago after my cast came off to start partial weight bearing in my moon boot. I use crutches and am going very steadily but ok.I find it quite nerve racking. I was in my cast for 7 weeks. I wonder what the journey ahead holds. Thanks. Brian

[Adina Barukh]

Hi Brian

I’m 26 yrs old and had my Subtalar fusion in May last year due to an untreated broken ankle and a surgery that made me unstable and very arthritic.

I was off work for 4 months and at 6 weeks post op I was in a walking hard fibreglass cast (never had a boot) and it took me about 3 days to get over my fear of putting weight through my ankle. I was using 2 crutches for about 1.5 weeks and 1 crutch for about a week until I was limp walking (badly) unassisted.

I work around 10 hour shifts 5 days a week and before I had my surgery I was literally in tears every day from the agony of simple standing and walking. I returned to work October 1st partially limping and now I’m pretty much brisk walking around my work when it is busy. And to think that I only had surgery in May 2019 is pretty damn great!!!

When I had my cast removed I went to a hydro pool twice a week for a couple of months to help with the stiffness. I also see a physio here and there to help me with my strength and balancing as a bonus.

Recovery is not an easy ride, it took some time for me to be able to walk in a normal forward motion without that painful stiffness. However it’s literally been the best decision of my life as I constantly compare my life 8 months ago. 4 months recovery remaining and so far it’s thumbs up!!

I’ll stop rambling on now this is just my experience and I hope this helps you think super positive during the remainder of your recovery. Things will get easier soon!

Take care,
Adina

[Lorraine Hoffman]

Brian, Thanks for the update. But what's. Nerve wracking?

On Fri, Jan 24, 2020, 4:18 AM Brian Beitz <brianb...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi everyone. I am curious to hear how everyone progressed once weight bearing was reintroduced after surgery. I got approval 3 days ago after my cast came off to start partial weight bearing in my moon boot. I use crutches and am going very steadily but ok.I find it quite nerve racking. I was in my cast for 7 weeks. I wonder what the journey ahead holds. Thanks. Brian

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[Ruth Duvall]

I am still a ways off from being weight bearing, but I am very nervous about it as well. I am only a little over a month in and got a delay on putting the cast on. The day my doctor wanted to put the cast on she discovered an abscess on my heel, so we are healing that up now before the cast. It is healing nicely, just a very long process in all. 

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[Brian Beitz]

Hi Lorraine. Just me being a bit of a wimp I think. I am at approximately 25% weight bearing and today is my 4th day of doing this. I pull up a bit sore and swollen each night but I think this is pretty normal. The nerve racking bit for me is having the confidence to progress with higher levels of weight bearing. I am hoping they become kust a natural progression. Thanks. Brian

[Brian Beitz]

All the best Ruth.

[Brian Beitz]

Thanks for the information Adina. Cheers. Brian

[Patti Heeley]

On Friday, 24 January 2020 23:18:48 UTC+11, Brian Beitz wrote:

Hi everyone. I am curious to hear how everyone progressed once weight bearing was reintroduced after surgery. I got approval 3 days ago after my cast came off to start partial weight bearing in my moon boot. I use crutches and am going very steadily but ok.I find it quite nerve racking. I was in my cast for 7 weeks. I wonder what the journey ahead holds. Thanks. Briian

 

Hi, I had my fusion 12 months ago.  I used a knee scooter but was fantastic.  Weight bearing was scary and painful!!!  It is a long journey and I am still on it unfortunately.  Still having some pain even though the fusion is OK.  I developed plantar fascitis and have simce had shockwave therapy which seemed to help.  Still have a little pain but am assured it will eventually go!!  i am 74!  My local doctor thinks I might be getting arthritis in the other joints - I was told this could happen.  Is it never ending???  Good luck with it Brian.  Just be patient as it is a loong journey.  I do walk each day and do most things now but ankle is swollen by he end of the day.  Patti

[Brian Beitz]

All the best Patti. I will get there. You are right it can be quite the journey. Cheers Brian.

[Lorraine Hoffman]

Hi Patty and Brian and ?(cant can't remember name # 3) I think i will go back to scooter eventually because hopping with the walker is so arduous. Glad to hear the chair is better. What chair?

]

On Sat, Jan 25, 2020, 2:59 AM Brian Beitz <brianb...@gmail.com> wrote:

All the best Patti. I will get there. You are right it can be quite the journey. Cheers Brian.

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[Brian Beitz]

Hi Lorraine,
I was on my knee scooter for 7 weeks until my cast came off last Tuesday. Have been on crutches since with light weight bearing in my moon boot. I don't like crutches but I just have to suck it up as it is leading towards full weight bearing with no crutches. The old no pain no gain saying I guess. Best wishes to you. Cheers Brian.

[Lorraine Hoffman]

Hi everyone. I'm so grateful for this blog to connect with you all.

I am feeling desperate here in this nursing home rehab. I worry that my ankle is not healing right. Because sometimes i put my foot down and use it lightly. Did any of you do that?

Been here 4 weeks now.

Will see doc tomorrow. He will xray and put a new  cast.

On Sat, Jan 25, 2020, 7:52 PM Brian Beitz <brianb...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Lorraine,
I was on my knee scooter for 7 weeks until my cast came off last Tuesday. Have been on crutches since with light weight bearing in my moon boot. I don't like crutches but I just have to suck it up as it is leading towards full weight bearing with no crutches. The old no pain no gain saying I guess. Best wishes to you. Cheers Brian.

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[Deb]

I've had s few ankle fusions. The Doctor always told me no weight bearing at all, and it was for 12 weeks. I would be careful of putting any

weight on that ankle after only 4 weeks. Good Luck !

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[Lorraine Hoffman]

Thanks for the advice. How do you use the toilet? 

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[Deb]

I used a raised seat that I attached to the toilet. I was also using a knee walker. So, I was able to pivot on and off. I will say...my toilet is on the right when enter my bathroom.

So, when I had my left foot done it was easy to wheel right in front of the toilet, and pivot off my right foot and sit. However, when I had my right foot done, that kind of changed things. I had to back into the bathroom, so my good foot was facing the toilet.

raised seat......https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/drive-medical-plastic-seat-rizer-with-removable-arms/1040826691?skuId=40826691&&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_bath_online&product_id=40826691&adtype=pla_with_promotion&product_channel=online&adpos=1o2&creative=224063970714&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&mrkgadid=3245450036&mrkgcl=609&rkg_id=0&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlc6to6Sn5wIVGaSzCh30_gscEAQYAiABEgI4nvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Much cheaper on Amazon.

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[Susan Doran]

I did no weight until the Dr said it would be ok

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On Jan 28, 2020, at 3:34 PM, Deb <digg...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Ruth Duvall]

I am almost 7 weeks after surgery and my doctor still will not allow any weight. So I do not even attempt it. 

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[jjfc...@gmail.com]

Hi Lorraine,

I’m a physical therapist and have been for many years specializing in orthopedics for much of my career. I’ve had too many patients to count who did not maintain strict nonweight bearing precautions for a variety of reasons from weakness to outright refusal (it doesn’t hurt sooo...). The surgeons are well aware that 100% compliance is the ideal and not the norm. And, while you should try to always adhere to this as best you can, try not to beat yourself up too much if you accidentally put some light, painless pressure through the leg.

My experience working with these patients is that the vast majority healed fine regardless of their level of compliance and the ones that didn’t had co-morbid condition that affected bone healing. The last ankle fusion I treated in his home was an 84 yr old man with moderate dementia who never seemed to remember his restrictions. His ankle turned out better than mine! 

Relax and do your best. I’m sure you’re probably doing fine!

Cheers,

Julie

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On Jan 28, 2020, at 6:07 PM, Ruth Duvall <ruthed...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Brian Beitz]

Weight bearing is going ok. Week 2 in moon boot and around 40%. By the end of the day ankle is a bit swollen and some pain accross the top of my foot. Think that is just muscles, tendons and ligaments objecting to being used after 7 weeks in the cast. Ice packs and elevation give good relief.

[Susan Doran]

Glad to hear your progress. One day at a time

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> On Jan 31, 2020, at 7:01 AM, Brian Beitz <brianb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Weight bearing is going ok. Week 2 in moon boot and around 40%. By the end of the day ankle is a bit swollen and some pain accross the top of my foot. Think that is just muscles, tendons and ligaments objecting to being used after 7 weeks in the cast. Ice packs and elevation give good relief.

>
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[Lorraine Hoffman]

Glad to hear your good progress. I gives me insight about my future. I am 4 weeks post surgery. I have a long road ahead. I have difficulty keeping my leg elevated because I move a lot in the night. THANKS Lorraine 

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[vonda cowling]

Lorraine you are ahead of the game if u keep it elevated most of the day! Happy Healing

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On Feb 1, 2020, at 1:15 PM, Lorraine Hoffman <lorraine...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Nicholay Carvalho]

Has anyone been to HSS in NY for treatment?? My story is a complete NIGHTMARE which has lasted 4+ years now so I am desperately trying to find the best doctors I can at this point Yale has failed me. I'm in Connecticut thanks

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[Lorraine Hoffman]

No help. Sorry. Keep looking for a solution, you are worth it.

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[Lorraine Hoffman]

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[DENNIS HULL]

Hi Lorraine, I am sure your anxiety level is very high right now! You are leaving your safe place! Just remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint! Breathe! You will get through this! Do not try to bear too much weight, back off and just listen to your body. I thought the same thing when I was told I could bear weight. I had a lot of pain, but I was trying to walk normally and I had to back off with the amount of weight I was doing. Slowly keep increasing the amount of weight that you bear. I still had to rest a lot and it just takes time to get better. Keep your foot elevated and iced down. This will help a lot! Pain meds, everyone is different. Talk with your doc on that one. I was in a cast 12 weeks also and my doctor said that she was very happy that the fusion worked. She was worried it might not heal. Tomorrow is 9 months from my surgery, it seems like it was 2 years ago. This is a tough surgery to rehab through. At my last visit when my doc released me. I told her that I was still having pain and I am limited in what I can do. She said: Dennis it is not even a year from your surgery date. This will take 1 year to 1.5 year to get maximum benefit. I try to remember that statement daily when my foot still bothers me. Good Luck with your road to recovery! Please message me anytime, or if you need to talk to someone send me your phone #. This is not easy and very emotional. It truly is one day at a time! God Bless!!

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