subtalar fusion 9/23/2022 Recovery stages

[Mai Truong]

Hello All,

I had ankle fusion 2+ weeks ago on my Right foot, and waiting to have some weight bearing.  I'm in a wheelchair and its frustrating NOT to be able to step on my foot at all.  Its so very frustrating to be non-weight bearing and confined at home.  NO driving as surgery on R-foot.  

God willing recovery will go well and quickly.  I am following all orders so that recovery will come quickly.  Minor pain during 3rd week... not taking pain killer to avoid side effects of narcos.

[frto]

I was able to use elliptical like a month before able to walk on it never took pain killer but used machine to keep ice water circulating through ice pack i was up to 4 miles on elliptical prior to walking transition to walking gave no pain and able to do mile walk first day

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[Caroline Levine]

I'm afraid of narcs too.  Last surgery I got a little too fond of the nice buzz and threw out the rest of the RX.  I really didn't need them, but was taking 1/2 of a tab before sleeping to make sure pain wouldn't wake me up.

I banged into a white piece of trim in a hallway and the gouge is still there.  I don't want workers in the house because of covid exposure, so it might be there for a while.  Just an unpleasant reminder of life in the wheelchair.  BTW, I had a P.T. come to the house too soon after the surgery.  It was very painful.  In retrospect, I should've canceled the sessions.  It was the heel which killed me after walking with the walker after 6 weeks completely off the foot.  I think it was 6 weeks, but could've been more.  If you're using the elliptical you're doing vvery well.

Caroline Levine

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[Kim Connolly]

Mai, you will not be permitted to bear weight for at least 8-10 weeks. If you do so before that time, your foot will not heal. Hoping your surgeon explained this to you- if not, is very negligent. Best to you. 

Kim 

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On Oct 12, 2022, at 5:29 PM, Caroline Levine <carolin...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Caroline Levine]

Mai,

It's been awhile since my surgery, but I was thinking I had to be non weight bearing for 8-weeks.  It seemed like forever. The narrow wheel chair I borrowed helped.  I have an old house and the doorframe to the bathroom was too narrow for the chair.  Plus there was n o room to turn it around.  I placed a walked just inside the bathroom, used the wheel chair to get there then switched to the walker.  Reverssed everything at the end.  Also, I had a fold up potty near the bed for when I knew I was too groggy to maneuver to the bathroom.  They're not expensive on Amazon or CVS.  Worth every penny.  But I did have to buy plastic liners, charcoal pellets and medium disposable bags for the liners.  Messy job but added to my safety.   

Did you go to a rehab place after your surgery?  I wasn't given the option as I didn't spend the required medicare 4 days in hospital.  I was on my own.  Somehow managed okay.

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[brian gregan]

Mai 

You really need to check  weight bearing with your surgeon!

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[Laura Kott]

Do not wait bear. I had every complication imaginable and was using a knee scooter for several months, had five surgeries, and was in a boot for a year and a half.

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[DENNIS HULL]

Do not weight bear until told to do so. Be patient,this is a long road to recovery! Good luck and stay positive and patient!!

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[vonda cowling]

On the other side of this you will be so very happy that you had the surgery done and these discomforts will be in the rearview mirror.    I did not enjoy being non weight bearing and did not like the crutches or the knee scooter.  But I did it, (it's been 3 years now) and I can barely recall the discomfort and I can now  walk without pain.   

Hang in there!  

[Hilarie Roth]

I have been reading this string with interest and agree with the consensus, stay completely non-weight bearing for minimally 2 months (or whatever your surgeon instructed you to do). 

I have a question that you guys might be able to help me with. 

I've had 3 right foot surgeries due to severe drop foot caused by a motorcycle accident 5 yrs ago. My ankle is fused plus I had a triple arthrodesis on top of that. I've successfully been able to lose the AFO and cane and walk unaided. 

Due to being bedridden for 2 years and being 66 yrs old, I developed osteoporosis. I've had reclast infusions and eat foods high in calcium, while taking vitamin D supplements. My blood work is normal with no deficiencies. My latest bone density scan showed a reduction of osteoporosis back to the osteopenia stage. 

After the triple arthrodesis which was Jan 2022, my surgeon warned me that my right foot bones were soft. That proved to be a portent of things to come, about 6 weeks ago I broke (non-displaced fracture) my third metatarsal JUST WALKING NORMALLY.

Does anyone else have this problem? I'm exploring orthotic inserts to cushion the ball of my foot, I have an appointment with a podiatrist that I trust, but maybe going to a specialty shoe store with a pedorthist is the way to go? 

Thanks in advance,

Hilarie Roth 

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[vonda cowling]

i had triple athrodesis, Achilles lengthening, and ankle fusion in August 2019 due to foot drop and ankle collapse after having had polio as a child.    I was non weight bearing from August 31 through the beginning of November and then into a walking boot.   I started physical therapy in middle of November and ended physical therapy in April 2019.  

I went through normal discomfort while recuperating from surgery and while non weight bearing and can now walk without cane or crutches.  However, I have started having pain in the top of my foot into my big toe and someone mentioned that it could be a metatarsal issue.   I will be contacting my orthopedic surgeon today and i hope he has an answer i can live with.  My bone density test was normal.   I can't imagine what the problem is   

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[Laura Kott]

I feel your pain.  Maybe try Hoka running shoes.  They make a huge difference with pain and support.  They are podiatrist recommended and cute too!

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[frto]

I was told i could use ellyptical by doctor

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[Caroline Levine]

I would think the pressure necessary to push the pedals on that would be too hard for your operated ankle.

I tiried the Hoka shoes with no luck.  I adore Easy Spirit's Traveltime.  Have many pairs.  But each person's feet enjoy different things in shoes.

My gait is off since my last ankle fusion.  Anyone else have this issue?  I'm unsteady on my feet.

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[Hilarie Roth]

Yes, my balance can easily go off. I've been working hard at normalizing my gait with a PT with some success. 

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[Caroline Levine]

Do you get by without a cane or walker?

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[Deb]

It's weird about the Hokas, they're the only ones that don't hurt. However, it has to be the Neutral ones for me, the others hurt.

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[Hilarie Roth]

Yes

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[Caroline Levine]

I guess I should look into more P.T. work.  I haven't been impressed with all I've had so far.

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[vonda cowling]

I am a little unsteady on my feet when I first get out of bed.  I have to stretch my Achillles a little and then I am okay, unless i sit for a while.  

On Thu, Oct 13, 2022 at 5:31 PM Caroline Levine <carolin...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Caroline Levine]

Did PT have you walk heel first, heel first? 

I try to remind myself to keep my legs touching while I walk.  I tend to walk wide legged and I think it's somewhat dangerous.

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[vonda cowling]

yes i had to learn to walk heel toe... and still have to remind myself.  

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[Hilarie Roth]

Walking wide legged puts tremendous strain on your hips, pelvis and lower back. It's a compensatory gait and unfortunately is your mind's protective response to fear of falling.

You might want to use a cane until you can better your gait. 

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[Caroline Levine]

I trip on my cane.  I have a nice walker but it's inconvenient in a house with narrow doorways.

I should just practice a lot walking with my legs together.

I don't need more pain in my hips and lower back.  I'm glad you brought this up.

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[Mai Truong]

Hi All,

I am at 14 weeks.  Allowed FWB 2 weeks ago. I waited and progress to 100% FWB at the  12 wk mark per dr's instruction.  I am walking around with a walker with no issue.  When I don't have the walker to take off some of the weight my ankle hurts.  Its an unpleasant surprise that there is pain when i walk.  Saw my Dr. last week and did not experienced the problem at that point.  I wrote him a message online. Will wait to see what he says.  My ankle does a lot of clicking noises when i walk.

Ankle is so very stiff in the evening by 6pm.  I usually have to sit down in the evening and just rest it. I am just anxious with any pain...  Prayerful that I will heal normal and be able to walk again!

I just want to walk without pain and clean my house!  Its so frustrating to be surrounded by  mess.

Thanks for all the support!

[Mai Truong]

Yes - I waited til my 14 weeks for FWB approval.  Been walking with walker.  I have some pain  when i don't use the walker...and ankle is so stiff in evening by 6pm.  Anyone seen this during the recovery process?

Thank-you,

Mai