Triple ankle arthrodesis

[Pam W]

Hi All,

It was nice to discover this site to see how others have progressed post arthrodesis. I am an RN, so am quite aware of post surgical recovery from a professional standpoint. However, I wanted to know from an actual patient standpoint, the real struggles. I am scheduled on 2/10/2020 for a Triple ankle arthrodesis with 2 additional procedures anticipated once the doctor is in, depending on what they encounter. I believe I have prepared my home and gathered the needed supplies and equipment that I feel I will need to succeed. 

Just wondering from those who have had this done recently, how soon did you return to work? I have a desk job and work from home, but know I will need to be free from taking too many pain pills and be able to elevate my leg/foot which will be a challenge. Unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of paid time off or short term disability, so will want and need to return as soon as physically capable without threatening my recovery.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Pam

[Ruth Duvall]

In my encounter the pain is pretty intense at first, keeping it elevated does help a lot! Since you work from home and have a desk job, you should be ok fairly quickly. Just try to keep it elevated as much as possible. Good luck hope everything goes well. 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ankle Fusion Support" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ankle-fusion-sup...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/02531592-83e6-442b-91ed-326660bc0368%40googlegroups.com.

[Deb]

Pam,

I also had a triple done in May. I can't speak to the work issue, as I'm retired. As this was my third fusion, the biggest difference for me was elevation.

I elevated much higher than last time, and the pain was significantly lower. Hurt like hell when I got up to go the bathroom, but once it was elevated

again it subsided. I also use a pillow on top of the wedge. We have a recliner, so that helped a lot. I actually slept in it for weeks.

I'll leave a link to what I used below.

Good luck with your surgery.

Deb

I'm sure you can find that wedge at a cheaper price.

[vonda cowling]

Pam I had triple arthrodesis and Achilles lengthening on 8/29. I had good pain control and was off my meds at about 2 weeks. I never had to take narcotics.  I also have a desk job. However because my ortho had too many patients falling while on crutches and the knee scooter he didn’t want me going back to work.he did allow me to work from home which I started on September 21.  I went back to work in the office in the moon boot and on crutches in November.  It was rough on crutches I wasn’t fully weighbearing.  it is important to put the foot up as much as possible. Im not sure you will be able to properly elevate it at the workplace.  It needs to be above the heart to get relief and reduce swelling.  Go easy and slow. everyone’s recuperative period is different.  5months out i am still recuperating.walking better occasionally on a cane.

If possible have someone stay with you for a while. It’s not as easy as you think being nonweight bearing and getting around on crutches. Let someone take care of you at least until you get your stitches out if possible.  Just my two cents. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 2, 2020, at 6:24 AM, 'Pam W' via Ankle Fusion Support <ankle-fusi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



--

[Lorraine Hoffman]

Hi Pam, all these suggestions are true. It's very hard to not put any weight on it. I do put a minimal amount of wt. now and then. It scares me because doc said the surgery could be compromised and then I'd need another surgery. I am a rehab facility. It's been good. But now I'm getting better although still not weight bearing. I feel frustrated by the delays in getting help to the toilet and other things. This is quite a long journey. Have you.all been trained to hop and use Walker. It's tough but doc feels knee scooter and crutches would be too hard for me.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/0AFFF88D-A311-45C9-810E-ADF51BAEC1EF%40gmail.com.

[vonda cowling]

I am lucky enough that my bedroom has a bathroom about 3-4 feet from my bed.  I was able to either hop to the toilet or use the crutches to get into the bathroom.   I did not put any weight on my foot until allowed to do so.   

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/CABjtrqgjzQfOcfFBiC9gFa9p%2Bd_h2scO_WP35YznvRO_aSDeQg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Lorraine Hoffman]

Thank you for letting me know. I am glad to hear that.👱‍♀️My roommate must change bathrooms with me.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/CAMsoXpx3b5%2BVENqE3CjwRMKCnKtc68tGXmJXMOqsh0goac0%3DWQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Pam W]

Thank you all for the great input. My husband will be here to assist me in my recovery. I cannot do crutches, I would break something else. I have the knee walker and a wheeled walker for once I can begin to be weight bearing. I have a foam wedge for elevation and lots of ice packs. Hoping for a swift recovery and prompt healing to get back to some normalcy.

[Lorraine Hoffman]

On Sat, Feb 8, 2020, 1:31 PM 'Pam W' via Ankle Fusion Support <ankle-fus...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Thank you all for the great input. My husband will be here to assist me in my recovery. I cannot do crutches, I would break something else. I have the knee walker and a wheeled walker for once I can begin to be weight bearing. I have a foam wedge for elevation and lots of ice packs. Hoping for a swift recovery and prompt healing to get back to some normalcy.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ankle Fusion Support" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ankle-fusion-sup...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/d71a2655-bf2a-4434-a958-2d661015bfa9%40googlegroups.com.  

[Lorraine Hoffman]

I have been in rehab for 5 weeks now. It's ok. I will se doc next week, get x-rays and a new cast.  I think it might be too early for any weight bearing. But I hope I am ready for it.

Good luck. Lorraine 

[Dennis Hull]

I had a triple arthrodesis in July of '19. Out of cast after 10 weeks. Recovery is slow. I am riding a stationary bike, but still having soreness and pain in my foot. Cannot bowl or golf yet, I am 72 and other than this in good health. My doc said that it would be 1 yr to 1.5 years till see most benefit.!! Good Luck with your recovery!

[Pam Wilkins]

Thanks Dennis. I pray you get to full recovery to go golfing and bowling again. 

I am now 7 weeks out, infection resolved and still dealing with an incision that doesn't want to heal, so have weekly office visits. I have very minimal pain now. I was in a partial cast the first two weeks then transitioned to a walking boot/cam walker since. I am currently still non-weightbearing until wound heals, bones healing is on track. My doc has allowed me to ride a adult 3 wheel bike, I only use my good foot to peddle and only passive range of motion on surgical side. My community is fairly flat so no hills, etc. I ride for about a mile and have foot swelling and throbbing afterward, but feels good to get out especially during this time of Pandemic from Covid 19.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "Ankle Fusion Support" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/ankle-fusion-support/3hCSHOCXNYI/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to ankle-fusion-sup...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/1ee6b06a-1b99-433a-b968-326b2b03b8ff%40googlegroups.com.

[Lorraine Hoffman]

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ankle Fusion Support" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ankle-fusion-sup...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/CACkbvA9hFYiJ6EkEnZuJ25XpyTGUaH3fjro5jv6PD5c-%3D0wZUg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Lorraine Hoffman]

[Lorraine Hoffman]

I did not have an a triple ankle arthrodesis pieces I just had an ankle.

Fusion but I've been in rehab for 3 months I was just told yesterday that I needed to get a boot that the doctor was supposed to order but hasn't  was  supposed to get out tomorrow with a boot but wont happen for another 3 days at least to walk with the boot., hopefully . This is a very frustrating situation . I hear that from a lot of you. Iwish there was some easier way and maybe there will be some day everybody please hang in there cuz we've got to do this for each other and ourselves. right!?

On Sun, Apr 5, 2020, 7:34 PM Lorraine Hoffman <lorraine...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Pam Wilkins]

Hi Lorraine,

The arthrodesis is the fusion. The doctor decides how many areas to perform the fusion on. Mine just happens to be a triple with 4 screws. I have had the boot since week 2, but no weight bearing yet. Hoping after tomorrow's visit I will be allowed. The boot has been instead of a cast to maintain the correct foot positioning. Due to the previous injury the muscles wanted to pull the foot improperly.

Hang in there Lorraine. Praying for your full recovery.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/CABjtrqgnsg5aFmf_Vn6QS%2B1X5%3DOVXaqUQpZRc5K%3D5aRN18Wkmw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Dennis Hull]

Hi Pam, hope you are doing well and recovering. At least you can't go anywhere with this quarantine going on. Awesome that you can get around on your bike. Good Luck with your recovery!

To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to ankle-fusion-support+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

[Pam W]

I am now 13 weeks out from triple arthrodesis. Returned to my desk job at 9 weeks. I am using the boot the majority of the time, but was given permission to wear a tennis shoe in the house. I am still struggling with an non-healing wound with tendon exposed on top of the foot. Have been going to wound care for about 6 weeks and just starting to form granulation tissue after using Santyl (a debriefing ointment).May be looking at a wound vac and/or skin replacement once more new granulation tissue developes.Just trying to stay positive and healthy.

[Lynda Moore]

Hello Pam, sorry to hear you are so slow to heal, my top wound has only just healed at 13 weeks. The boot seemed to cause pressure just on that point and things only started improving when I went into a trainer and compression sock. Circulation has greatly improved since I’ve used the Revitive Circulation Booster daily . I was using silver dressings too and leaving them on a few days without disturbing it. I get more swelling some days than others, rest and elevate it more then but not used to sitting about. Keep positive. Lynda

Sent from my iPad

> On May 16, 2020, at 00:30, 'Pam W' via Ankle Fusion Support <ankle-fusi...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> I am now 13 weeks out from triple arthrodesis. Returned to my desk job at 9 weeks. I am using the boot the majority of the time, but was given permission to wear a tennis shoe in the house. I am still struggling with an non-healing wound with tendon exposed on top of the foot. Have been going to wound care for about 6 weeks and just starting to form granulation tissue after using Santyl (a debriefing ointment).May be looking at a wound vac and/or skin replacement once more new granulation tissue developes.Just trying to stay positive and healthy.
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Ankle Fusion Support" group.

> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ankle-fusion-sup...@googlegroups.com.

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/ankle-fusion-support/66af15c7-8a45-4d4b-afa4-fd88da753f59%40googlegroups.com.