My fusion story

[Nikki Wohler]

46 and just had subtalar fusion of the left ankle on June 9th, 2014. No cartilage left and the bones were worn smooth. My arch also collapsed so some metatarsals were fused and a tendon was moved to replace the one in the arch. I'm mostly off the Percoset and really want to see what the incisions look like. Although I know I have a long road ahead, I am optimistic of the outcome. Right now, just getting a lighter weight cast/boot would be nice as this one is hard to get in a comfortable position especially for sleeping.

[Nikki Wohler]

3 more days until I get the stitches out. I hope everything looks good. I was awakened this morning with an involuntary muscle twitch that pulled my leg up, the cast was on the pillow so my leg tried to pull through the cast. It is aching and I just want the fusion to have taken. I'm getting stir crazy just laying at home for 14 days and don't want that time extended or repeated. I have followed Dr. orders and don't want a set back because of a twitch while I was asleep. Praying to be advanced to a boot so I can do some water therapy.

[cathym...@gmail.com]

Nikki,

I'm sure the twitch was nothing to be concerned about.  I believe that is probably just a nerve trying to heal and you did not do any damage.  I'm anxious to hear how your appointment goes.  I had my staples out almost a week ago.  The incision were not to bad.  I had a TT fusion with 2 incisions.  I understand the stir crazy with lying around.  I didn't leave the house at all the first week.  The 2nd week I went out about everything other or every 2nd day, at least for a while.  I was back at work full time at 2 weeks, which helps.

[Nikki Wohler]

Cathy, thanks for your support. Got the stitches out today (23 exterior ones), but the best news was I only have a boot! Still NWB for 6 weeks, but so much lighter, more comfortable, and REMOVABLE! Doc said it looked very good and it was evident that I did just lay around for 2 weeks. Then I went to the chiropractor for relief and later this week I have a massage scheduled. :)

Now I have a stiff ankle he wants me to slowly start moving, but after the sutured area is completely healed I will be allowed to do some water therapy! So excited today! I drove today and with my daughters assistance, I took my dog to the groomers. I'm still going to be cautious, but it is so nice to have options.

[Jess C]

Please be careful Nikki.

Being taken out of a cast after only 2 weeks is quite amazing.   Your body literally hasn't had time yet.    This following is the basic primer for how bones heal, and the time frame associated with it.   Remember, a fusion is no different than a break.   Your body doesn't know the difference.   Read this, and you'll understand why its so important not to put *any* weight on it for 2 months, or until the doc has said so.   Until he says "I see bone regrowth and I want you to put weight on it, DO NOT PUT WEIGHT ON IT!!!"   You don't want to have to go through the surgery again, and end up being a few cm shorter on one leg.

http://www.hughston.com/hha/a.fracture.htm

 

 

- Jesse C.

On Tuesday, June 24, 2014 7:12 PM, Nikki Wohler <nikki....@gmail.com> wrote:

Cathy, thanks for your support. Got the stitches out today (23 exterior ones), but the best news was I only have a boot! Still NWB for 6 weeks, but so much lighter, more comfortable, and REMOVABLE!  Doc said it looked very good and it was evident that I did just lay around for 2 weeks. Then I went to the chiropractor for relief and later this week I have a massage scheduled. :)

Now I have a stiff ankle he wants me to slowly start moving, but after the sutured area is completely healed I will be allowed to do some water therapy! So excited today! I drove today and with my daughters assistance, I took my dog to the groomers. I'm still going to be cautious, but it is so nice to have options.

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[Meg Gwaltney]

I too got a boot after two weeks in a soft cast.  I was non-weight bearing for 6 weeks more.  The decision to go directly to a boot may be a doctor’s preference, but it also may be because of the type of hardware they put in.  I have a rod that goes up from my heel through my tibia, along with screws and plates on each side of my leg.  Everything was held firmly in place.  Still, Jesse’s caution should not be ignored.  Your fusion won’t be complete into the bones knit together, and until then you’re vulnerable.  My surgery was in October 2010, and was successful.  I have some pain, but only after I’ve been on my feet for some time.  In doing usual activities and working every day, I’m fine.  I wish you the same success!  Keep your foot elevated as much as possible, keep a positive attitude, and I have no doubt you’ll have a good outcome as well!

 

Meg

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[brian gregan]

I do like to hear good results 

I had a trouble free experience after putting it off for a long long time

If i had read of some of the difficulties that are described on this site  I would have probably have said "not for Me')

According to my surgeon a very high majority are just fine 

[Nikki Wohler]

No worries, folks. I am a rule follower and will not put weight on it until I'm told so. I don't want to go through this again. I sleep in the boot and only take it off to ice and do some required movement. I had the subtalar joint fused and Doc told me my ankle joint should not get stiff. Right now with some swelling still there, it is. He said I have six weeks to get my ankle joint flexible to the point of being able to put my foot flat on the bottom of the boot if I want to start walking on schedule.

[Nikki Wohler]

Today I am 4 weeks post surgery and 4 more weeks of NWB. The swelling is greatly reduced and the incisions are almost healed. I'm guessing I will be able to do some water therapy in another week! I am getting out to do more (with the knee walker) but do find I still tire faster than anticipated. Grateful for a very helpful and understanding family as well as a career that has the summer off!

[Jess C]

Once the doc says its ok to put weight on it, get an exercise bike.  Its a little frustrating knowing your new limitations at first, but knowing you can still do fast things like riding a bike is very encouraging.  Plus, you'll want to get your stamina back up... and its great for you.

It's a long recovery... no one is going to deny that.  But just think - next spring, you'll have a new one in your step!  :-)

 

- Jesse C.

On Thursday, July 10, 2014 6:26 PM, Nikki Wohler <nikki....@gmail.com> wrote:

Today I am 4 weeks post surgery and 4 more weeks of NWB.  The swelling is greatly reduced and the incisions are almost healed.  I'm guessing I will be able to do some water therapy in another week! I am getting out to do more (with the knee walker) but do find I still tire faster than anticipated.  Grateful for a very helpful and understanding family as well as a career that has the summer off!

[Nikki Wohler]

Good idea! Thanks. I will be looking forward to that next month. :)

[Nikki Wohler]

6 weeks post surgery (2 weeks NWB left) and I went to mt water aerobics class today. Only made it 30 min out of 60 min class but my ankle feels good and I feel GREAT being able to exercise again!

[Nikki Wohler]

8 weeks post-op and I have the OK to go PWB. 50 lbs for 4 days and increase 25 lbs every 4 days until I'm FWB!!! I will start riding an excercise bike as well as my water aerobics. I should be FWB right when I go back to work. Very excited at the progress and the Dr. was pleased with how good the foot looked.

[beth neupert]

Hi Nikki.  I see you had the Subtalar fusion and a tendon moved to replace the one in the arch.  Did you have you posterior tibial tendon rupture?  I am facing an inevitable fusion surgery due to a traumatic injury 15 years ago in which my joint capsule completely ruptured so I have been pretty much bone on bone since then. Now, my ankle, in the last year and half or so has become so pronated that my post tib tendon is in severe risk of rupturing.  I have been in a walking boot for 10 months because I am not ready to commit to the 8-12 wks NWB.  I am overweight and am worried that recovery will be much worse for me due to my weight.  I also have a 5 year old and it worries me.  Did you notice a big difference after surgery?  I am always in pain and was wondering if even NWB, did you notice a difference?  I am just really nervous and have seen some horror stories.  

[Nikki Wohler]

Hi Beth. I did have a subtalar fusion, a tendon replacement and some metatarsals fused to support the arch. The surgeon never mentioned "rupture" but my tendon didn't work at all. I have no regrets with this procedure at all. After surgery I took pain pills for about 10 days and then just some tylenol for a few more days and haven't taken anything since! I followed the NWB rule exactly! As my appointment was nearing to start PWB I was increasingly nervous because I felt no pain and thought what if something was wrong that wouldn't show up until I started walking. But things are great! Of course my foot aches now as I am using it again, but it is not pain...more like tired. I, too, could lose some weight and would be FWB right now if I had, but because of extra weight, it will be a week longer. (25 lbs increase every 4 days). I have to say that my whole recovery was spent trying to figure out how to do things while staying NWB, and I don't have a young kid, but the end result is worth it!

Get a knee walker for the NWB time...it saved me! Water therapy allowed me to exercise and start ROM activities before I could add weight and this has helped a lot! I also stocked piled many crockpot meals in the freezer so I didn't have to do much and still had dinner ready. Many strangers have said things to me on how awful it must be to be on the scooter or using crutches or just the fact that I have to wear a boot, but my response to them has been that no matter their perception, I hurt more before the surgery than now! Let me know if you have any other questions, I would be glad to share my experience. I saw horror stories too and that is why I was very conservative in my healing and followed directions from my surgeon. Good luck!