Lisa's Ankle Fusion Adventure Hello, I wish I had found this group prior to my fusion, it would have helped with the anxiety & procrastination. Reading about other's experiences have helped quite a bit, thank you all for sharing. I'm still non weigh

[lisa...@gmail.com]

Hello, I wish I had found this group prior to my fusion, it would have helped with the anxiety & procrastination. Reading about other's experiences have helped quite a bit, thank you all for sharing your knowledge, I hope I can contribute to answer questions.  I'm still non weight bearing at 9 weeks past survery with a full 12 weeks before my walking cast period begins. I have a plate, rod through my heel & many screws holding my fusion together, they even did bone grafts using my Fibula as "bone morter", it now looks like an off ramp to nowhere on my Xrays, I'm still not sure how I feel about that but we'll see.  So far I'm healing on time & as expected, I'm optimistic that I'll make a full recovery. 

Here's a few things I wish I had known prior to surgery that may not have been touched upon in previous posts.  This is not to say my surgeon didn't inform me, he was terrific & specializes in foot ankle orthopedics at a major Boston hospital, I was in very good hands with a world class team & hospital. Get the best surgeon you can get is my best advice.  A quick back ground before my observations.  I avoided the fusion for 20 years after a major head on collision gave me a shattered ankle with Avascular Necrosis of the Talus & end stage arithritis throughout my right ankle. By the time I was 52 my hiking days were behind me & food shopping or gardening even because too painful.  I could barely walk, was in constant pain and fed up. Here's my list for those seeking advice:

1. This is a painful surgery, my doctor described it as a "world of hurt" and he was not kidding.  I'm talking mind numbing pain, you won't be able to do much but lay there & sleep. Set alarms to take your pills.  Do not let the pain get ahead of you.  This was my mistake, I needed to double up my medication to get through the 1st week & I have a high threshold for pain. Also, wean yourself slowly off the narcotics, trust me on this, it's not pretty feeling like you have the flu because you stopped too quickly & take your stool softners, you'll have enough problems without consitpation adding to it.

2. Elevate your foot, at least 2 pillows if not more, it needs to stay there for many reasons beyond it makes it feel better.

3. Get a knee walker, it's a game changer, I could easily get around & make sure it has a basket. Practice before your surgery, get used to it, I haven't touched my crutches at all.  I also picked up an IWalk 2.0 (google it, sort of like a peg leg) I'm not graceful & have terrible balance, I didn't use it but the man I bought it from called it recovery phase 2 & loved it. 

4. Pick up a Transfer Shower Seat, it makes getting in & out of the shower a breeze.  I also bought one of those heavy plastic cast covers to keep my cast dry, both were invaluable. Your shower will be your excitement for the day as pathetic as that sounds.

5.  I had nerve damage from my initial injury that has never truly healed, I'm used to tingly, prickly pain, they cut through old scars & it's back with a vengence.  I force myself to touch my toes & my partner will help when he can, it's even worse when someone else touches my toes but it does help. Start with a silk scarf gliding over it if you have to but stimulate them a few times a day.

6. Plan ahead for your recovery. Get a hobby, Netflix, movie channels, whatever will help you stay put.  This is a long brutal recovery, I recommend Breaking Bad & Game of Thrones for binge watching. I was lucky & could work from home I also scheduled my surgery just after the holidays & at the beginning of a long cold New England winter. I was ok with being house bound at zero degrees for 3 months.  This is really how long recovery takes, even in an extreme case.  

I'll update as my walking cast phase begins in 2 weeks. Thanks & I hope this helped you

Lisa

[Jimmy Rogers]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the detailed information !

Regards,

Jim

[brian gregan]

I must have been lucky - pain was not an issue at all 

I think that i only took pain killers for a few days at most 

I suppose that every case is different 

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[Linda Dempster]

Lisa,
You are spot on with your advice! I had a very simular experience and wish I had read your post before my surgery. I am at week 9, and am moving from boot to shoe, but with pain in heel/arch area.
The 8 weeks at home were challenging but Netflix and NCIS got me through. I try every day to do a little bit more to get strong,as it is amazing how lazy you can get. I had withdraws from pain medication that took 2 weeks to get over, then pulled my hamstring doing stretches.
I have 8 days until I have to go back to work so am anxious to be able to walk better as I will be on my feet all day. Any suggestions will help! I wasn't prescribed therapy but was told as soon as I can walk in the boot easily to start with a shoe. I think I use my knee cart too much so am putting it away to force me to walk more.
I rubbed a knot out of my arch yesterday at that helped, and use Voltarin gel. Just found this site today so will read more!

[Lisa Kulis]

Hi Linda, I really hope you can work all day on your feet.  I couldn't even consider it, I can barely survive going food shopping.  From what I've researched for shoes the recommended type is Rocker Soul shoes, you can find them at Sketchers or google it.  They're very comfortable & I feel I walk most naturally with them.  I don't have actual pain in the ankle other than twinges while I drive the front half of my foot that didn't have surgery seems to be swelling more & the nerve damage is not calming down at all.  I work from home but still have a lot of farm chores to get done.  Good luck, find really good solid shoes is my best advice & take it slow on your feet when you're back at work. 

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[Larry]

MBT shoes are very good as well.  In fact I find them to be more supportive then sketchers

Larry

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[Ivy Goodman]

Hi,

I had the horrible nerve pain too, I thought it was infected since it was burning like crazy.

My MD gave me lidocaine patches and they helped a lot.

Yes I do remember trying to touch them and hating every second of it but it sure helped. Two years out and I still am over sensitive but I know how long it takes to heal nerve damage so not surprise there.

No fun, but sometimes very necessary.

[Angela Johnson]

Lisa thanks for all of the advice.  I was scheduled for surgery on August 17, 2016 and went to the hospital and was actually prepped.  My surgeon is supposed to be one of the top in this area.  I postponed the surgery because I was not told in advance of the recovery requirements and I would need someone to help me out for a few weeks plus my house has stairs.  I have rescheduled for October 17, 2016.  Reading your post has certainly given me some good information.  I appreciate it.  Thanks.  After reading your post, I feel more confident about having the surgery.

[anklequ...@gmail.com]

This is exactly the kind of help I needed.
My fusion is April 20.
Anything else you can tell me?
I'm used to taking care of my husband and two Australian shepherds.
I know in my head what is ahead (been through the original fracture surgery).
But any help is appreciated SO MUCH

[Catherine Baskerville]

Thank you for all this information. I'm considering ankle fusion.

[david jackson]

Lisa,
Sound advice for sure. When I was recovering from surgery I was able to heal somewhat ahead of the curve. I highly suggest medicine that is known to speed up healing times and it is called non-invasive transdermal C02 therapy.

[Stephanie Esparza]

Hello Lisa,

My name is Stephanie. I was searching the inter webs looking for other people who have had an ankle fusion done. My life has recently been turned upside down by a drunk driver who hit me head on in June 2016 I’m not even sure if your still on here.. but if you are and are interested in chatting please shoot me a message or an email, I see that you were 8 weeks post op in March of 2016 and I would really love to hear how life has been since then.

I hope to hear from you soon

Steph

[Lisa Gmail]

Hi Steph, just got the email. I’m doing great, occasional pain but nothing debilitating & it’s only in nonfused foot areas. The ankle is rock solid, wish I had done it years ago, there’s a few ankle fusion groups on Facebook, if you’re on there check them out, good luck & don't delay like I did
Lisa
Sent from my iPad

[Caroline Levine]

Lisa, I Don,t see how you stood your foot pain for 20 years. I hope your surgery is life changing.
Caroline