33 Days out from Subtalar Fusion - Questions

[Sarah DePriest]

Hi All, 

47 YO woman here, active and generally healthy (but overweight), teacher

Had a subtalar fusion a month ago - exterior is looking amazing, scarring not as bad as expected.  I'm starting to figure out how to get along with the knee scooter, crutches, etc..

Question:

My big toe and half of my second toe are completely numb.  I also have a pretty strong pain running down my big toe towards the instep of my foot - I can't tell if it's an extremely tight tendon or ligament or if it is just nerve pain.  When I wiggle my big toe, it sends pain down this area.  Compressing that area with my hand means the pain goes away and I am able to wiggle my toes and point and flex my foot using my ankle joint freely.

Normal?

Not normal?

Thoughts?

Also, has anyone on here gotten cleared to start walking right at 6 weeks?  I am so hopeful that I will be able to.  Fingers crossed.

Thanks, all!

[Karissa Hess]

Hello, 

I know this thread is old and no one ever answered your question. 

I hope everything turned out good! I was looking to see how you've been just short of a year since your surgery? 

I'm a 29 year old Female.  I was recommended to have a subtalar joint fusion after 4 years of dealing with injuries to my ankle, I had a surgery in 2021 but still deal with lots of pain and unable to walk far before having to be done. I'm really trying to do a lot of research about this surgery before agreeing to it. 

Would love more personalized stories of the after. 

Thank you in advance for allowing me to ask questions!

[DaleSr Wamsley]

I am still not walking 60 percent of what I used to. Must  wear shoes all the time as my surgeon told me I developed plantar faisciitis. So I wear my sketchers 60 to 70% of the time. I no longer have majority of the feeling from my shin down. Just try and modify your lifting, climbing, walking, and life the best you can.

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[DaleSr Wamsley]

Oh and thus is 3 years post-op fusion for me.

[denise...@gmail.com]

Hi folks,

I’m  4 1/2 months post total ankle fusion (both joints) and am still improving.  I can walk without shoes a little around the house with little to no pain, but mostly wear shoes..  I am still wearing a brace for now, but not for much longer. I had pretty severe plantar fasciitis for a couple of months but it’s much better now.  Dale, I recommend getting a firm ball, like a lacrosse ball, and roll it under your foot for 5 min. or so every morning and every evening.  I started with hand massage for a few minutes first, then moved to the ball.  It hurts a LOT at first, but as the knots start to lessen, it feels better and even feels good over time.  A PT can be helpful to massage this problem as well.  It DOES NOT have to be a long-term problem.  I still have some numbness in the sole of my foot along the outer edge/pinky side, but am hopeful it will resolve as the numbness elsewhere is improving.

 

I am trying really hard to walk with a normal stride, which takes concentration to do it right, since only my knee and forefoot can bend now.  My calf has been very tight but when it is massaged or dry-needled by my PT, it loosens up well and it makes walking easier.  I still have a fair amount of post-surgery swelling  and my forefoot gets tired if I’ve walked too much.  I try to lay down with my leg in the air for 30-60 minutes every afternoon (I’m retired) to let it rest and to massage my leg and foot.  I’m not where I want to be yet, but I feel like I’m making good progress.

 

I am wearing Hoka shoes with a firm insert for the affected foot and think I made a good choice, so far.

 

Hope this helps!

Denise

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[Karissa Hess]

Did you only have a subtalar joint fusion or other fusion also? 

Im looking to have my tendons repaired again, along with my foot tendon lengthened along with my calf muscle lengthened. 

[Denise Criss]

I had both joints fused... tibiotalar and subtalar.

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