Hi All. Hope you are doing ok and had a good Christmas/New Year.
So I finally went back to work today 8mths post ankle fusion, I’m a ward sister/nurse and I work on a busy trauma unit.
I only worked on the ward helping out for 4hrs and then 2.5hrs in the office doing paper work and I’m completely shattered!
I’ve had lots of ops on my ankle, with the ankle fusion it’s 7 so far. Now I’m waiting to have the metal work taken out because the screws are starting to poke through my skin.
After doing 7.5hrs at work I’m now in so much pain due to the screws and pain in my knees.
I just feeling very deflated...I’ve even had a little cry about the fact I’m still in lots of pain. I’m sick to death of orthopaedic surgery and bones, pain and pain meds! Even going to work I’m surrounded by it too 🙄.
Sorry for moaning and the random post but I just needed to vent a little.
Because I do not look like I’m in pain people don’t even give it a second thought and I find it so frustrating!
Claire. Xx
When you do office work elevate it if possible and when you get home ice but not directly i
on the skin and elevate. I am 24 weeks post fusion have swelling but try to elevate as much as possible. I have never hear of having the screws removed. I even asked my dr and she said it is not usual. I still have some pain swelling but it is better than the way it was before the operation.
good luck keep smiling it does get better!
paul
Hi Claire,
I hear you I am almost at 12 months (18/1/17) post ankle fusion, I still find there are lots of things that I still can't do, or am limited with. I get so frustrated I am like you 6 operations on my ankle, the last one in April was to remove the screws. I can see that I have come a long way in 12 months however, I thought I would be up and about doing all the things I love to do. My ankle is still swollen and I can only wear my birkenstocks, no nice sandals for me ( its summer here). I still can't walk too far, not the ankle my back as being in a boot for so long I am now lopsided Physio is helping. It has been a long recovery Some days I cry because I become so frustrated with swelling, pain and the loss of being able to do whatever I wanted. I was a fit an active woman before all my ankle problems. Stay strong it does get better but very slowly.
Cheers
Marian
Dear Morrismanc
I'm sorry that your first day back at work was so tough. Golly seven surgeries is going some! I'm not surprised you are fed up with it all but at least you are back walking and now working.
Just out of interest what made you go the fusion route rather than a TAR.
Best wishes, Richard
Hi Claire
Hope you have been able to relax a bit after the exertions of the day. I was interested in your post because I have had my cast off today (just under 8 weeks since ankle fusion). I have been told by the surgeon that I can be fully weight bearing whilst wearing a walking boot. That is good news but I wasn't prepared for just how painful it would be when trying to walk. I am also a nurse (community nurse) and thought I would probably get back to work after about 4 months. Now I am not quite so sure about that. It is of course, very early days for me yet and so I will just have to take it one step at a time. Anyway, I hope you are soon on the road to recovery. It sounds as if you have been through the mill.
Pauline
Hi Claire, im sorry to hear you r still having problems.i have to admit it's no surprise to hear.It seems to me everyone who gets something fused in their foot has more problems afterwards. What kind of fusion did u have? I had a Open Anterior ankle joint fusion. 6 months ago Jan.6th wth make 7 months.im.nt even close to being released to go back to work yet.
Am due bk part time after my accident tomorrow only working 3 hours so hopefully I don't get pains in my ankle ,I dislocated and broke it in 2 places had plate in then had second op to remove just screws they r leaving plate in , I damaged a lot of nerves and lost a lot of feeling down side of my foot and ankle don't think it will come bk I've been off work nearly 7 months I've been going to physio and going in gym but some weeks am in so much pain and others am ok so just hoping me going bk part time is the right thing to do x
I am worried about the screws in my ankle they are touching the skin now and I'm not fully mobile yet. They just feel too big. The whole process has been a nightmare. I'm only three months post op and from what I've read it could be a long haul. We are going on holiday in May and I won't be able to get insurance unless everything is ok.
Hi Claire, good news that you’re back at work, it’s bound to be hard at first but I’m sure things will get easier. I’m now 11 months post op and am having my screws out on Friday. I’m not quite sure what to expect but hopefully it’ll help the discomfort I still get on the outside of the ankle. Like you my knees are suffering from the whole process and my back too. I’m still not sure whether it’s all been worth it - the recovery has been so long that I forget how bad my ankle was before. This time of year just feels so grim as well, and it’s hard to get out and exercise. Anyway sorry I’m having a moan too, but we’re allowed to do that from time to time, we’ve all been through a lot! X
Just have to input that it does get easier! I never knew how long it can impact a person. As simple as breaking a bone...err...no! I broke my ankle and ORIFed pins and screws, half metal person back in July 2016 It's only in the last couple of months I haven't suffered from swelling. Thought they were joking when they said it would take around 18 months for swelling to go down! Don't particularly like it though, can feel every screw and plate - sickening!! Back to normal. Did suffer when I took up running (complete beginner!) with aches after but even that has subsided now and I can do a couple Ks. I remember doing my first 12 hour shift (care work) and being crippled the next day. It truly does get easier and aside the stiffness in the morning I have no qualms with my ankle! 
just take it easy and don't expect it overnight!
Hi Paul. Thanks for the advice.
I have a little stool in the office to pop my foot onto but because of the nature of the ward I’m always up and down.
Weirdly I don’t get much swelling which is good for me as cold/ice tends to cause me pain.
Think I may have to look at my long term career as much as I love emergency trauma/surgery my ankle and it don’t got together!
Claire.
Dear Claire
I did inquire when you first posted why you opted for a fusion rather than a TAR.
Hope you find a solution to your discomfort.
Cheers, Richard
You have really been through it. I was totally in la la land I think. I'm sure my surgeon would have explained the procedure she has done other surgeries and I've known all the details but I had no idea that an ankle fusion was such a long and painful recovery. When I haven't previous assessment the Sister who knew me from last surgery, advised me to hire a wheelchair and commode. I had a disc removed from my neck three years ago and my balance is poor. I came home joking about it but I am seriously worried now about the pain and feeling the screws etc. I remember the pain before occasionally, but today a big part of me is thinking I should have lived with that and gone for a TAR further down the line. Not that I was given a choice. The irony is it's not my worst foot.
Hi Richard.
The simple answer was x3 ortho surgeons wouldn’t do the operation. I asked our head surgeon at work what he would recommend.
Ge said because of my age, 41 and the failure rate of the TAR he said he would never recommend it for a younger patient. Until the op has been well established like the hip and knee replacements, he said in his opinion he couldn’t ethically offer it to someone in my position ie. younger patient, needing to work, young family.
Also for me the thought of having more very invasive ortho surgery was to much. At least with the fusion hopefully the ops I have to have done now will be relatively minor in comparison. Plus I have a young family and I want to be able to join in the fun not sit on the side lines and watch!
Hope all that makes some sense.
Claire.
Marian, thank you so much!
On a day where I have pain, I ache so much and its the usual Manchester (UK) wet, windy and rainy weather knowing that I’m not alone makes me feel better.
You sound so similar to what I have been through, it’s been 20yrs for me now and I’m completely dreading op number 8 in May/June.
I guess we have to smile on the good days and have a good old cry and glass of wine on the bad!
You’ll be in my thoughts. Claire. Xx
Just replied above Richard, hope it makes sense!
Hi Pauline. Sorry to hear you have had to have a fusion op too. It’s a pretty tough one to go through and I think as nurses sometimes we aren’t very good at looking after ourselves as we should!
In my head I was thinking about 6mths off but my ward is constantly on the go and I wasn’t realistic but that’s with hindsight.
I used to do 14hr shifts which I have no chance of being able to do ever again. I’m lucky as my work have been brilliant and I’ve worked really closely with my gp. He has given me a 6mth fit note and I’m going to stick to it.
I would just take each day as it comes, don’t look to far ahead.
Let us know how you get on. Claire. Xx
I had an Open Anterior tib/talus/talonavicular fusion with an osteotomy of part of my talus. I had lots of weird bone growth where the joint had tried to repair itself.
I have a ‘before and after’ picture of my ankle but I’m not sure how to upload pictures on here to show you!
I’m starting to wonder now if I should have taken a couple more months off!
Good luck with you healing Nicolette, wish you all the best. Claire. Xx
Hopefully your return to work goes nice and smoothly Debbie. Let us know how you get on. Claire. Xx
My surgeon said that it can be more common for women to need the metal work taking out as they usually have less tissue/skin to the inner ankle area. Have a chat with your surgeon, hopefully you get that break in May. Claire. Xx