I came out of plaster after 8 weeks after ankle fusion operation. 2 weeks in I am unable to completely weight bear, and cannot wear the boot longer than 15 mins before foot starts to feel like burning, then swelling starts, making walking in the boot unbearable. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has had similar experience, I am feeling so frustrated at the moment. and feel that I have made no progress at all.
Hi Kim
so sorry to hear of your situation. Firstly welcome to this forum. Your going to have all sorts of ankle people jump in and it's been a life saver for me. I'm 10 weeks post op surgery screws and plates and not even close to weight bearing or walking yet. Each person is going at their own pace. If your having burning and swelling what do they comment on that. Are you still elevating and icing. Are you taking Meds for pain? Sorry for all the questions but from what others on here are doing your still in the early stages. Hang in there, and tell your Dr or PT what you are experiencing.....wishing you well 👣
Thanks for you response Jannie, I am at 11 weeks post op. Have screws in ankle, was told that I should be totally weight bearing. Hence my concern that I am unable to do so., was just told to elevate if any swelling but no mention of applying ice or meds. I am seeing the consultant this evening. Will post what he says later. Thanks again.
Hi Kim, your not alone. My cast came off 4th January and I am no where near weight bearing. I also found cam boot very heavy so only wore that for five minutes at a time. (Took longer to lace up).
As regards to swelling keep foot elevated at every opportunity. I still have pillows at bottom of bed every night, although foot never seems to be there in the mornings.
hiya kim07568,i had my ankle fused two years ago and trust me its the best thing i ever did after years of pain,i was in plaster for three months and went straight into weight bearing with no boot,it was painfull and would swell easily but after about
a month of physio and plenty of rest it got a lot better,
please be patient its important to look after your ankle at this delicate time,raising it did help but you do need to getting used to having it down as soon as you can,but like i say you were in plaster a month less than me so its still early for you,so TAKE IT EASY.
this is the first stages of a soon to be pain free life,i know it seems never ending but trust me in a couple of months you'll look back on this and laugh.
as regards the pain its the bodies way of saying its not ready yet so just listen and be patient,also keep in mind when an ankles fused its not like an artificial limb it still has a lot of movement,the rest of the bones in the foot take over so you'll walk pretty normally,my family tell me even now how they cant believe that ive had a fusion,i walk long distance and play golf,no problems.
the way i delt with it was to make it my life and everything else took a back seat,concentrate on healing staying healthy and watch your weight (trust me i put on a stone in plaster and it was hell on my leg with the extra weight)take time to do a hobby or something to keep your mind off,i built the london bridge out of matches,sound daft? just by doing that i halved my painkillers by keeping my mind busy,its a powerfull thing.
your nearly there and every day a little bit more will heal,good luck ,be patient and always know that we are always here to talk
Hi Kim, sorry to hear you are suffering. I had my plaster off today and it felt really good. was disappointed to be put in a boot as after a similar accident 15 years ago went into trainers. It feels like one step forward and two back but \I am determined to send the wheel chair back tomorrow and persevere with the frame. The problem is moving things about the house and balancing. Wearing the boot is strange, especially the rolling motion, rather like an old fashioned blotter. Looking forward to getting in the shower and taking the ' herring boxes without topses' footware off to go to bed. Boot has been on since 4.30 and it is now 9.30 but have leg elevated now. Softly, softly catchy monkey. go at your own pace. Determined to get upstairs on my backside and sleep in my bed tonight. Bon courage.
Thank you so much, for your response Jamie, it has really lifted my spririts
Thankyou Iris, I wish you a speedy recovery, I only sent my chair back yesterday (although hadn't used it since i got my plaster off)
Thanks for your advice Gill. I will be elevating at every opportunity.
Saw the consultant this evening, he has recomended i no longer use the boot. he has recomended i wear trainers, and part weightbear using my crutches, also he has booked me physio sessions. He said the swelling is caused by the stretching of tendons in the foot, which have been inactive for 2 months. he said elevate when possible and take anti-inflamatories.
That good news and must put your mind at rest about swelling. I just purchased two pairs of running trainers as this type supports the ankle.
"Running trainers" that a laugh - I wish.
good stuff,also forgot to mention that putting moisturiser on your foot and ankle especially the scars will help a lot,the physio sholud recommend doing this so get a head start now,just a normal one will do and as much as it can make your teeth itch try and rub it into the scars,this will help to stop the stretching sensation and aid flexibility,maybe get your partner to do it gently while you relax,make the most of the pampering people soon forget haha
Lol Gill. Yes I feel much better about things now. I'm going to get some new 'running' shoes tomorrow too!
I'll race you. Lol
and make sure you eat something before taking the anti inflamatories,sounds daft but when your laying down it can give you killer heart burn,sorry im starting to sound like a nagging mum now aint i,but i can remember all the little mistakes i made,
one last thing i picked up from my physio was to lay flat with your leg up against the wall straight and rub gently from your knee to the top of your thigh,at the top of your leg just inside your crotch are arteries by doing this you will help with the swelling,it should give you the sensation that the blood is turning coldish and tingly and will help with the swelling easily,good luck and get plenty of rest,will log on tomorrow to see how your doing
Hi Kim I had a triple athrodiesis on 22nd July I got cast of 12 October ..aircast on until end of November start of December physo foot still very stiff but swelling down January first week foot less stiff end of January I now feel less pain less stiff I now feel I am on mend not walking like a penguin ..my pain level has dropped from a 9 out of 10 ...now I am a 2 out of 10.....it takes time Kim ...I had my other foot done 12 years ago it's pain free and you forget the trouble it put you through ..I expect to be able to walk the hynland way in August this year it's a 100mile trek ..walk and camp over several days ...so don't worry I can assure you it will be worth it in the end ..it does take a full year although you should start to feel better about six or seven months ..This is a cure for your athritis in your heel ...good luck
There's lots of sensible advice already for you on here Kim so I've only one thing to add - if the severe burning sensation continues try and keep a track of exactly where and when and talk to your consultant & physio. I had a TAR 13 weeks ago and in the last 4 weeks have really turned a corner, apart from the really severe burning and numbness in one part of my foot which is nerve damage (temporary we hope). Mine was in such a place that I simply couldn't bear the pain it caused in the boot so I went more or less stright to trainers and crutches too. If it is nerve damage its a bad idea to ice it (believe me, I tried - ouch !)
And Jamie made me laugh with his hobby (which I absolutely agree with) I took up knitting !!! Its just that concentration on something miniscule and fiddly which really does distract.
It s a bit of a long haul but all worth it.
Thanks Jamie, that's something I've been doing since I had my cast off, it has really made a difference to the scar
Thanks Jamie I really appreciate the advice
Its good to hear of your progress so far Pauli, good luck for August