Hi to all the ladies,
Has anyone ever gone back to wearing heels after they have recovered from ankle surgery?
I have had an ankle fusion so no heels, for me and I still have swelling, so limited in what I can wear anytime.
Depends what kind of surgery. I had a compound fracture to my ankle 20 years ago and since have been able to wear a small kitten heel and wedges. I would often pay for it the next day with pain and soreness. However my pain and arthritis has gotten the best of me with age. I just had a fusion last week. I'm not expecting to be able to wear heels again. It sucks big time as a total girly girl who likes to look sexy. Good luck, hope ya get to rock some sexy heels again.
That is such a good question! I will be curious to see your replies. I have a plate and screws from my broken fibula. It has been 12 weeks now and I am pretty much back to normal. The swelling is down and I have excellent mobility. I have one pair of boots that rub the incision area that are not comfortable yet. Physically, my feet and legs would be fine in heels! Mentally- no way! The mere thought of losing my balance, or slipping, or anything that could turn my ankle completely scares me. My family went skiing last week and I chose to just watch! I never want to go through the experience of another break and I find I am totally nervous and protective of my ankles!! So, not sure when things like heels or skiing will seem like a good idea again, if ever!
Paris,
Why would anyone relish the thought of wearing pumps again after an ankle tragedy? Isn't that sort of like wanting a bit more of 'the dog that bit me', to put it in a drinker's parlance?
If you heal perfectly and have no pain or limitations perhaps you could settle for low-medium height heel dress shoes (but I am not advocating that).
Good luck to you.
It’s been 8 months since my fall and the ORIF surgery to repair my ankle. I have never really enjoyed wearing sneakers but I cannot walk well or tolerate heels or any flats. My favorite shoes and boots just sit and sadly wait in my closet. I did find that I could wear my Uggs and they actually helped support my ankle. They are neither cute or sexy but they were comfortable for the winter and didn’t irritate the multiple
scars on my ankle. I fell in flip flops so I will never wear those again. Ever. I’m afraid to try sandals.
I have yet another surgery scheduled in two weeks to remove the plate over the lisfranc region of my foot. I hope this procedure allows for a more normal and comfortable gait and that I can wear real shoes again at some point in the future.
Good luck to you.
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I had TT fusion 10 years ago. Dr gave foot slight angle, so I could wear some heel, but anything over 2 cm threw my hips out.
I had the same procedure w/ plate and screws in august 2017. I have yet to wear heels, i will start w wedge but i still feel discomfort. I am terrified that j will becer be able to wear them again. The thought of rolling my ankke and falling again freaks me the crap out
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Sadly i have not been able to go back to my heels. It will be 2 years in august, but i have 2 plates and 8 screws. I miss my heels miss dancing in them they still sit in my closet. I have bought wedges and i was able to wear them for about half a day only. it sucks to go to places in flats and be so short while trying to be cute. Ive gotten comfortable wearing boots with dresses now a days but i live in texas. Hope u get to wear them soon.
I don't know that I could wear a high heel daily, but 10 months' post ORIF surgery, I can walk in heels. I'd been wearing flats outside, gone barefoot inside, and still, I walk with a noticable limp. I move much better in any platform shoe, a heel or a wedge. The elevation decreases the range of motion that I need while barefoot or in a flat shoe, making my limp less obvious and allowing me to feel far less conspicuous when I walk.
I'm glad I'm not the only one! I was never comfortable in heels but would wear them occasionally. I don't think I'll ever wear them again for the same reason....I am terrified to go through this again.
Hi! Do you have an update after the more recent surgery?
It’s been over 15 months since I first injured my ankle in a car accident. I had 3 surgeries within the first 4 months, with the last one being at the end of January 2018.
I can now make the choice to remove some of the plates, but my surgeon expects little to no improvement as a result. My right foot has been stuck in a 90 degree angle position since the injury/surgeries.
I love heels & they’re basically all I wore before. This injury has caused a lot of psychological damage, along with the obvious physical, which no one seems to relate to or understand. I get upset when I see heels I like. I gave away every last pair I owned b/c I couldn’t look at them anymore. I don’t feel like myself in public 100% of the time.
A new issue has arisen now that I am seeking new employment. I was let go from my job for being unable to do the things that have always been expected of me. Heels are pretty much required for business/business casual work attire, even for interviews. I’m at a loss as to what I can wear as a substitute for heels, especially with dresses & skirts.
I know this is all underneath someone else’s response (sorry!), but does anyone have any suggestions for me? Thank you!
Hi … I just read ur comment and I can say for myself. after 2 yrs and half I’m almost feeling back to normal. Not being able to wear heels is… sad and really no one will understand how u feel unless they have been in ur shoes. I used to crave the attention for my bf to understand how I felt but I finally told myself no one will understand. u feel like u can no longer be sexy with no heels. u can always try buying the low heels and flats which I wear alot. I recently bought my 3 inch heels and still could not wear them all day. have u done physical therapy? that helped me alot. The only difference is my doctor never recommended me to take off my plates anytime soon but hang in there. I’ve learned to be so much patient unlike before . But now I am working out running but cant so alot of jumping like jump squats.
I am so sorry about your accident. Losing mobility is a life changing experience. I decided to have one of the plates removed and it helped.
I tried some booties, Blondos that a clerk at Dillards suggested. I’ve worn them most of the winter And the heel helped my mobility some by stretching the stiff tendons. They are available online as well.
I had to rethink my business wear and let go of my hopes of returning to heels. My self worth is not tied to my looks at all but it was a blow and down right depressing. I’m not sure what I will wear this spring and summer but hopefully the same clerk can help me.
Talk with someone about your feelings and as time passes it does get better. Best wishes on your interviews.
karen
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After 1.5 years, I am probably as near normal as I will be. In my case, it is time that has been my friend. I can wear heels now if I choose. Back to normal? No. But very livable, yes.
For what seemed like the longest time, I was wearing flats and using my bad foot like a rudder on a boat, perpendicular to my good foot. I could do some stairs alternating feet like normal, but certainly not going downstairs, which I still do step by step.
My biggest break was my son’s beach wedding. Walking on sand for four days proved to be the best physical therapy ever.
Removing hardware is not an option for me.
Fear is probably what slows me from walking normally down stairs.
I continue to be super vigilant about any possible fall.
When I first posted here, I was feeling down, scared, and pessimistic. Perhaps my impatience got the best of me. My orthopedist projected 1-1.5 years to resume to some modicum of normalcy. He was on target, for me.
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Hi! I had subtalar fusion 6.5 years ago and I can wear heels! Definitely not for long periods of time and not too high (my 4" heels have long since been given away). I think I have pretty good mobility and range of motion for someone who’s had this surgery and I don’t know what you’ve had done, so I’m not sure this will help. But I wanted to give you hope!
I still haven’t gone back to wearing heels since my subtalar fusion in March. 2019. Does anyone know if Fly London shoes can be worn. They have a bit of a rocker sole. In the past. my podiatrist had recommended them. However, that was years before the fusion. I need dressier shoes in a few weeks and nothing fits now. Before the fusion my feet were 2 sizes different. Now, there may only be 1 1/2 or at most one size difference. I have had to buy 2 pairs of shoes with different sizes each time. Unfortunately, I gave most of the alternate mismatched shoes away. I also had an extensive spinal fusion last year (T4-S2), plus I will need a knee replacement soon, I have to walk with a cane. Any shoe advice would be greatly appreciated. I just had abdominal surgery 2 days ago, so I might have to shop for shoes online until I am up and about.
Hi I have been told that I need to have subtalar fusion, or at least they say this is my best option . I wonder if you could tell me how it was for you as I am terrified!! I have subtalar impingement with bone spurs. I too haven’t been able to wear heels for 5 years now was wondering if I would after having the surgery. Thanks so much .
After physical therapy following a subtalar fusion 15 yrs ago, i was able to return to heals - 2.5" max Now following a car accident where i had a compound fracture, I was looking at an ankle replacement but due to other complications it will probably be an ankle fusion. From what I am reading, it sounds like no more heals. that is devastating to someone who has worn a 2" heal every day for almost 50 years. Has anyone been able to return to a heal after a fusion?
I saw this post when I was googling heels and ORIF surgery (was hoping there’s so cute ones out there that don’t look like something your great grandmother wore back in the day. In 2017 I had ORIF surgery on my left fibula (I broke entirely). I was in a wheel chair for about a month then crutches for almost a month. Then I got my “boot”. Happiest day ever! The hardest thing was learning how to shower without falling into the tub and cracking your neck like an egg. When I finally leveled up to crutches, it was learning how to get to & from my 3rd floor apt (no elevator so yes, bum scoot). Do we ever take things for granted!! Anyway, 3 years later and I learned (some from trial and error but mostly from my awesome surgeon) that I would break any other bone before I would break the titanium plate pins, and screws (that’s some NASA s***!). So I lived as normal as possible. Started hiking the easy trails (then trecherous) of BC, Canada where I live now. At first I was was nervous. Now I don’t give it a second thought. It is great therapy!! This winter I am going to learn how to snow board. I’ll fall down and my face will hurt but it will be worth it! Flats, flip flops, and high heels are a no no. If it is more than a slightly wedge ..NO. I have arthritis in my feet and it’s not worth the pain. So I make do with kitten heels, flashy high tops, and comfy gladiators. You want to be comfortable and no matter how many Dr Scholls comfort pads you apply or how many trade show vendors try to sell you that “magical” solution, it’s not worth being disappointed. There are lots of awesome shoes out there and there are some wedges/kitten heels that are just as sexy! I personally love thrift shops and local businesses like Nelson, BC’s local store, Shoes for the Soul. I’m in love lol.