This is my first post; but I am hopeful that you will be as helpful as the Hip Universe folks were when I had my L THR three and a half years ago. Thanks to input from many wonderful people, I had a textbook recovery and don't even know that the hip is not my own at this point.
I'm scheduled for a triple arthrodesis in less than 2 weeks. I am eager to have it done and have no question about the need for the procedure. I'm also confident in my surgeon - he is "the guy" for feet & ankles in this very good orthopedic practice. Any suggestions on how to prepare my home for recovery? What should I expect in terms of pain? When will I start PT? My most pressing question is, "How will I get up the exterior stairs to my second floor condo the day after surgery?" I'm thinking that I may be awfully unsteady on crutches; but the only other option would be backwards on my derriere. Also, I'm planning to use on of those orthopedic leg support scooters during recovery. Anyone used them? Thanks in advance.

Hi there,
I can't speak specifically to your procedure, though I had a different version done last May. I had adult aquired flat foot secondary to posterior tibial tendon insufficiency and had the PTT repaired and an Evans osteotomy (insert a bone wedge on the outside of the foot). I was in a splint, then a cast, for 6 weeks (non-weigthbearing) and then a walking boot for 4 wks. I'm not sure what the timeline is for the arthrodesis...but there are others on this board who have had it done and will fill you in, I'm sure. I live in an apt building with stairs, like you.

I wasn't home for almost a week after surgery, as I stayed with family for awhile. I would say to take it slow in using crutches and have someone with you/behind you if you feel unsteady. If it's too much, you can sit down and inch up them...I did a lot of that too! You become pretty innovative...I walked on my knees, used my arms to "swing" down the stairs (walls/rail on both sides)...felt like a monkey! :)

The knee scooter is one great invention! I used one and got lots of looks and questions...felt like I should have been paid to use it, given the free advertising the equipment store got from me! It helped me be more independent for sure. I still used the crutches for instances where there were stairs or tight spaces. My arms became fairly strong after hauling all 20 lbs of scooter up and down the stairs each day, often more than once per day, and putting it in/taking it out of the car. It was worth it though!

I would recommend having a shower chair, a handheld shower head, a cast cover (ask your clinic if they have them), a basket for anything you might need (like the TV remote, cordless phone, pain meds, etc.). Get the handicap tag ahead of time if possible...it helps, even if you're not driving. Have some ice packs ready. Stock up on snacky type things and foods that are easy to make or heat up. Start working on your arm muscles...they're going to be used more than you know!

Hope some of this helps! Good luck on your surgery! This is a great place to learn more and post as you're recovering with questions/concerns or for support.

Sunny - I sure wish there were a few more people responding to my post. Your suggestions are sound and I think I'm on the right track. In reading old posts about triple arthrodesis, there is a lot of talk about pain. I really don't know quite how to interpret that. Having had the need for a hip replacement, I know what the bone on bone pain was like with that. The pain of healing was so minor compared to what I had before the surgery. In this case, I have pain of varying degrees in different areas of the foot, ankle and calf. It's never as bad as the hip pain was. So, I suspect that I will be less comfortable relatively speaking after this surgery... if that makes any sense. I am an active person and will be working at home, running my hardware store, as much as I can via the internet and telephone. I think that will keep me sane. I'll just have to find a way to prop up my foot and sit sideways at the computer. I suspect that I won't feel up to working for a week or so. What do you think? I loved your description of doing the stairs. Unfortunately, I don't have rail on both sides. The railing is on the side of the foot to be operated. So, I'll just have to be creative. Thanks for your help. Any other hints will be greatly appreciated.

Hi Elk Lake...

I'm 9 months post-op from foot reconstruction surgery. My surgery was a little different from what you're having done, but the recuperation is basically about the same.

Sunny had good tips and information for you. I had a knee scooter and it was invaluable. I used it for about 3 1/2 months. Until I was partial weight bearing, crutches and a walker were just too hard on my arms and heart. It wasn't easy at first going up stairs, but I managed. I'd go up on my bottom, using just my good leg to push up on every step with. At the top, I'd turn onto my knees and then was able to pull myself up onto a rolling office/computer type chair. (I'd have it pushed against a wall so it wouldn't roll until I wanted it too)! I'd go down the same - on my bottom. When I got a little better moving around, I started going up the stairs on my knee on my surgery side and my good foot. That made it a little easier at the top. You definitely need something at the top of the stairs or in a nearby room that you can crawl to (keeping your foot in the air), that you can pull yourself upright onto that's very sturdy.

Best of luck on your surgery! Any more questions -I'll try to help.

Mary (middle of the Michigan mitten)

Mary - We must live near one another. My surgery will be in Traverse City. I'm glad you confirmed that it's possible to go up the stairs on your bottom. That's exactly how I was planning to do it when I come home from the hospital. The 17 steps outdoors can be daunting - it had better not snow that day! Once I'm up and in the condo, I'll be able to stay on one floor. That's a real blessing, I know. How long did you feel lousy? I want to be able to work from home on the computer and do some paperwork; but I'm not planning to jump into work until I'm drug free. Were you on pain meds? What and for how long? Thanks for the info. My foot is killing me at the moment... confirmation that I really need this surgery. I've been thinking and re-thinking my decision all week long. But, I really am committed to have it done. I'll be glad when it's all said and done.

Elk Lake...

I'm about 3 hours from you - love your area of the state.

Let's see - your questions: "How long did I feel lousy?" and "How long on what pain meds?" Well, I was in the hospital for 48 hours and felt pretty lousy there, but once I was home I really didn't feel too bad. I've never had a lot of pain. Mainly more of a discomfort and uncomfortable feeling. I took oxycodone for only 48 hours after I was home and then just switched to acetaminophen most of the time. I was somewhat tired for awhile, but that's to be expected after any surgery. Everyone is different though. My doctor teased me about being pretty tough.

I think the one mistake I made was that because I actually felt pretty good, I didn't keep my foot elevated as much as I should have. I had more swelling than normal as I progressed in my recovery. So really, really be diligent in keeping that foot elevated high, even if you feel good enough to be up doing bookwork or computer stuff.

Mary

Any idea how long I'll have to keep the foot elevated? A few days, weeks, ...? Tomorrow is my surgery and I'm not sleeping very well. What a surprise!!! I just want this to be over.:confused:

Elk Lake...

Your doctor should give you post-op guidelines for elevation, but from my experience, you'll want to have your foot elevated whenever possible, for many weeks. "Your toes higher than your nose" instructions help to keep the swelling minimized. You'll find that other than the medical necessity of keeping it up, it just feels so much better when it's up. For me, this was for about the first 3-4 months, but you may be different. This didn't mean that all I did was sit around with my leg up. I would still go out, do things around the house, etc., but then sit down and when I'd sit, I'd get my leg up. When I was working on the computer, I would just kind of sit sidewise and prop it up on a low printer table next to me. It wasn't up higher than my nose, but at least it wasn't down on the floor.

I'll keep you in my thoughts tomorrow. I know the waiting is bad, but soon you'll have the surgery behind you. Keep thinking positive thoughts! Please check back in here when you are able.

Mary

You are so right. If I don't keep the foot elevated, I feel swelling and pressure. It always feels better to have it up AND I believe that icing it, even through the cast, brings down the swelling more quickly. I'm 6 weeks post-op now. I hope to get the fiberglass cast off on Friday; but we'll have to see what the X-rays show. Thanks for the advice.