looics17
06-19-2008, 04:38 PM
im due to go in for an operation soon for a subtalar fusion. how long will i be off work? i am foreman in a very busy engineering shop and work about 60-70 hours over 7 days all on my feet. will i be in a plastercast or aircast walking boot? is the sucess rate as poor as ive really read. im dreading having another operation to cure this if this doesnt work. 4 years of ankle pain is far too long to bear. im only 36 as well!!!!!! if you have had a similar op to myself i would love to hear your story
looics
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janewhite1
06-19-2008, 10:11 PM
Okay, assuming the fusion takes and you don't have too many problems with other parts of your foot, you should be in reasonably good shape afterward. If your general health is good and you follow the doctor's instructions, it should take. You will lose a lot of the sideways movement of your foot (inversion/eversion).
If you work on your feet, you will be off for months. Not sure how many, ask your doctor. It'll be about a year before it really gets to the point of feeling good. You will be in plaster for a few weeks, and will have to spend about a month with your foot propped above your head most of the time. So, the operation is a big deal. Definitely get some wheels afterward, crutches are annoying.
What exactly is your foot problem?
If you work on your feet, you will be off for months. Not sure how many, ask your doctor. It'll be about a year before it really gets to the point of feeling good. You will be in plaster for a few weeks, and will have to spend about a month with your foot propped above your head most of the time. So, the operation is a big deal. Definitely get some wheels afterward, crutches are annoying.
What exactly is your foot problem?
looics17
06-20-2008, 06:37 PM
thanks for being the only soul in the universe to reply ... lol
i have stiffness in my l. ankle and lots of pain. im on my feet all day long literally. had the usual suspects of mri and ct but no real diagnosis. some cortisone injections and a debridement op at jan 08 but no sucess. so the fusion is the other way to go. really worried bout the job aspect of my post op recovery. my company really relies heavily on me and so do i for their money lol
looics
i have stiffness in my l. ankle and lots of pain. im on my feet all day long literally. had the usual suspects of mri and ct but no real diagnosis. some cortisone injections and a debridement op at jan 08 but no sucess. so the fusion is the other way to go. really worried bout the job aspect of my post op recovery. my company really relies heavily on me and so do i for their money lol
looics
janewhite1
06-20-2008, 11:21 PM
Um, did you just say they want to do a joint fusion without a clear diagnosis? That sounds like a very poor idea to me. What exactly did the surgeon find when he did the arthroscopy & debridement, and what did he debride exactly?
If it's clear that your main problem is arthritis of the subtalar joint, then fusing it should serve you well, eliminating the pain and allowing you to walk normally.
If it's not clear exactly what the problem is yet, DON'T DO IT! This is a major surgery with a long recovery time that will permanently change the way your foot works.
Have you seen an orthopedist who is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon? A good one?
Where exactly is your pain, and how is your ankle stiff? How much dorsiflexion/plantar flexion do you have? Do you have any inversion/eversion? Does it hurt all the time, or just when you walk? Can you walk down stairs normally? Did this condition just come on, or have you had injuries to that ankle? Do you have any visible swelling or bruising?
If it's clear that your main problem is arthritis of the subtalar joint, then fusing it should serve you well, eliminating the pain and allowing you to walk normally.
If it's not clear exactly what the problem is yet, DON'T DO IT! This is a major surgery with a long recovery time that will permanently change the way your foot works.
Have you seen an orthopedist who is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon? A good one?
Where exactly is your pain, and how is your ankle stiff? How much dorsiflexion/plantar flexion do you have? Do you have any inversion/eversion? Does it hurt all the time, or just when you walk? Can you walk down stairs normally? Did this condition just come on, or have you had injuries to that ankle? Do you have any visible swelling or bruising?
sassy47
07-09-2008, 05:16 PM
Hello,
I've just joined the message board. I had a subtalar fusion on July 1st. My joint was arthritic from an injury when I was 18 years old. I am now 47. I began having serious pain this past year. I am a resource teacher for an elementary school so I am on my feet and walking a lot. It got to the point where I could do very little without a lot of pain, as a result I gained about 10 pounds as well.
To complicate matters, my sister has triple negative breast cancer and is currently in hospice care. I put off having the surgery as late as possible before school starts back, so I wouldn't be on crutches when the kids come back to school.
I am scheduled for my post op visit this Monday July 14th. What can I expect at this visit? Do you think I will be in a boot by the end of the first six weeks?
They did end up finding I had no cartlidge left in my joint and there was a piece of bone floating around on the outside of my ankle joint that they removed.
My greatest concern is whether I will be able to return to work on July 31st. My doctor said 6 weeks no weight bearing, then a month in a boot. Is that realistic?
Any input would be welcome-
Thanks Sassy47
I've just joined the message board. I had a subtalar fusion on July 1st. My joint was arthritic from an injury when I was 18 years old. I am now 47. I began having serious pain this past year. I am a resource teacher for an elementary school so I am on my feet and walking a lot. It got to the point where I could do very little without a lot of pain, as a result I gained about 10 pounds as well.
To complicate matters, my sister has triple negative breast cancer and is currently in hospice care. I put off having the surgery as late as possible before school starts back, so I wouldn't be on crutches when the kids come back to school.
I am scheduled for my post op visit this Monday July 14th. What can I expect at this visit? Do you think I will be in a boot by the end of the first six weeks?
They did end up finding I had no cartlidge left in my joint and there was a piece of bone floating around on the outside of my ankle joint that they removed.
My greatest concern is whether I will be able to return to work on July 31st. My doctor said 6 weeks no weight bearing, then a month in a boot. Is that realistic?
Any input would be welcome-
Thanks Sassy47
janewhite1
07-09-2008, 05:33 PM
Hi, Sassy47. Welcome to the foot board.
I'm sorry to hear you had to have foot surgery, and at a time when you are dealing with family troubles, too.
If they found no cartilage in your subtalar joint, then this surgery was probably the right decision. Once you recover, you should be walking and standing without pain, though you might continue to have some difficulty with uneven surfaces.
The biggest issue with early return to work following joint fusion is swelling. I imagine you have already learned that your swelling and therefore your pain increase dramatically whenever your foot isn't propped way up in the air. You're going to have to keep it elevated most of the time for at least a month, although the "most" will soften toward the end of the month. For most of a year, you may have some swelling after standing for long periods of time. Compression stockings help.
When you go from cast to boot, 6 weeks out if all goes well, maybe later if there are any problems, you will not immediately be walking all over town in that boot. You'll start off partial weight-bearing, putting a little weight on the surgery foot in its boot and most of your weight on the crutches. About the time you get really good at getting around in the boot, that's when the doctor says, "Okay, now start walking without it."
If you want to get back to work on July 31, I'd get a wheelchair. It'll be much easier.
Oh! And when you get the boot, get a thick soled shoe for your other foot, so you aren't walking unevenly!
I'm sorry to hear you had to have foot surgery, and at a time when you are dealing with family troubles, too.
If they found no cartilage in your subtalar joint, then this surgery was probably the right decision. Once you recover, you should be walking and standing without pain, though you might continue to have some difficulty with uneven surfaces.
The biggest issue with early return to work following joint fusion is swelling. I imagine you have already learned that your swelling and therefore your pain increase dramatically whenever your foot isn't propped way up in the air. You're going to have to keep it elevated most of the time for at least a month, although the "most" will soften toward the end of the month. For most of a year, you may have some swelling after standing for long periods of time. Compression stockings help.
When you go from cast to boot, 6 weeks out if all goes well, maybe later if there are any problems, you will not immediately be walking all over town in that boot. You'll start off partial weight-bearing, putting a little weight on the surgery foot in its boot and most of your weight on the crutches. About the time you get really good at getting around in the boot, that's when the doctor says, "Okay, now start walking without it."
If you want to get back to work on July 31, I'd get a wheelchair. It'll be much easier.
Oh! And when you get the boot, get a thick soled shoe for your other foot, so you aren't walking unevenly!
sassy47
07-10-2008, 12:01 AM
Thank you Jane,
I am planning on checking into a knee walker in order to return to work by July 31st. I started having sharp pains and burning in the incision site (I assume) tonight. Is this common or should I give the doctor a call tomorrow?
Thanks-Sassy47
I am planning on checking into a knee walker in order to return to work by July 31st. I started having sharp pains and burning in the incision site (I assume) tonight. Is this common or should I give the doctor a call tomorrow?
Thanks-Sassy47
janewhite1
07-10-2008, 03:45 PM
I don't think it is typical to have a sudden increase in pain 10 days after, no. If you just had a cast change, that would make sense, but if not, ask the surgeon. I'm not sure.
cougar41
07-12-2008, 02:21 PM
Hello Looics17
I have had 2 subtalar fusions, my first one did not take because i am a smoker.
They say if your a smoker, your chance of a succesfull fusion is less than 50%. ( FYI )
I have had a total of 6 surgerys, on my ankle. and the overall result is poor.
But from all the research that i have done on the subtalar fusion. this is the best way to go for Artritis of the ankle joint. the only advice that i could give you. is to triple check your doctors qaulifications. How many subtalar fusions has he done. Is he a Orthropedic surgeon ?????, or a Foot and Ankle Specialist.
Good Luck to you.
Cougar41
I have had 2 subtalar fusions, my first one did not take because i am a smoker.
They say if your a smoker, your chance of a succesfull fusion is less than 50%. ( FYI )
I have had a total of 6 surgerys, on my ankle. and the overall result is poor.
But from all the research that i have done on the subtalar fusion. this is the best way to go for Artritis of the ankle joint. the only advice that i could give you. is to triple check your doctors qaulifications. How many subtalar fusions has he done. Is he a Orthropedic surgeon ?????, or a Foot and Ankle Specialist.
Good Luck to you.
Cougar41
janetlea
07-18-2008, 02:51 PM
im due to go in for an operation soon for a subtalar fusion. how long will i be off work? i am foreman in a very busy engineering shop and work about 60-70 hours over 7 days all on my feet. will i be in a plastercast or aircast walking boot? is the sucess rate as poor as ive really read. im dreading having another operation to cure this if this doesnt work. 4 years of ankle pain is far too long to bear. im only 36 as well!!!!!! if you have had a similar op to myself i would love to hear your story
looics
I had the surgery on April 11th and now at almost 10 weeks I must say this is the longest I have been pain free for the last 4 years.
It is not easy doing everything in a cast but I think the outcome is going to be great.
Good luck with yours;)
looics
I had the surgery on April 11th and now at almost 10 weeks I must say this is the longest I have been pain free for the last 4 years.
It is not easy doing everything in a cast but I think the outcome is going to be great.
Good luck with yours;)
annie66
08-04-2008, 02:53 AM
im two year into nothing but problems. i have had 3 major surg. and they want to now fuse ankle, cut and streach accellies, and remove scar tissue also sural nerve that they damaged in last surg. I have opp out and waiting for new options which are on there way!! from paris / france however you have given very good advice . just wanted to put in my imput
annie66
08-04-2008, 03:13 AM
im also your age and suffering. however i have opted out on fusion. you cant go back on it and theres not alot of options for error etc .. modern tech is really pushing through this type of injury but not here yet!! Paris / france has a new surg for this injury 1/2 came back 100% the other no worse off than they already were. i know its umbarrable /pain etc JUST DO RESERCH AND FIND OUT WHATS BEST FOR YOU CAUSE EVERY FOOT/PERSONS DIFFERENT.my case happens to be the worst so i have know where but up to go and doing ext. research on options . good luck
fsifsi
08-07-2008, 08:44 PM
im also your age and suffering. however i have opted out on fusion. you cant go back on it and theres not alot of options for error etc .. modern tech is really pushing through this type of injury but not here yet!! Paris / france has a new surg for this injury 1/2 came back 100% the other no worse off than they already were. i know its umbarrable /pain etc JUST DO RESERCH AND FIND OUT WHATS BEST FOR YOU CAUSE EVERY FOOT/PERSONS DIFFERENT.my case happens to be the worst so i have know where but up to go and doing ext. research on options . good luck
Hi Annie,
I am in the process of interviewing orthopedists to see whether doing a subtalar fusion is necessary for me. I had an ankle fusion in 1985, but I now have other problems. A podiatrist recommended a Bunion Lapidus and
subtalar fusion to me as a way of dealing with my current problems involving
too much mobility in my heel area. I can walk, I do have pain, but I'm leery
of doing this fusion if the results will bring me a new kind of pain in exchange
for what I currently have. There are no easy answers to any of this.
Good luck.
Hi Annie,
I am in the process of interviewing orthopedists to see whether doing a subtalar fusion is necessary for me. I had an ankle fusion in 1985, but I now have other problems. A podiatrist recommended a Bunion Lapidus and
subtalar fusion to me as a way of dealing with my current problems involving
too much mobility in my heel area. I can walk, I do have pain, but I'm leery
of doing this fusion if the results will bring me a new kind of pain in exchange
for what I currently have. There are no easy answers to any of this.
Good luck.
shelleybutn
08-08-2008, 10:17 AM
looics,
i had a triple arthrodesis done may 9th.......so subtalar fusion, talonavicular fusion, and calcaneal cuboid fusion. i was out of work for 3 months. it was my left foot so i could drive at that point. i am still on crutches and will be for another few weeks. then i will just be in the boot for another bunch of weeks. i was in a cast non-weight bearing for 8 weeks.
you will not be able to be on your feet comfortably for a while. and it's very exhausting.
please keep asking questions.
shelley
i had a triple arthrodesis done may 9th.......so subtalar fusion, talonavicular fusion, and calcaneal cuboid fusion. i was out of work for 3 months. it was my left foot so i could drive at that point. i am still on crutches and will be for another few weeks. then i will just be in the boot for another bunch of weeks. i was in a cast non-weight bearing for 8 weeks.
you will not be able to be on your feet comfortably for a while. and it's very exhausting.
please keep asking questions.
shelley