Hintegra Ankle replacement - Foot Problems Message Board

happyfoot7 · 08-11-2007, 10:58 PM

Hiya everyone,

Kira here, had a bit of a boo boo didn't read the rules and accidentally got my handle banned, but they gave me another chance but had to get a new handle (they were very nice really)

I got my cast off, my xrays looked "perfect" which is pretty cool coz these surgeons certainly don't just throw that word around. So I'm walking again without any boot or strapping or anything. It is going really well, I'm very very slow, but no pain, my foot just gets very tired and swollen (but day 3 of no cast so not surprising!). I started water-running yesterday and start easy cycling on my trainer at home tomorrow. It is so cool, can't wait to get the strength back and lengthen my archilles and for the swelling to go down. My physio is so impressed and says that if it is just my achilles preventing me at the momemt, then I will gain ROM quickly. None of the physios or my OS can believe the results, they are so so so happy, as am I. I'm getting impatient now, but it is a long road ahead, 2 years till total recovery. Hopeing to start golf lessons in a month or two depending on my ROM. On another up-side, not being so depressed I have stragely lost 14 pounds, without really trying, I just don't seem to be eating as much junk as I was before. Pretty happy but realised if I want my leg to last long have to loose a lot more weight, but that takes time. Anyway everything is just going swimmingly for me right now.

Drew,

All I can remember is that, it only cost me 30,000 swiss francs for the operation and hospital fees etc (in hospital for 8 days!) and that it seemed comparable to your costs, so if your insurance doesn't cover it, then I highly recommend you go and see hintermann himself. You could ask him to recommend someone in canada, or make an appointment to see him. If you met him I have no doubt that you would think you were making the right decision. He has a 98% success rate, so maybe it is just that the other surgeons aren't as experienced. Anyway, let me know how things go.

Kira

walkabout · 08-12-2007, 06:38 AM

Hey Kira,
Nice to hear that things are going great with you! I am taking my boot off a little at a time and just walking bare footed with a cane around the house. I will be seeing my OS on Wednesday in hopes to go to the next step. I have not had any PT yet and I'm thinking that it may make all the difference the world. The facia muscle at the arch of my foot feels very tight. I'm thinking that if it gets stretched out, it could be the ticket to walking better.
I think I found the 14 pounds that you lost ...lol. My mobility hasn't been as good since the OP. I am looking forward to working out again. Patience,patience patience.
Thanks for keeeping us posted and keep up the good work!!

Karen

happyfoot7 · 08-12-2007, 07:13 PM

Hey Karen,

So good to hear that things are much better for you!! Awesome you are walking around a bit, hope the OS gives you the all clear! The physio certainly helped my very tight claves, did make the world of difference so hopefully will with your arch.

What kind of workouts are you planning on doing when you get going?? I'm just doing core strength, water-running (very slow jogging would be a better description haha), swimming and some very easy cycling (just 5-10 minutes at the moment). I'm running low on other ideas, but figure this will do till I can do more. If you have any others please let me know, I like varying my workouts or I burn out.

Going to Hamburg on holiday in 2 weeks (my dad, brother, uncle and flatmate are racing in the triathlon world champs - age groups except flatmate who is pro- going to watch)...a bit worried about if I can do all the walking, taking my cane though. The surgeon said ok if I take it easy. It's gonna be hard to watch instead of the one racing, I haven't been to many races since I had to stop, so think it might add a lot to the frustration of not even being able to walk properly...especially running into old training and racing friends. but hey I'll suck it up, I'm on the mend now finally and so happy about that ! And who knows this might be the only time all 3 qualify in the same year (and my uncle has a good chance at winning his agegroup) I know I'll regret it if I didn't go. I really am so happy to walk again but it is just going to be so hard not to think, damn this would have been me still without my accident, but got to live in the present eh! Anyway that's my complaining for now, just had to get it off my chest

Great to hear your good progress!
Kira

walkabout · 08-13-2007, 05:32 PM

Kira,
I totally understand how frustrating it is not to be able to do things like you use to. If you remember my other post, I mentioned that I not only am dealing with my ankle fused, but both of my hips have been replaced due to hip displacea. My hips are great. Yes, I have limits, but I am very active and nothing really stops me...until this ankle bit. Fusion is a whole lot different than replacement. It is very hard to try to figure out how to move different parts of your foot when you only know the one way.
How awesome that you and your family are so involved in the triatholon. Best wishes to them and you for being there for support. It may be on the other end of the event by watching, but the point is is that you are there for something you love and your ankle will get strong. Before you know it, you will be off to the races as well (well....you know what I mean).
I have a pool that I am doing water walking in. It feels good to get things moving. I will let you know what the Doc says about further activity.
Take Care, Karen

walkabout · 08-15-2007, 02:56 PM

Hi Kira!
How is your ankle coming along? Well, I went to the OS today and I can get rid of the boot!! Yeh!!! But, I need to have PT starting tomorrow to learn how to walk with the right gate motion. He told me to get a pair of running shoes and work with those. Well, I bought a pair, tried them on and It felt so weird. My leg is a little shorter than my left leg which throws me off balance. For now until I can get it right, I think I will use my cane just to keep me more balanced. I also put an insert in my shoe to try to make things more even. What a process!!! Here I go back to the sho delema. I sure hope once I can get stregnth back, that I will be able to master some other shoes other than tennis shoes. I'm o.k. with not being able to where high heels but running shoes are not the greatest if you drees up to go out.
Kira, I guess we just need to be thankful. I am fully aware that there are other people out there that are worse off than us.