ankle fusion - Foot Problems Message Board

hootyhoo · 08-17-2007, 03:01 PM

i am having my ankle fused the end of august, and i am petrified,,,of course! two weeks of a brace in bed,,,then two weeks of a cast, changed every two weeks until 8 weeks,,,then he puts me in a sneaker and off i go.

does anyone know what recovery is like after that? he said it would take up to a year to not notice me limping. i'm hoping i can still walk and golf.

hootyhoo · 08-17-2007, 05:38 PM

am i in the wrong message board? i honestly felt that i was going to be on the road to a quicker recovery than first told to me by my surgeon...but reading in this board...i'm scared.

penybobeny · 08-18-2007, 01:03 AM

hooty-

Everyone heals differently from surgery, it all depends on the type of fusion, the ammount of time that the injury was present before surgery and your adhearnace to any weight or movement restrictions.

Your recovery time estimated by your Dr seems very very quick which would lead me to assume that you are not having an extremely invasive fusion proceedure.

My best advice would be to try to relax and prepare yourself and your home for post-surgery. Try to have easy to prepare meals on hand (make them and freeze them now so you can just pop them in the microwave) and make sure that things are within easy reach. Plan on doing alot of sitting, so get things to help keep you occupied and to stave off any boredom and say 'yes' to any offers for help that come your way.

Please let us know how you are doing and remember, many of us have had pre-op nerves and are here to listen and talk if you need it.

happyfoot7 · 08-18-2007, 03:07 AM

Hiya,

I just had an ankle replacement, but before when I was deciding between a replacement and fusion, I talked to a lot of people who have had fusion. The recovery times seem to vary greatly from one person to the next, but the vast majority seem to be happy with the results. From what I have heard golf is usually possible after you have recovered enough....think in months here, but without pain.

Any surgery is very nerveracking, I'm sure someone who has had fusion will reply to you and help answer your questions better, but keep positive and definately prepare the house etc and get friends/family to help do things like supermarket shopping with you etc afterwards.

Good luck!!

walkabout · 08-18-2007, 07:48 AM

Hi,
I have had my ankle fused 4 months ago and I know exactly how you are feeling. Yes, it is a long healing process. The 1st 2 weeks I had like a wrap on before a cast to make sure the swelling was down enough for tightness in the cast. I had the cast on for 2 months and then went to a boot for 2 months. I am just 3 days out of my boot right now and was told to get a pair of running shoes. I started PT to strenghten my heel,foot and muscles and tendons that was so confined during this ordeal. It is true that everyone is different. I am finding that I am not doing very well with the shoes. I feel that my foot has more movement barefoot. I have to walk with a cane to learn the gate of how to walk.
After my surgery, I used a roller cart that you rest you leg on with your knee bent. It is so much easier than crutches or a wheelchair. This frees you hands and it's very easy to get around the house with. You might want to check into this before surgery. I rented mine.
Let us know how you are doing. In the mean time take care and know that you are not the only one out there that is going through this. It really helps to be able to communicate with others from all over the world.