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Total Ankle Replacement: Advice on beginning weight bearing?
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: May 1 5:43pm | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
Thanks Jennifer. U r right about it being a rough road prior to my fusion. This is my 10th surgeon that I’ve been to. 10 is my lucky #! This surgeon is amazing. Everything he’s said is true and I’m so impressed with MAYO! Got the cast off Thursday and started PT on Friday. Was in lots of pain Friday night, but I actually walked with the walker!! Yay! I’ve had my knee replaced as well as both hips prior to this ankle fusion. So at least those joints can’t bite me! This has been the most painful surgery of all! 7.5 weeks in bed with my toes above my nose, having every bad reaction imaginable to every pain med & having to go to the ER due to all that was no fun. Then the ER doc said it was super infected and I could loose my foot…NOT! Went back to MAYO on following Monday and they said it’s not infected, it’s just an ‘angry foot’ whaaaat?!! From all the trauma from the surgery, the foot turns bright red and hot. No infection at all. They reassured me that it would be ok…they were right. BUT that’s all behind me. The pain has eased up and I’m now rocking it in PT today will be my 3rd PT visit & it feels darn good . It’s stronger than I thought it would be. Walking is odd, just doesn’t feel the same, if that makes any sense. They worked on my scars, 6 of them to break down the scar tissue. Now that was very painful, but after it did feel a lot of relief on the incisions. U sounds like u have been thru the mill. Back surgery on top if all of that!! Wowza!! Doc says that I may not need an orthotic for the left (surgical) foot. I have very flat feet (thanks Dad) & that contributes to all this. I’m moving the ankle now and walking with a walker. Feels weird but I’m plugging thru. This has been the toughest surgery that I’ve ever endured. I was an equestrian back in the day and I hope to get back in the saddle again one day. That’s my dream. Doc says it can happen! Can’t quit dreaming! Thanks for ur advise and info on the shoes. Ur an Angel. Hang in there!
Later, Flā
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@flachon3 I sounds like you're a rock star in your quest to get your fused ankle and foot rehabbed. You will get back to riding again. Did you notice the picture on my avatar? That is my old horse, a Tennessee walker who helped me rehab my spine after my cervical fusion by trail riding just at a walk. He taught me a lot about riding with balance, because he had arthritis issues and tripped fairly often. He had to retire because he was unsound and passed a few years later. I was offered a spare horse to take on a trail riding trip with friends, and that is how I broke my ankle falling off a spooked horse 4 years ago. After I recovered, I decided to get a new younger horse that I can bond with, and I did. He's also a Tennessee Walker and my ankle does fine riding and it does not cause me pain. I was not sure if I would be able to hike in hilly terrain, so I got a horse that can do that for me.
I also decided not to ride horses that I don't know well. It takes a long time to develop that bond and trust with your horse which is essential to safe horsemanship. I was talking with another Connect member about trail riding and I posted these pictures of trail riding with my horse. This is the horse I have now. He's also smaller and easier to get on and off.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1057894/
When I think about that for you, it will be different getting on and off with your ankle.
My ankle surgery was the most painful for me too, and for a much longer period of time. Spine surgery was a lot easier for me, but it was cervical, and it makes a difference if you are bearing most of your weight where you had the surgery. My surgeon promised me an ankle fusion in my future, and I'm doing everything I can to try to prevent that. I recently learned that equalizing tension on my lower leg helps and I keep loosening the surgical scar tissue when it gets tight. That takes away the ache and fatigue.
Take it easy.
Jennifer