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Total Ankle Replacement - Recovery issues & ongoing struggles
Joint Replacements | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (6)Comment receiving replies
I have a similar situation although maybe not as extensive as yours. I did not have my surgery at Mayo, I had it elsewhere. I had total ankle replacement 11 months ago. I am walking gingerly with a cane. I am 52. I was active up until the year prior to surgery where I could barely walk. I researched doctors as well. My surgeon took tons of interest in me prior to the surgery...after I was left on my own. I was told during surgery that a bone broke so he had to place a plate to secure it. I have pain pretty much all day every day. I was told the bone broke during surgery because of my "osteoporosis". Of course I got checked and do not have it. I have very mild osteopenia. In follow-up with the surgeon he tells me "ditch the cane"! My foot swells immediately and is hard as a rock if I try to walk unassisted. How do I do that? It is my PT's opinion that I was left immobile too long. I have terrible range of motion and am feeling very hopeless. I feel for you I really do.
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That's horrible. Have you consulted with another doctor? I have heard so many stories from people about continual problems with ankle surgery, or that bones in the leg and foot do not heal, or do not heal well. Same as you, I was active prior to surgery and was told I would be able to continue all the activities I was used to doing, horseback riding and hiking, specifically. I was told I was an excellent candidate.
My doctor mentioned osteopenia too, but said it was from being off my feet for so long. I really feel like these doctors do not have sufficient time to relate to each patient's individual needs, and their situation, and in my opinion that is 90 % of the problems people incur,
I did a lot of research in selecting my surgeon and he is, supposedly, Nationally renowned and very experienced, which is why it surprised me when he was so stunned when he saw the fracture, and said it LOOKED like a fracture, but he wasn't sure. Um, it looks like a fracture to me. I think the bone probably broke from my PT doing range of motion manipulation and exercises, which is what he was instructed to do by the surgeon. I really love my PT. I do not have much pain or swelling from the fracture. The PT says that is because it appears not to be a load bearing bone. (it's on the side of my ankle) It also seems that over the past couple of weeks, the swelling has reduced. I had my CT scan Friday and will meet with the surgeon to review the results this coming Friday. I was able to walk up the steps to the CT machine and back down, barefoot, with no pain. I am still normally wearing a walking boot. I am terrified to meet with the surgeon, I am so afraid he will tell me to go back in the cast, or, worse, go back for more surgery. I just can't do that, it will ruin the rest of my life, I'm pretty sure. I've read that sometimes these fractures can heal on their own. My GP has recommended not going forward with either cast or surgery without getting a second opinion. I feel like that is good advice. I still respect my surgeon but again, I feel that time limitations these doctors have are a huge problem for their patients.