Total Ankle Replacement (TAR): What is your rehab like?

Posted by katitude @katitude, Mar 11, 2023

Just had total ankle replacement on 3/6. I took the advice of my pre- and post-op nurse and took a couple of the pain meds prior to having any pain -- to stay ahead of any pain. Apparently, she knew what she was talking about. Not only did I stay ahead of it, I totally avoided it! I'm still in shock about that but thankful. I will be non weight bearing for 3 weeks but don't know what to expect going forward with weight bearing and physical therapy. What has been your experience??

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 12, 2023

@katitude, congrats on the new ankle and avoiding pain. It sounds like you're well on your way to recovery. I'm taggng fellow members like @soccerpaolo @yaya704 @user_ch3aef5aa @jyen1111 @ktgirl @ankle1969 @heyjoe415 and @jenniferhunter to share their experiences.

In the meantime, you might like to read these 2 related discussions:
- Total Ankle Replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/total-ankle-replacement/
- Preparation for total ankle replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/preparation-for-total-ankle-replacement/

Did the nurse give you any rehab tips too? Will you be working with PT?

loll | @loll | Mar 13, 2023

My suggestion is physical therapy when you’re ready. It’s important to remember and it's a big surgery and it takes just time for your body to recover.
My total ankle is more than 10 years old and still working well as far as I know.
Good luck with it all. Like all these things, it's a journey…

khkey | @khkey | May 3, 2023

I'm 5 months out from my total ankle replacement, but it's more like 3 1/2 months, as I had a setback that put me back in the boot as a precaution. I'm doing physical therapy twice a week and am finding that my stiffness and limited range of motion feel persistent, plus I have pain in other parts of my foot and lower leg, apparently from the change in alignment. Could anyone share what you experienced with PT and with pain and stiffness at this point? Any feedback would be really helpful.

kmax2024 | @kmax2024 | Aug 23 10:38am

I’m 4 1/2 month out. Limited pain luckily and range of motion is better then pre surgery (really had no movement before) My physio isn’t sure what to do with me since it’s not a surgery done where I live. Travelled for it. So I decided to try Pilates and it’s finally making a difference! Best of luck.