Total Ankle Replacement

I am 4 1/2 weeks out from a total ankle replacement. The joint aches all the time. Just started to put weight on that foot a little bit. When I do it gets red and throbbing very quickly. It subsides when I get my foot up. Anyone else had this experience? It’s discouraging because that doesn’t seem to be getting any better and it’s been almost a week since I’ve been weight bearing.

I had my ankle replaced 4 1/2 weeks ago so not sure how this will all turn out and maybe I’m not the right person to ask - but this recovery is definitely not for sissies! I’m 68, also very active and want to get back to walking a lot, yoga and traveling. It’s been very odd to be not weight bearing for a month and I’ve just started putting 25% weight on it and it aches all the time. The incision is healing well and I revisit the ortho doc this week to see if I can start physical therapy. I will be happy to get professional opinions about how to proceed- push myself? Rest more? Lots of questions. Can’t wait to get my life back-been pretty much housebound because my foot really only feels okay while elevated, especially now that I’m putting a little weight on it. Anxious to hear other people’s experiences with recovery from a TAR?

Yes! I had a Bragg Polar Cube and it worked great- used it all the time for the first 4 weeks post surgery. Rather than using ice cubes try freezing 4 12 oz water bottles.

I’m sorry it’s Bregg, not Bragg

The first thing I would say, is you have to be patient. Everybody is going to heal at a different pace. I am supposed to be at 3/4 of my body weight on my ankle starting tomorrow but I'm barely at half of my body weight. Definitely ice and elevation help.

I had my TAR on April 16, I am 63 years old. You are totally correct in that recovery is definitely not for sissies! I knew it would be rough but not this tough.
I was non-weight bearing for about 8 weeks. Got my stitches out at 3 weeks and got a boot. Was told I could put a little weight on it but that was very painful and scary. Had a lot of nerve pain which I was told was not abnormal. Also was very unbearable to put it down when on walker to go to bathroom etc. Only left house for Dr. appointments. Had to keep foot elevated above heart level.
Was allowed to put shoe on at 7 week surgeon appt. Took about another week to do full weight. Started PT after 7 week surgeon visit. That was the second week of June and still going 3 times a week and doing PT exercises twice a day a home. Still dealing with range of motion, swelling, and some pain. Able to go outside walking a little but still have a long way to go. Doing some water jogging at a relatives house. Staring doing the recumbent bike this week—it appears to help my leg muscles which I totally lost while non weight bearing.
I realize everyone heals differently, but my level of patience is definitely wearing thin even though I have made a lot of progress since the beginning of June.

Wishing you all the best….please keep us updated how you are doing.

Agree. Everyone heals differently . I just feel like I am moving slow.

Wishing you all the best and appreciate your updates! Take care!

Its been a while since I have given a full update. I had surgery June 11. Had to keep elevated 90% of the time for two weeks. I was closer to 100%. Then I got my stitches out and was non weight bearing for the next two weeks while keeping it elevated 60% of the time. I added ice here. I don't have one of the ice box things just something from the freezer that wraps around my ankle I used 3-5 times/day and still use today. I went back to cooking pretty soon after I got my stitches out because I couldn't take what my family was doing to my kitchen, lol, I used one of those knee scooters to move around easier.

Around this time, I had to get an ultra sound and they found a small blood clot in my ankle area so I am also on blood thinners.

I started PT around July 9 and was suppose to be at 25% body weight on the ankle. As of the 16th I was suppose to be at 50% but I was not there yet. The last few days have seen a significant improvement there and I would say I am closer to 75%. I feel like I made a quick jump from one day to the next to get from 25% to 50%+ body weight. Nothing is 100%, meaning the amount of body weight I can tolerate varies depending how long I have been off my ankle or how "warmed up" it is.

One thing that I think has been helpful is always moving my ankle, when I'm sitting and working or watching TV I am rotating and moving my ankle, going through various exercises.

I am looking forward to getting back into the pool. My next Dr. appointment is on Aug 12 (should be Aug 5th but scheduling issues) and should be getting shoe information then.

Stay well everyone, keep up the good work and stay strong. You will get better.

HI. I had a TAR of my left ankle at the end of June. I am in a boot until hopefully my next follow up in August. I too am having flashing pains around my big toe area.I sent a message to my surgeon and am awaiting her response. Good luck to you.

Hi! My surgeon knew where I experiencing the nerve pain before I was able to point to it. Appears that this is not uncommon. I was given a script for gabapentin which helped reduce it but doesn't make it go away. Helped me to sleep a little better. At times, my whole foot would jump for no reason with the boot on. I have stopped taking medicine but still experiencing nerve pain but it has subsided.
I am now at 3.5 months out. Feel I still have a long way to go! Still doing PT and a lot of strength building and range of motion to accomplish.
Wishing you all the best with your recovery! Good Luck!!!