After Ankle Fusion Surgery, Casts, Walking Boot, Knee Cart

My Ankle Fusion Story

[@robertgoyak2538]

I had ankle fusion and when I got home I had a wheel chair and it was a life saver

[@dorishooper5913]

The knee walker is the best thing since sliced bread. I would recommend buying one of these or borrowing one.

[@sonyaoshea484]

I had an ankle fusion, spurs, cyst in the bone, Achilles’ tendon cut to be lengthened and more screws to lift up my ankle as it has moved forward. I to didn’t get the pain medication in hospital as I felt great but afterwards I wished I had. 😢 traveled home one day later in a car for 8 hrs to get home, most excruciating pain and stopped a few times to be sick. I started nerve twitches after surgery which where painful as. So I had a half cast then fibro cast 6 wks now in moonboot partial walking 50%. I sleep with moonboot on as Drs orders 😊 and have been told about 9mths recovery. So far so good.

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

Your ankle fusion was very extensive. It took me a few years to be able to walk around and to do all the chores and walking on different types of terrain. it has been nine years since I had my ankle fused. No one can even tell that my ankle has been fused. I do not walk with a limp and I have no pain. I have always said that I should’ve had it done 5 to 10 years before I finally did. I hope your recovery goes well.

[@mmg1464]

Your video is very informative. I wish I would have watched it before my ankle surgery. Ditto on experiencing the worst pain of my life once the nerve block wore off. I broke my ankle in two places, and I often tell people that the pain I felt once the nerveblock wore off (day after post surgery) was more painful than the pain that I felt when I initially broke my ankle. Great video!

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

I hope your recovery has gone well. It does take a while for recovering from ankle surgery.

[@wilbertortiz9469]

Hello! I just had ankle surgery a week ago and I know what you are talking about. That pain after the nerve block wore off is the worst pain I experienced in my whole life.

[@neecie9075]

I had the exact opposite experience. I had been walking on bone on bone, etc for over 15 years due to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. My pain is gone after surgery. No pain after nerve block dissipated. I guess I'm a lucky one. Sorry to all those who didn't. 😢
I think having RA for 32 years throughout my body has given me quite a tolerance for pain.

[@gangstafish25]

I hate crutches. I used a knee roller. I had a complete ankle replacement. I took my pain medication before the nerve block wore off. My Doctor told me it's hard to play catch-up if I didn't take the pain killers right away.

[@pmogisho]

Just watched all your videos and thought I'd come back to this one and comment. Everything you have said has been very informative. I'm 23 years old and going to be getting my ankle fused next week and am excited to finally get to walking again. I got in a motorcycle accident February 2022 and broke my talus, tibia, fibula, femur and thumb. I've been non weight bearing using crutches and a wheelchair for almost a full year. My right leg looks like a spaghetti noodle because of all the muscle atrophy. I'm sure therapy is going to suck because of that but I'm praying to God that il be able to walk by the end of this summer so that I can start medical school in September. Thank you for your vids

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

One thing that I don’t think I ever addressed in my videos was whether a person could drive or not having a fused right ankle. One of my best friends, who is my age we went to school together had to have ankle surgery on his right ankle, and I told him what I did, and that mine was fused, and he chose to have a total ankle replacement for the main reason that he did not think he could drive with a fused right ankle. I actually had never thought about that because my fused ankle was my left one and my right ankle works great so I didn’t even think about that. I guess I would’ve put more thought process into what I should do with ankle surgery with a right ankle. I would recommend to everyone that would be having a right angle of fused to check with people that I’ve had right ankle fusion and see how well they are able to drive or see whether they’ve been able to come up with accommodations to help them with driving. I am not recommending ankle fusion over ankle replacement. It was just that I felt it was my best choice. If my ankle had been straight and look like it could be replaced very easily I might’ve gone with an ankle replacement. But, it has been almost 10 years 10 years this summer that I had my ankle fusion and things are still going great for me. In fact, I kind of laugh about this, but I do still see improvement every day or every month in my way of getting around and doing my chores. I also have macular degeneration so I am legally blind and I am not typing this message myself. I am reading it to my phone so there may be a lot of mistakes in this message that I want to apologize for right now.
I really hope you do well with your recovery. It sounds like you have been through so much and I will pray for you and I noticed that you said you have been praying also and I think that is a great step towards recovery. Best wishes to you and best wishes on your recovery.

[@kartikshukla9548]

how is your ankle now bro???

[@pmogisho]

@@kartikshukla9548 Doing good brotha. I got the ankle fusion surgery. Still not able to walk without crutches but I'm slowly putting more and more weight through my foot. Doctor said I should be able to walk without them in the next 4-6 months. Fingers crossed🤞

[@johnd4208]

I’m week 11 after left hind foot fusion with nail inserted up through sole of foot and 5 screws. 6 hour op. Week 5 before I got good nights sleep. Hurray for pain killers.Non weight bearing for six weeks then 6 weeks 50% weight bearing. Boot takes a bit of getting used to.Lucky here in Scotland that walking frame, toilet seat extender, crutch for steps and wheelchair to help move room to room were supplied on loan by our National Health Service. I found lifting myself up onto couch arm then onto wheelchair reduced the effort of getting up from couch seat. Week six had to replace Walker for a taller model but as hospital is only 5 minutes away not a problem. Walking has improved greatly this week and hopefully can do without Walker next week and manage with stick. X-ray and check up end of June . One piece of advice after op is if your old shoes were worn on heel and stretched because foot was misshaped as was mine then bin them and look for good shoes/trainers with good ankle support. A few good web sites out there to help. Good luck

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

Thanks for your comment. I also have a video that talks about shoes after ankle fusion surgery.

[@malcolmbirkett1347]

Good to hear your story. I have similar issues. I'm hoping to have the total ankle joint replacement.

[@justintomas377]

Thank u great info

[@robertgoyak2538]

You can't use a knee cart if you had a knee replacement on the same foot to mu h weight on knee wheel chair is the best trust me

[@radiohostladymonroe6784]

I just got my Aircast Boot. My foot wont lay flat. They said it's normal and Physical Therapy should help. I hope this is normal, I am discouraged and I hope I'll be able to walk again.

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

I hope things go well for you. It is a very long journey or process recovering from ankle surgery. Do what they tell you to do and hopefully it will all work out for you. It took me a few years to be able to walk on all types of terrain. It has been 11 years since my ankle fusion and I really don’t even realize anymore that my ankle is fused.

[@radiohostladymonroe6784]

@journeythroughanklefusion7532 Thank you so much!! I am glad you are doing well. I bumped into a man at my last appointment. He's had his fusion 20 year's and now the Hardware is poking out so he's having it removed. He said that was the only issue he's had.

[@jenniferr3338]

Can you describe what qualifies as partial weight baring ?

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

There are varying degrees of partial weight-bearing. You will have to follow your doctor‘s instructions on what partial weight-bearing means to them.

[@nobodyisprfct]

Have you ever tried those mbt shoes?

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

I have tried a few shoes that really had the rocker bottom. I am not sure if they were the brand that you just asked me about though. I always look for shoes that have a little bit of a rocker on the bottom of the shoe. I am still ordering and using the shoes that I have described in this video. They seem to best for me…….

[@anothergoldilocks1077]

My surgeon recommended Hoka One One Bondi 7. All Hoka brand shoes have rocker soles. Most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. 😁😁😁

[@nobodyisprfct]

@@anothergoldilocks1077 thanks for you reply. I am currently saving for a pair. I tend to trip with my current shoes and I am hoping I will trip less with these. If not then atleast I will be comfortable when tripping!
Side question - my brother had read a book titled "born to run". He us to have troubles with pains in his legs especially his knees. He said that he. Noticed that since wearing "primitive" shoes his foot muscles increased, and his leg and knee pain disappeared. Oh and his balance dramatically improved. Have you heard anything good about these barefoot shoes (or minimalist shoes)?

[@anothergoldilocks1077]

@@nobodyisprfct Hello! Good, that you’re saving towards purchasing a pair of Hokas! I hope you’ll like them. 😁
Yes, I’m familiar with the “earth/natural foot wear shoes”. I think it depends greatly upon an individual’s non-surgical foot whether this type of foot wear is appropriate. They definitely would not be suitable for post surgery foot fusion patients as the most important feature of shoes for them is a shoe with a rocker sole. That’s because, of course, due to the flexibility lost in having the ankle/foot fused. Hope this helps. ☺️

[@nobodyisprfct]

@@anothergoldilocks1077 - That makes sense and thanks for your replies! Have a great weekend!

[@JamesThomas-hk3bk]

How old are You?

[@charliepryer6026]

I wss 60 when I had my ankle surgery. I am 70 now. I also am doing very well on this ankle fusion. Remember, surgery and recovery and how your future will be on an ankle fusion or replacement ankle varies with every patient.

[@JamesThomas-hk3bk]

I'm in y 60

[@ComputerTech95]

I'm getting this done within the next 2 to 3 months waiting for phone call

[@phanor]

Bad idea ... don't do it unless you absolutely have to.

[@journeythroughanklefusion7532]

Yes, any kind of major surgery should only be done if it is really needed.