I had my triple arthrodesis on March 12th, 2009. I had suffered with ankle pain and swelling for almost 2 years. I tried several different braces and while they helped temporarily the swelling and pain always returned. The last straw was a torn ligament and my already flat foot totally collapsed. I interviewed 3 different Drs. finally choosing the one I felt had the most experience in ankle/foot surgery and who always took the time to answer my questions. I also tried to do as much research as possible so I was very prepared for what awaited me. I live in a multi-storied home so I knew I would be unable to go up and down stairs for a while. My situation was further complicated by a sciatic problem in my left leg. My insurance company allowed me to have a hospital bed with a triangle and I set up my new bedroom in our family room which was on the same level as a full bathroom and the garage!! They allowed me a wheelchair and a kneeler and a walker, all of which came in handy as I progressed from a cast to a boot. I already owned crutches. I purchased a raised toilet seat which made sitting and getting up much easier. For emergencies when I was too tired or too sore to get to the bathroom, I had a female incontinence container. (ugh I know but that first week it really helped!). My surgery was done outpatient and a block was placed in my foot. I went home with a huge bandage on my foot and virtually pain-free that is until the block wore off 24 hours later! I did have pain meds which I was instructed to start right away. Even though you are not in pain at the moment you want to take the pain meds as instructed to keep ahead of the pain. I know everyone is concerned (as I was) about becoming addicted to the pain med. It won't happen as you will be weaning yourself off after the first week or two and will just take a pain pill when you think it is necessary. A week after my surgery I returned to the Dr. and had my staples removed (you definately want to take a pain pill prior to this appt). I was then put in a boot non-weightbearing until my incisions were healed. My Dr. then placed me in a cast for a few weeks so my fusion would heal (non-weight bearing). After that I was back in a boot and eventually was in a boot weight bearing. I started PT when I was able to wear a tennis shoe. I am 8 months post op and I can say in retrospect I am happy I had the surgery. The worst part of the recuperation is recognizing and accepting that you have limitations and must rely on other people. Friends and family were wonderful. I got caught up on reading, letterwriting, and of couse my computer was my lifesaver. I went to the store, the movies, the mall and out to dinner or lunch with friends. I got really good on crutches and my walker and wheelchair. The worst part of this whole thing was being unable to drive for so long (my right foot). You will have good days and bad but eventually the good will outnumber the bad. I still have pain and swelling when I overdo and I will probably never wear 4 inch heels again (ha ha ) - but I can walk. The Drs. all tell you that complete recuperation is 1 year. I hope this has helped anyone facing this surgery and feel free to contact me anytime. Oh yes, I have 5 screws in my foot and I didn't set of any alarms at the airport!!! Take care, Mar
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I had my triple arthrodesis on March 12th, 2009. I had suffered with ankle pain and swelling for almost 2 years. I tried several different braces and while they helped temporarily the swelling and pain always returned. The last straw was a torn ligament and my already flat foot totally collapsed. I interviewed 3 different Drs. finally choosing the one I felt had the most experience in ankle/foot surgery and who always took the time to answer my questions. I also tried to do as much research as possible so I was very prepared for what awaited me. I live in a multi-storied home so I knew I would be unable to go up and down stairs for a while. My situation was further complicated by a sciatic problem in my left leg. My insurance company allowed me to have a hospital bed with a triangle and I set up my new bedroom in our family room which was on the same level as a full bathroom and the garage!! They allowed me a wheelchair and a kneeler and a walker, all of which came in handy as I progressed from a cast to a boot. I already owned crutches. I purchased a raised toilet seat which made sitting and getting up much easier. For emergencies when I was too tired or too sore to get to the bathroom, I had a female incontinence container. (ugh I know but that first week it really helped!). My surgery was done outpatient and a block was placed in my foot. I went home with a huge bandage on my foot and virtually pain-free that is until the block wore off 24 hours later! I did have pain meds which I was instructed to start right away. Even though you are not in pain at the moment you want to take the pain meds as instructed to keep ahead of the pain. I know everyone is concerned (as I was) about becoming addicted to the pain med. It won't happen as you will be weaning yourself off after the first week or two and will just take a pain pill when you think it is necessary. A week after my surgery I returned to the Dr. and had my staples removed (you definately want to take a pain pill prior to this appt). I was then put in a boot non-weightbearing until my incisions were healed. My Dr. then placed me in a cast for a few weeks so my fusion would heal (non-weight bearing). After that I was back in a boot and eventually was in a boot weight bearing. I started PT when I was able to wear a tennis shoe. I am 8 months post op and I can say in retrospect I am happy I had the surgery. The worst part of the recuperation is recognizing and accepting that you have limitations and must rely on other people. Friends and family were wonderful. I got caught up on reading, letterwriting, and of couse my computer was my lifesaver. I went to the store, the movies, the mall and out to dinner or lunch with friends. I got really good on crutches and my walker and wheelchair. The worst part of this whole thing was being unable to drive for so long (my right foot). You will have good days and bad but eventually the good will outnumber the bad. I still have pain and swelling when I overdo and I will probably never wear 4 inch heels again (ha ha ) - but I can walk. The Drs. all tell you that complete recuperation is 1 year. I hope this has helped anyone facing this surgery and feel free to contact me anytime. Oh yes, I have 5 screws in my foot and I didn't set of any alarms at the airport!!! Take care, Mar
November 18, 2009 - 1:23pmThis Comment
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