Living with an ankle fusion and subtalar fusion--Any advice?

A few words of encouragement.....I had a subtalar fusion and peroneal tendon release in January 2014 and I don't look back: as difficult a decision as it was at the time, it has been life changing.

Before the fusion surgery I had chronic life-limiting pain due to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (I had fractured my calcaneus in September 2011 in a mountain biking accident). I was 36 at the time of the injury, was sporty and my husband, myself and our two children (both boys) were always active and on the go. I found it immensely difficult after the initial injury (I became depressed and was started on antidepressants) and never got back to normal, the joint being very stiff, painful and chronically swollen - I had several other smaller ops (metal removal, hydrodilatations, MUAs etc) in the hope that these would help, but ultimately I was referred to one of the best foot & ankle Surgeons in England, who diagnosed that I had peroneal tendon impingement and severe post-traumatic oseoarthritis - he advised that I had the fusion surgery and a peroneal tendon release.

It was a difficult decision to make at the time. After talking it though with my family and Psychatrist, I decided to go ahead but scheduled the surgery a few months later so that I could prepare properly - I changed our car to an automatic car so that I could drive, I ensured that I had a wheelchair available, I bought a tri-walker and a crutch pod, I stocked the freezer full of ready prepared meals, I arranged for a cleaner to come in for a few hours a week, I got fitter and lost 15kg, I worked like a dog at work to ensure that I could spend sufficient time re-cuperating at home afterwards.

I was very worried about pain control as I had suffered terribly at the time of the original ORIF calcaleus. In fact, the surgery went well, the pain was controlled with minimal pain relief and I was discharged the next day.

I had minimal pain (no need for painkillers) thereafter. Yes, it was frustrating being effectively on bed rest for 2 weeks (in a backslab) but I had worked so hard before I was kinda ready for it.

After two weeks, the stitches came out and I went into an Aircast Boot NWB.

Six weeks post surgery I was allowed to start to PWB in the Aircast Boot.

A few weeks later I ditched the crutches (walking in the boot).

Twelve weeks post surgery, I came out of the boot and the physio began and I returned to work.

I am now just under 6 months post surgery. I have NO PAIN. My normal activities of daily living are no longer affected. I can go out with my children, walk the dog without pain. I have been cycling (last ride was 80km). Yesterday I started a 0-5km running programme and I actually ran for 6 minutes!

The surgery has been life-changing. Yes, there is still a lot of work to do, but it feels like I have got my life back. I am no longer depressed, grumpy and tired the whole time.

So my advice :

If you are going to have the surgery, prepared well to minimise any disruption. Try to ensure that you have psychological support throughout (for me, this was a Psychiatrist).

If you have had the surgery and are post-op, stick in there. It may be frustrating now, but in the medium-longer term, you will realise it was well worth the investment!