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In January of 2009, I fell from a ladder and suffered a catastrophic open-bone fracture of my talus. Not only was the talus shattered, but I immediately developed a serious infection and subsequent deep wound. 9 surgeries, 8 months of IV antibiotics, 9 months on a VAC device, and 15 months of walking in a boot, later . . . I am now looking at life following a complete ankle and subtalar fusion (no part of my ankle moves--except my toes). I am overjoyed that my fusion surgery was successful and am looking forward to learning how to walk again! I was just given the go-ahead from my doctor to begin using MBT shoes and to start physical therapy. I am just wondering if others have walked this road before and have any advice or insight. Thanks so much. Anneh8sldrs (Anne hates ladders)
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I just had my ankle fusion last Friday and all went as scheduled I was let go the very next day as long as I stayed in bed it's now been six days and not much pain I'm only taking Tylenol ext and it works for me don't like how I feel when I take the Oxicodin so far so good do to see my doctor on the 28th will post what they say
September 17, 2015 - 8:50amThis Comment
I had my fusion Sept 2nd. The pain from the surgery itself wasn't bad. Once I got out of cast into walking boot I couldn't walk in walking boot at all it was so painful. I scheduled appt week before my scheduled appt to get out of boot and Dr let me out of boot week early. Of course person I am I had to go all or nothing and couldn't wait to get home to get in shoe. I then just walked in shoe major pain major swelling. I couldn't get left side of foot to feel like it was hitting foot everything felt tight. So I showed up to therapist and they werent happy with severe swollen ankle and walking like I was dieing lol which I certainly felt like I was as I forgot my crutches! Who forgets their crutches geeze lol Therapist told me I need to go back into boot and gradually come out. Well that was week ago and now so hard to walk in shoe for more then 5 minutes. I did get my achilles tendon shortened and I think now that is my big battle as far as pain goes. Hurts sitting, laying down, walking anything. Do yourself a favor go easy. Dont over do it. The days you feel good and think you can conquer the world meaning cleaning etc lol you will only find the next few days you are going to pay for it! I can not be on my foot without boot for more then 5 minutes or so and in boot although I can finally walk in it maybe 30 minutes. It will hurt while walking still in boot. Dont sit long periods of time with leg down swelling is sure to come. Try to elevate (above heart) ice as much as possible. Do exercises therapist gives you. Wish you the best.
November 17, 2015 - 7:49pmThis Comment
Good luck to you. It's been 9 months since my last surgery. Doing well except trying to find shoes..
October 31, 2015 - 7:23pmThis Comment
For pre or post ankle fusion community. Best rocker bottom shoes are from The Walking Co. They have a line called Abeo ROCS, and my favorite is the Ashley. They have just enough rocker bottom to allow for proper gait, without throwing you off balance. Take out the insole and put in your own. Been in these for a few years and was able to postpone my fusion until now. After my fusion, I'll be back in them.
December 2, 2016 - 2:31pmThis Comment
To the person offerering encouragement. (Can't figure out how this forum
works. Tried logging in, etc.)
Since you ended up in a good place, I am wondering about recovery.
Was atrophy bad? Did you need therapy to get "working" again? What
about the beginning? WHat was that experience?
ALan
September 16, 2015 - 12:48pmThis Comment
Hi. It's 9/15/15. Broke my fibula on 7/1/14. Fixed and healed with a plate and
8 screws. Seemed fine. Had hardware removed 3/9/15 cause I could feel it.
Simultaneous to this my ankle was starting to scream with pain. Of course the
ortho people ignored. Got in. Xray maybe in April and it was all arthritic.
Been on perks since then. Got the boot. And you can feel/sense it is getting worse,
or no better. I'm 59 now. Workmans comp.
Finally decided to get fusion cause always hurts and I just limp. Fusion is on 10/9/15.
In less than a month. The arthritis did not show up on the hardware removal on march 9th,
but did later. I had what I call a "twist fracture" where my foot slid under me and probably
ground into the cariledge and killed it. Now I limp and take drugs.
Most of the people that I see post on here have had severe car accidents, fallen from planes. etc
etc. My thing seems pretty straight forward. basic and simple. I have an ankle specialist with
30 years experience that I've been told the best.
Didn't expect this. I'm ready for my vacation. All set up here. Just want no pain and to be able
to get around. No running, jumping, chandelers.
Should I expect the best? Will I get better?
Alan
September 15, 2015 - 6:46pmThis Comment
I went to a Dr. Roger Mann. He cleans up a lot of messes that others can't fix.. I'm better, just have to find shoes with rocker motion. Good luck
October 31, 2015 - 7:31pmThis Comment
I originally wrote this question after having an ankle fusion. Six months later my talus collapsed as a result of the ongoing infection in the bone. Eventually I opted to have an amputation and have now been an amputee for four years. I love my prosthesis, I'm able to do practically anything, and love living pain-free! I feel very blessed! For those of you still going through the process of healing--hang in there!
September 2, 2015 - 8:20pmThis Comment
Im 52 years old and in 2014 I was in a very bad car accident were I broke my back, tibia, fibula, patella and completely destroyed my talus and suffered a comminuted open fracture , I spent 45 days in the hospital, 5 days in rehab learning to get in and out of bed ( not fun) I was sent home and spent 4 month in a wheelchair then 3 months learning to use a walker and 8 weeks on a pick line for infections, my ankle never healed and the pain was unbearable I was taking up to 12 Oxi's per day, took a while to get off them and I don't recommended it to any one, I used THC in order to get off the Oxi and it works the pain was gone, on Sep 11th Im having an ankle fusion and I cant wait, I have not been able to walk without crutches in over one year.
September 2, 2015 - 7:44amThis Comment
I am going in for ankle fusion surgery at the end of august. Had arthritis shaved off my ankle twice in 3 yrs now the last one was only 5 months ago so really not looking forward to even more down time, it's been a long enough road
August 18, 2015 - 7:11amThis Comment