In the last ten years I’ve had surgery eight times on my right ankle. Most of them were ligament reconstructions and finally a complete ankle fusion. Making the decision to fuse my ankle was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make but with the chronic pain, instability, degenerative arthritis and inflammation I agreed. It’s going to be two years this June and although it’s been a very long recovery and endless hours of physical therapy I can say I’m feeling good about it. One of the biggest challenges is finding shoes that help me walk. With an ankle fusion you have no range of motion so I need orthopedic shoes to help me out. I wear a pair of MBTs but would like to find something different that still provides the support I need, any suggestions? I’d love to hear your story and how you are dealing with the ankle fusion -- was it the right decision for you?
~Gimpy
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anyone have any comments about therapy they have received after an ankle fusion?? When did you start therapy? did it make the pain worse initially...then hopefully decreased pain?? What type of exercises did any of you do (or are you doing now??)
July 2, 2008 - 11:34pmthanks for any input!!!!!!!!!!!
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My therapy was and is walking. My doc said that is the best therapy after a fusion. I had my fusion a year ago Dec 7th. I'm doing great! I'm walking 2 - 2 1/2 miles 4-5 days a week. It kills me that I can't wear any of my heels but I guess thats the trade-off for walking pain-free.
December 1, 2008 - 2:20pmThis Comment
Thank you for your good report. I have a collapsed ankle/ flat foot and have been told I need triple arthrodesis (fusion). I would really appreciate knowing how you are still doing after 2 years. so many post-surgical stories are very discouraging regarding continuing pain and dysfunction. I'm agonizing about what to do....
September 16, 2010 - 7:21pmThis Comment
Hi,
I didn't start PT until after I was out of the walking boot (so that was almost 3 months after surgery). PT will be pretty easy since you foot doesn't move. I was in PT for at least 6 months it started off slow (not to much pain) and slowly progressed to more intense exercises. I did a lot of strengthening, core and balancing exercises. My swelling was pretty bad around the ankle so they did a lot of massage to keep it down. The thing that hurt the worst for me was when they massaged on the incision, I know it was for a good cause but hurt like heck.
I interviewed a couple of PTs before I started therapy. Not all of them are familiar with ankle fusions so it was important for me to know who was going to provide the best care. I actually had one of them try to move my ankle! I had to stop him and remind him that it wouldn't move no matter how hard he tried. Needless to say..he wasn't my therapist.
Are you having any lower back pain? I did after being in the cast and walking boot for so long. So we did some exercises for that as well.
When will you start therapy?
~Ang
July 3, 2008 - 5:18pmThis Comment
I broke my right ankle 4 years ago. after the first surgery I developed plantar fasc. and couldn't put my foot flat on the ground. It took 2 more surgeries and lots of therapy to start walking again. After about 2 yrs I developed arthritis and dealt with it for a long time. I finally had my ankle fusion in April. As of yesterday, I just started with the weight-bearing with assistance with my crutches. I am very weary of how long it will take me to get back to full weight-bearing. I also am very worried about footwear.. I am a great fan of flip flops and other other open-backed shoes. I guess those won't work anymore huh? any words of encouragement?
July 2, 2008 - 6:58pmThis Comment
Hi!
It's been 2 years since my ankle fusion and I can wear flip flops but they have to be flat and not all the time. I can't wear anything with a heel but that seems like a small price to pay now. Open-backed shoes are a little harder for me to walk in but not impossible. Just don't be surprised if you're walking and it flies off :-) I also noticed that when I wear open-backed shoes my big toe gets a workout and hurts. You'll know what I mean when you try it.
So far the best shoes I've been able to use that provide support and make it easier to walk are MBTs -- check them out
http://www.swissmasaius.com/. Not the best looking shoes but they do the job. After you get us to them you won't even walk with a limp!! I tend to walk with a limp with any other type of shoe, which makes sense since they don't support the heel to toe movement that we need.
Don't be weary just take your time, it will let you know how much weight it can handle. You'll be surprised how soon you'll be walking on it. I know I was.
Hope this helps you some! Happy 4th of July!
~Ang Mares
July 3, 2008 - 5:52pmThis Comment
I was absolutely fascinated by the videos about the MBT (Masai Balance Technology) shoes. The technology seems to make sense; and, how can we argue with Swiss engineering!
How did you find out about these shoes? Were they recommended to you by someone? Were you able to get a prescription for them? How long have you been wearing them?
Funny about the flip flops - what we take for granted!
I found a report on testing the MBT shoes:
Study: Tim Vernon, et. al.
July 3, 2008 - 6:24pm"Changes in gait characteristics of a normal, healthy population due to an unstable shoe construction" The Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK. August, 2004. (pdf)
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Hi Alysia,
My orthopedic surgeon told me about them and also mentioned rocker bottom shoes. I did get a prescription for them but the store I bought them at did not deal with insurance companies, so it was an out of pocket expense for me. I've worn them since Oct. 2006 and they really do work. It provides the heel to toe movement I need in order to walk without a limp.
In a prior post I listed the MBT shoes and Curves Toning Sandal. I really like the toning sandal and was just on Avon's website and came across a sneaker (Curves® for Women Leg Toning Sneaker) -- I'll be trying them out as well! http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=31938&from=search&find_spec=...
I know it advertises “leg toning” but with a fused ankle we lose all range of motion and shoes with a rocker bottom provide the support we need. Leg toning is just an added bonus for me :-)
Has any one else used either product? If so, do you like them?
Thanks for the article you posted!!
~Ang Mares
July 7, 2008 - 8:13pmThis Comment
Hi Shelajn,
I know what you mean I wish I had a site like this to go to a couple of years ago before I had to make the decision to fuse my ankle. This site is awesome!!
I'm glad your pain is under control, it's rough the first few weeks after surgery. I know 3 months sounds like a long time but it does get easier with time and the pain does go away.
My best advice is to elevate your foot as much a possible (it really does help the swelling & pain) and stay off of it as instructed by your doctor.
Here's a tip you'll find useful...at least I did. My mom made me an apron with different size pockets that came in handy when I needed an extra pair of hands or nobody was around to help me out. If you don't have an apron use a toolbelt they are pretty inexpensive and work just as well.
I us to take my pain meds before my doctor’s appointments, it helped me with pain management during and after the appointment.
I don't have osteoporosis but I was so worried that my fusion wouldn't take either. Always thinking of the what if's...it's hard not to. So I hope/pray that your x-rays show that everything is healing well.
I hope this helps you some. The good thing is you are not alone and you have a community here at EmpowHer to help you through this!
How are you doing with the crutches?
Please let me know how your appointment goes tomorrow. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
~Ang
July 1, 2008 - 2:20pmThis Comment
I couldn't believe all of the people who have already gone through fusions. I wish I would have read this forum before going through my fusion, since I have never talked to anyone who has had an ankle fusion. I have a million questions.
I missed the last step carrying a basket of laundry down the stairs and landed on the side of my right ankle in 1978. The fracture was mis-diagnosed as a sprain and I was told to get up and start walking on it within 2-3 days. After 3 weeks of agony, I went back to the hospital (a leading Mpls. teaching hospital) and was told it was fractured, but since it had started healing there was no reason to cast it. For the next 18 months, it was totally unreliable and weak. I would frequently turn my ankle when crossing the street, going on stairs, etc. In 1979, I had a ligament reconstruction which solved the problem for over 20 years. Arthritis started settling in and I have been in agony for the better part of 3 years. I don't know why I waited for the fusion except I was afraid of how permanent a fusion is. I had been taking Vicodin daily to manage the pain.
The surgery went well. I had two joints fused. The pain was worse than I thought, but that is under control now. I spent 3 nights in the hospital.
I have my first appointment tomorrow to have my stitches out and have my first 30 day cast put on it. I was sent home after surgery with a temporary cast.
I was diagnosed with parathyroid disease in February (during my pre-op physical), so I am in full-blown osteoporosis. I am 51 years old and a little concerned about the fusion healing right.
Any tips on how to cope would be appreciated. My doctor said I will be non-weight bearing for a minimum of 3 months.
July 1, 2008 - 8:43amThis Comment