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After an accident 13 years ago I had an ex-fix for 3 months and then casts for 3 years. I had almost doubbled the predicted time until fusion, but had to succumb when the arthritis went past end stage! Now I'm 12 weeks post op and having unexpected pain and stiffness
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Hi Ness,
Thank you for sharing your experiences with your ankle fusion. I am sure your story will help others.
December 5, 2009 - 10:10amThis Comment
Thanks Ang it's comforting to know that, I've been in the air cast for 5 weeks now and had got to the stage where I was padding around the house without the crutches, pain free without any stiffness (apart from the fused joint of course!). It is starting to ease again now but the mornings are the worst. Trying to fit into the air cast first thing when I'm late for the school run is not pleasent!!!
December 5, 2009 - 10:00amI haven't taken any pain meds since the day after the op as it was so pain free compared to before.
I am looking forward to being able to drive again, perhaps I'll get the all clear for that when I go next Tuesday.
I am also looking forward to PT (I must need my bumps feeling!) as now the pain has subsided a bit I think at least some of the pain is my Achilles tendon stiffening, my yoga teacher, I'd happened to run into at the kids swimming lessons, said to do little streches in that area.
Ness
This Comment
Hi Ness,
December 3, 2009 - 3:46pmI had my right ankle fused back in 2006 and like you had severe pain and stiffness once I went to my air cast from the hard cast and started applying pressure. It hurt so bad that I went back to the crutches and then eased my out of them again. It took me an additional two or three weeks to start walking w/out crutches again while in the air cast and that seemed to help. My doc told me to take it easy and remember that my ankle was still recovering and that it was expected to be stiff and feel more pain as I began to apply pressure on it again. I was in the air cast for four to six weeks then started physical therapy from there. How long will you be in the air cast for? Are you still taking pain meds?
I know how bad it hurts so hang in there!
Ang
This Comment
nothing happened at all, all a bit boring really. If I had then I could understand it, but as I say, nothing!
December 3, 2009 - 10:44amThank you Diane,
Ness
This Comment
Ness,
OK, that's very interesting -- it seems you were progressing in your recovery and then slipped backward a bit in terms of pain and movement.
And nothing happened right before this backward slip? You didn't stumble a little or anything?
I would like to give your question to one of the experts on our EmpowHer medical advisory board. Please hang in there with me for a few days while I submit it, OK?
December 3, 2009 - 9:54amThis Comment
Hi Diane, I am 38 years old, the fusion was between the Tibulus and Talus. About now in the recovery I should be able to walk in my air cast without crutches which I could do up until a week or so ago. The ache and stiffness has turned to pain and the little movement that was left has gone only the toes move, however, I do have a little sideways motion.
December 3, 2009 - 2:50amI have not been offered pt or told any exercises to do and assumed this would come later when out of the air cast.
I understand because of the original accident damage that it is a challenging case, but it was all going so well until this last week. I haven't overdone it and rest only improves it slightly.
Thanks
Ness.
This Comment
Ness,
Welcome to EmpowHer, and thank you so much for your question!
Can you give us a little more information?
How old are you?
What did your doctor say about recovery time?
Are you in physical therapy? What does your physical therapist tell you about recovery? Have they given you exercises to do?
Is your pain and stiffness confined just to the area right around the ankle?
Twelve weeks past surgery is not an unreasonable amount of time to heal something so integral to our bone structure as a foot or ankle. Bones mend slowly when compared to the rest of our body. If you'll get back to us with a bit more information, we'll be happy to research this for you and maybe we can give you a better idea of what to expect.
December 2, 2009 - 9:25amThis Comment