HI All
I have had a fused ankle for about 19 years. I went back to work (plumber/gasfitter) the day after I came out of the cast (3 months then). I concentrated on learning to walk without a limp and having my foot straight as I walked so as not to trigger any back problems. I had no expectation of the ankle but after 5 years of severe pain from an accident I still say I would rather have had a wooden broomstick leg than go through the 5 years again. I am amazed at the progression I went through over time. One of the major steps was to be able to lift my heel off the floor by flexing the rest of the foot. This small movement was a massive step in the strengh of the foot and allowed me to run and even short sprints. After about 5 years I was able to make 5 day tramps in rugged backcountry (New Zealand) without holding the other 3 guys up. This was a Search and Rescue exercise and I started with a 24Kg pack on day one. I also started hunting and tramping again at this time and often culled goats on farms in the district which sometimes meant a sustained jog when chasing a mob of goats around the hills. I have had no problem with any of the outher joints on that leg - knee, hip, tarsels, etc. Before getting back into the bush I took up sea kayaking which I am still into in a big way often doing 12-14 day trips with a mate, and more recently kayak fishing.
I did look after the ankle for many years but other than not being able to stretch it - yes it ruins a big full body stretch... Like a cat... and being able to stand on tiptoe, the ankle has not stopped me doing anything. The only drawback was I went through a lot of footwear. Usually replacing them after 4 to 6 weeks. I tried sports shoes with shock absorbing soles ($340.00 NZ dollars) and destroyed them in a weekend. I found tramping boots and tradesman workboots lasted the best - other than soft rubber jandels (flip flops?) which are still my favourite footwear. I was amazed how my calf muscle wasted away on the fused ankle leg.
But, due to another accident 3 years ago I had my other abkly fused a year ago... and having two fused ankles is totally different to only having one. I did not realise how much work my "good" leg was dong. I used to mostly weightbear on the good leg and now I can't stand for very long.
The ankle fusions are pain free but the soles of my feet get so sore, especially the heels. Not just the impact point but the pads under the heels. I also get pain up the base of the fibula and the tendons (?) alongside. I have just had to stop working due to the pain and destroying shoes within 2 weeks, one pair in 3 days. I crush the heels then the front of the sole on the outside which makes the sole soft and the boots/shoes slope to the outside. The orthotists herer have tried modifying them by inserting wedges but this is just making my feet sorer. The job I was doing was a salesman in a light engineering workshop and I was on my feet most of the day on a concrete floor so no wonder I had difficulty - I stuck it out for 9 months. Standing on faulty footwear for so long I am sure has made the outwards roll of my feet more pronounced.
With the second fusion I went to a Phisyo who used Pilates as the basis for her treatment and I am impressed with the early progress I made, as well as watching others massive improvement too. I also find that deep professional massage, and not just a rub, helps somewhat with the pain. I get relief the next day which is even better the following day but the effects slowly wear off.
The fibula was cut on the first fusion but was left complete on the second, so obviously two techniques were used.
I definately have an expectation of the second fused ankle that I did not have on the first and progress seems slow although I have been told it is early days yet. I make a fool of myself when I try to run as I cannot push off with my ankles. I get very sore if I walk any distance, although it is much easier off the concrete and footpaths. I have been out for a couple of short hunts which were sucessful, I came home with a stag each time, although I had to rely on someone else to bring the meat out. I still have the kayaking and am not in HQ for search and rescue, so I am still cative and plan to get more so.
Yes I have put on weight as someone else mentioned - and I hate it. I am also worried about the future job prospects.
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HI All
I have had a fused ankle for about 19 years. I went back to work (plumber/gasfitter) the day after I came out of the cast (3 months then). I concentrated on learning to walk without a limp and having my foot straight as I walked so as not to trigger any back problems. I had no expectation of the ankle but after 5 years of severe pain from an accident I still say I would rather have had a wooden broomstick leg than go through the 5 years again. I am amazed at the progression I went through over time. One of the major steps was to be able to lift my heel off the floor by flexing the rest of the foot. This small movement was a massive step in the strengh of the foot and allowed me to run and even short sprints. After about 5 years I was able to make 5 day tramps in rugged backcountry (New Zealand) without holding the other 3 guys up. This was a Search and Rescue exercise and I started with a 24Kg pack on day one. I also started hunting and tramping again at this time and often culled goats on farms in the district which sometimes meant a sustained jog when chasing a mob of goats around the hills. I have had no problem with any of the outher joints on that leg - knee, hip, tarsels, etc. Before getting back into the bush I took up sea kayaking which I am still into in a big way often doing 12-14 day trips with a mate, and more recently kayak fishing.
I did look after the ankle for many years but other than not being able to stretch it - yes it ruins a big full body stretch... Like a cat... and being able to stand on tiptoe, the ankle has not stopped me doing anything. The only drawback was I went through a lot of footwear. Usually replacing them after 4 to 6 weeks. I tried sports shoes with shock absorbing soles ($340.00 NZ dollars) and destroyed them in a weekend. I found tramping boots and tradesman workboots lasted the best - other than soft rubber jandels (flip flops?) which are still my favourite footwear. I was amazed how my calf muscle wasted away on the fused ankle leg.
But, due to another accident 3 years ago I had my other abkly fused a year ago... and having two fused ankles is totally different to only having one. I did not realise how much work my "good" leg was dong. I used to mostly weightbear on the good leg and now I can't stand for very long.
The ankle fusions are pain free but the soles of my feet get so sore, especially the heels. Not just the impact point but the pads under the heels. I also get pain up the base of the fibula and the tendons (?) alongside. I have just had to stop working due to the pain and destroying shoes within 2 weeks, one pair in 3 days. I crush the heels then the front of the sole on the outside which makes the sole soft and the boots/shoes slope to the outside. The orthotists herer have tried modifying them by inserting wedges but this is just making my feet sorer. The job I was doing was a salesman in a light engineering workshop and I was on my feet most of the day on a concrete floor so no wonder I had difficulty - I stuck it out for 9 months. Standing on faulty footwear for so long I am sure has made the outwards roll of my feet more pronounced.
With the second fusion I went to a Phisyo who used Pilates as the basis for her treatment and I am impressed with the early progress I made, as well as watching others massive improvement too. I also find that deep professional massage, and not just a rub, helps somewhat with the pain. I get relief the next day which is even better the following day but the effects slowly wear off.
The fibula was cut on the first fusion but was left complete on the second, so obviously two techniques were used.
I definately have an expectation of the second fused ankle that I did not have on the first and progress seems slow although I have been told it is early days yet. I make a fool of myself when I try to run as I cannot push off with my ankles. I get very sore if I walk any distance, although it is much easier off the concrete and footpaths. I have been out for a couple of short hunts which were sucessful, I came home with a stag each time, although I had to rely on someone else to bring the meat out. I still have the kayaking and am not in HQ for search and rescue, so I am still cative and plan to get more so.
Yes I have put on weight as someone else mentioned - and I hate it. I am also worried about the future job prospects.
John
August 11, 2009 - 2:05amSunny East Coast
New Zealand
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