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.
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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
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