Hi Rachel and others who are wondering how long the healing process will take.
I'm 57 years old, about the same as you Rachel, and had my fusion April '06. Of course, everyone's situation, while the same in that we've all had or are going to have an ankle fusion, is going to be unique...how your body heals, pain thresholds, the cause of the fusion, your general health and physical condition, etc. all make a difference. First of all the ankle is always going to feel stiff...you no longer have an ankle joint. As I mentioned in my first posting, my surgeon removed all the hardware post fusion and that helped enormously. As for the rest of your body feeling stiff, that depends on you and what kind of exercise, etc. you do.
As for walking "somewhat normally", which is where I think I am now— I walked with a cane for about a year, I think, after the fusion. Later on it was more of a security blanket as people can be kind of unconscious about where they are in space and little kids are even more so. I see it now as more of a protection and If I know I'm going to be in a crowd, I'll still use it, just to help people to be more aware. I keep it in the car just in case, but usually don't need it. If I know I'm going to be on my feet longer than usual I'll use it just to make it a little easier for myself, although it is awkward if you need to be carrying things. ( A good tip: I use a little backpack rather than a purse, also good for overall balance and weight distribution.) When I started forgetting the cane and leaving it behind I knew that was a good sign! Also, I think not overdoing it is really important...and only you can know what that means. I think I'm still improving and hopefully will continue. Somedays it really almost feels normal...and then other days I have pain...so again, it's all very individual...but it does, and will, get better. I know this is not a definitive answer, I don't think it can be, but I hope it helps.
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Hi Rachel and others who are wondering how long the healing process will take.
I'm 57 years old, about the same as you Rachel, and had my fusion April '06. Of course, everyone's situation, while the same in that we've all had or are going to have an ankle fusion, is going to be unique...how your body heals, pain thresholds, the cause of the fusion, your general health and physical condition, etc. all make a difference. First of all the ankle is always going to feel stiff...you no longer have an ankle joint. As I mentioned in my first posting, my surgeon removed all the hardware post fusion and that helped enormously. As for the rest of your body feeling stiff, that depends on you and what kind of exercise, etc. you do.
As for walking "somewhat normally", which is where I think I am now— I walked with a cane for about a year, I think, after the fusion. Later on it was more of a security blanket as people can be kind of unconscious about where they are in space and little kids are even more so. I see it now as more of a protection and If I know I'm going to be in a crowd, I'll still use it, just to help people to be more aware. I keep it in the car just in case, but usually don't need it. If I know I'm going to be on my feet longer than usual I'll use it just to make it a little easier for myself, although it is awkward if you need to be carrying things. ( A good tip: I use a little backpack rather than a purse, also good for overall balance and weight distribution.) When I started forgetting the cane and leaving it behind I knew that was a good sign! Also, I think not overdoing it is really important...and only you can know what that means. I think I'm still improving and hopefully will continue. Somedays it really almost feels normal...and then other days I have pain...so again, it's all very individual...but it does, and will, get better. I know this is not a definitive answer, I don't think it can be, but I hope it helps.
best wishes
Kathryn
July 9, 2008 - 2:20pmThis Comment
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