Total Ankle Replacement: 11 & 5 months Post-Op ROM Video

STAR -- Total Ankle Replacement was done on my left ankle (#1) in June 2013, and my right ankle (#2) in December 2013.  This shows ROM (range of motion) on May 6, 2014...approximately 11 months post-op for #1, and 5 months post-op for #2.

Here is the comparison from my last video where I was 5.5 months out with ankle #1.

For a full set of all of my ankle replacement posts, please click on the Total Ankle Replacement tab.

I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.  Please comment below, or email me privately at:  thecyborgmom@gmail.com

Total Ankle Replacement: 16 Weeks Post-Op ROM Measurements Ankle #2

While at physical therapy today I asked my therapist to take some measurements since it's been a while.  The following are my passive range of motion (meaning my therapist can push my ankle to these measurements) numbers for my right ankle:

Plantarflexion                50

Dorsiflexion                  12

Inversion                      35-40

Eversion                       12

The inversion number shows a range from 35-40 because Jenn, my therapist, wasn't writing the numbers down as she did them and she remembered it being 40 and I remembered it being 35.  She said there is a +/- 5 degree error on the measurements anyway.

Click here to see my pre-op and 9 week post-op measurements.

The biggest difference between my numbers from seven weeks ago is the increase in my plantarflexion measurement.  This doesn't surprise me.  I've been working hard to get the flexibility back and even when I'm pointing my toes on my own, I can get more motion than my other foot (I know this is because I was able to start physical therapy a lot earlier than I was for ankle #1).  Hopefully, as my leg and foot muscles get stronger, my active plantarflexion (how far I can bend it on my own) will get even more.  If not, Jenn assures me that all my measurements, for both feet, are within the “normal” range.

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To read about my full ankle replacement journey, please click here.

Ankle #2 ROM -- 9 Weeks Post-Op

Pre-Op Measurements

If you remember, I had my therapist, Jenn, take measurements of ankle #2 before I had my total ankle replacement surgery.  When I took them, the thought was that I'd be all scientific-like with the comparisons. (For my post-op measurements for ankle #1, and comparison measurements for both ankles click here.)  Here are my PRE-OP numbers...all are active range of motion (meaning I could get to these numbers on my own):

Plantarflexion                40

Dorsiflexion                  10

Inversion                       30

Eversion                        10

Standing Calf Stretch     30

Post-Op Measurements

Here are my numbers from last week, specifically last Thursday...which was 9 weeks, 1 day POST-OP for ankle #2 ...these are passive range of motion (meaning Jenn can push my ankle to these measurements):

Plantarflexion                40

Dorsiflexion                  10

Inversion                      35

Eversion                       15

Looking at these numbers, it seems like I'm on the right track!  The passive ROM should be more than the active ROM...so my measurements for inversion and eversion being more now than pre-op aren't too surprising.  In another few weeks I see my surgeon and Jenn will do my measurements again.  I'll have to remember to take both active and passive ROM measurements.

Anyone else have ROM measurements they want to share?

5.5 Month ROM & Balancing Videos

STAR -- Total Ankle Replacement was done on my left ankle in June 2013.  This shows ROM (range of motion) on Dec 3, 2013...approximately 5.5 months later. 

Sorry for the sock obsession, but I was a bit manic when I filmed this!  Read here about my pre-op mental issues :)

This video shows off my super cool balancing skills.  Or not ;)  And loving on my socks (again).  By the way...how cool does my rug look?  I'm glad it doesn't look as dirty as it really is :)

Last Day of PT...for now

Well, today was my last day at physical therapy before I have ankle #2 done.  I was going to make another appointment this week, but the only day that is available is Wednesday, and I have acupuncture that day...and doing both in the same day isn't an option.

I had my therapist, Jenn, take measurements of both ankles.  I thought I'd be all scientific-like with the comparisons since my right ankle measurements are really my baseline for my left.  Here are my numbers...all are active range of motion:

Plantarflexion                L=40 R=40

Dorsiflexion                   L=7 R=10

Inversion                       L=30 R=30

Eversion                        L=5 R=10

Standing Calf Stretch    L=15 R=30

Remember: my Left is my new ankle, or ankle #1.  The Right is still my old ankle, or ankle #2.

The inversion on ankle #1 is still weak, but I can get it to what my other one is.  Jenn says my numbers are reasonable, but would like to see me keep stretching my calf.  She wants me to do it every hour!  Oy...

Psoas Muscle.  From Wikipedia.

I can do 9 minutes on the treadmill, at 1.8 mph. It doesn't seem like a lot, and it's probably not, but I can't overdue ankle #2.  After about the 7 minute mark, my left hip starts to hurt a bit.  Jenn says that it's probably caused by my gait and did some hands-on stretching of the psoas muscle...which was lovely...it feels like she's pushing on your gut/groin.  Good times.

Also included in my PT routine: the thigh machine – 45 lbs, the knee machine – 15 lbs (just started this 2 weeks ago), the pilates reformer, the total gym (level 5), and table exercises (leg lifts, table top marching, etc).

At home exercises: gray theraband, core work (table top, pelvic tilts), stretching, leg lifts (straight up and side).  Also, I'll sit with my knees at 90 degrees, and put as much weight on my left knee as I can...and then do calf lifts with my left foot.  This is a cheat, because I can't do standing calf lifts yet...mostly because if I try to do them one legged (on the new ankle), I can't do it.  And I can't do it with both feet because my old ankle #2 is still shitty and will crumble to bits.  I know this because the last time I did calf lifts I couldn't walk on that ankle for a good six weeks.  Ankle #2--it's time for you to hit the road Jack!

I know everyone is different, but I always wonder where other people are at this point in their recovery. Is everyone else running marathons at this point? Or are you struggling like me?

Total Ankle Replacement #1 -- 5 Month Update

It's been a little over 5 months since my ankle #1 (left) total ankle replacement and I'm gearing up for going under the knife with ankle #2 (right) in a little over three weeks.  What does this tell you?  That having it done was worth it.  Worth it enough that I can't wait to get #2 done and rehabbed so I can have a bit of normalcy back in my life.  And by normalcy, I mean I can go grocery shopping without having to cancel all the rest of my plans for the week.

Range of Motion

My range of motion (ROM) isn't what I'd hoped it would be (I was hoping I would get to at least what I had).  I don't know what the numbers were before the surgery, but here are my newest measurements...

Ankle AROM Dorsiflexion: 5, P=20

Ankle AROM Plantarflexion: 35, P=55

Ankle AROM Eversion: 10, P=15

Ankle AROM Inversion 20 P=30

AROM means Active Range of Motion...how much I can move my foot on my own.  The “P” means passive...how much my therapist can torture it to :)  My therapist says that I'm still within the “normal” range for walking, but that I won't be a ballerina any time soon.  My Nutcracker dreams dashed!

"The Dancing Class" ~Degas

Activities

I started the treadmill at physical therapy just a couple weeks ago, and I think that has helped me experience less pain when I walk.  I wish I could workout more on the treadmill, but ankle #2 limits me as it is very susceptible to overuse.

Using my new ankle is getting easier...I can walk on it and stand on it longer with less recovery time.  I went to the grocery store just a few days ago and spent about 15-20 minutes in the store .  This was the second “real” outing I've had… the first was when I went to the craft store about 3 weeks ago.  The difference between the two outings is that I felt less sore this time than last, so that's progress.  I'm only using my aircast when I go out of the house...otherwise, I'm wearing my Birki's around the house for support.

Over the past month I've started doing a little more housework, including:

• laundry
• vacuuming for very short periods of time (my left hip will start hurting--probably due to my gait)
• hand washing dishes (our dishwasher broke about 6 weeks ago--great timing Murphy!)
• Cooking.  Well okay, I only cooked once...but I'm counting it as progress!

If you add all this to my two outings, I'm on my way to “normal”...well, my normal.

Overall, I feel like I'm much stronger than 3 months ago when I started PT, but I know I have a bit more to go.  I can now balance on #1 for several seconds.  This will be VERY important when I have #2 done, since I'll have to be non-weight bearing anywhere from 2-6 weeks, depending on if my bone fractures again during the surgery.  Being able to balance will be my biggest struggle for those first few weeks.

Anyone else have total ankle replacement?  Or other ankle surgery?  How long did it take for you to feel “normal”?  Would you do it again?