Total Ankle Replacement: 20 Weeks Post-Op--Ankle #2

So this week is 20 weeks since I had my total ankle replacement on ankle #2.  I still don't feel “normal” in either of my ankles (ankle #1 is approximately 10 months post-op).  I realize that there's a very really possibility that I might not ever get to “normal”, but I've been pretty disappointed about my level of progress so far.  My husband keeps on reminding me that it hasn't been that long with either ankle and that I just need to be patient and give it more time.  But...patience is stupid.  Just getting frustrated here!

Physical Therapy/Medical Gym

Since last week, I've stopped going to physical therapy and have progressed to the medical gym.  What does this mean?  Not much.  Basically I do all the same exercises that I did while in pt, but I don't consult with my therapist anymore.  I'm lucky that my pt place allows patients to transition to a gym routine like this and I'll probably keep this up for another month or two?  Who knows.  I guess it depends on my level of progression and frustration factor.

I stopped using my aircast ankle brace a few weeks ago while at the gym.  I still wear it whenever I go out, but not at home.  Most of my exercises have remained the same, with the weights changing for some.

Hip machine...45lbs (same as last month)
Knee machine...25lbs (up from last month)
Total Gym...level 6 (same as last month)
Leg lifts...3lbs each leg (same as last month)
Leg Press machine (this is new)...60lbs
Pilates Reformer...
     Heel on bar squats w/ foot flexed... 1 red band (same as last month)
     Toes on bar squats w/ foot pointed... 1 red band (same as last month)
     One legged squats... 2 red, 1 green band (same as last month)

I stopped doing the rebounder every time.  Instead, I've been balancing daily at home...either barefooted, or with my Birki's on.  My balance has much improved!

Unfortunately, the treadmill hasn't progressed as much as I'd like.  I'm doing 10-12 minutes at 1.3mph.  Seems like whenever I'm on my feet for longer than 10 minutes, I start to really hurt.


Range of Motion
My range of motion is pretty much the same as it was last month.  I hope to do a video sometime in the next few days and will link it here.

'Round the House

Still walking with a bit of a limp, which is way more noticible the more tired I am or the more activity I have done.   I can load and unload the dishwasher, do the laundry, and vacuum (one room before I need to sit and rest).  I really try to schedule cleaning time so I don't overdue it and kill myself for the day.  I can cook a little bit...I sit on the counter if I have to be at the stove.  I cannot do a whole big meal, with lots of prep, and the cleanup afterwards.

Out and About

I'm still pretty sore on the days that I go to the gym in the morning and try not to schedule anything for the rest of the day.  But if push came to shove, I'd just slap my aircast on and maybe take a pain med if I really needed to do something super important. 

Like I mentioned above...I still can't really be on my feet longer than 10 minutes.  After that time, my feet start to massively hurt.  I did make a trip last week to Kohl's to get my son a new suit.  We went in, got some clothes to try on, and I sat down in the dressing room to rest while he tried on clothes.  All was going well (up to get clothes, sit down to rest) until I asked a sales lady to check the back for some stock.  We waited about 10 minutes (my breaking point), and then I had to wait another 5 minutes (at least) on the line to check out.  Holy hell...I was in so much pain by the time I got home.  I barely made it out to the car and could hardly walk the rest of the night.  But the next day I was okay, which is a huge improvement.  Before surgery, I wouldn't have been able to walk for days.  I did take a pain med when I got home, and it took the edge off, but I still could barely walk.

Immediate Goals

Over the next month my biggest goals are:  to go to the elementary school to have lunch with my son.  This was a goal for last month that I just haven't had time to do.  

I wonder just how far behind I am than the average person having this type of surgery...if there's anyone out there who can compare, please comment below!

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To read about my full ankle replacement journey, 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

12 Week Update -- Ankle #2

This week has been a really transitional week for me because even though I'm progressing by being out of the walking boot, I've slowed down a bit because it's a lot harder on my ankle to be in the aircast.

I saw my ankle surgeon on Friday morning and got my boot off and fitted for an aircast ankle brace.  (You can read about my whole visit here).  I'm supposed to be weaning myself off of the boot and into the aircast over the next week or two.  Well, I've been bad.  I really don't like the aircast...it's very uncomfortable to wear, even if I'm not walking in it.  I find it too constrictive.  So, for the past few days I've been walking around the house without anything...at least most of the time.  I have been using my cane when I don't have the aircast or boot on.

I went to church on Sunday with my boot on and then came home and put the aircast on for the rest of the day because we went to my in-laws.  I wore the aircast on Monday to physical therapy and then wore the boot at home on and off the rest of the day because my ankle was really sore and the thought of putting the restrictive aircast back on wasn't an option.  Tuesday and Wednesday I didn't wear the aircast or boot at all with the exception of when I had to go out and drive to pick up my daughter from school.  I know I should be wearing it, but I just find it really annoying.

The best news of the week:  I can drive!!!!  Granted, I can't drive far, or for long, but I have a little bit of my freedom back.  The bad news is that I have to wear my brace for driving...at least for the moment.

My goal for the month of March (basically the next 4 weeks)...to be able to go to my son's school and have lunch with him.  He's at that age where soon he won't want to have lunch with me because it will be the most embarrassing thing on earth to have lunch, in public, with his mother.  My kids are growing up too quick!

11 Week Post-Op Surgeon Visit

Hauled myself into DC this morning...well my husband actually did the hauling as I still can't drive (yet).  I'm 11 weeks post-op and I'm progressing on track.  My doctor ordered more x-rays to be taken and things are healing up as they should.  I was given a prescription for another 4-6 weeks of physical therapy...which is great since I still need to build up my strength and work on my balance.  My next post-op checkup with the surgeon will be four months from now...which will be approximately 6 months for ankle #2 and my 1 year anniversary for ankle #1.

I'm allowed to start progressing out of the boot and into an aircast, which they fit me for and provided me with today.  This is the same routine I did with ankle #1.   I'll wear the aircast around the house a bit and see how well I tolerate it.  I will need to work up to wearing it all the time.  The aircast they gave me today is a size small (I wear a 5.5 shoe) and feels a bit snug.  I'm hoping that it will “break in”.  I had a medium for my left (ankle #1)...maybe because I was more swollen when I was fit for it.  I do remember the brace feeling uncomfortable when I started wearing it last time around too, but not this uncomfortable.  I'll give it a few days and see if it improves.  At the moment, I've had it on for 20 minutes and I'm ready to take it off!  It hurts just sitting here with my foot up!  Is progressing into an aircast the norm for this surgery?  Anyone else have this?

I was sent home with a prescription for custom orthotics as well.  I had orthotics for a short time as a kid (to help with my flat feet) and remember them hurting badly.  I'm hoping that the comfort level of orthotics has improved over the last 30 years or I'm sh*t out of luck!  In addition to improved comfort, I'm also hoping that they will fit in most shoes.  Wearing sneakers all the time is hurting my fashion style greatly :)  If you have orthotics, do you find them comfortable? Can they fit in most of your shoes or am I doomed to sneakers forever?

So, things are going well, and as planned, but I still have a few months left of rehab so I can gain my strength back.  The good thing is that I now don't have the other ankle holding me back.  I can go on the treadmill and not worry about my “bad ankle”.  No more bad ankles :)