building progress

[Bernadette]

Good luck with your recovery! Elevate, elevate, elevate.

thanks and yes, yes, yes!!!!! im sooooo very cautious with my new ankle..its the catalyst to an improved life and the opportunity to get back a lot of lost physical conditioning and finally achieving my ambition to finish my boat!

[Stiletto]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Bernadette.

[Powerwagon]

Good luck on your recovery!

[Hwyl]

Good luck with your recovery, Bern.

[StevenBauer]

Good news! Hoping for a speedy recovery.

[stromborg]

I had to go look it up because while I know a lot of folks with new hips and knees I'd never heard of an ankle replacement.

Pretty cool prosthetic.

I hope your recovery goes well!

[Bernadette]

Thanks again for all the kind thoughts chaps...

I got home yesterday after an awful flight...sitting upright in a cramped position with the moon boot on feeling my foot swell up wasn't much fun. Happy to say though, the QANTAS team did a great job of making my life just that bit easier traversing the airport/s etc on a wheelchair! Nice also to have QANTAS club membership once again to enjoy to some degree, the relative clam and comfort of the lounge. The 'QANTAS only' Security Check Point at Brisbane airport was a bonus for hassle free flight clearance.

I think Ive picked up some sort of viral URTI though so Im not feeling as brilliant as I could be today.

Otherwise, the ankle is improving; as in less pain today. Getting around on crutches has awoken a number of disused upper chest/back muscles. I think Ive got a relatively good level of residual physical fitness so Im not suffering too badly there.

Steve, check out the Wright Infinity with Adaptis Technology prosthesis. That is what Ive got now. I tried to upload the photo/link but unsuccessful.
It been quite interesting speaking with people about the ankle: for the most part, many aren't aware that ankle joints can get replaced.

I got so excited today thinking about my "new" ankle. Going to have to give "it" a name!

[Canoeyawl]

You could go with Japanese: "Talus-San"

[Bruce Brown]

you go girl! Rehab should be easier with an ankle than further up the leg!

[Bernadette]

you go girl! Rehab should be easier with an ankle than further up the leg!

I have wondered about that Bruce.

My ankle dangles at the end of my leg so I guess Im fortunate in that regard...not sure how people get on with hips and knees. I have a hunch the stay in hospital post knee or hip replacement might be longer and mobility issues might be more pronounced.
I have a new found respect for much older people who require hip and knee replacements or for those that fracture a hip; really do so well to recover and get out of hospital. I have nursed some people who have died post hip fracture due simply to the enormity and onslaught it presents to the body.

[schoonerjay]

This is fascinating for me as a (non-orthopedist) doc. We have historically seen generally poor results with foot and ankle surgery due to several factors, not least the usually poorer circulation in the extremity, but also because of the relatively narrow ankle circumference, force loads, and complexity of the articulating faces. For instance, I suspect ankle ORIF after distal tib/fib fractures have the highest rates of eventual hardware removal due to discomfort than any other place in the body. Total ankle replacement is new in the US too, and I've yet to have anyone in my clinical practice undergo it (then again, we don't have a dedicated foot specialist in my area). Back in Colorado where there are two large orthopedic groups working with elite athletes, I'm sure it's been tried and the foot specialists there are learning as they go.

Based on my experiences, six to eight weeks seems like a rather rapid recovery time for full weight bearing, ladders, etc.! I sure will be curious to follow your experiences!

Oh, and of course, follow the boat progress too!

[auscruisertom]

Wishing you a speedy recovery and don’t be tempted to sneak into the shed prematurely.

Unlike someone who had to have a Mexican hernia operation and upped the anchor 10 days later in La Paz thinking I would recover while cruising the Sea of Cortez.

[Bernadette]

This is fascinating for me as a (non-orthopedist) doc. We have historically seen generally poor results with foot and ankle surgery due to several factors, not least the usually poorer circulation in the extremity, but also because of the relatively narrow ankle circumference, force loads, and complexity of the articulating faces. For instance, I suspect ankle ORIF after distal tib/fib fractures have the highest rates of eventual hardware removal due to discomfort than any other place in the body. Total ankle replacement is new in the US too, and I've yet to have anyone in my clinical practice undergo it (then again, we don't have a dedicated foot specialist in my area). Back in Colorado where there are two large orthopedic groups working with elite athletes, I'm sure it's been tried and the foot specialists there are learning as they go.

Based on my experiences, six to eight weeks seems like a rather rapid recovery time for full weight bearing, ladders, etc.! I sure will be curious to follow your experiences!

Oh, and of course, follow the boat progress too!

Jay, the world of total ankle replacements is rather large now that I have delved deeper into it via Facebook! The TAR FB page I visit is USA based and constantly updated and as such, the 'traffic' on the page is quite robust in terms of volume as well as content. Lots of surgeons names get bandied about.

I guess it's also a bit of a quasi support group atmosphere but I also find that most input is submitted with serious clinical intent. So many people are looking for relief from ankle pain and reduced mobility. They also want outcomes post surgery that generally lead to regaining or optimising their health that would have otherwise not been available perhaps a decade or so ago.

The youngest recipient I have noted is 41 and the oldest is 81.
It's heartening to know that a health solution is now readily available. Some people have horrendous histories with respect to ankle injuries and prior surgeries etc. And for the most part, the TARs are successful in eliminating issues.

As to rehab time: there's been people who have been up weight bearing within 8 to 10 weeks post surgery. However, what I have found by reading the posts on the FB page is that like any other surgery, it's highly individualised.

A number of health professionals (GPs and nurses) here in Australia are likewise unaware that TAR is an option. Everyone knows about hips and knees but surely not ankles!!!!!!?????
I feel somewhat of a pioneer as TARs are essentially unheard of up my way.

[ulav8r]

Don't know about ankles but my sister (69 yrs age) had hip replacement nearly 2 wks ago. Today said she had pain for 2 days. Doing rehab therapy once a week for 5 more weeks. Feels like she could drive now but still has a little trouble lifting her leg to get in the car but can tell it is getting stronger. Hope your recovery goes as well.

[Bernadette]

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day 19 post op. doing well.
xray has a lot of artefact in it as I had to take a photo of the film.
physio started but my joint is very stiff and im sure it will take some time to see real gains.
all up though, im pretty satisfied with my surgery.
I can partial weight bear to 30 % (however that is measured!!??) on my foot when in the moon boot and using crutches.

[cstevens]

Looking good Bernadette. I'm day 10 post-op for coronary artery bypass and my chest looks like your shin and ankle. I'm not looking forward to the PT phase but it must be done.

[Hugh MacD]

Keep up the physio, Bernadette I'm 60 days after a new knee and the PT is doing wonders. I was delayed in starting due to some other issues, but boy, does it help!

[dalekidd]

That nail polish is a nice touch. I like it! Hope your rehab goes well!!!

[schoonerjay]

Not only hips, knees, and ankles, but shoulder (and reverse shoulder) and wrist replacements exist too! The shoulder replacements are quite common but unfortunately are quite life-limiting - pain reduction/elimination is often the goal rather than range of motion/function.

We're on our way to a bionic society!

[Bernadette]

Not only hips, knees, and ankles, but shoulder (and reverse shoulder) and wrist replacements exist too! The shoulder replacements are quite common but unfortunately are quite life-limiting - pain reduction/elimination is often the goal rather than range of motion/function.

We're on our way to a bionic society!

Yes thats true. What a godsend though! I always thought joint replacements were for "those other people" and never myself! Im very grateful to the surgeons and engineers and other smart people who have spent time developing joint prosthesis. My ankle prosthesis was 3D printed and people who have issues with the next bone down (i.e. calcaneous) can now get that 3D printed if they require. It all seems rather simplified these days.

I recall working in Operating Theatres replacing knee and hip joints. It was a matter of having on hand a number of differing size prosthesis for the surgeon to have at his disposal to choose from. All this despite having taken time to scrutinise and measure the joint on xray films prior to surgery.

[Andrew Donald]

Who knows next they’ll be making plastic boats

[Geftb]

I have had 50% movement in my left wrist for 30 years. Be good to get full range and strength back.
All the best with your healing Bernadette!