Well, I know I haven't posted for a while, but I wanted to post one last time to sum up the whole process. I got my hard cast off after 7 weeks and transferred into a walking boot. I started out using crutches to only put moderate weight on the foot. That is really the only way I didn't cause much pain or feel off balance. After a week of that I started to walk around without crutches. By the beginning of week 10 I started walking in shoes. It is now the middle of week 11 and I just had my final follow-up appointment. They x-rays and everything was healed well. All the swelling in my foot is nearly gone. I still have a slight bit of pain on the left side of my foot where one of the screws was placed. My doctor thinks there is still some post-op swelling there that is causing the pain, and that it should go away. I am now walking quite well. I still have a bit of a limp as my foot was so deformed prior to the surgery, that I got so used to walking with my foot turned out to the left. I am beginning to build up my calf muscle and starting to fell a lot more comfortable walking.
Overall, I am very happy with the results of this surgery. It want very smoothly and healed much quicker than I had expected. All of the arthritis pain is gone and that is so amazing.
Please see below for my final x-ray images. I put before and after.
I was wondering where you lived and if you thought the skill of the surgeon had a lot to do with your rapid progress. I am 70, and doubt mine will go as fast because I have RA complications. Overall, though, I'm doing well for being just five weeks out of surgery. Your posts were really a help to me and I thank you. May you have continued success and find a good job that will not cause you pain. NC gal.
ReplyDeleteI am 52 and considering having this triple arthodesis surgery. How long did it take to heal.
DeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteThank you, your blog has been extremely helpful and informative! I'm so tired of being in pain. It's gotten to the point where grocery shopping is excruciating. I have a podiatrist who wants to fuse joints, remove arthritis (sounds like what you did), and move my heel. Did you get yours moved? I'm waiting to talk to one of the best orthopedic surgeons in my city, and schedule something. When did you feel normal? If all goes to plan, I'll have it done in April, and hopefully go to Disneyland with the family in Oct. Did you get the other foot done too?
Did you go ahead with surgery. How did it go?. I am considering having surgery soon
ReplyDeleteHey Doug,
ReplyDeleteJust saw this, not sure if it was for me. 2/14 I had just my talonavicular fused, it never fused, a nonunion. :-( In 5 days, I'm getting the broken screws taken out, and getting a triple arthrodesis. I'm scared. Did you get it done? There's so many horror stories out there.
Did you have tripple arthrdesis. How are you now
DeleteDid you have tripple arthrdesis. How are you now
DeleteI am two months post op from a triple arthodesis. I now have 5 screw in my foot. I go for a ct scan soon to see how well it fused then I'll begin to put weight on it. I am nervous but excited.
ReplyDeleteIt is almost 3 weeks post op now. Everything going well. still on pain meds. wondering if its time to cut back
DeleteDec 10 2015 I had a triple arthrodesis done. I'm 48 and have already had my rt hip and both knees replaced. The post op pain was pretty bad, I'll admit it and I'm used to some pain. I spent 2 nights in the hospital. I bought an I walk 2.0 to get up and down my steps as I live upstairs and to get around, it is an amazing thing. I also used a knee walker. After coming home I was totally nwb for 7 weeks. Spent the first 3 in my post op bandage then went into a hard cast. That was cut off Jan 29 2016. The pain was moderate but not bad. I've been in a boot and walking with crutches for a week now. I have some pain on the outside left of my foot and some swelling. I start pt next week. 2 to 3x a week for 6 weeks. I seey ortho in March for more x rays. I think the worst part for me so far was the nwb for so long and the first few days of post op pain. My advice to anyone who is considering this surgery, do your homework. Have a knee walker, you can rent them, a dry pro is amazing, get a shower bench, a raised toilet seat or a bar to help you up, look into an I walk 2.0, stay on top of your pain meds, stock your freezer with microwave food, have stuff to keep your mind occupied. It's not an easy surgery then again none are but there are a lot worse out there.
ReplyDeleteHello Indigo, I am encouraged by your post here. I am so glad that I read it. I was looking for some positive type feedback, yet truthful. I have to have a triple arthrodesis in January and I am so nervous. But there is nothing else they can do for my foot. I have osteoarthritis so bad that there is nothing left there but bones. My doctor speaks very highly of this and he is supposed to be one of the best foot surgeons around, Baltimore Maryland. He says it's not an easy recovery, but it will help the pain in the long run. I am afraid of the postop pain, but he says most of his patients go home the same day, which I find very odd. I hope that if my pain is not controlled that they will not send me home and give me IV pain meds. How you are doing now after almost a year?
DeleteMy Dr is is from Baltimore MD and (Dr Jeng) I am 6 weeks post op Triple Arthrodesis. I agree with the posts earlier and first few days were difficult because I do NOT do well with pain meds. After the first 3 days I was completely off all pain meds except Tylenol and did exactly as instructed Novweight bearing and pretty much foot raised above heart so it reduces possibility of blood clots. My Appt went well two weeks post op, X-ray done, minimum swelling and was put into a airboot. Good luck. I also had same day surgery and then returned home. Grateful, thankful and blessed that all went smoothly.
DeleteIndigo Smith how are you now. All healed? Im scheduled for sergery end of april
ReplyDeleteIndigo Smith how are you now. All healed? Im scheduled for sergery end of april
ReplyDeleteIt has been 4 months and 4 days since surgery. I have been in p.t. For 8 weeks. Range of motion is ok but limited due to fusions. I can walk in a shoe, no assistance with cane or crutches which is great. It swells every day and I am told this is normal and it will continue to swell for months to come.. Ice packs are still my best friend, lol. I have a lot of tingling in my scars probably nerve damage but everyone is different. I still have a long way to go before it is completely healed but it is doing well for the timeframe. Just make sure you are prepared for the first 12 weeks they are the worst... The non weight bearing. You would be amazed how hard the simplest things can be. Best wishes and good luck with your surgery.
ReplyDeleteIts encouraging to hear you can now walk in a shoe. Thanks man. Im scared but excited at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIts encouraging to hear you can now walk in a shoe. Thanks man. Im scared but excited at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long road to recovery but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end... Just make sure you are prepared ahead of time as the first 8 weeks really are the worst.
ReplyDeleteI have a desk job and work from home. In your own opinion do you think i will be able to start working 2 or 3 weeks post surgery
ReplyDeleteI have a desk job and work from home. In your own opinion do you think i will be able to start working 2 or 3 weeks post surgery
ReplyDeleteEvery individual is different. I'm sure it depends on your pain level. As long as there is a way to keep your foot elevated to keep the swelling down its possible. Make sure you check with your doctor. Hope you are doing well and best wishes. I'm now 5 months out, just about finished with p.t. still have some pain on the outside ankle joint and swelling. My ortho says it's a long recovery and will swell for up to a year or more. I had the triple arthrodesis along with bone graphs and had bone spurs removed. I do know it can take at least a year sometimes two for bone grafts to totally take. All in all I guess it could be worse.
ReplyDeleteEvery individual is different. I'm sure it depends on your pain level. As long as there is a way to keep your foot elevated to keep the swelling down its possible. Make sure you check with your doctor. Hope you are doing well and best wishes. I'm now 5 months out, just about finished with p.t. still have some pain on the outside ankle joint and swelling. My ortho says it's a long recovery and will swell for up to a year or more. I had the triple arthrodesis along with bone graphs and had bone spurs removed. I do know it can take at least a year sometimes two for bone grafts to totally take. All in all I guess it could be worse.
ReplyDeleteFinally had surgery last week. Stayed in hospital for 3 nights. Second night was the worst after the nerve block worn out. It took time to control the pain. It has been 7 days now and the pain is not bad. Taking tilanol #3 evéry 5 to six hours. Controlling swelling is a challenge
ReplyDeleteFinally had surgery last week. Stayed in hospital for 3 nights. Second night was the worst after the nerve block worn out. It took time to control the pain. It has been 7 days now and the pain is not bad. Taking tilanol #3 evéry 5 to six hours. Controlling swelling is a challenge
ReplyDeleteI still have swelling daily almost 6 months Later. Glad to hear you're doing well.
ReplyDeleteHow about pain meds. How long were you on prescription pain meds.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIts now the 4th week post op and i have episodes of sharp pain in my toes. Not sure if its nerve pain. Sometimes it difficult to find a comfortable position especialy bed time. Is this common
ReplyDeleteI still have sharp pains...sometimes in my ankle, or in my toes, sometimes in my scars, sometimes my scars burn or tingle...I'm guessing mine is nerve pain. I'm 6 months post op.. The recovery time from this surgery I was told is up to a year.. I still have swelling. To be safe you should consult your ortho.. As for finding a comfortable position, especially in bed, that was impossible until about week 9for me... Hope you feel better..
ReplyDeleteIt has been 5 weeks now. Got the hard cast off now in a boot. Stabing pain under the toes. The pain is unbearable. One incision still not properly healed.
ReplyDeleteIt has been 5 weeks now. Got the hard cast off now in a boot. Stabing pain under the toes. The pain is unbearable. One incision still not properly healed.
ReplyDeleteThis is week 12 and I am on 50% weight bearing. My surgeon is expecting me to be full weight bearing in 2 weeks time. Im struggling to go past 50% with cratches. Been on 50% for the past 3 weeks. Do I just ditch the cratches to get to 100% WB. Any suggestion
ReplyDeleteHi Doug, I was just wanting to talk to someone who had this triple arthrodesis surgery done. I am scheduled to have this done in Baltimore, MD which is about 60 miles from my home on January 30, 2017. I am very nervous! It sounds like you were doing much better in August. How are you doing now that it is November? I'm not sure how I got onto this blog, just looking up blogs to speak to people and I'm not sure that I will find it again, but I did sign in under my google account which I don't use, sorry to keep going on and on, but we could email if you are okay with that. My email address is christiew5@verizon.net. I really appreciate your input. Thanks a lot!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehi, this is for anyone who is interested in answering that has had this surgery performed. what is your age and can you speak to why you needed this surgery? how physically active were you before and are you now? what do you feel better or worse as a result of this surgery? more stiffness but less pain? if i needed to have this surgery, would i be able to ride a bike? how about rock climb? running? standing for long periods? i am a physically active person and am curious to know what my future might potentially look like. please and thanks in advance!
ReplyDeleteHmm, you could still ride a bike. You shouldn’t be able to run, as you need to have side to side motion. I love going to the Oregon coast, and I was dismayed when my surgeon said it would be really hard to walk on the sand, due to not being able to have side to side movement. I can’t do it, but I strongly resemble C-3PO
DeleteWait, that should say that I CAN walk on the sand, but it is difficult.
DeleteAs far as you’re other questions, I’m a chubby 46 yr old female who had severely flat feet. I’ve had triple arthrodesis surgery on both feet. You don’t realize how much you moved your feet side to side, until you lose it. I feel like I walk like a robot. I think rockclimbing would be really hard to be honest. Any change in surface, is really hard. As active as you are, if you can live with your current pain, I wouldn’t have this surgery.
DeleteDoug, I’m sorry I just saw this. I’ve actually had both feet done now. I really don’t know what I think. I definitely recommend doing physical therapy afterwards. I feel like now I walk on the outsides of my feet, like my arch is too big now. I have to remind myself how bad it used to be.
ReplyDelete55 year old male with osteo-arthritis in my right foot, fit but overweight - bad combination for leg joints. Talus "bare and scarred". Triple artheodesis on Feb 15th. Hurt a lot for 24 hours after nerve block wore off and has been almost pain free since. Put a big stack of books under the end of my mattress to keep foot elevated above my pelvis. Swelling went down within 72 hours, but returns quickly if I sit normally, however a 30 minute lie down on the bed resolves it.
ReplyDeleteGetting nimble on the crutches now. Follow up appointment at the end of March.
I seem to have got off lightly !
47 yrs old . same old story. very active getting worse. this is the most it has hurt in a long time. 24hrs non stop for months. surgeon said triple arth with cotton osteotomy and Achilles lengthening. both feet. scans etc show very high arthritis and feet are just blown out lol. I think I might be at the end of just grit your teeth and keep moving. as others I fear doing this and it not working. dr told me he doesn't see how I do what I do for so long and I need a job/lifestyle change lol. negative. I really cant decide if I ll do it until I see more positive results. hope you guys feel better.
ReplyDelete