UPDATE on Annmarie' ankle... She saw her doctor on Thursday.. He took X-Rays and told her it is looking extremely good for 6 weeks.. He put her into an "Air Cast" which is a boot that when tied up, it is blown up inside so the ankle is secure in the boot.. That boot comes off for bathing and sleeping.. She doesn't have to wear it all the time, but she claims it feels wonderful when on.. She can now put a bit of weight on her ankle but not full weight.. He also gave her some movement exercises to do a few tomes a day to start loosening up the joint.. NO physio yet as he maintains the ankle isn't fully healed yet.. Next appointment is on March 8th when he wants more X-Rays, and then, if it is fully healed, she can start physiotherapy.. Still NO pain or discomfort other than that clumsy boot she wears.. The boot is clumsy but comfortable she claims.. Gives lots of support to the ankle..
I hadn't kept up on this thread before. That is a major surgery. I hope all will go well with weight bearing soon. Was any prognosis given prior to surgery when the average person can start full weight bearing? Or is it a case by case healing process?
Annmarie has now started walking, but only when she has that "air cast" boot on.. She walks a bit and is fully weight bearing on her ankle.. She has briefly started to put a bit of weight on the ankle when she is bare feet as well.. so far, no problems, however, according to her doctor, she is still in the healing process and mustn't over do it... Again, absolutely NO pain at all and she has not had any pain since the operation.. Some weakness which she has to build back up slowly.. She has started to do some chores around the house such as the laundry..
We had an appointment today with Annmarie's ankle doctor.. He took X-Rays and told her the ankle has healed very good.. No more boot which means she can now wear her shoes.. She can bike, walk, swim, and do stairs.. She has had NO pain at all since the operation.. She will however carry a cane for the first few weeks till she can have confidence in her activities.. Its been only 12 weeks since the replacement..
After 3 months, she will now start physiotherapy to strengthen her ankle.. She will be going twice a week for at least 3 or 4 months..
My wife (Annmarie) is now going twice a week to physiotherapy.. She gets about a 60 minute session every time.. The ankle is coming along very well since she started physio.. She now walks without a cane and can walk the dog for about 20 minutes even though it is still winter up here.. Absolutely NO pain or discomfort even after her physio.. Looks like she will be going twice a week for at least the next two months which will bring her to the beginning of June.. She is planning to go swimming at the pool once a week starting next week.. That should be good for her to just walk in the water..
Just a quick update on my wife's ankle.. She is still in physiotherapy twice a week.. She is strengthening up the ankle and improving mobility.. She can now walk the dog for about 20 or more minutes almost every day weather permitting.. She walks up the stairs at home without any problem even though we have a chair lift, she doesn't use it often.. She started to do some gardening.. The word "pain" doesn't exist.. She isn't sorry one bit that she had the ankle replaced..
The main reason for her success is the physiotherapy she is getting.. Twice a week for about one hour each time.. She also does her exercises at home as well as the stationary bike almost every day..
OK...... Final update !!! It is now almost mid July and my wife has just had her last session of physiotherapy for her ankle replacement.. She has been going for 4 months twice a week.. She can now walk for about 30 minutes, walk up stairs, and go about her regular way of living without any restrictions (or pain of course).... A TOTAL SUCCESS !!!!
Thanks.. The main reason for the success is the amount of physiotherapy she got for her ankle.. Twice a week for 4 months is an awful lot but the final outcome is really worth it....... Thank goodness we didn't have to pay for any of it.. All covered by our Medicare system..
I went with my wife for a walk and she now walks about 45 minutes with absolutely no problem.. She could of walked more but that is what we did and she wasn't in any pain or restrictions.. WOW !!!!!