Ankle Talonaviculnar Fusion

[Jaycey]

@Lindylee Well done on getting that surgery date!

In my experience take as little as possible to the hospital. Have they said how long you will be staying? Headphones for music as the place is always noisy. I wore the same clothes going in and coming home. Just a change of underwear.

They will give you any walking aid you might need. Physio appeared as soon as I could stand (after having spinal and sedation).

You are in good hands at SWLEOC! Thread title changed for you.

 

[Lindylee]

@Jaycey Thanks Jaycey. Do you know if the hospital will supply raised loo seats with bars? I think I’m going to need one of those. A friend is lending me a wheelchair as I‘m not too sure how I’ll get on with crutches. My LTKR is still feeling slightly unstable and I’m not sure how it will stand up being my main support.

I’m booked in for one night but I’ve never managed to get out in less than three. Anaesthetics and I don’t seem to get on too well. I kept passing out after both TKR’s but hoping that won’t happen this time.

 

[Jaycey]

Do you know if the hospital will supply raised loo seats with bars?

I've never been offered one but then I was in for THRs. Call the hospital and ask. Did they indicate if you would be in a cast or boot post op?

 

[Lindylee]

@Jaycey It will be a back slab for 2 weeks, half leg plaster for 4 weeks and then a boot for 6 weeks. What fun eh?

A nurse is calling me Tuesday so I’ll ask about loo seats then.

 

[Jaycey]

It will be a back slab for 2 weeks, half leg plaster for 4 weeks and then a boot for 6 weeks

Not fun - but at least you know what to expect. Not long now!

 

[Lindylee]

All done, under GA this time so nausea has set in but pain not too bad at all, more like a dull ache so just Paracetemol at present. I was given oxycodone in recovery so that could account for nausea too. Anti sickness drug given so will, hopefully, go soon. Haven’t been out of bed yet as BP a little low and felt sick as soon as they sat me on the edge of the bed and I have a habit of passing out after surgery.

Mr Y popped in and seemed pleased with how it had gone, just a small incision and mentioned my bones were soft. Is that good or bad? He rang me on Thursday to say I’d probably be in until Monday and wants me in a plaster cast for 6 weeks after the back slab is removed and non weight bearing for 8 weeks! Bit gutted about that. We’ll see how crutches work tomorrow I guess as I haven’t seen a physio yet.

Dozed on and off all day (op at 10.30, in recovery at 12.30) so awake now……..

 

[Jaycey]

Welcome to the other side @Lindylee ! Physio should give you some tips about the non-weight bearing. There are special walking aids but I'm not sure if SWLEOC can loan you one. Do ask!

Hope you can get some sleep. That place can get pretty noisy!

 

[Lindylee]

Came home this afternoon. SWLEOC have loaned me a walking frame and raised loo seat with frame and kindly gave me 6 weeks worth of anticoagulant injections. I think it’s going to take a while for us to get into a routine. I didn’t realise quite how helpless I’d feel when the frame and knee scooter aren’t within easy range!

 

[Jaycey]

@Lindylee So you have a knee scooter - that's good. You will get used to using the aids. The early post op days are often daunting. Just take things slow and steady.

Are you pain levels controlled?

 

[Lindylee]

@Jaycey Pain is fine thank you, a doddle after the knees, and I’m just taking Paracetemol. They prescribed oxycodone for me to come home with but it makes me feel so ill the medic agreed to take it off. They tell me I must have a high pain threshold but I think I’ve just got used to it.

Yesterday went better than we thought it would and I’m gradually improving hopping along with the walking frame or manoeuvring the knee scooter. Early days but we’ll gradually get into a routine. For this first 2 weeks I’ve been told to elevate my foot for 45 minutes in every hour and not to go out. That’s easy - it’s blowing a gale out there!

 

[Jaycey]

@Lindylee Sounds like you are doing great! It does take a bit of time to get into a routine post op. Figuring out how to get around given your restrictions must be a challenge. All temporary!

 

[Lindylee]

Really? I did not need a stinker of a cough and cold. I was awake nearly all night coughing. Having to lie on my back with my foot elevated above my heart did not help. I’ve had a duvet day on the recliner today dosing myself up with Paracetemol and cough linctus.

I’ve got no pain in my foot/ankle and I’m a little on edge in case I put weight on it inadvertently. I guess it will soon let me know if I do.

 

[Lindylee]

I had my wound checked today and a full non-weight bearing plaster on. It’s all healing well. I hoped I might be able to spend less time with my foot elevated but was told the least time I spend with my foot down the better it will be.

When I answered that I had hardly any pain they said it was because I was doing as told and keeping my foot up. Apparently I was the first patient that afternoon who had done as told. Why wouldn’t you?

The knee scooter is brilliant. I wouldn’t be without it. I wasn’t sure if it would be comfortable for a knee replacement but it’s fine. I did opt for a 2” thick knee pad cover and it’s very comfortable.

 

[Jaycey]

@Lindylee Sounds like you are doing really well! Just remember, all these restrictions are temporary.

 

[dingo dad]

@Lindylee I'm glad to hear that you are doing well. When I had my calcaneous talus fusion done on June 1 just prior to TAR, I think I remember partial weight bearing began at 6 wks post op. things progressed well after that. I wish you well...

 

[Lindylee]

@dingo dad Thank you. The surgeon said he wanted me non weight bearing for 8 weeks because he said women’s bones don’t always do as well as men’s due to the menopause but he is reviewing it at 6 weeks to see how the fusion is going. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

How is your recovery going?

 

[Annie N]

Hi Lindy my name is Ann, and I am also facing Talonavicular joint fusion left foot in my left foot in November. How are you getting on? The first two weeks of this type of surgery is hard and non weight-bearing is quite a challenge, isn't it?

My personal story is long and convoluted, this repair has been dragging on since delayed diagnosis at Kingston Hospital since March 2023. My arthritis is advanced and really sudden, but the admin at the hospital has gone out of the window. I went to Mr Halliwell, based in Guildford, for a second opinion to ensure that I did the right thing. He reconstructed my left foot in 2010 when I was let down with a failed op for a tendon failure at St Helier. He did a brilliant job and his advice made me feel much better about this long recovery, so I'm booked with him for this now. I'll post my own story separately but happy to offer support if you need it.

 

[Lindylee]

@Annie N Hi Ann, good to hear from you. Who were you seeing at Kingston? I agree that the admin, orthopaedic in particular, is abysmal at present. Will you be having your surgery at East Surrey or does Mr Halliwell operate at SWLEOC too?

I have arthritis in most joints and delayed surgery as I was so worried about coping afterwards but the knee scooter has been a revelation. I hoped that I’d be allowed to be a bit more mobile after the first 2 weeks but yesterday they said they’d rather I didn’t so I must be patient but it’s not been too bad so far although we had a bit of a disaster this morning when my husband’s varicose vein burst in the shower and it was like a scene from Psycho! Fortunately he managed to stop the bleeding otherwise I don’t know what we’d have done.

I’ll be interested to hear how you get on. I see you’ve had 2 knee replacements as well. I read that the cause of arthritis in the talonavicular joint is often as a result of a misaligned leg and my right leg was very distorted. I wonder how common it is?

 

[Annie N]

Hi Lindy, sorry for the delay I didn't get notification of your reply. Paul Haliwell is based at the Royal Surrey in Guildford, my GP referred me there but it would mean starting all over again on his super long waiting list (it was over 10 months 15 years ago). He is currently president of the British Foot & Ankle Society. My husband insisted it was sorted sooner, so I'm now a private patient at the Nuffield Guildford, date is now 28th November. When my right foot was reconstructed I was warned the left might follow. I found out 3 years ago I was severely knock kneed which is the source of all my issues. First time I was nonweight bearing (I've broken the left ankle 3 times & the right once) I invented my own knee scooter with an office chair on wheels. They have their limitations. Last foot reconstruction I bought a knee crutch to get me around at work & home, I could even climb the stairs in that. My husband has just bought me another, I'm older now so hope I can use it but in reality you do need to restrict your movements for 6 weeks plus. Be warned physio afterwards take time to work but it does, & being pain free and properly able to walk again is worth this investment of your time. Sorry to hear about your husband,never heard of that happening, is he ok now?

 

[Lindylee]

@Annie N His leg is healing well and not causing him any problems, thank you for asking.

I was knock kneed as well and I read that these talonavicular problems are often as a result of a misaligned leg. I looked at knee crutch but wasn’t sure it would be suitable with a knee replacement. Have you found it ok?

I am being very careful and spending the majority of my time in the recliner with my foot in the air. I had been going to have my surgery privately in November until SWLEOC came through. Mr Yousaf did warn me that it could be 6 months or more before I can walk comfortably. We’ll see what the x-rays show in 3 weeks time!

You have had a lot of surgery. I wish you well for the next one. I hope it is straightforward and you make a speedy recovery. Who did your knees?