I referenced my pending ankle ligament surgery in my last couple travel-related posts. Well, I had the surgery yesterday at Aspen Valley Hospital; I’m back home recovering; and there’s no immediate travel in my future, thanks to the biggest, fattest cast ever and no weight-bearing on my right leg for at least a month.
Good times.
But, honestly, I’m so glad I had this surgery done. It was time. I’d sprained it pretty badly in the summer of 2018 — after having torn some ligaments with multiple sprains as a kid. I’ve always had “weak ankles,” rolling them often when tripping on the street or hiking on uneven grounds. So this ankle was in rough shape.
Three-and-a-half years ago I sought multiple doctors’ opinions on what to do about the ankle pain and instability. Three foot-and-ankle surgeons who looked at my X-rays and MRI, and examined my foot, and listened to my symptoms, all suggested I could do this surgery then to decrease my pain and stabilize my ankle.
I decided to go with the a suggested less invasive route. I did physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the torn ligaments, thus compensating for ligaments that simply weren’t holding my ankle up straight. I got a custom-made, super-sturdy ankle brace to wear when doing any sort of activity, from a significant amount of walking and hiking to spinning and strength training. Other instructions: no jumping, no super-long hikes (they just hurt to much after about 5 miles), plus ice and elevate when I overdo it.
For more than 3 years, this has worked. But I’ve felt progressively more pain. My hips and back started hurting last October, due in part to a funky gait I’ve picked up to avoid said ankle pain (plus some poor posture habits and sitting for a long while in the RV with not enough stretching haven’t helped). I tried more physical therapy, a cortisone injection and wedge inserts in my shoes to help the recent flare in pain, but nothing really helped.
Thus I made the decision to get this surgery in mid-February 2022 after an awesome run of travel (French Polynesia, New York for Christmas, Galapagos Islands, Mexico) since early November. There was no way I was going to cancel any of these anticipated trips! And I’m so glad I didn’t.
That said, I definitely didn’t feel like myself in Mexico. I didn’t enjoy walking the beach in sneakers and orthodics as much as I did years ago when I could be barefoot in the sand and pain-free. There are a bunch of jungle trails around San Pancho and Sayulita, and I didn’t hike any of them. My hiking mojo wasn’t there, and that’s super weird and unsettling for me. I dislike not being active or wanting to be active while traveling. That’s not how my brain typically works!
So, I was glad to have this surgery scheduled 2 weeks after returning home from Mexico. Prior, I’d done a ton of Googling about the procedures my Steadman Clinic surgeon was planning. He detailed the plan thoroughly during a pre-op office appointment, but I still tried to read as much as I could about the procedures (as one does in the Internet age). I only found a couple of personal accounts of others‘ similar surgery and recovery experience (which I read multiple times!), so I figured I’d keep a bit of a diary here for anyone who might be considering or having ankle arthroscopy and debridement with ligament reconstruction (aka Brostrom repair).
I’m pretty sure I’ll need to SEO-up this post (and my blog in general!) since I’ve been writing here mostly for kicks, not for Google to display in search results (my website-owner/blogger friends will know what this means!). I’d like to be helpful for people searching for info, and also want to keep a diary of sorts just for myself. I’ll update chronologically when I’m so inspired!
Ankle ligament surgery day
My surgery was scheduled for 7:30 am in Aspen. I had to arrive at 6:05 am. I didn’t sleep well at all the night prior — so was up well before my alarm went off at 4:50 am.
Registration check-in, pre-op procedures… all that business went well. I’d had surgery before, and I know I tolerate general anesthesia well, so I wasn’t too worried about that. And I was actually excited about some new anesthetic technology that wasn’t around 11 years ago when I went under for a bunionectomy (on the same bad right foot!). For this ankle surgery, I was able to get a nerve block that numbs below my knee to the tips of my toes that should last for at least 2 days, perhaps up to 5 days. This is a total game-changer in pain management!
It felt a little weird to be lightly sedated while the anesthesiologist went into my nerves in my thigh to inject the block. He watched the needles thread into my leg via a monitor; so did Quent. I averted my eyes.
I was rolled into the operating room right at 7:30 am and found myself waking up in the recovery area at 8:45 am.
My surgeon said all went well:
- For the arthroscopic part of the surgery, he went with a tiny camera in via a tiny incision to see what was happening in my ankle. He learned what was suspected via prior imaging — that I have very little cartilage left between the bones on the anterior side (inside part of my ankle). But the cartilage on the right side of my ankle (lateral) is still mostly intact and of decent, not horrible, quality.
- For the debridement/excision part of the surgery, he removed a bone spur that was the size of a marble! He thinks this was a major cause of impingement and a lot of my pain. Delightful! He otherwise removed scar tissue and generally cleaned up the mess that sprains have caused over the years.
- For the ankle ligament reconstruction part of the surgery, otherwise known as a Brostrom repair (link is a journal article with nasty photos, be warned), he went in via a 2.5-inch incision on the anterior side and cut torn ligaments and reattached them with staples (basically) to bone — which will help a lot with stability.
I was in no pain in the recovery room. That’s namely because I couldn’t feel a thing under my big and bulky cast, which is really a thick padded splint wrapped in an ACE bandage.
I moved back to my original check-in room to finish fully waking up and eat snacks (hooray for coffee, apple juice and graham crackers; I hadn’t eaten anything since 9 pm prior, though I did have water up until 4 am). PTs came down to give me a refresher on using crutches. Then I was wheeled out the door of Aspen Valley Hospital at 10:45 am. Really, in all, a very painless (literally and figuratively) morning.
I am scheduled to go to a post-op appointment in 2 weeks, where I’ll ditch the bulky, uncomfortable splint and get to wear a removable boot, which will be most welcomed! But I believe I’ll still need to stay off the foot for another 2 weeks. I believe I’ll be in the boot for 4 weeks/month total, then move to a brace. I can start PT as soon as mid-March, and I’ll likely have twice-weekly PT work for at least 3 months. I’m not sure what I’ll be cleared to do exercise/movement-wise once I can load weight on the ankle, but that’s so far away, I’m not thinking about it. Right now my mind is just on resting, immediate recovery, keeping pain in check, eating as heathy as possible while spending most of my day in bed, and fully putting Quent to the nursing test.
Ankle ligament surgery: One day post-op
My pain continues to be a 0 on a scale of 0-10. This local nerve block is AMAZING. It’s super weird not to feel my toes, but I’ll take that over the excrutiating pain I had about 12 hours after my buinionectomy. I’m cycling acetaminophen and ibuprofen so my body’s pumped full of pain medicine once this block wears off (really hoping it lasts 4-5 days and I can avoid narcotics!). I’m just feeling uncomfortable with my foot trapped in this cast right now, with it elevated on a special wedge pillow pretty much all the time I’m in bed. Which is pretty much all the time.
So far, I’ve just hobbled to the bathroom with my crutches. I’ve yet to circle around the kitchen or work in my office — both on the ground floor of our house, thankfully. I’ve got my fab nurse-husband making and serving me meals in bed, bringing me ice as needed (I’m applying behind my knee to help with swelling), and otherwise waiting on me beck and call. I’ve got the TV remote next to me, my laptop by my side, and books on hand. I slept pretty well last night, though finding a comfortable position was challenging. My pillow game is strong. I’ve got no less than 7 different ones on the bed right now for propping and hugging and resting my head to most comfortably sleep, work, read and watch TV. I actually have been semi-productive, filing an article for some freelance work I’m doing. Overall, no significant complaints — yet!
Ankle ligament surgery: Two days post-op
I’ve reached the cranky stage of recovery. I slept well last night — thanks to swapping a Tylenol PM in for one of my regular Tylenol doses. But I feel tired (probably because of the sleeping pill) and just meh, likely from not moving around much.
A kind soul I met on our local Facebook Marketplace page (Roaring Fork Swap) is lending me a knee scooter, so I think that will help me feel more mobile around the house. I continue to be uncomfortable with the big bulky cast (which I’ve learned is literally called a “bulky Jones dressing… with plaster splint,” according to my operative report), but I’m not in pain. The nerve block holds!
Ankle ligament surgery: Six days post-op
All good things must come to an end. The freaking amazing nerve block that numbed my leg from knee to toe has worn off. The lateral side of my ankle is achey; that’s where ligaments where tightened. And I can feel my cast pressing into my shin when I use my borrowed scooter (which continues to be a godsend). I’d stopped cycling Tylenol and Advil over the last couple days, simply because I felt fine, but will start that up again likely, just to ward off the achey-ness. I like sleeping through the night!
I continue to lie low. I’ve yet to leave the confines (single floor) of my bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, office area. I tried a chair yoga video yesterday, and that went pretty well. Though sitting for a while with blood rushing to my foot just isn’t super comfortable. Sitting in bed with it elevated is most comfortable. I’m convinced that once I get this bulky cast off on March 7 I’ll just feel better all around. One more week!
But, overall, since my pain level has been 0 on a 0-10 scale, and even now maybe it’s a 2 tops with the nerve block worn off, I’m not complaining.
P.S. If you’re getting any kind of surgery, ask if your surgeon uses the nerve block I got: “long-lasting, non-opioid Exparel.” It is freaking amazing, and in the future I will seriously consider only being worked on a surgeon that uses this product for local anesthesia. Apparently not all do. It’s a game-changer and I am HUGE fan. (Though, disclaimer, I am also not a medical professional, so this is my opinion only!)
Ankle ligament surgery: Two weeks post-op
What a difference a boot makes!!
I had my 2-week post-op visit at my surgeon’s office yesterday and had that BEAST of a cast removed — hooray! My foot was all tingly and felt a bit numb in places, but that was to be expected, since it hadn’t gotten any stimulation for 2 weeks. My two incisions are healing nicely. I had the stitches removed and some Steri-strips put on for a week or so until the adhesive strips wear off. I’m now able to shower (seated) and soap, rinse and shave my lower leg. Glorious!
Best of all, I’m in a removable boot AND I can be partial weightbearing in it! This is *not* what I was expecting, as my (very conservative, realistic) surgeon said in my operative notes that I’d be non-weightbearing for 4 weeks. Instead, I can now put 50% of my weight on my right foot in the boot while walking with crutches. A week from now I can put an additional 75% of my weight on the boot while walking with crutches. Then in 2 weeks, I’m free to walk on it fully, sans crutches.
For now, just being able to put my foot down in the boot is great. I even went out to eat at a restaurant last night! After 2 weeks at home, that was most welcome. In the picture above, that’s an “even-up” YaxTrax-like contraption on my left shoe, so my “good leg” is more even with the boot, which helps me from torquing my hips, back, and pelvis when walking (something I’ve been prone to do, with my unstable ankle weird gait). I’m hoping this ankle surgery will ultimately help eliminate pain in my back and hips, too.
I’d say my only (minimal, given the state of the world right now) complaint is that sleeping in the boot is not fun. I took it off in the middle of the night, and cushioned my ankle on a pillow. Much better.
I’ll start PT March 15 (sounds like gentle mobility exercises and desensitization to start), and then I’m due to be out of the boot, transitioning to a brace, April 18.
Ankle ligament surgery: Four weeks post-op
Recovery and rehab continue to go well! Here are the highlights, 4 weeks after my ankle arthroscopy and ligament repair:
- I’m fully weightbearing in my boot. I’ve ditched the crutches!
- I can soak my foot in a tub. That’s most welcome! Previously, I’d worn the giant leg condom, and then later, once out of the cast, I propped my foot up on the side of the tub in order to take a soothing bath. Now I fully emerge my body, and then I get out and wheel on the knee scooter over to my shower to sit down on a chair and rinse off. It’s not graceful, but it works. And I can do it all independently, safely.
- My one lateral scar is healing very well. It’s all scabbed off. The smaller incision on the inside/top of my foot is taking longer to heal. Maybe because it’s sort of in the crease of my foot, where the boot hits it? Not sure. But it’s still a little scabby and I can’t go in a public pool until that’s all healed over. I’m using Scar-Away and vitamin E on the parts where the skin is healed over, but still very pink.
- I’ve gone to three sessions of physical therapy, where I get my foot and calf rubbed, I practice pointing and flexing my foot, and I otherwise learn some lower-body strengthening and stretching exercises. I’ve also started balancing on my one boot foot — with counter support. The idea is to keep the abs, hips, butt strong to best support my healing ankle. And start working on some balance that will be needed once I ditch the boot and I move into the brace.
- I’ve been cleared to start some cardio, too! I spent 20 minutes on my Peloton bike, in the boot. So I’ve got one good foot strapped into a pedal (I use toe clips) and one foot in the boot just resting on the pedal. No classes yet, but slow and steady for 20 minutes felt GREAT.
In all, no big complaints, 4 weeks after surgery. Sometimes, if I’ve had a big day (PT, moved around the house a lot, maybe sat at my desk a lot), I’ll feel like I want to elevate and ice it to take away some soreness. Or I might have a hard time getting comfortably to sleep. After I introduced some quad/hamstring exercises, I definitely had super sore muscles. But, overall it’s fine.
Oh, and I did get a chiropractic adjustment today, in the boot, which was much needed and resulted in me feeling great! As I said above, I am prone to my pelvis and hip getting out of sorts, because of my longtime uneven/unsteady gait due to the unstable ankle. And that’s not helped any with my walking in a boot, so I definitely needed an adjustment. Hopefully once I’m walking without the boot, steadily and strongly, I won’t have as many hip/lower back issues. Here’s hoping!
Ankle ligament surgery: Six weeks post-op
Lots of good stuff happening this week!
- I’m out of the boot! I’ve transitioned to an ankle brace. I was given a lace-up/Velcro one by my orthopedic surgeon’s office, but my custom-made Richie brace (that I’d been wearing during exercise for the past 3 years prior to surgery) is infinitely more comfortable, and it allows for more plantar/dorsiflexion, so I’m walking around in that one. I’ve got a message into the surgeon’s office to confirm this is cool. (And reallllly hoping he says it’s okay. Given he said I didn’t need to wear a brace at all at home, I’m thinking anything that will prevent my ankle from rolling when I’m out and about is okay.)
- I’m driving! I drove to PT this morning, then spent a couple hours in Starbucks doing some work, then got the car washed and was BEYOND HAPPY to be on my own and independent. (I love my husband Quent, but we’ve been attached at the hip for the past 6 weeks. I was due for some away-from-the-house alone time.)
- I went swimming! I’ve been cleared to swim laps (no push turns), so I headed down to the Glenwood Hot Springs, where Quent and I have a value season’s pass (Labor Day to Memorial Day) and swam a half-mile (26 lengths) both Wednesday and Thursday this week. Yay!
- The scab on my second incision finally fell off. That sucker was stubborn. Glad I can start treating it with Scar-Away and Vitamin E oil.
I feel like things are moving along in the rehab department. I’m walking, with plenty of discomfort, so it’s slow-going and still awkward, as much as I’m trying to keep a steady gait. I’ve got to be patient there. I’m still resting plenty and icing and elevating most afternoons.
Also, my lower-back pain (really, my side/QL muscle/hip) continues to flare some since increasing my activity. While I’m confident (hoping) this will resolve once I’m walking with steady/normal gait, I’m trying to mitigate this discomfort as much as possible. This week I had a full-body massage (sublime), acupuncture (helpful), and a sensory deprivation float experience (trippy). I’m throwing everything at it, while I have this time dedicated to rest, recovery, and rehab. I hope to be MUCH more active and on-the-go this summer.
Ankle ligament surgery: Nine weeks post-op
I’ve made some big strides in recent weeks! (Literally and figuratively!)
I traveled by myself to Orlando for a quick 3-night vacation with my mom, brother, and nephew, and then met up with a girlfriend for a couple nights. I walked a LOT — upwards of 8,300 steps on one day at Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. I even went in the wave pool and the lazy (aggressive) river. Was my ankle sore? Yes. Did I have to ice it most nights? Yes. Am I taking anti-inflammatories all the time? Yes. But I CAN TRAVEL and enjoy it. So that was huge.
I rode a bike! One afternoon in Orlando, I biked for 6 miles on a paved recreation trail, walked for at least a mile on a nature trail and on neighborhood sidewalks, and then swam laps for 30 minutes at the hotel’s fitness center. A triathlon of sorts! Very proud of myself. Was it pain-free? Nope. But I was so happy to sweat and move my body.
I’m ditching the ankle brace at times. On my exercise walks and bike rides, I’m wearing my brace like a security blanket. I do not want to trip and invert my ankle and rip out ligament stitches, so it’s sort of important. BUT at home, and admittedly, a couple of times when I had to drive to an appointment, I did not wear the brace. It’s freeing, and sometimes I think that the brace could be causing more pain than helping. My shin and calf muscles are at times quite sore. I know that muscles are still waking up after inactivity, so I’m trying to be patient.
I’m trying dry needling for my hip/QL/lower back issue. I’ve now had a hip x-ray and have learned I have some calcium deposits on my greater trochanter, which could be indicative of calcific gluteal tendinitis. Oy. Following up with an MD next week, and I’m ultimately thinking this issue will only truly be solved when I can get into the only physiatrist in my rural corner of the world — in another month (I booked the appointment a month ago).
I’m increasingly eating more anti-inflammatory foods. I’m following Dr. Andrew Weil’s food pyramid for reduced pain in my arthritic joints and old-lady muscles and the continued desire to age healthfully and gracefully!
What kind of showed are you wearing with the Ritchie brace?
I just had a brostrom this morning and was told it would get me OUT of the modified AFO Hinge brace I have. Been in two custom AFO’s since 2019. Can’t find shoes for them. I wear a 6 normally and have to wear 7.5 to get the braces to fit! Horrible. And they are so UGLY. I’m short. Gained 20 pounds. Overall declining health. Over it!
As of today I’m using a knee scooter but everything’s hard when your “good” ankle is wrecked. This is day one. I also got a nerve block and it’s kinda driving me crazy. But surely better than opioids! I too have this big Jones wrap. My post op is in 10 days. Can’t wait! But I’m a little dismayed at the recovery time you described. I was under the impression it would be much less and no more braces.
I loved your blog. Feel blessed to have found it. But would love to know how to find shoes or any of the other tidbits you can share. I haven’t done such a good job. Thank you. Encouragement has been hard to come by for me.
Hello! I am now 9 months post surgery and haven’t worn a Ritch brace since first getting out of my cast! My ankle feels GREAT! In that photo, I’m just wearing ACISC gel sneakers. But really, I walk and hike now 4-5 miles, no brace!
Do you have any pictures of your ankle pre surgery? Was it crooked?
I’m trying to avoid ankle fusion (Kaiser doctor recommended) with something less invasive.
My ankle was not crooked — in fact it looked pretty normal. It would swell after hiking and walking a lot, but otherwise, I don’t think anyone could tell how loose the ligaments were or how arthritic it is from the outside!
Thank you for your article! I am going in for surgery in 2 days to have a debridement on my right ankle. I have some arthritis, bone spurs and a free-floating mass (?) on my interior ankle. I literally have a lump on the top of my foot where the ankle joint is. My doctor mentioned that I could be in pain when the spurs are removed because sometimes they act as a cushion. He won’t know until he gets in there. I am curious as to what size my spurs will be?
Your article was so informative of what to expect. I am a teacher and plan to recover over spring break, then hoping I can be on a scooter at school. Pretty lofty goal I know but going to try to get through to the end of the school year!
Best wishes for your surgery! I am guessing (hoping) since the ligament re-attachment isn’t part of your procedure perhaps you’ll recover faster than I did. Scooter through spring and end of school year sounds totally possible!
I hope your procedure went well, I had a free floating 1cmx1cm and bone spurs removed on March 10 as well as a Brostrom procedure. I am doing well, but having some aching which this blog helped to normalize for me. I have not been using anti-inflammatory meds, but will start.
Ice is also your friend to reduce inflammation if pain flares up!!
Thank you so much for journaling your journey. I just has 2 week visit and was joyful to walk out with a boot. Sounds very similar to my surgery. Bostrom, OLT lesion, and bone needed scraping and I had spurs. I have always ran and hiked but have not been able to for 2 plus years. Hoping I will again. It has been awful not to. I just put it off bc it was only terrible sometimes on a daily basis.
I’m going to save your blog and come back at milestones. I have a formal wedding week 3.. hoping for just the boot and no crutches. We will see! Thank you again. Very helpful!!
Best wishes on your continued recovery!
This blog was just what I needed. Modified Broström was just recommended to me (I also have an osteochondral defect for which they recommended microfracture surgery). It’s so tough to think about going through the recovery and rehab. I’m super active (hence my crap ankle), and the thought of being off it for so long is daunting.
So good to hear that your ankle is feeling so good after the procedure! Really nice to read about the recovery, too. Makes it feel more surmountable to hear about others doing it. Thanks for documenting!
Hi love this story .
I had mine done on 4/28/23. I am doing ok . I just don’t understand the tingling and the tightness of the skin and the last 3 toes feeling like they are glued together . EVERYONE tells me this is normal and it’s from the swelling and will get better but I’m scared . Feels like a tens unit inside me lol. Infeel everything . Pinches , fingers running up and down . It’s just tingling and tightness . Did you or anyone feel like this ? I even asked the Dr if he cut my nerve lol .
I do recall some tingling! Like just some random zings – not in my toes, but maybe mostly on top of foot, closer to the ankle surgical site. And it did feel numb there for a while. But I have none of those symptoms now — 14 months after surgery.
Great blog. Thanks for sharing.
How long after surgery did you feel pain free? My teenage daughter had it done about 12 weeks ago and complains of pain after walking too much or being on her ankle too much. She is hoping to get back to her sporting activities soon.
I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t feel great until a full 5 months after surgery. I recall continuing to report pain and swelling at follow-up surgeon visits… and he kept saying, “Just give it 5 months…” and sure enough, that’s when I really felt I could walk long distances and hike hills without pain.
Now, mind you, I had this surgery when I was 52! So, hoping your teenage daughter will recover much faster.
Today, 15 months after surgery, my ankle feels GREAT! It’s been a long while since I’ve needed to ice for pain after hiking/long walks. I have arthritis in that ankle, so it’ll never ever be 100%, but overall, so glad I had the surgery to remove the giant bone spur and strengthen the ligament.
I am 8 weeks post brostrom repair after falling and breaking my leg on Feb 1st (Weber fx) Still had pain and swelling 8 weeks post fx so they did an mri and discovered I tore all the ligaments in ankle….so brostrom repair. I still can’t move my ankle, lots of swelling. I was just allowed to partially bear weight at 6 weeks with boot still on but ankle is too weak to support. A little nervous about my mobility! I am in my 40s and this was a “minor” fall off my patio My doctor said it may take up to a year to get full mobility of ankle back.
Ouch! Your minor fall sounds like it did a lot of damage! 🙁 It does take a while… More than a year after my surgery may ankle feels amazing. But a few months afterward I was skeptical.
Thank for posting your journey, I’m currently searching the net to see if anyone one has had a failed Brostrom surgery and if so how and where it may be causing pain.
My right ankle too was a mess, initially X-ray only showed a small spur but my Dr decided to do an MRI to be sure considering I could barely put any weight on my right ankle ( which happened all of a sudden, no recent injury,no pain nothing , one day I was walking and suddenly couldn’t step on my right foot )
Well after reading 2 pages of the MRI report I’m surprised I walked as long as I did. I played soccer 13 years, I’m now 57. I haven’t injured my ankle in close to 20 years, when I rolled it the second time in my life then once more about 5 weeks into recovery. Fast forward to 2020 my ankle finally had enough. Amongst a million things wrong I had a split tear in my breves tendon (? spelling) which I believe is why I suddenly couldn’t walk. I was in surgery 2 weeks later, 2 arthroscopic surgical spots and then one about 4/5 inches up the outside of my ankle. 1 week spent in the temporary cast like yours for 1 week then recheck and cast for 3 wks, recheck and stitch removal and new cast 3 more weeks all non weight bearing to this point and then transfer to boot for 2weeks finally able to stand as tolerated.
That was in 2020.
So now I’ve got unexplained pain that has returned on the outside edge of the top of my foot from just below my pinky toe to the edge of my ankle so when I step on my foot basically I can’t put all my weight on it but the pain is on the topside of my foot. I know they did a lot of work in there and I guess I’m wondering if it’s possible for part of the non dissolving stitches that tied the tendons in my ankle to have torn? Pretty much a question I need to ask my Dr but I was just wondering if anyone has had a failed Brostrom surgery and if so what the symptoms were? Thank you
Ooof. I’m so sorry you’re in pain again after 2020 surgery. My Brostrom repair seems to have “stuck” (so far, anyway), but maybe someone else will chime in.
Hi! Thank you for writing this. Just had right ankle surgery, Brostrom with reinforcement, and really setting my sights on being able to run and hike again! Also.. ha, just walking to start. Hope you are continuing to do well!
-J
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. The info/knowledge you provided has been very helpful. I have to have this surgery done soon and you have eased a little of my anxiety with the info you gave. Hope you are still doing well after the recovery period has ended.
Glad it was helpful! So, I guess I’m nearly 2 years out of surgery. Walked 3 miles yesterday. Going on a 3.5 mile hike today. Still truckin’!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m a person who likes to do long hikes and backpacking trips. Are you able to walk for longer distances? I’m hoping to be able to walk 15 miles in a day for at least a week in October. Had my surgery in early February. The doctor said that it would be possible for me to cross country ski (classic) in late April, so I’m hoping for that. I had the bostrom procedure and of course the cleaning out of scar tissue, as well as some creation of new cartilage and the removal of part of my peroneal tendon. Swimming and physical therapy will definitely be part of my recovery. Thank you again for sharing your journey. Happiest of trails to you.
Hi! I do *not* do long distances. 🙂 The farthest I’ve hiked in one stint on my reconstructed ankle is 5 miles. I’ve walked maybe 8 miles in a day — just sightseeing, say on flat ground or small hills — but in spurts. That said, if you likely did long, 15-mile walks prior to surgery, I’m betting you’ll be able to do the same this fall. All the best to you!
Would it be feasible to walk/hike 20 miles 12 weeks after surgery?
Oof. There’s no way I could have done that. First, I never walked 20 miles in one stint, period. Second, I don’t think I would have been fully healed, and I would not have wanted to do anything to “ruin” the ligament reconstruction. I’d fear pain, too! But I would ask a surgeon this question based on YOUR situation and fitness level.
Thank you for your journaling!!
I had my first surgery ever. March 28th 2024, had a complete tear of my ATFL ligament and it was on my bad ankle lots of ankle sprains previously and a hairline fracture of 5th metatarsal couple years ago.
Did you have bruising afterwards from your surgery? I had my splint taken off at the 2 week post op. And day 15 noticing some bruising on the side of my foot by the ankle.
I definitely recall bruising! It stuck around for a while. (But if you’re concerned, I’d for sure call your doc or send over a photo to the office to confirm it’s all AOK and normal healing.)
So glad I found your journey! I had ocd of medial talus repair and reconstruction of atfl and cfl two days ago. Did you take just cat baths up until your two weeks post surgery? I have a shower chair, but still feeling too precarious to use it.
I did have a big giant pliable plastic cover designed for lower leg casts that I think I used in the shower. I’m pretty sure I had a chair in the shower and just sat on that keeping my leg out of the water spray as much as possible (though it was protected). We have a very big walk-in shower with a hand sprayer. It was rough but I wanted water all over me, not a sponge (cat!) bath as you say! I don’t think I’ve ever ever heard it called a cat bath before.
Thanks for your response and for continuing to share, Kara!
If you care to share more, what about the calcified gluteal tendonitis? I’ve had gluteal tendonitis going on 4yrs now. I suspect it’s about to get worse once I’m back on two feet and on just one in pt. Has that resolved for you?
Thanks for your response and for continuing to share, Kara!
If you care to share more, what about the calcified gluteal tendonitis? I’ve had gluteal tendonitis going on 4yrs now. I suspect it’s about to get worse once I’m back on two feet and on just one in pt. Has that resolved for you?
I’m not really sure what the gluteal tendonitis felt like – or what exactly that diagnosis had to do with my right hip/flank pain (where my SIDE and my hip crease hurt). My only probelm right now – and this is sort of new – is EXTREMELY tight hamstrings and IT bands. Again, those flare when I don’t stretch, swim, soak, and get my chiro. Massage helps, too! No clue if this is related to gluteal tendonitis, or something else..
Thank you! I hate you’re going through/have gone through all this. Somehow, it’s comforting to know there are others going through the same. Best wishes to you. The best days may be yet to come!
Hi Kara! Thanks for taking the time to write this, it was extremely helpful! I’m curious to hear if the surgery has had a positive impact on your hip / QL muscles? I sprained my ankle 17 (!) years ago, and have had severe and increasingly lower back and hip pain for around 15 years now. My most recent physio therapist opened a world once he told me, that there might be a connection between my ankle and hip/back problems. Really curious to hear about your pain (if any) in other parts than your ankle, and how the surgery has helped
I’m curious about this as well. My pt always said, fix your foot, fix your hip/sij. This prospect helped me make the decision to have surgery.
Great question! I saw at least one doctor who said my right hip and right flank pain would be helped with my right ankle surgery. It was not! I had my ankle surgery in February 2022 and then in December 2022 I had a torn labrum repaired and hip arthroscopy to fix an impingement. It took a year to fully recover from that. I wasn’t close to myself until like November 2023. That’s also when I started regular chiropractic care. And swimming, which is really helped reduce the pain in my hip, right flank and lower back. But I’ve got to be consistent with the chiropractic care, the stretching and the swimming.
Thanks, Kara! How did/do your hip and back pain feel like? I am in general very active, but have been visiting therapists since my pain started 15 years ago – there is basically no explanation on my severe pain issues other than my ankle (at least currently). If I could move forward in time and someone told me, that an ankle surgery would have absolutely no impact on my back pain, I wouldn’t do it. But I know that’s of course hard to predict…
Prior to the arthroscopic hip surgery (and ankle surgery before that) I did have some “clicking” in my hip — which was the cam impingement (now fixed). My other pain (maybe due to labrum tear??) was just a dull ache that would really flare after sitting too long or walking/hiking too long. I also had this very unexplained under-right-rib pain and right flank/side muscle pain (QL? psoas? lord knowns I had so many massages, acupuncture, float therapy, etc. trying to figure it out – oh, and also a consult with a gastroenterologist who thought it might be GERD or gall bladder related???). My point: No one could tell me why the heck my under-rib hurt. But I did do many weeks of PT – some of which was diaphragm related (?!) to get rid of it, to no avail. Also had cortisone shots and PRP to the hip joint… and facet joint injection to the lower back. NOTHING helped. So I did the hip surgery.
And the hip surgery seemed to do the trick. Eventually. But it took a LONG time to recover and feel better. If I don’t keep up with the regular chiro adjustments, stretching, and swimming laps (also hot springs soaks), it will flare up – and I’ll feel that achy thing on my right side. Usually, back to my routine (and good, healthy eating – limited alcohol, too), will make it feel better. But prior to the hip surgery, I could NOT walk 6-8 miles without my hip and back aching so much. Now, I can!
I do believe that MY ankle issues were separate from the hip surgery. (Even though one doc said, “as soon as you’re walking right, and not compromising your pelvis, your hip will feel better” – er, no, not the case.) That said, my ankle pain is NONEXISTENT now. I am SO GLAD I had the ankle ligament reconstruction — FOR my ankle pain (it didn’t help the hip at all). My ankle is AWESOME now on long hikes. I know it may not last forever. I had it at age 53, and was told I may need ankle replacement at some point. But, for now, that ankle gives me fewer issues than my hip/side area… so who knows if the hip surgery actually cured something up there… or if my 3 months of 3x/weekly chiro (plus the swimming and healthy diet) did.
Does your ankle give you pain? If not, not sure I’d do the surgery! For me, I was LIMPING after short walks (3 miles) and NEEDED the ankle surgery. But again, the ankle surgery didn’t help my hip at all, since I still needed hip surgery! (At least, I couldn’t see a direct correlation.)
It’s all a crapshoot sometimes!!!
Oh boy, thanks for sharing, I learned alot.
This is my plan for Monday… Patient notes that at work she cannot wear a cast and would have to take a lot of time off. Discussed surgery, arthroscopic debridement of OCD with Broström repair. 2 weeks nonweightbearing to allow wounds to heal, gradual return to weightbearing as tolerated following. She cannot really wear an ankle brace at work.
I really, really hope that I will be back to full duty in two weeks, because I don’t have enough sick leave to take off longer, and I really can’y do my job if I have restrictions, braces, or anything. Now I have a lot to worry about and if I should do this surgery right now.
I was just getting out of a cast at 2-weeks post surgery, and was under strict order to use crutches and PARTIAL weightbearing, so there is no way I’d be able to do any sort of job on my feet that didn’t allow for restrictions and a boot!! I’d talk to your surgeon and double check how he/she thinks you’ll be feeling after 2 weeks. Again, there’s no way in heck I’d be able to go back “full duty” after my surgery – but maybe your surgery is milder? (That said, it sure sounds like mine – debridement and Brostrom repair.) Good luck!