Ankle Joint Replacement Update

[Guest guest]

Greetings Everyone,

Just wanted everyone to know that I am about 4 weeks into my ankle

joint replacement journey. I have 16 more days before my second post-

op visit which includes cast removal, xrays and then a walking boot.

Some of my observations:

- my pain level is a 3 out of 10 (that's about as bad as it gets),

most of the time, I have no pain at all!

- the pain is mostly soreness with some sharp pains on the anterior

(top) area of my ankle (and around the incision area)

- the pain is usually during " start-up " meaning when I first take

some steps or after walking around for too long...a " tired " feeling

in my ankle

- I only take Tylenol for pain and maybe every other day (just to

take the " edge off "

- I am using 1 crutch mostly but when I have some pain, I will use

both crutches

- I'm supposed to be 100% weight bearing now but am listening to my

ankle and taking it slow and on my own time. I use my crutches

as " training wheels " and to make sure I am walking correctly...don't

want to limp...that's harder on your foot and you don't want to get

into that habit

- my leg has atrophied (gotten smaller) because my cast is looser

now...I should be able to get my hand in there to scratch my ankle

soon!

- I have more energy, I'm less cranky and laughing/smiling more!

Well that's all I can think of right now. I'm happy Christmas is here

because it's a great distraction from my ankle! I was starting to

develop obsessive compulsive disorder with my ankle (you know,

noticing every little sensation and thinking too much about it!)

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas this year....and here's to

a Happy, Happy New Year!

, 42

Houston,Texas

Ankle Joint Replacement with S.T.A.R. ankle on 11/17/04