Ankle Brostrom Repair & Ankle Arthroscopy - Surgery/Recovery/Progress Blog

Introduction

Approximately 13 years ago I was clambering off a picnic bench when I severely rolled my ankle.  The next day my ankle swelled, turned purple and was a little tender to walk on for a few days.  The swelling went down and I carried on with my daily life.  A month later I went on holiday to Florida, I jumped in a swimming pool and felt my ankle buckle under the pressure of the water.  

It was after this point I started getting a tingling sensation in my foot each night.  I could not kick a football for 12 months in fear of causing further damage.  The sensation would be unbearable and would require me to wear a pressure sock long term to dispel the sensation.  Using doctor Google I self diagnosed tarsal tunnel syndrome.  

I bet you are wondering why I didn't seek medical advice?  I was young, thought it would just pass and self heal.  I was naive.

Fast forward 13 years, I now have a demanding 2 1/2 year old son who enjoys the thrills of soft play, trampolining and swimming.  This started to cause my ankle issues to flair up again with dull aches and instability.  

I finally came to my senses and decided now was the time to have this looked at.

Consultation

In the summer of 2021 I was referred to a sports injury physiotherapist.  It took him less than 10 seconds to tell me my ankle was fucked. I remember him saying my foot points in a different direction.

After some ankle manipulation and exercises I was sent on my way with a rehab program.  Having tried the exercises for 2 weeks my ankle was feeling sore, it was at this point I was referred to a consultant at the end of 2021.

Before the consultation I was sent for an x-ray, after some ankle manipulation exercises the consultant went through my x-ray results...... Simon you have a 7mm x 5mm piece of broken bone in your ankle with some detached ligaments.

WHAT! For 12 years I had been living with a broken ankle with flappy ligaments.  All those insanity, tabata classes and park runs pushing my poor ankle to the limit.

I was sent for an MRI a few weeks later, luckily the ligaments were not severely damaged and just loosely attached to the flappy bone.

Next steps surgery 

Ankle Brostrom Repair & Ankle Arthroscopy

I had a few pre surgery meetings to take me through the operation and the typical recovery timeline.  The surgeon put my mind at rest by saying that whilst the procedure has a long recovery period I would benefit in the long run.

Day of the surgery - Feb 2022

"Simon what I will be doing is drilling 2 holes into the top of your foot and cutting a nice smiley face around your ankle bone. I will clear any scar tissue away, remove the broken bone and re attach your ligaments back to your ankle bone"

"You will be in a plaster cast for 2 weeks feet up watching Netflix, then into a protective air boot for a further 4 weeks then we will increase physio.  No driving for 6 weeks and unlikely to be running in a straight line for 3 months"  

Whilst sounding a little daunting I was excited to finally have a resolution to my long standing issue.

"Sounds great, let's do this"

The nurse walked me down to the theatre room, I lay on the bed whilst Highway to Hell was playing in the background (normally I would enjoy that song but not today).  I prayed everything would be ok and that I would be going home my wife and little boy later that day.  The anaesthetist and nurse were talking away and then BAM I was gone.

I woke up 2 hours later a little groggy with a plaster cast on.  I had a drink and was wheeled away back to my room.

A short while later a physiotherapist came to see me to teach me how to use my crutches and we did some stair climbing tests.  

The surgeon came to see to advise it all went well and that he would see me in 2 weeks time.  We shook hands and I thanked him.  I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon.

After some blood pressure checks, some food and a wee I was taken through my courses of medication before being sent on my merry way with little to no pain.... I am sure that will come.

Day 1 Post Surgery

My first night post surgery was a little uncomfortable.  I wasn't in any pain, I just struggled to sleep on my back with my foot elevated all night.  

Having missed bedtime for little boy last night I was excited to see him this morning only to be greeted with "Daddy show me your foot hahahahaha" thanks for that!  I hopped my way downstairs having mastered the skill whilst in hospital only to be told to go away.  All the excitement to see my son swiftly disappeared over his fear of my cast and crutches.

Once he had left for nursery off went Bing and on went my Xbox.  Before I knew it I had lost 4 hours playing Dying Light 2

Around early afternoon the anesthetic has begun wearing off, with my foot throbbing away.  Never fear the codeine has been popped.

Wanting a change of scenery I have hopped from my bed back to the living room. I even managed to put some joggers on.  On went Netflix.

It will soon be time to self inject my blood clot preventative into my belly and settle in for an expected rough night 

Day 2 Post Surgery

Last night despite the storms I had a better night's sleep although periodically waking up with uncomfortableness.  I think I was shattered from climbing the stairs with crutches.  At one point I dreamt that I rolled my ankle which caused me to awaken in pain.  It set me off in a panic that I somehow rolled my ankle in bed and I had undone all the surgeons hard work.  Not sure if that is even possible in a cast.

No issues injecting myself in the stomach with the anti blood clot needle/drugs last night 

My 2 1/2 year old has not taken well to my surgery, he doesn't like to come near me at the moment, it is taking some adjustment.....I feel a bit lost and useless.

I am fairly comfortable on my crutches to get up to get food and drink but I am struggling to get comfortable going to the toilet due to my height and the height of the toilet.  I have been putting off going.  

They say resting with your foot up helps reduce your swelling, follow this advice!  When getting up to make myself a drink, my toes go purple in less than a minute which made me panic the first time this happened.  

Not a lot else to report other than periodic throbbing.  

This morning has consisted of more xbox.  I have ventured downstairs for some lunch and a change of scenery again.

Tomorrow will consists of more laying, playing and film watching.

Day 3 Post Surgery

Last night I went to bed early, I was tired even though I hadn't done a lot.  Surprisingly the storms did not disrupt me.  I was woken up at 5am by my son although I did manage to drift back off again until 5:50.

My son seems to have become more accepting of my cast and crutches, he even insists on picking them up for me.

I have felt very little pain today.  I have only taken 1 codeine tablet and 1 ibuprofen as of late afternoon which I am seeing as a positive.

Not a lot else to report other than laying on my bed and sofa snuggled up. We will see how the weekend goes with my son at home all day.

Day 4 Post Surgery

Today I have been a little subdued.  Its the weekend I should have been going swimming, soft play and coffee shops with my son but instead I am resting up on the sofa.

Didnt sleep great last night, had indigestion from eating and laying.  Still little to no pain on the ankle front which is good.

This morning I decided to have a make shift shower.  I put on my cast protector which looks like a huge condom, turned the shower on, leant over a stool and washed my hair and body.  Whilst it was a struggle it was nice to feel clean and not grubby.

With some clean clothes on I ventured back to bed to rest before my parents came round.

Armed with some new play doh I had some play time with my little man before he ventured out for a play date.

From doing very little I cant believe how tired I get mid afternoon.  I fell asleep mid film.

Day 5 Post Surgery

I didn't sleep too bad Saturday night, son is still a little apprehensive around me and goes through phases of I don't want you daddy or go away.  Quite hard to take when you are normally so active.

He was out for most of the day at soft play and coffee shops.

Pain wise, the cast has felt a bit uncomfortable on the underfoot, I try to hold off going to the loo as the foot swells.  My now dominant leg is aching a little from the hopping up and down the stairs. At this stage I am not concerned about it being anything serious

I have tried to take my pills intermittently, I have saved the codeine for bed time as I only have about 10 tablets left.

By the end of the day the top of my foot was hurting, I am hoping that soon the bruising or swelling will subside.  

Day 6 Post Surgery

After a very good night's sleep, I woke up feeling refreshed and energised ready to tackle what the day brings which was more gaming and watching films.

I feel like the swelling has gone down or my leg has thinned out as the split around the cast feels a little looser.  After popping some ibuprofen and some paracetamol my day began.

I have been on my feet a little more than I wanted to today as I had some builders come to fit a charge point, it was nice to see some new humans, towards the end of the day I have noticed a bit of discomfort which I am assuming is from the up and down up and down this afternoon.

My Achilles is sore on my left leg, I think it is from all the additional pressure I am putting on it.  No signs of redness or swelling.

Day 7/8 Post Surgery

Day 7 - Woke up feeling good the pain and swelling seemed to had subsided and I was getting more confident on my crutches.  I didn't do a lot during the day just gaming and TV.

Later on in the evening I had a mishap on crutches whereby I slipped on a bathroom rug and had to put my foot on the floor momentarily, I felt a shooting pain up my leg and panicked that I had done some damage as the foot immediately felt sore.

Day 8 - I woke up with some uncomfortableness so popped a codeine and proceeded with my day.

Treated myself to a shower and shave as I felt a bit icky from not showering for days on end.

I had a 2nd mishap in 24 hours when coming from the kitchen at lunchtime, I stubbed my crutches and stumbled into the sofa and again banged my foot on the floor, again with more pain this afternoon.

I don't think I have undone the hard work from the operation but my foot is feeling sore like it did a few days after surgery.

Tomorrow I plan to do very little moving from the sofa to save causing myself harm on my crutches

Day 9 Post Surgery

Woke up in the night with some discomfort swelling around my toes.  I think this was a knock on effect of the stumble I had the previous day.

Little to no pain once I woke up other than getting up for a drink, food etc where my foot starts aching and turning purple.

I am counting down the days until I can have this cast off.  I am by no means ready to weight bare but I have hope that I am making progress in my recovery.

The worst element of this operation is the mental side and lack of independence.  

Whilst I have enjoyed watching films and gaming taking a break from work the lack of social interaction and being house bound reminds me of the early days of covid-19.

I am basing my countdown to my cast removal of how many injections I have left, 5 more after today 😊  

Tomorrow there will be more resting up.

Day 10 Post Surgery

I had a rough nights sleep, woke up intermittently throughout the night with pain on the top of my foot.  I am still experiencing quite bad swelling whenever I am not elevating my foot.  I am sure all is going to plan but I am looking forward to seeing my surgeon on Wednesday to discuss my progress and get my cast off.

I am ready for the next phase of recovery.  I am excited to be getting out and about in my boot albeit with crutches. I don't think I will take going for a walk or grabbing a coffee for granted again.  I am itching to get back to the gym.  I know the road to recovery is long but I am pledging to get myself fit and healthy again once recovered.

Lots of elevating my foot, tv and films as per usual.

Day 11 Post Surgery

Had another round sleep, my little man is still coughing through the night which has made it hard to settle.  I am longing to sleep on my side as laying on my back is wearing thin considering all I'm doing is laying all day.

No further mishaps on my crutches and feel as though my foot has healed well. Towards the end of the day though the sharp pressure pain on the top of my foot gets a bit unbearable at times.  

I get up and down maybe once or twice an hour to get a drink or something to eat, not for long periods of time.

I echo what I said in my last post, I am so ready to get out and about.

4 more sleeps until my appointment 😊

Day 12 Post Surgery

Beginning to feel like I am on the up.  Foot is feeling better and I can be on my crutches longer.  

I have managed my medication well and have not relied on it too heavily.  I still have 3 codeine tablets left as have not had to use them.

I feel like a kid at Christmas counting down the days until my appointment.  My next psychological step to over come in the next week is going back to work. I am filled with some dread as to what I will come back to email wise.  I have my 1st physio appointment booked in for this coming week too.  Although it will only be up and down movement for 4 weeks I I quite excited.

Day 13 Post Surgery

Counting down the days until my appointment, pain and swelling have been feeling fine.  I even managed to stay up right albeit on one leg to make chilli for dinner, I was quite proud of this achievement given i have been horizontal for pretty much 2 weeks now.  Soon after I did need to lay down and let the blood flow come back.

I am anxious to see how I am getting on.  

1 more sleep until Santa comes that's how it felt to me today. I've made it to 2 weeks post surgery.  I feel I have managed my recovery well, for a second day running I was hopping on my 1 foot cooking, pancakes for the little man ready for when he's back from nursery.

It feels good to see some light at the end of the tunnel.  

I celebrated inside that I had got through 2 whole weeks having to inject anti clotting medication into my belly everyday

I also celebrated by eating chocolate and caramilk button pancakes, lemon and sugar pancakes, and cheese and bacon pancakes.  If I can't work out at the moment whose going to judge me 🤣

Day 15 Post Surgery

Today's the day! Up with excitement but slight nerves I was keen to see and hear how things are going.

Freshly showered I made my way to the appointment 20 miles away!  I can't say it was the most comfortable journey given the foot started swelling against the cast but I knew shortly after I would be free momentary.

I was 20 minutes early so I sat outside for 5 mins watching the rain fall reflecting on the past 2 weeks in the exact same position I sat in waiting to go in on the day of my op.

It had been a tough few weeks mentally but I was here and I had made it.

The surgeon asked how I was doing, he said I looked well.  He cut the cast off and my leg and foot instantly felt 10 ton lighter.  One slight problem, I hadn't anticipated that I wouldn't be able to move my foot in any way. It had seized up which is not surprising, ah well physio starts tomorrow.  He said he was very pleased with the progress, he could tell I had been strict with my recovery as I had little to no swelling around the ankle.

He gave me some great news, he was happy for me to start putting weight on the foot and I wouldn't have to wear it for bed or sitting/laying on the sofa.... I felt some freedom.

We measured me up for the boot and he shook my hand and said he would see me in a few weeks.  The nurse helped put me in the boot albeit she was a bit heavy handed

I was soon on my way.....

I sat in my favourite spot whilst I waited for a taxi to take me home.  I'm not sure the taxi driver gave a shit about my story or surgery but I was telling him anyways as I felt some sense of personal pride and achievement.

The boot and crutches are hard to navigate to begin with as I am getting used to comfort levels and after sitting for a few hours I had to vacate to the sofa to continue my 1st day back at work.

With a new sense of purpose I hobbled along to pick my little one up from nursery, I admit I had to stop a few times as my arms were aching from the crutches.  The little man seemed to enjoy my boot more than the cast although I have to keep telling him it's not a toy and the squeezy button on the side is not for playing with.

For the 1st time in a few weeks I am able to sleep in my pjs and without something restricting my leg/foot... it feels good.

I think I will be in for a rough night though with some pain. I must still remember not to over do things as I still have a long way to go.

Day 16 Post Surgery

Starting to get back in the swing of things, I walked my little man to nursery at the end of our road, whilst tiring it was good to get some fresh air!

Back at work full time, I started my day sitting down at the dining table.  By lunchtime my foot aches so I venture to my favourite position.... laying on the sofa.  Posture not great but it's short term.

My foot was very stiff this morning but I had my first physio session today and it felt great.  He massaged my foot and manipulated it up and down to get my bones and muscles working again.  My foot was now flexing and I was given some exercises to do along with advice to ice my ankle.  Following the physio I found I was able to weight-bare more and heel to toe walk.

Slightly dispondant that I might be 95% better by September.

Day 17 Post Surgery

I slept better last night, I even managed to sleep on my side for the 1st time in over 2 weeks.

My foot had seized up a bit overnight but I still have some flexiness so it eased up quite quickly.  The weight baring is so much better today, I feel I have made so much progress in 24 hours.  I walked the little man to nursery and got myself ready to work. It pissed it down outside so had to wrap the boot in a binbag..... not sure I will be called to represent fashion week anytime soon

Showering has been a little difficult as I still can't fully put weight on the foot, not because I'm not allowed to its more I can't. I did manage to get in and out of the shower but the whole process including dressing took me 30 minutes.

Work was fine, started at the table and moved to the sofa when needed.  I am currently only wearing the boot when I need get up and about, when sitting or laying it doesn't need to be on.

Wound check

Foot has swollen which is expected.... I didn't think it looked that bad from the top view but this picture has made it look like an elephant foot!

Was not expecting bruising on the inside and apologies I am struggling to wash the surgical pen off my foot 

Day 18 Post Surgery

It's the weekend 😃 this was my day of freedom after not venturing far for 2 1/2 weeks.

I had a really good sleep, a little pain from the bruise and a pull on the wound but I feel good.  

My day started with the little man going swimming, I stayed at home got his lunch ready and I even attempted to hoover the downstairs.  I am getting more flexible and stronger on my foot each day. 

After lunch we ventured out for haircuts, little man was so well behaved and patient with me.  As a treat we went out to Chiquitos as a family, we had such a fun time and it was good to be able to spend some family time together out of the house for a while. Pre surgery my wife had covid so she was quarantined away from us both to protect my operation.

The foot was uncomfortable whilst sitting at the table but not unbearable enough to want me to go home and rest up.

Although I didn't get my little man dressed for bed I managed to do story time, cuddles and put him in his bed for the 1st time in nearly 3 weeks.  

Let's see what tomorrow brings

Day 19-22 Post Surgery

Not a lot to report since the weekend. I have started operating on 1 crutch around the house although I don't want to over do it.

I picked my son up from nursery at the start of the week on one crutch and it caused me some discomfort.  My calf has been so tight over the last 2 days due to not being used for 2 weeks in a cast.  A combination of ice on my ankle and heat patch on the calf is helping a little.

I still have a lot of bruising on the inside of my foot which I am hoping will subside soon 

I am back showering daily which feels so good again.

I have run out of bandages so now my wound is open healing, I had expected that the stitches would have dissolved by now though.  I don't really want them cut out.

I have my second physio session tomorrow. Hopefully he will loosen my calf although I think it will be a very painful session.  I think I have made good progress in the last week, fingers crossed the physio agrees.

Day 23/24 Post Surgery

After waking up in a world of pain with my calf I was apprehensive about going to my 2nd physio session.  I was couldn't wait to show him my progress but at the same time knew I was in for a world of pain!

Pre physio session not much to report, fairly mobile on 1 crutch.

I am not sure what was worse, my mums driving to physio or the 30 minute massage on my calf!.  We kept telling me to relax, how could I when you were decimating my calf.  We struck up a bond over football.  Who do you support...... Manchester United I said...... excellent he goes thinking I had found a fellow red devil only to realise he was the devil being a Liverpool fan.  I am pretty sure he started pressing harder when I told him I was a United fan.

Joking aside he is a really good physio, friendly and careful to what needs to be done at present until we can move my foot in and exerting.  

That night I didn't feel too great, shivering a little after I had taken my boot off. I am not sure if it was due to shock from the massage but googling bruising on foot and calf pain I have self diagnosed DVT even the bruise is subsiding.  When I was walking with the crutch the pain is not there so I think it's a combination of muscle wastage and swelling against the boot.

I couldn't help but think here I am moaning about my calf when there is so much else going on in the world.

Day 25/26 Post Surgery

This weekend has been good.  The calf pain has drastically reduced and I feel like I am getting stronger on my feet.  Still not 100% comfortable but I am able to put more pressure on my foot in the shower.

Little man went swimming, I attempted to tidy the house but tbh spent a lot of the time with my foot up conscious I was going to over do it at the farm park later that day.  I feel as though I may not be far away from not using crutches in my house, although not prepared to try just yet. 

Armed with my 2 crutches, we had a blast at the farm park, the sun was out and the fresh air smelt beautiful.  I am still using 2 crutches out and about because I cannot predict what the terrain is going to be like and in this instance I was right.  Squelching grass, gravel, mounds, inclines, uneven ground I did over do it a bit but I was "careful" trying not to put my foot down when not on even ground.

The next day my foot bruise had got a bit inflamed, my ankle felt a little achey and spazzed a few times throughout the day. I am hoping it's just because of swelling because my foot looked like the a club foot last night.

Lots of laying on the sofa and a quick nip out to costa for a hot cross bun hot chocolate (which was amazing) and back home to rest up before doing bath and bed time for the little man.

All in all a successful weekend but lots of working on the sofa for a day or 2 to recoup.

Just over a week until my next check up appointment with my surgeon 😄 hopefully he can see good progress and put my mind at rest, I am still a little nervous that I can do damage in this boot.

Day 27-31 Post Surgery

After experiencing some pain at the beginning of the week between the incision points my ankle has calmed down.  It felt like the bone was bruised.  I can only put this down to when my foot spasmed in the night last weekend.

I am freely operating on one crutch now and not wanting to over do it I can walk around the house in short distances with no crutches.

My physio session went well this week, pain was a lot more manageable on my calf.  Physio was happy with the progress and has given me some new exercises involving a resistance band 

The physio has also given me an insight into what to expect next from the sessions which I am looking forward to.

I have reached the milestone of 1 month since my op and it feels great.  Appointment with the surgeon on Monday where I have questions to ask like 

• When does he see me driving

• What to expect when I come out of the boot

• How does he think my progress is going

• is my foot/wound healing well

Looking forward to getting out and about with my little man at the weekend 😄

Day 32-34 Post Surgery

Had a really productive weekend, little man went swimming so I cleaned the whole of downstairs.  Foot was aching by the end of it but I felt a sense of achievement.

That was the highlight of my Saturday.

Sunday brought a trip to Tesco, matalan and Argos, felt good to be out in the sunshine.  I have nicknamed myself 1 crutch Si.  A little stop off at Starbucks for an Oreo chocolate  muffin and a strawberry and cream frostini and that was my weekend done.

Now came the big day today.  My 5 week check up with my surgeon.  He greeted me with a beaming smile and asked how I was.  He was delighted with the progress made, after a few grabs of my ankle he was satisfied that the ankle was stable and has cleared me to drive and come out of the boot 1 week earlier than planned 😄

Still a long way to go with my rehab, but I am allowed to do some mild cycling on the spin bike if I feel comfortable doing so but on instructions not to over do it and certainly no running for a few months yet at least.

When I got home I put my ankle brace on and both trainers and my god did it feel weird, I felt like I was walking on the moon.  I walked to pick the little man up from nursery with trainers on for the first time in 5 weeks, albeit at a snails pace and my shit stick crutch and I felt free.  Being in a cast and boot for 5 weeks is requiring me to retrain my brain to bend my leg when walking.  I'm walking like a stick man 🤣

Tomorrow I might take a trip to the shop in the car and go wild.

5 - 6 Weeks Post Surgery

Tuesday (the day after my appointment) I sat in my car testing my foot movement, I did not feel comfortable switching the engine on and getting behind the wheel.

It's still taking some adjustment to walk freely with my ankle strap on although I am feeling better each day.

Wednesday, I took the plunge, sat in the car and switched the engine on, my foot felt so much more flexible and I took a short drive to the local supermarket to get some mothers day bits.  The driving felt fine, I felt like i was in full control and able to emergency brake if need be.  That said I asked my mum to drive me to physio today as I didn't know what to expect afterwards 

Physio went really well.  He adjusted the way I was walking and gave me confidence to push my stepping to the next level aka normally. I have been given some homework exercises and been cleared to use my spin bike....... how exciting 

With a new sense of purpose picking little man up felt a breeze.

Lots planned this weekend going away to the coast to see the in-laws, I will be on my feet a lot so will have to play it by ear and the advice is to pack the boot. 

The Weekend

This weekend has been really good, a true test of how my recovery is going.  After 3 hours sitting in the car as a passenger, my foot felt a little seized up but nothing some foot exercises and ice couldn't fix.

We took a trip to a local farm sanctuary, on came the boot again and a crutch....yay.  I can't say I was excited about that prospect.  I feel so much better in the brace but following doctor and physio orders I had to endure it.

The terrain wasn't too bad but there were lots of inclines to cope with which tested my ability and patience.  Once we were home I immediately rested my foot which was going through some sharp shooting pains.  I spent a good time icing the foot which helped subside it for a while, I re-iced it later that evening.  

Wound is healing well and I am going to start scar massaging next week with bio oil.

Week 6 post surgery 

I have made it to 6 weeks post surgery.  Never in my dreams did I think I would be crutch free walking at this stage.  I had my physio appointment yesterday and I was excited because we could finally move my foot inverted and exerted.  The physio has given me some new exercises to do which involve the resistance band and some heel to toe strengthening.  Even from this 40 minute session I am now walking normally and I feel like I am getting stronger and more confident in my mobility and myself.

I am back driving again and I feel comfortable behind the wheel again albeit I am not doing long journeys.

Today I had my brace on all day and it was digging into my foot a bit and uncomfortable.  It was quite a full on day sitting down and up/down working in groups for a team building day.  It was nice to feel normal again without drawing attention to a crutch or boot now I am boot/crutch free. 

Tonight we went out for a work meal, so it has been a long day.  Tomorrow I will rest up, ice and recover.

The weekend

Another busy weekend has come and gone.  My sister in law came to stay so we had lots of activities planned.  We went to a soft play centre and I was able to play with the little man on the low level sensory items and it felt good.  After soft play we took a trip to chiquitos for a lovely meal but by the end of the day the ankle strap was causing me some stiffness.

Sunday after my sister in law left we took a walk to the local park, I walked unaided with just my ankle brace and on the way it felt fine but walking home it was getting a bit tired and achy.  After a rest over lunch we took a trip to Tesco for the exciting weekly shop, visit to costa and went to the fun fair.  The terrain at the funfair caused me some issues as it was full of stones and kept causing me some uncomfortableness. 

I cant remember the last time I did near 8000 steps in a day especially unaided.  It was nice to lay back on the sofa and ice my foot 

Week 7 Post Surgery

This week has been really positive.  I cleaned the house, my walking is getting faster, my foot is feeling a lot more like normal and I no longer wear the ankle brace around the house. I even went on my spin bike 🏍 

At the beginning of the week my foot felt tight on top and inflexible, on Wednesday I was walking down the stairs when I heard an almighty crack.  The panic set in that I thought I had snapped some ligaments but never fear it's as strong as ever.

I did a site visit this week with work, I would love to have worn my air boot but due to safety reasons in the warehouse on came safety shoes.  After doing laps of the warehouse my foot started to ache and feel really uncomfortable, at one point I had to pass walking up a flight of stairs. It gave me a stark reminder to not over do it. I cancelled a secondary visit to another warehouse the following day.

Physio went really well.  He is really happy with my progress.  I have been given new exercises and been cleared to do weights

• Step Lunge

• Heel Raisers

• Sit down squats 

Wound check - the scab has totally gone and now I am left with my smiley face 🙂

Week 8 Post Surgery

Last weekend was really good, my wife went away for a night out with her friends and it was the first time for a while I got to spend some quality time with the little man.

Activities included taking him for his swimming lesson which was the most comfy on my foot, the play park, hairdressers, coffee shop and seeing the local sheep.  It was really nice.

I did quite a bit of walking which made my ankle a little achy by the end of the weekend.

Physio this was really productive, physio is really pleased with the progress and I have been cleared to walk without any ankle support for short journeys and driving.  New exercises include balancing on my operated foot to strengthen.

I read something interesting this week that made me think back to an earlier post.  It centred around surgeons listening to ACDC to make more precision surgery.  I did have a little chuckle to myself 🤣

For Easter weekend we are off to the Lake District, the boot is packed but I am hoping not to use it and rely more on my ankle support brace.  

Week 9 Post Surgery

Our trip to the lake district was brilliant, I have created another post documenting my stay there for anyone who is interested.  From a recovery perspective I took the air boot with me but didn't need to put it on at all.  For short walks down to the lake front I was brace free, for further walks around the lakes and town the brace came on.  I was a little uncomfortable maybe 1 of the 5 days but I felt great.  One of the walks we did was 2 miles around a lake with lots of ups and downs, I even helped push my mother in law in her wheelchair up hills.  Another day we visited a waterfall, this was a little more testing on my ankle but never fear it held up well.  I have finally come to the realisation that my foot is strong again and I can start to test myself more.  Whilst my recovery journey continues I am now on a mission to get back to eating well and working out. 

Week 10 Post Surgery 

As the weeks pass I feel more and more like the old me.  By old me I mean I am back in my gym full time using my spin bike, bench pressing, weights etc.  The only difference is I still cant run or jump which is not through want of not wanting to.

Last weekend I visited a farm park and wore my ankle support, I find it stiffens my foot though and tbh i don't really wear it now as its not needed.

Physio is going well, I am now using a half dome to do strength and balancing and various other impact exercises.  This week at physio I was put through my paces doing some HIT exercises of up and down stepping at speed, I couldn't believe how unfit I had got.  The day after physio my ankle felt sore but it hasn't affected me walking or my mobility.  The physio is very pleased with the speed of my recovery although still a way to go.

I had realised I had forgotten to book my next consultant appointment so must get that booked in.

3 Months Post Surgery

It has been a few weeks since I posted my last update.  Things are going really well, I am pushing myself everyday in the gym cycling and weight training.  The physio is really pleased with my progress, we are doing more and more impact training working towards running in the not too distant future.

I have hit my 3 month anniversary and what better way to celebrate than doing 10000 steps around a lake.

The scar has healed well. It will never disappear which I was told pre surgery and tbh it doesn't bother me.

Follow up appointment with the surgeon is booked for a few weeks time and I am excited for him to see my progress which will be my next update unless i am running before then 😀 

4 Month Check Up/Progress

So it has been 4 months since my surgery and things are going well.  I get the odd ache and pain following impact exercises at physio but overall I am very happy.

The meeting with the surgeon went well, he has now cleared me to treadmill run and informed me the ankle is looking and feeling strong.

Physio is now consisting of running, direction changing, hopping on one foot and up and down stepping.

I think will now be the conclusion of this blog as there is not a lot more to say other than the surgery was straight forward, healing process went well and that I wish I had had this surgery done years ago.

Good luck to anyone else who has or is thinking of having the surgery in the future.