Midfoot Bone Fusion

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Following various xrays and scans, I have been told I require a midfoot bone fusion.

I currently play tennis for two hours 6 days a week, pickleball for 2 hours 3-4 times a week, and an hour of intensive tap dancing once a week.

Has anyone had this operation and gone back to being fully active afterwards?

I am 62 this year.

I live alone, and am not sure how the hell I am going to cope with having a non weight bearing foot for 6-12 weeks! It is my right foot, so driving etc will not be possible during this period.

Any advice or comments would be really helpful.

As I've worked with ortho patients I can only say.. it could well be really painful at first post op so be prepared for that and also keep your foot in high elevation with pillows when not mobilising.

I've not had that operation but when younger I had an operation to remove a bone from each foot, both feet operated on at the same time. I'd imagine you'll need a fair amount of physio once the bone itself is healed? If so you might want to arrange transport to the hospital etc before your operation.

Ahead of time you could organise a supermarket online shop on a regular basis. Perhaps ask a neighbour if they'd put your rubbish bins out? I found hopping around the house with food or a drink next to impossible so had a cross-body bag and loaded that with food/a flask of drink whilst in the kitchen and then hopped to where I wanted to sit and rest with my stash.

Washing might be tricky; if you're in plaster or bandages you can buy a plastic cover that seals around your leg so you can wash yourself. Just be careful trying to balance in the shower! Sit down to wash if possible.

Also don't be shy about arranging social interaction. Invite people over or get a taxi to maybe watch friends play sport at your usual activities. It's a long time to be at home!

Absolutely this. A stool to keep your foot elevated is essential.

Has the consultant talked to you about range of movement after the op? You may struggle with uneven ground or fast foot movement in sport.
Make sure you are given aids like a walker, toilet frame, perching stool etc before you leave hospital. You can buy pushchair hooks for the walker to hook a bag when going from kitchen to lounge etc pack up a flask of coffee, snacks and sandwiches in the morning to where you'll be sitting. I would really recommend seeing if someone could stay for the first week, it is very painful.
My family member has had it done on both feet (theirs sounds a little more complex than yours) they live alone and managed ok. It was tough but doable.

Had this done 2 years ago, it was fine, no pain as given nerve block. I borrowed a wheelchair from Red Cross and the hospital gave me a zimmer. Unable to access bathroom due to stairs, I used the cloakroom to strip wash. Slept on sofa with leg elevated, watched lots of movies. I am same age by the way. Can you get shopping home delivered? Get a stash of ready meals in to pop in freezer. Set up a table close to where you will be resting with everything you may need so you can rest and follow the recuperation instructions and you should be fine. It is a long process but keep occupied and sleep lots will be worth it in the end.

Yes you'll want to borrow a wheelchair so someone can take you out interested first period of healing.

A knee scooter should be available to hire once you are allowed up. Can you afford a carer to come in and do shopping etc.

How are you managing all that exercise with a foot that needs major surgery. Would switching to swimming mean less pain and no need for an operation?

Sounds like you are really mobile at the moment, maybe worth seeing if cortisone injections and supports can delay having major surgery.
DH has been told he'll need a triple ankle fusion, but using supports and other interventions he hopes to delay that at least 5 years until he absolutely can't cope without it as the recovery is so long and the lack of mobility will be significant.

I had this op when I was 16 so obviously lived with my parents then. I'm 60 now
It is very painful at first . I was in a full length plaster for 6 weeks, but have CP so couldn't manage crutches
Before you leave hospital ensure an OT visits your home.
They will loan you things like perching stools
Invest in things like a lidded travel mug, a small rucksack( to carry at home)
You will manage, it just means thinking outside the box
Obviously online deliveries for everything you need.
Strip washing can be done sitting on a perching stool at the kitchen sink if necessary.
Obviously you will have permanent limited movement in your ankle, which is the aim of the operation but the only thing that remains a challenge is walking over rough ground and beaches
Slopes become easier in time.

Are you having this privately or on the nhs? If private there won’t be the support for home once the op is done, so I’d advise getting a high level toilet seat, shower stool, wheelchair etc sorted before you go in, to make life easier for you. Also say yes to the meds. Keep on top of your pain control.

I am struggling today to be honest. I have a volterol type gel (but a lot stronger) and nurofen. But today it really hurts (weather is damp which does not help)
Swimming affects my knees (which are also in poor shape but usable following hyuraluic acid gel injections!).

I live in Portugal, so not so easy for family to care for me during the initial recovery period. No one has actually confirmed that I should be back to normal sport etc once I have recovered. I do all the exercise because it is great fun and not just for exercise if you see what I mean. It also covers my social life!

It is being done where I live in Portugal (privately) so everything I need I will have to get myself - I have time to prepare and was already looking at making changes to my en suite so this will push me to get it finished! I have my mum's mobility scooter and will get one of the knee scooters for indoors. And any meds they will give me!

Thank you for your comments on how to handle the time after the op. Has anyone returned to their sport after having had the operation? How difficult was it?