Recovery from ankle surgery

[Rocknrollstar]

A close friend of our’s needs to have a total ankle arthroplasty (ankle replacement). Unfortunately he is the carer for his partner who is very much an invalid. He is worried about how much care they will both need and for how long. Can anyone help please? Have you been through this and can you offer any advice?

I think it’ll be a big impact. this is the patient into leaflet from the Royal National orthopedic hospital.
https://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/application/files/2017/1992/3113/TFC-2518_24-38_RNOH_Revision_PG_Total_ankle_replacement_22-77_WR.pdf

It says two weeks non weightbearing. Aim to walk independently (off crutches) in 3 months.

I would encourage him to talk to his surgical team about his caring role. His wife may need a care package/family/friend support to provide support while he is unable.

Thank you so very much for this and your speedy reply.

I'm going to be brutally honest here about recovery.

Last year I broke my ankle in three places, really bad break and I had to have surgery on it to be able to walk again. Obviously this isn't the same as an ankle replacement but I imagine recovery will be similar if not harder due to it being a full replacement.

In the beginning of the non weight bearing stage I could barely do anything for myself, plus you have to keep your ankle resting high up to help the blood circulation and swelling. So you're basically isolated in one spot for a good few months anyways, eventually I adapted slightly and could hop around and make myself food and things but this took time and a lot of patience. Also I had my husband to help bathe me (a lot of lifting in and out of the bath) I would honestly say it would be impossible for your friend to care for another person whilst recovering!

And in terms of how long recovery will take, once I could weight bare again you basically have to learn to walk all over again and it's a really long process filled with loads of physio appointments and exercises done at home. My accident was last October and my walking only returned to normal this July, honestly the hardest thing I've ever endured both physically and mentally. I had tonnes of support from family and friends and I strongly recommend your friend organise care in advance so they can focus solely on their recovery!

Also just a tip for your friend, the toilet was the biggest stress for me because of the stairs! A family member got me a commode for the living room and it was a life saver!