It's been almost three years since my ankle replacement. Last September when I had my annual check-up with Dr. Horton, everything looked great and he even commented on my remarkable range of motion. But starting in November I began to have pain again...serious pain that made me limp and be unable to do the normal things I have begun to enjoy again (shopping, dog walks, etc.). I returned to Dr. Horton and he took another X-ray and determined that nothing had significantly changed with the implant and suggested it was arthritis or a pulled tendon/ligament, and said I should wear a brace or support stocking on that leg (on the up-side, his first solution was NOT surgery...so Brownie points for that...although we did briefly discuss a potential future "revision surgery" to replace the silicone ball part). But it is now April of a new year and I am still wearing the support sock and if I don't, I get pain in my left foot from walking only a short distance. So, I did get 2+ years of really good moving around. But now I am faced with wearing a stupid support sock...won't that look nice with a dress at my niece's wedding this summer?? Also, I've developed a distinct rubbery squeak. No kidding...sitting in my chair in the evenings, I can occasionally hear my ankle "squeak" when I move it up and down. (At first that was amusing...weeks later it's kind of pathetic.)
Something to try is to lose weight again. After all that work, it all came back and I am thinking that 15 lbs. would make a big difference to my ankle. I am now considering what to do about that, as I am sick of Atkins. Someone suggested Sensa, but I am pretty sure the only way that works is to make your food taste like vomit or dog shit. Ergo, suggestions for the mobility limited are encouraged :)
