Ankle microfracture surgery recovery
Discussion
I had ankle microfracture surgery on August 5th, currently non weight bearing for 6-7 weeks. The original problems started 4 years ago when I twisted my ankle badly playing football. Fast forward 3 years and I started to have pain in the front of my left ankle when playing, basically impingement. However during surgery they found 8 cysts, so rather than basic arthroscopy they had to perform a microfracture.
I've already written off playing football again this season, but having read in detail online it looks as though my playing days may be over for good. I am gutted and a bit depressed at this possibility - I thought I was going in for a basic procedure and back playing inside 8-10 weeks so this thought is a bit devastating considering I've played since a kid, and outside of work it's my main hobby/way to keep fit.
Has anyone had this type of surgery before? and if so how long was your recover (if at all?). I'm 31 now so eager to play again ideally until mid 30s. Is it curtains, or is there a reasonable chance?
Not due to see surgeon for another 3 months so if there are any experts out there I would be keen to hear your thoughts (no matter how harsh).
Cheers.
I've already written off playing football again this season, but having read in detail online it looks as though my playing days may be over for good. I am gutted and a bit depressed at this possibility - I thought I was going in for a basic procedure and back playing inside 8-10 weeks so this thought is a bit devastating considering I've played since a kid, and outside of work it's my main hobby/way to keep fit.
Has anyone had this type of surgery before? and if so how long was your recover (if at all?). I'm 31 now so eager to play again ideally until mid 30s. Is it curtains, or is there a reasonable chance?
Not due to see surgeon for another 3 months so if there are any experts out there I would be keen to hear your thoughts (no matter how harsh).
Cheers.
Microfracture is a technique to try and get a regrowth of some sort of articular cartilage into deficits in joint surfaces.
The joint surface is a bearing and should be very low friction, in children it glistens and looks like a snooker ball. Injuries scuff up this surface and bits can fall off.
You surgeon has treated an area of loss by microfracture.
Small holes are created with a pick making the area look like the top of a pepper shaker by the end. Blood starts to flow up from within whilst he's putting the bandage on your ankle at the end of the op, and this blood sits in the divot/injured area and forms a clot naturally.
Over the next 6-8 weeks the clot must be undisturbed (crutches) but movement should occur to smooth it, and a transformation occurs. The clot turns into fibrocartilage, which is the second best thing to God's hyaline cartilage (before you smashed a bit off). Nobody can trick the body into making hyaline cartilage, and the discovery would conservatively be worth a couple of billion dollars...
How long to recover? I tell my patients, 6 weeks on crutches and expect 3 months before you notice an improvement, you can train at three months but ease yourself back into sport then.
The repair is a best-of-what-we've-got situation and currently has better long term (>2 years) results than stem cells/bioengineering etc. Ankles are pretty much the same as knees in this case. I microfracture both.
HTH
The joint surface is a bearing and should be very low friction, in children it glistens and looks like a snooker ball. Injuries scuff up this surface and bits can fall off.
You surgeon has treated an area of loss by microfracture.
Small holes are created with a pick making the area look like the top of a pepper shaker by the end. Blood starts to flow up from within whilst he's putting the bandage on your ankle at the end of the op, and this blood sits in the divot/injured area and forms a clot naturally.
Over the next 6-8 weeks the clot must be undisturbed (crutches) but movement should occur to smooth it, and a transformation occurs. The clot turns into fibrocartilage, which is the second best thing to God's hyaline cartilage (before you smashed a bit off). Nobody can trick the body into making hyaline cartilage, and the discovery would conservatively be worth a couple of billion dollars...
How long to recover? I tell my patients, 6 weeks on crutches and expect 3 months before you notice an improvement, you can train at three months but ease yourself back into sport then.
The repair is a best-of-what-we've-got situation and currently has better long term (>2 years) results than stem cells/bioengineering etc. Ankles are pretty much the same as knees in this case. I microfracture both.
HTH
Thanks for taking the time to reply, most helpful. I suppose I am bound to only read the negative stories online, and not all the success stories. Obviously each case is different, but is it perfectly feasible to return to football after 4-6 months with a fairly good outcome mid-long term? Obviously I am also concerned about my day to day health too so I certainly won't be rushing anything.
I mentioned to my physio about cycling to keep fit, she said after 7-8 weeks I should be able to cycle as long as I am not off roading/hill climbing/going too far. Does that sound about right? Even a short 3-4 miles around the local roads at a leisurely pace would be something as I am concerned about fitness/gaining weight.
I have been doing some calf stretches with a towel under foot as I was getting cramp in the calf, presumably from not using it. Will continue to move it.
Many thanks!
I mentioned to my physio about cycling to keep fit, she said after 7-8 weeks I should be able to cycle as long as I am not off roading/hill climbing/going too far. Does that sound about right? Even a short 3-4 miles around the local roads at a leisurely pace would be something as I am concerned about fitness/gaining weight.
I have been doing some calf stretches with a towel under foot as I was getting cramp in the calf, presumably from not using it. Will continue to move it.
Many thanks!
Nick_MSM said:
Thanks for taking the time to reply, most helpful. I suppose I am bound to only read the negative stories online, and not all the success stories. Obviously each case is different, but is it perfectly feasible to return to football after 4-6 months with a fairly good outcome mid-long term? Obviously I am also concerned about my day to day health too so I certainly won't be rushing anything.
I don't know. The findings at arthroscopy will answer this. Ask your surgeonNick_MSM said:
I mentioned to my physio about cycling to keep fit, she said after 7-8 weeks I should be able to cycle as long as I am not off roading/hill climbing/going too far. Does that sound about right? Even a short 3-4 miles around the local roads at a leisurely pace would be something as I am concerned about fitness/gaining weight.
seems reasonable, but I'm not treating you.Nick_MSM said:
I have been doing some calf stretches with a towel under foot as I was getting cramp in the calf, presumably from not using it. Will continue to move it.
Ok, I'm prepared to commit on this one 
Yes you are doing this right.Sorry not to be more help but I can't/won't give out specific advice or answers over the internet.
Thanks, no I understand each case is different and impossible to say without all the info Good news about the cycling then, least that is something to look forward to/work towards. My appointment has actually been given as December 31st which is well over 4 months after the op. I have asked if they can do something sooner, waiting to hear back from the doctor's secretary. If they can't (his next normal clinic is Dec 31st) then I'll see if I can book an appointment with him/someone privately as a 4 month wait seems quite a long time to me.
Good news about the cycling then, least that is something to look forward to/work towards. My appointment has actually been given as December 31st which is well over 4 months after the op. I have asked if they can do something sooner, waiting to hear back from the doctor's secretary. If they can't (his next normal clinic is Dec 31st) then I'll see if I can book an appointment with him/someone privately as a 4 month wait seems quite a long time to me.Quick question for 'the doc' if I may
my wife fell from a stepladder 8 years ago when aged 45 and shattered her heel very badly (her consultant surgeon stressed the point many times), she now has a dozen or so screws and a plate fitted. Since the repair she has never been able to walk a normal distance or stand on her feet for a normal amount of time without swelling and pain to her ankle/foot.
Surgeon/consultant (different one to who carried out the first op) has advised not to have metalwork removed as it would be of no benefit and the situation is merely caused by athritis in the ankle joint following the bad break, he has suggested fusing the ankle joint as the only option ,wifey not too happy with this at this time in her life tbh and has decided to decline the offer.
any thoughts ? opinions? (I know every case is different and feel a bit of a tool for asking tbh but she has run out of hope on being pain free/able to function better than she does , so any thoughts are welcome)
for instance would arthroscopy be of any benefit
tia
my wife fell from a stepladder 8 years ago when aged 45 and shattered her heel very badly (her consultant surgeon stressed the point many times), she now has a dozen or so screws and a plate fitted. Since the repair she has never been able to walk a normal distance or stand on her feet for a normal amount of time without swelling and pain to her ankle/foot.
Surgeon/consultant (different one to who carried out the first op) has advised not to have metalwork removed as it would be of no benefit and the situation is merely caused by athritis in the ankle joint following the bad break, he has suggested fusing the ankle joint as the only option ,wifey not too happy with this at this time in her life tbh and has decided to decline the offer.
any thoughts ? opinions? (I know every case is different and feel a bit of a tool for asking tbh but she has run out of hope on being pain free/able to function better than she does , so any thoughts are welcome)
for instance would arthroscopy be of any benefit
tia
Edited by dingg on Saturday 24th August 15:26
Edited by dingg on Saturday 24th August 16:01
Well, things took a major turn for the worse on Saturday and have hopefully!!! hit rock bottom. My calf was aching a few days after surgery and I was naturally worried of a clot. I showed 3 nurses who all said nah, it's fine...
Was forward to Saturday and I have the most horrific chest pains, so we rung 111 who suggested an ambulance come and take a look. Spent the night/early hours in A&E having various tests inc. chest x-ray and told I had probably torn/strained a muscle somewhere on my crutches. Unconvinced I return home and suffered chronic pain on Monday evening, so much so I honesty thought I had had it, it was that bad. Taken back in, this time they run more in depth tests and come to the conclusion I do actually have a few small clots on my lung and a partially collapsed lung. Only just got home with a mountain of pills, and having to inject my stomach for the next couple of days (oh joy). Just hoping things have hit rock bottom now and it's up hill from here.
Morale of the story, go with your own gut instinct and don't take no for an answer. I knew the pain was too severe to be something silly!
Was forward to Saturday and I have the most horrific chest pains, so we rung 111 who suggested an ambulance come and take a look. Spent the night/early hours in A&E having various tests inc. chest x-ray and told I had probably torn/strained a muscle somewhere on my crutches. Unconvinced I return home and suffered chronic pain on Monday evening, so much so I honesty thought I had had it, it was that bad. Taken back in, this time they run more in depth tests and come to the conclusion I do actually have a few small clots on my lung and a partially collapsed lung. Only just got home with a mountain of pills, and having to inject my stomach for the next couple of days (oh joy). Just hoping things have hit rock bottom now and it's up hill from here.
Morale of the story, go with your own gut instinct and don't take no for an answer. I knew the pain was too severe to be something silly!
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