For Matthew Solan & James Davis at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital and OneWelbeck

For Martin Klinke at London Bridge, Cromwell Hospital, Chiswick Outpatients, New Victoria Hospital & One Welbeck

C.S

I have lead a very active sporting life, playing netball at a high level, and social level basketball and athletics throughout my adult life. My ankle had progressively been getting weaker, and there was a noticeable deformity developing, best captured by my shoes becoming misshapen with a significant lean not long after buying them. I was finding it difficult to go on longer walks with my dog, and had given up playing netball as I had lost the power through the joint to jump and lost the dexterity to quickly change direction.

It was obvious to me that surgery would be the most practical way of straightening the joint and returning to the activities I enjoy most.

Immediately following surgery,

I was surprised at the absence of any pain in the ankle. I was also determined to regain the maximum amount of movement I could achieve, so I ensured that all instructions were followed to reduce the swelling as quickly as possible. Fortunately the surgery coincided with the Ashes cricket tour, so I was able to set up the sofa to watch the games, and keep me from moving about unnecessarily. My wife also managed to get a laugh at the spectacle of my going upstairs backwards on my backside. Although that didn’t last long, as it was a lot quicker to hop up the stairs with my good foot.

After the initial half-cast was removed,

I had the protection of the boot whilst moving, I enjoyed a bit more mobility around the house. I also started physio sessions as soon as I was allowed. There was a period of frustration as there are still a number of restrictions in regards to weight bearing, but I knew the joints were getting stronger and I looked forward to spending more time outdoors. After the 6 week period of no weight-bearing had passed, I enjoyed being able to take a few steps, rather than crutching my way around. Weekly physio helped with building strength and I gradually enjoyed the additional freedoms of walking with both crutches, then with just one crutch, and eventually without any crutches. Towards the end of that period, being able to walk without the boot gave me a real sense of achievement.

“I feel like I have more than 95% of my former mobility back.”

After six months, 

I started running again – albeit quite gingerly, but 12 months after surgery, I had a lot of confidence in my ankle’s ability to run, jump and move freely. The results of having the surgery have exceeded my expectations, and are closer to the ideal of being quite active again. Whilst playing netball again would be the dream scenario and something I will continue working towards, I’m now in a position to coach, and demonstrate various drills. I’m quite thrilled with the outcome.

I would advise going ahead with the surgery if you have experienced a loss of movement, and it is unlikely more passive therapies will bring you back to full mobility. There is a recovery period that will take some work, but returning to an earlier level of flexibility is worth the effort. I would also recommend a few things prior to surgery; work on your upper body strength, as you will need it for mobility in the first six weeks; organise a seat for your shower, and a second one for use in the bathroom, as balancing on one leg does wear you out; plan to take at least the first couple of weeks off work, so that you maximise the rest and leg elevation period, and; find yourself a good Physio to work with in rebuilding your strength and flexibility.

Patience is also a key consideration

It wasn’t necessarily one of my best attributes during the recovery period, but time is a crucial factor in getting back to normal use. You will get there, and avoiding the chance of delaying a full recovery is worth the investment.