Joint fusion in foot, any experience?

A friend of mine has had this op. It went well and the recovery seemed to be similar to her knee replacement. Of course as it wasn’t me I don’t really know how much pain etc.
She has special shoes, apparently there’s not much choice and she doesn’t find them satisfactory, but has managed to find ones from high street stores that are comfortable.
She does walk with a stick, but is now relatively pain free ( her other ankle has also arthritis) , she is happy that she had it done.