Ankle Operation

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Hi everyone. I am new to ARC and the Forums but am not too converant with how to use this type of exchange.

I have a very dodgy ankle and am not sure whether to have fusion or replacement, or where in South London and North Surrey.

I would appreciate advice from anyone who has had ankle surgery.

Many thanks.

Peter

tanith

Hi Peter and welcome to the forum.. I don't have any experience with Ankle Surgery but have had one Hip Replacement so far.. do you have diagnosis for the damage to your ankle? and if so what have they suggested so far? as far as treatments go that is... I believe there is a longer period of none weight bearing after a fusion than a replacement surgery around 12 wks I think...and I think it will also depend on your age and how active you are as to which they want to do...

woodbon

Hello, Just popped in to say welcome to the forum. I'm sorry, but I can't answer your question, as I have no experience of ankles either, but I'm sure you'll find someone on here who can help you a bit more. Good Luck Sue

marief

hi
had both my ankels replaced 4 years ago at the Nuffield Orthopaedic hospital in oxford (01865741155) Mr cooke did the surgery he was at the time 0ne of four surgens able to do the opperation , it was a long and hard surgery as both my ankels were very arthritic and need to be broken first and set in plaster then the replacement joint (one ankel at a time) was long process for me 18 month but was the best even opperation I ever had my life is much better . sorry it short if you need more info just e-mail me
how old are you ??
I was 38 when it was done
hope it helps

marie

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Thank you all for your replies. I am sorry not to have said so before but I am still finding my way with Forums!
I am especially grateful to Alan and Marie whose comments highlight the problem that prompted me to join the Forums – I just cannot find a formal way of getting professional advice on who the best ankle surgeons are.
I have been told by a friend that Mr Paul Halliwell at the Surrey Foot and Ankle Clinic did a marvellous job replacing his ankle and that the “success” rate of such operations is now quite high. Although the replacement operation might take longer, I have been told it usually gives more movement. I now gather that it is not possible, contrary to my original belief, that if I opt for fusion, I cannot then have replacement later.
I am 65 and in the last 15 years have enjoyed walking (not climbing) in the mountains. Walking just to the station and around the shops has become quite a problem, but I would like to walk in the hills, if not mountains again.
Any further advice would be much appreciated.

marief

hi

having had replacement in both ankels I found that I have more movement in them one thing to mention was told not to walk on very rough ground dont no if this helps ??
I do go walking in the local woods and when on holiday do the coastal path walks my ankels are great

marie

nicola41

Hi Marie
I just had a look on this forum for the first time & saw your message about ankle replacements.I dont have arthritis. Ive had a chipped talus bone for 13 years and have had an arthoroscopy 11 years ago. It didnt do anything about the pain. I was offered a bone graft but didnt fancy their odds of success. Ive just managed the pain all this time & shrank my life. A few weeks ago the pain (having been stable for 13 years) became far far worse and is now unberable. My life has completely crashed. I feel like I am at the end of the road now with this ankle and that what I want is a replacement. Ive got an appt with Mr Hepple in Bristol (private, my mum is paying as Im desperate to see someone asap) I have two sons of 10 and 2 and I am 41. Whilst I am very scared of taking such a major step, I am absolutely terrified that he will turn around and say that I´m too young & he wants me to have another arthroscopy etcetcetc. I can't face the thought of this being it indefinitely. Theres so little info around on ankle replacements & I notice our similar age. So I thought I´d get in touch. Not sure what I´m asking tho! :? Who were the other 4 surgeons?
Nic

marief wrote:

hi
had both my ankels replaced 4 years ago at the Nuffield Orthopaedic hospital in oxford (01865741155) Mr cooke did the surgery he was at the time 0ne of four surgens able to do the opperation , it was a long and hard surgery as both my ankels were very arthritic and need to be broken first and set in plaster then the replacement joint (one ankel at a time) was long process for me 18 month but was the best even opperation I ever had my life is much better . sorry it short if you need more info just e-mail me
how old are you ??
I was 38 when it was done
hope it helps

marie

lindalegs

Hi and welcome to both Peter and Nic,

My right ankle fused itself about 20 years ago and set in a fairly good position for walking. Once the ankle is fused though you feel less stable when walking down inclines and hills as you tend to walk on your heel or the side of your foot which can put stress on the hip and knee.

If I was ever offered and ankle replacement I would seriously consider it as any movement is better than none at all.

Luv Legs

nicola41

lindalegs wrote:

Hi and welcome to both Peter and Nic,

My right ankle fused itself about 20 years ago and set in a fairly good position for walking. Once the ankle is fused though you feel less stable when walking down inclines and hills as you tend to walk on your heel or the side of your foot which can put stress on the hip and knee.

If I was ever offered and ankle replacement I would seriously consider it as any movement is better than none at all.

Luv Legs

Hi Legs
How did it fuse itself? I´m simulating a fusion when I walk to reduce the pain. I have pain in my right hip left knee & lower back & live in the pennines so think a fusion would not be ideal!!!! I´m just praying the consultant sees it my way because I'm tired of battling & just want it done so I can have a life again! I was awake all last night having a virtual argument with him in my head & Ive never even met him! Need to get a grip. If he offers me a replacement I will bite his hand off (not literally of course, then we'd have real problems )
Thanks for your post..this really works!
Nic

lindalegs

nicola41 wrote:

Hi Legs
How did it fuse itself? I´m simulating a fusion when I walk to reduce the pain. I have pain in my right hip left knee & lower back & live in the pennines so think a fusion would not be ideal!!!! I´m just praying the consultant sees it my way because I'm tired of battling & just want it done so I can have a life again! I was awake all last night having a virtual argument with him in my head & Ive never even met him! Need to get a grip. If he offers me a replacement I will bite his hand off (not literally of course, then we'd have real problems )
Thanks for your post..this really works!
Nic

Hi Nic,

My RA is very aggressive and the treatment of it nowadays with Dmards would have probably stopped it happening - but basically it became so very, very painful, any movement was awful but I did force myself to walk on it - thankfully. The pain was intolerable so I stopped moving it, :roll: (which you seem to be doing) as the pain was intolerable the bones fused and fixed very quickly :shock: but it is in a good position for walking (as I think I said).

If a surgeon does a fusion he puts it in the best possible position and it does take the pain away and make the ankle stable - so don't dismiss that out of hand.

A replacement will have 'a life' possibly 10-15 years and can be done again but revisions get more complicated as you go down the line and the older you are.

My advise is not to lose sleep, write down the arguments For and Against and take them with you and listen to the options given. No one will hold a gun to your head and make you have anything done, the decision is yours but it is best to explore all the options and if your surgeon is a good one he'll listen to you in turn.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs