Hello from the newbie!

k8jenko

Hi Everyone

I've been looking through the forums here for well over a year, and have finally plucked up the courage to write something! I’m just really writing to say hello and to hear about other people’s experiences.

I've just turned 27 and was diagnosed with OA in my left ankle at the ripe old age of 25, which is the result of a horse riding accident where I broke my ankle pretty badly.

The first orthopaedic surgeon I saw advised me to undergo an ankle fusion to eliminate the pain factor. I've always been a very sporty person and have been fortunate enough to participate in a number of sports to a competitive level, and the thought that I would lose what little movement I have left in my ankle is unbearable.

I had surgery in Jan this year to remove the osteophytes from the front of my ankle, and this seems to have allowed me a little more movement, and I'm hoping that when I get physiotherapy (which incidentally, I had to push for) this will increase again.

I know that I will eventually have to undergo a fusion, but I’m doing all I can in the meantime to slow its progress as much as possible. Who knows, maybe they’ll find a miracle cure tomorrow! Ha.

Has anyone gone through a fusion, and if so, how does it affect your ability to perform normal day to day activities? I’ve been unable to run since the accident and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I probably won’t ever be able to again, but I don’t want to lose the ability to take part in sport altogether. I really enjoy rowing, and can adapt my foot position to reduce the stress on my joint, and I’m scared that I will not be able to do this if I go ahead with the fusion.

Sorry for the rant, but any help would be much appreciated!

Kate

09angel11

Hi Kate

Fusion is when they put two joints together with a screw, or little nuts and bolt. I know that sounds terrible, but they are different to normal screws, nuts and bolts. You will probably loose a bit of mobility, but there again it all depends on the physio you get and how the ankle is fused. If you look on images on google put in ankle fusion, it should bring a picture up for you.

Good luck, and welcome to the site, take care

Monica .

Starburst

Hello Kate and welcome! This is a lovely place filled with some fantastic people. I know nothing about OA, I'm afraid but there are lots of knowledgeable members of this forum and I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help in any way.

All the best.
Sophie

frogmorton

Hi Kate

Just want to welcome you to the forum

I have no experience of ankle fusions, but I probably would be the same as you - wanting to keep going as long as possible.

I look forward to seeing you posting

Love

Toni xx

valval

hi kate glad you posted but sorry you have arther. just wanted to say welcome and keep posting

dippydoodah

Hi Kate, nice to meet you. Sorry I can't help with regard to the fusion but hope someone can. Just wanted to say hi.

Caroline x

skezier

Hi Kate,

A welcome from me as well its a good site and you rant away cus sometimes its needed. I don't know about the fusion in the ankle but I do know some here have had it and I am sure one will be along soon. You take care and nice to meet you. Cris

woodbon

HELLO Just to say welcome to the forum. I hope you find it useful. Sorry can't help with the fusion but I think lots of people on here have experience of it! Love Sue

oneday

Just wanted to say Hi..and surprised you managed to last as long as a year without posting before!!

speedalong

Welcome Kate, a fusion doesn't sound great does it?! What are the alternatives? Have you researched on the net?

Speedalong

twinney

Hello Kate.
Just wanted to welcome you to this site.
The people on here are fab and will help you if they can
Best Wishes
Lynda

kerrycc

Hello Kate

I posted something on someone else's message about a fusion - I am pasting it in here for you too - hope it helps a bit

Well I havent had an ankle fusion but I had my right wrist fused 11 years ago (i'm 38 now so I was 27 at the time). Best thing I ever did!! I used to cry with the pain it caused me but in the 11 years since, its the best joint in my body!! Of course there are some things that are restrictive but honestly, I would have it again in a heart beat - the pain is gone. My other wrist is causing me trouble now so i'll keep my eye on it but if it gets worse, I would defo let them fuse that one too. xx

pheebs

Hi Kate,

Welcome to the site and nice to meet you!!

I haven't had an ankle fusion but had one carried out on my right, large toe - joints fused and pins inserted and now very little pain.

Sorry I can't help with the ankle fusion. I'm in my 50's so not so bad for me, but given your age and interest in sport, I'd definitely check out alternatives before going down the fusion route.

Hope you manage to come to a decision that suits you.

Best wishes,

Pheebs x

sharmaine

Hi

Welcome to the forum. You are only a year younger than my son and I would hate to think he had OA. It's bad enough when you have it at my age!! He has a chance of getting it as it runs on both sides of the family .... poor thing.

I don't know much about fusion but I'm sure someone will be able to help you out.

Take care of that ankle!

Regards
Sharmaine

k8jenko wrote:

Hi Everyone

I've been looking through the forums here for well over a year, and have finally plucked up the courage to write something! I’m just really writing to say hello and to hear about other people’s experiences.

I've just turned 27 and was diagnosed with OA in my left ankle at the ripe old age of 25, which is the result of a horse riding accident where I broke my ankle pretty badly.

The first orthopaedic surgeon I saw advised me to undergo an ankle fusion to eliminate the pain factor. I've always been a very sporty person and have been fortunate enough to participate in a number of sports to a competitive level, and the thought that I would lose what little movement I have left in my ankle is unbearable.

I had surgery in Jan this year to remove the osteophytes from the front of my ankle, and this seems to have allowed me a little more movement, and I'm hoping that when I get physiotherapy (which incidentally, I had to push for) this will increase again.

I know that I will eventually have to undergo a fusion, but I’m doing all I can in the meantime to slow its progress as much as possible. Who knows, maybe they’ll find a miracle cure tomorrow! Ha.

Has anyone gone through a fusion, and if so, how does it affect your ability to perform normal day to day activities? I’ve been unable to run since the accident and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I probably won’t ever be able to again, but I don’t want to lose the ability to take part in sport altogether. I really enjoy rowing, and can adapt my foot position to reduce the stress on my joint, and I’m scared that I will not be able to do this if I go ahead with the fusion.

Sorry for the rant, but any help would be much appreciated!

Kate

k8jenko

Thanks everyone for your responses. It's really nice to know that people are out there who you can talk to and will understand! I didn't expect as many responses to say hello so thanks

I haven't logged on since I posted the original message as I forgot my password :oops: Memory like a sieve, that's me!

Thanks again all and I'm sure I'll post something again soon...if I can only remember my login details...

frogmorton

Hey

good to see you back

now dont disappear again

Love

Toni xx

skezier

Hi Kate,

I am also a full card carrying member of the sieve brain brigade! I used to forget but after a while I remembered easier.... Keep coming in cus this forum and the people n it are so good at supporting you as well as having a laugh and joke with.

Hope to see you again... soon! Luv and a ((( ))) Cris x

lavenderlady

why not keep a book with all your details in like your log in details I found after a few years on certain medications plus I'm getting on (49) it helps me enormously if i get a bit forgetful, its my life line my book
as for a fusion I went in hospital in May for either a re surfacing or fusion for my wrist as the pain was awlful and the sight was of a deformed wrist, I woke after the op to find nothing had been done as the wrist was so badly deformed only a total wrist replacment was the only thing to have done, so am now waiting for that date to have it done, I am scared but also in a wierd way looking forward to having it done

dorcas

hello and welcome back to the forum. as Toni said..don't 'disappear' again..

Are you any further forward with your decision about ankle fusion?

I haven't had ankle fusion but have had a wrist fusion and the other one recently a total wrist replacement.

You are bound to lose some flexibility and movement with a fusion but the extent will depend on the op itself and you really need to discuss this with the orthos or your doc to get a better idea of outcome and other options.

I haven't regretted having the wrist fusion...not for one minute...it took the dreadful continuous pain away and has given me a rigid but strong wrist.
Yes...there are compromises...the joint cannot move at all so there is absolutely no flexibility and there are certain things I cannot do because of it ..but pre-op with the arther damage I could no longer use the wrist anyway so it was not a difficult decision for me to make.

Your situation is different, especially with your interests in sports, so the decision for you is perhaps harder to make.

good luck with what you decide .....but get more specialist advice first!

nice to see you posting again...

Iris x

lindalegs

Hi Kate and welcome to posting

My right ankle fused itself many years :shock: Fortunately for me it fused in a good position for walking. The only drawback with having a fused ankle is that when you walk downhill you're unable to flex your ankle to accommodate the surface you're walking on. I sometimes have to walk on my heel or the side of my foot in order to feel 'safe'.

A surgeon will fuse your ankle in the best position for your mobility and it should take away the pain for you.

Have you asked about ankle replacement - they are getting more common nowadays and maybe this might be another option for you to consider.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs

k8jenko

Yes I think a book with all my login details and passwords is a good idea...as long as I don't lose it!!!

I've not really made much progress with my decision yet. I really don't want the bit of movement that I still have to be taken away from me. I've been looking into getting some specialist footwear though in the hope that it might help - something with the SACH heel/rocker sole.

I have seen 2 consultants, one in Swansea and one in Edinburgh (I've moved a great distance in the last 2 years!), and both think I'm too young for a replacement joint. Ho hum.

The surgeon who performed my arthoscopy in Jan this year is also a specialist in external distraction using an Ilizarov Frame. Unfortunately the only time I've actually seen this guy is on the day of my op!!! Every other time I have been to the hospital for appointments I've been fobbed off to other consultants. I think maybe I should call them up and ask for an appointment to see him and only him as no one else can answer any of my questions about the procedure, or determine if I'm a candidate for it...

:?

lindalegs

Hi again Kate,

I can't understand why they're willing to fuse your ankle so that it'll never move again but you're classed as too young for a replacement ....suppose it might be because replacements don't last forever. Though in saying that I met a lady in hospital and she'd had her hip replaced 4 times, the first one was done in the 1960's :shock:

Just makes you wonder doesn't it?

Luv Legs