Ankle Fusion!!

Poppins111

Hello! Im 31 and had arthritis since the age of 3. I have just been told i need an ankle fusion on both ankles in both parts of the joint, meaning that eventually both my ankles will be set at 90 degrees. Ive been through many operations including both hips and knees replaced so the actual operation and pain doesnt worry me so much. Its the shoes I have seen on the internet I will have to wear following this surgery! They just arent very pretty for someone my age who still wants to go out and socialise like my friends do and for want of a better word, look 'normal' like they do!! Is there any other choice than the chunky MBT shoes following an ankle replacement???!!!! Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks

cythna

Poppins111 wrote:

Hello! Im 31 and had arthritis since the age of 3. I have just been told i need an ankle fusion on both ankles in both parts of the joint, meaning that eventually both my ankles will be set at 90 degrees. Ive been through many operations including both hips and knees replaced so the actual operation and pain doesnt worry me so much. Its the shoes I have seen on the internet I will have to wear following this surgery! They just arent very pretty for someone my age who still wants to go out and socialise like my friends do and for want of a better word, look 'normal' like they do!! Is there any other choice than the chunky MBT shoes following an ankle replacement???!!!! Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks

A friend of mine has had her ankle fused, and she wears normal shoes. She can't manage heels, but flattish shoes with a 1-1&1/2 inch heel are fine. Hope your surgery goes well.

Susan x

Poppins111

Thank you for your reply. There may be some hope for me then!!

skezier

Hi Poppins,

Welcome to the forum and glad you found it cus its good place to ask things.

I don't know the answer as I haven't had an ankle fusion but i did have one plated cus f a bad break and that was able to go back in to proper shoes though like Susan said they were not so good if they had heels.

Maybe you will be able to wear shes your happier with once its all fixed and hardened? A lot of shoe thread are in the forum and it might be worth you putting shoes in the search box at the bottom of the front page?

MBT's are not the only choice but a lot people here swear by them.... I can't wear heels now and haven't been able to for years but you might find something your happy with even if its not quiet what you would wish it to be.

Hope your op goes well and don;t forget we do half decent pocket duties if needed. Nice to meet you. Cris x

weejean

Hi Poppins

I am in a similar situation to you and I am 38 years old. I have had two surgeries so far and have many still to get. I am getting both my hips replaced next Friday, followed by fusion in both ankles then fusion of my knuckles. I wondered if you could tell me how your hip surgery was as I am so nervous and scared and really want to talk to people who have been though this surgery. I have no mobility in my hips and I am hoping to get some movement back. All my friends and family can only see the positive side and the benefits the surgery will give me but all that is in my head at the moment is fear of the surgery and recovery. I really hope your fusion surgery goes well and that you find suitable shoes that are comfortable as well as being fashionable.

Poppins111

Thanks for your comments! I will have a look at the chat bit on shoes thanks Cris!

Jean: My hip surgery was brilliant for me. I was lucky to have some movement before the op but there was a lot of pain. I thought the operation was going to be painful and I was nervous before the op as i didnt know what to expect either but i would much rather have my hips replaced again than my knees - that was painful! Youve just got to remember to do your exercises to get the muscles strengthened up afterwards and practice walking again as best you can. This does hurt/ache but its well worth it. I have so much more movement in my hips and no pain and i was able to walk again and take my dog for long walks in the countryside before my ankles started playing up! I hope it all goes well for you, and i have put your mind at a little bit of ease? If you have any more questions/concerns just let me know.

weejean

Poppins111 wrote:

Thanks for your comments! I will have a look at the chat bit on shoes thanks Cris!

Jean: My hip surgery was brilliant for me. I was lucky to have some movement before the op but there was a lot of pain. I thought the operation was going to be painful and I was nervous before the op as i didnt know what to expect either but i would much rather have my hips replaced again than my knees - that was painful! Youve just got to remember to do your exercises to get the muscles strengthened up afterwards and practice walking again as best you can. This does hurt/ache but its well worth it. I have so much more movement in my hips and no pain and i was able to walk again and take my dog for long walks in the countryside before my ankles started playing up! I hope it all goes well for you, and i have put your mind at a little bit of ease? If you have any more questions/concerns just let me know.

Thanks Poppins

This puts my mind at ease and makes me quite excited at the prospect of being able to move my legs. I will keep you posted on how my surgery goes (it has been cancelled for tomorrow and is now scheduled for 9th September) and thanks again for your advice.

Poppins111

Youre welcome Jean, glad ive helped put your mind at ease. Its not good that its been cancelled but let me know how it goes, will be thinking of you! I think the worst thing for me was being 'nil by mouth' from 7am to about 4pm when i eventually went down for the op - i was starving!!!! Take care x

sunshine75

hi, I had my left ankle fused over 10 years ago - took away the pain so was worth doing. I now live in flat shoes and mainly trainers (trendy ones), you get used to not being able to wearing exciting shoes. I make up for it with the rest of my outfit when out socialising!

Also - I had my left hip replaced 7 years ago - much better - no pain and most of mobility back. Much easier recovery than my knees! Well worth doing!

Hope this helps both of you :-)

bobbyger

Hi Poppins,

I had an ankle fusion in feb and am now walking fine in normal shoes so I wouldn't worry about the MBT's if I were you.

Like sunshine says, the lack of pain definately makes the op worth it.

Hope it all goes well for you

rob