TRIPLE ARTHRODESIS (FUSION) OF ANKLE

cacyhi

Hello, I live in London and have just joined the forum today.
I am really interested to talk to anyone who has had a triple ankle fusion as I have just had one 7 weeks ago (due to adult flat foot and rheumatoid arthritis). I dont know how these forums actually work, but I hope someone will reply!!!

dreamdaisy

Hi cacyhi, it's nice tio meet you. I suspect I have OA in my ankles (I will find out later this month) but have never had anything fused - well, apart from my brain from time to time. :roll: There are some on here who have had recent ankle work, whether it's the same as yours or not I don't know, but given time to spot your post I am sure they will pop in and say hello. I wish you well and I hope your recovery is going as smoothly as possible. DD

cacyhi

Hello Dream Daisy - I cant belive someone has answered me already. You may have guessed that things are not going well and that is why I have decided to reach out to people who may be suffering like I am. However, its not just about the operation. I have been diagnosed with RA since I was 22 and pregant with my first child ( now Im 53 tomorrow) I have been quite lucky with the damage up to this point with only minor surgeries and lots of remission. I think whats getting to me is that this is the start of the slippery slope now at my age and that is depressing. Was going OK with the ankle but have had a setback due to a bad interaction of drugs which has messed with my head. this seems to be the story of my life particularly as my stomach is suffering after alifetime of meds. Sorry to sound so depressing - but I really do appreciate your contact

cacyhi

Hello again Dream Daisy - how rude I am - I wish you all the best with your future appointment and in some ways, I always think it is better to know what you are dealing with rather than worrying about something nameless! may I ask how old you are?obviously the impact of arthritic conditions are different depending on age and lifestyle ( whether youhave young kids or not) all the best

dreamdaisy

I am 52 and deliberately childless. I began PA at the age of 37, but it was not diagnosed until nine years later. It went untreated for five years as the GP at the time kept telling me it would sort itself out and I, stupidly, believed her. It began in my left knee and now affects about 35 other joints. I learned in April that I have fairly severe OA in both knees (thanks to the PA damage I reckon) and judging by the pain in both ankles I reckon it's there too. (They feel just like the knees, it's a different pain to the other, far hotter and sharper.) I have been on cruches since 2002 since my first open synovectomy (that had to happen as my knee was 27" round! And solid with gunk both old and new!) I have had one further open on my left and one closed on my right. It was in January 2002 I began my first med, sulphasalazine and I am still on that.

I was told in August that I was too fat for new knees (dead right) and too young (dead wrong). I have another thirty odd months of this, but am really wondering if new knees are worth the bother. There's too much else affected and perhaps others could make better use of them.

I have just had a fabulous week-end (steroid boosted to a gorgeous extent as I am off the PA meds for the time being due to an infection) and am now dealing with the payback. It matters not, I knew it was coming. I think that's me in a rather large nutshell! DD

elnafinn

Hi cacyhi

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to read your story and also sorry that I cannot help you. The helplines may be able to do so though. Their number is at the top of the screen. I did a search for ankle fusion and there are other members who had had them but maybe not a triple one. I would also think that each case may differ slightly. I did notice that someone had emailed the helplines aabut ankle fusions and they had asked the person to email them with their address details so that they could send something out in the post as they only had hard copies on ankle fusion information. You could give them a call. They are a really friendly, dedicated team who have helped many of us on the forum. Bobbyger, I think that was his user name had an ankle fusion but I do not think it was a triple one; he got on well after his op as I remember.

Keep calling in and hopefully someone may have just the information you are looking for.

I wish you well,

Elna x

sailrib

I has my midfoot joints fused 3 weeks ago.

I am still in a plaster cast and will be for another 10 weeks.

I am not allowed to weight bear at the moment and I get my stitches out on wednesday. Had to be left in longer as ive been known to re open after operations.

One thing I would recommend is to get yourself a wheelchair as I find I cant get fat on crutches but can go anywhere in a wheelchair.

Good Luck with it. its the best thing ive done. I am having my other foot done in April next year.

cacyhi

Dream Daisy - I didnt realise how lucky I have been until I read your post. I think the trouble is that I have been in remission for about 8 years and have virtually led a normal life during these years, apart from the damage caused from the past flare ups, such as the ankle and disc/neck problems and I amnow living with this catching up to the present day, as well as the effects of a lifetime of medication (NSAIs and steroids/painkillers) I know I am having a bad week and need to stay more positive.

Elnafinn - thank you for your welcoming post. I have tooooo much info on this op ( both before and after) and the real problem is that, for everyone, its never the same story !!!!! I really thought I was prepared for the op but the problems I have had haveenot been the ones I expected.

Sailrib - thank you for your post. Is wwhat you has done a Triple arthrodesis or something different? I have been in plaster for 6 weeks and I got upset coz if all was well I should have gone into an air cast last week, instead the dr put me back into a solid cast again for another 6 weeks as the fusing wasnt what it should be and I just cant stand the cast!!! I have a wheelchair and it is better, the rest of me is so weak now! I literally crawl around the house on my bum and knees which is so hard on the rest of the body - cant belive I have nrealy 5 more weeks of this. My stitches were dissolvable - did you have screws and staples in your foot??

dreamdaisy

I answered honestly, surely there is no other way. It's no big deal, it is water under the bridge and I cannot change history. What I can change is how I manage it and that I am trying to do. The no children thing was deliberate because of what a doctor told me when I was sixteen and I do not regret that choice for one moment.

All of us on here are affected by arthritis in its various guises (I absloutely refuse to anthropomorphise it). Everyone's story is different and everyone's is valid. Whether it's one finger or an entire body that is troubled is neither here nor there. You have had eight good years, no wonder it's a struggle now.

We are a friendly bunch and very supportive to each other, even those we may not 'know' that well. It's probably best to read a few threads, catch up on things and generally get a 'feel' for the forum. The more people post the better we get to know them, and them us. Creating a relationship takes time, and patience, but everyone on here is aware that arthritis causes a world of trouble, and not just to those who have it.

The washing up beckons. Oh, deep, deep joy. :roll: DD

cloud9

I had a triple arthrodesis on Oct. 12th 2010 on my R foot. Since then I've had a debridement surgery and on Sept 27th 2011 I had big toe fusion, tendon transfer and a k-wire in small toe. I'm not sure if you have any specific questions but I'll happily answer. The best thing for me was getting a K9 scooter from the physios. I can't use crutches or a zimmer frame for more than about 5 minutes. I'm still in a back slab and hoping that, after I get the stitches out in 2 weeks time, I can have a nice LIGHT plaster cast!! I will have to have another procedure done on my L foot sometime next year. Good luck.

cacyhi

Cloud 9 - thank you so much for finding my post !!!

My main question at the moment is to do with the plaster cast which I am sure you have experience of. I was quite happy with the back slab for the first two weeks. then they put a hard cast on and I had so much pain and pressure that I had to go to A & E and they split the cast. After that they put me in another back slab until 6 weeks was up last week. then the dr said he was not happy with the fusion and put me back in a hard cast again instead of an aircast as was planned. I am really struggling now as I cant do anything because the minute I put my leg down it swells up straight away and my toes go purple (even in week 7) and it is so high I cant bend my leg properly so I cant kneel on anything either and cant sit in the wheelchair for long coz that means my leg is down. My husband is sick of me going on about it and thinks its just me!!! do you think that its possible they could put the cast on with my leg down in the swollen position?? Its so hard to see the surgeon although I can go the plaster room at the hospital any time I want. Have you any experience of this?? I much appreciate your reply to my post.

cacyhi

Cloud 9 - Im not sure how much space you have to type in on the posting yet.

Here i am going on and there you are just recoving after a week and you sound so positive and optimistic - I take my hat off to you. Was all that surgery done on the same foot ( the Triple A and what you've just had done?)

BTW do you think more padding in the cast would help with the pressure on the shin bone - I only weigh 120lb and my leg was very thin and bonyneven before the op and Im 5ft 8ins, so its a lot of leg!

cacyhi

To Dreamdaisy
Thank you for your post - I cant believe how people have contacted me just today alone - its amazing to feel like im part off a biggerpicture rather than my owm small world.

Ive just reread my posts and I can see how needy I am at this point in time. I have made a promise to myself to stay part of this forum even when I am through this particular event as, you quite rightly say, this is my world all the time and hopefully I may have something to offer someone else in the future.

cloud9

I never had a plaster cast because of the wound healing problems. I had about 10 weeks in the back slab and then into a boot (aircast). I am extremely lucky with the staff in the orthopaedic casting room. They will see me at a moments notice and sort out any swelling/soreness problems. If I were you I'd ring them and ask if you can go in and tell them your worries/concerns. I do now that it is important to elevate elevate elevate and elevate some more. You won't lose the swelling for at least a year to 18 months and I can vouch for that. I was told to elevate as much as possible and your foot needs to be above your heart and well supported. Keep ahead of any pain too. Don't play catch up with it. The pain will win. This really is early days for you and you should still be elevating for about 23 hrs out of every 24. The more you baby yourself and your foot the better the outcome will be. You've had major surgery and your body needs time to heal.

dreamdaisy

You are not needy, you need support. We are all facing difficult battles and even tho some of us don't know exactly what you are facing we can still encourage and cheer you on! elna's thread about her neck op is a good example of just that. Take care, I hope you feel happier tonight knowing that you have found us. Sleep well. DD

cacyhi

Cloud 9 - I realise that I am probably trying to do too much too soon. the trouble is i am hyperactive ( and incidentally hypermobile - which is why the ankle tendons etc got knackered in the first palce) and am not good doing nothing. I was really hoping to be going back to work by now in the wheelchair, of course, but it seems like even that will be out of the question. I didnt realise I would still have to be elevating my leg for so long - after how many weeks were you able to do normal things in the wheelchair without swelling? I think I will try to contact the surgeon tomorrow which will not be easy. Thank you so much

cacyhi

Dreamdaisy - you sound like you have a beautiful spirit and after all, its always whats inside, not outside what counts. thankyou for yourthoughts and lovely words.

cacyhi

Hello Cloud 9 - another question, Im afraid!

Can you tell me about an air cast? Is the pressure over the front of the foot with this? do you think I will find this more comfortable than the hard cast I am having problems with at the moment or did you find the back slab better. I know they work by inflating the inside of the boot to a certain pressure. Am trying to contact my surgeon today. many thanks and I hope you are feeling ok today.

dreamdaisy

Hello cacyhi, how are you feeling today? A little better in yourself I hope. I gather you are feeling impatient to be feeling better, oh boy, aren't we all? It is not that long since your surgery is it? Please try to rest and do what you are supposed to be doing (recovery-wise) I know it must appear to be very tedious to an active bod like yourself but healing takes time, for some longer than others, and it's success is in your hands. Do too much now and surely there is a risk you could undo part of his good work and possibly end up causing yourself further problems, which would not be a good move. On the days that my mobility is compromised I lose myself in puzzle books - I find reading hard as I cannot concentrate that well, but the odd five, ten or fifiteen minutes per puzzle passes the time very nicely. Could that help to while away the time? DD

cloud9

The aircast takes a little getting used to but I don't think it's the right thing for a fusion that hasn't fused. A good thing for swelling is an ice pack behind the knee. My foot will still swell now if I do too much. Don't forget that we're all different and we heal at different rates. If you can't get in touch with your surgeon, please try the casting staff. They know their stuff and can really help you. Keep in touch. xx

cacyhi

Thank you for replying Cloud 9 - You said you had a back slab for the whole time you had your triple so if its done properly that should be ok if not maybbe ideal. I had no problem with the back slab. I think I am at the point today where if I have to sign a disclaimer of responsibility,I will. I know I can cope with the backslab but not this cast. I am going to go straight to the hospital this morning and hope they will get the dr to see me when I am in the plaster room and causing problems ( it is all in the same area) i know that sounds so shameful but that is how desparate I feel I am at the moment.

cacyhi

Hi Cloud 9

spoke to fracture clinic nurse and plaster room staff and they have said I can go in this afternoon to see them. luckily my surgeon has a clinic then so hopefully I can get this sorted today. Please alll wish me luck and pray for me for a good outcome.

cacyhi

Hi DreamDaisy - hope you are well today. I see you have beenfollowing my posts with Cloud 9 (how lucky was I that she found my posts!)

The trouble is, I have got to the point where i feel a foot is no use to me if i dont have my sanity. This is something I have battled with most of my life so maybe I have to make comprises that others dont need to. I belive that whatever happens in life happens for a reason. All I know is that I cannot go another 4 days without sleep and any relief from this pressure on the front of my leg. I have tried to tough it out for a week but feeble though it sounds, I cant take it anymore. I will let you allkow how I get on at the hospital. thank you for all your kind thoughts.

cloud9

Wishing you good luck with that. I'm sure they'll understand and do all they can to make it easier for you. Pour your heart out to them like you have done here. Which hospital do you go to and who is your surgeon? If it's ok with you I'll sit in your pocket when you go, to give you support. Do you have any favourite little treats that I can bring along?

cacyhi

Hi Cloud 9, my name is Carol by the way.
I go to St Georges Hospital in tooting and my surgeon is Mr Nielsen. I had the surgery carried out at Epsom which is an elective surgery hospital in surrey.
YOu can bring me my favourite treat - peace of mind !!! thank you

cloud9

There are a few more of us coming along now so I hope you've got nice big pockets. (See my other post.) One of them suggested that you write down all your concerns and worries and questions so that if you get flustered you can still hand over the paper. I've done that a few times.
Peace of mind is packed and ready along with Maltesers and crisps. xx