Ankle fusion - has anyone had one?

racergirl

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum, I broke my ankles about 6 years ago & have had OA for about 4, just been to the doctors who say that my right one is getting worse. I had it cleaned out about 3 years ago & they are now suggesting it would be best to have it fused. I'm not keen.

Has anybody had this op or heard of someone who has?

Thanks.

stickywicket

Hi racergirl and welcome to the forum. My own ankles have fused themselves (and are a lot less painful since they did). I was fairly sure we had some people on the forum who've had the op and, sure enough, when I put 'ankle fused' into the search engine (top right) quite a lot of stuff came up. Hope it's of use.

MrDJ

Hi racergirl and welcome to the forum

i suffer with OA & RA. about 17 years ago my docs talked about a ankle replacement that was quite a rare operation at the time. i had the usual xrays and scans on it and had to go back 2 months later.
my condition was so progressive at the time that when i went back my bones had deteriorated so rapidly they said it would now be too risky to do a replacement. then they thought about ankle fusion but by the time they took the next set of xrays my ankle had started fusing on its own.
as it was fusing on its own they decided to do a triple fusion arthrodesis which fuses the bones below the ankle with 3 metal pins. 6 months later and i was fully back on my feet and there was no pain in the ankle or foot anymore as the ankle was fully fused by its self by then.

i know its a totally different situation to yours but once bones are fused the patient is normally almost pain free in that area as there is no movement in it anymore. sadly once bones and joints start deteriorating there is only one option and thats an operation.
it does take time to get used to as of course you ankle wont bend or move anymore. the hardest time i find this is difficult is walking on uneven surfaces and especially on the sandy beach.

this is what i had done http://www.sussexfoot.com/downloads/Triple Fusion.pdf

and this is a ankle fusion http://www.thefootandankleclinic.com/ankle-fusion.htm

good luck and keep us posted on what you decide.
jim

racergirl

Hi

Thanks for the help, i've got a few months to think about it before I go back to the hospital, but it's nice to hear other people experiences.

cloud9

I had a triple arthrodesis on my R foot in Oct. 2010. I get no arthritis pain in it anymore. I'm due to have the L foot done, (same op) on April 17th along with a Jones tendon transfer, partial big toe fusion and total tendon release on the small toe. Good luck with your decision. xx

helen2

Hi all,

I'm posting on behalf of my mom who has recently (December 2011) had her ankle fused. It's been a long recovery period but she has just had her cast removed and is now attempting to walk with an aircast boot and crutches. She's experiencing a lot of pain in the boot and wondered if anyone else has felt this?

Also, does anyone have advice on when to keep the boot on (just when walking or also when sitting?). And do you generally invest in a heeled shoes / other useful things to make the leg height even?

Thanks in advance so much for any replies! (she's really struggling)

Helen

P.s.

MrDJ

hi
it took upto 6 months before i could walk unaided again.
3 months with a plaster cast and then only crutches after that as air boots werent invented then.
air boots are only meant to be worn during the day and not at night in bed unless a doctor has specifically said so. if she is in pain with the boot it might be pumped up too tight.

it took longer for me as i couldnt use normal crutches as both wrists were arthritic so i had to use strapped on gutter crutches which i found very difficult to use with operated leg non weight bearing.

i have worn trainers for years now as they are most comfortable for me. i do find it difficult wearing shoes with heels (mens heels of course) as with an ankle fusion there is no movement so you are forcing against the fusion with every step taken.
see if your gp could refer your mum to the orthotics department who can asses her shoes and advise on if she needed a slight rocker (rounded sole) to help with her walking.