Ankle joint fusion?

PACannon

This is my first visit to the Forum and I wondered if anyone has had an ankle joint fusion and what they think of the results? I have just been offered this surgery, first they want to fuse my left ankle and following recovery my right! This would have me out of work for a year which; being self employed I can't afford to do. What would be the implications of not having the surgery done, apart from the obvious of continued pain.
I am 50 years old and have had osteoarthritis for about 15 years, and I am told I am too young for an ankle replacement.
I would welcome hearing of others experiences. x :?

lindalegs

Hi and welcome Pacannnon,

I didn't surgically have my ankle fused it just happened over a number of years.

Fortunately mine 'set' in a good position for walking. I do still get pain in mine (a) because I'm rheumatoid and (b) because I still have a modicum of movement in it.

I would think the probabilities of not having surgery is the continued pain, as you're already aware and that it could fix in a bad position for walking making you limp and therefore put stress on other joints.

You might be wise to ask your surgeon the likely outcome if you chose not too (assuming you haven't done so already).

The downside of having an ankle in one position is that it doesn't offer the same amount of support when walking down hill and also coming down kerbs or stairs but then if it's painful now you're possibly not moving it much anyway.

Hope this helps.

Others may come along later who have had the operation and will offer better/different information.

Luv,

MrDJ

welcome to the forum
like linda said it does have pros and cons.

im 48 now but was offered a left ankle replacement about 9 years ago after my first consultation. 3 months later they decided it was too risky as my ankle was fusing on its own even though in the wrong position.
my right ankle has also fused itself but i did have a triple fusion arthrodesis in the mid tarsal foot with 3 metal pins holding it all together.

the difficulty i have now is like linda said on hills,uneven pavements,sand or grass. had a couple of near misses with falls but would hate to think what it would have been like if i didnt have the surgery. i also have fun going through customs at airports.

hope all goes well on whatever you decide.

barbara12

Hi PACannon
Sorry I cant offer any help, but I just want to add mu support and welcome you to the forum, there are quite a few people on here that have had ankle fusions but its a bit quite at the min.
I do hope they see this and offer some help, I do see Mrdj has already given some advice.

PACannon

Thank you folks for your support and replies, I will continue to read with interest. All opinions will be digested and will hopefully dilute my confusion! Thanks
Pauline x

stickywicket

I can only really echo what Legs said because my situation's almost identical to hers in that mine all stems from RA and they've fused themselves in a good position. I suspect the reason they fused in a good position is because I've had to wear surgical shoes since my early twenties so at least they got proper support. I also sometimes wonder if being unable to use walking aids might have helped to because I've had to 'walk tall' to keep my balance.

My surgeon recently said that he couldn't have done a better job himself on my ankles:roll: They don't hurt much now but they hurt a hell of a lot in the years when they were busy fusing themselves.

I think, in your position, I'd want to know how the surgeon felt about it, if he'd recommend it or if he felt it worth just keeping an eye on things.