Anyone had an ankle replacement?

He1en

Hi, I am currently on the waiting list for an ankle replacement and would really love to hear from anyone who has had one! I am 26 so would be particularly interested in the stories of any younger people. The last two years have been a nightmare surgery-wise. I have had surgery to fix a fractured hip, had both hip replacements revised (thankfully these were successful) and had 2 ankle arthroscopys which were both unsuccessful - hence the need for an ankle replacement! It would really help to hear about length of stay in hospital, recovery time, pain etc. I'm really hoping an ankle replacement will work so that I can get on in life as I have been practically housebound since October 2010.

Thanks!
From Helen

stickywicket

Sorry, He1en. The spammers shoved your post down to the bottom of the page where no-one could see it. I can't help but hope that now someone might see it who can.

trepolpen

hi Helen

you are realy young to get problems with your ankles , they can be pretty painful

have you considered having your ankle's & keel fused instead , the replacement joint last for around 20 years but dont know much else about it

had both Triple Arthrodesis (fusing of small ankle bones / keel ) & need both ankles done at some point but not sure if to have them fused or replaced , one thing they did for me was inject the joints with a anesthetic so to tell where the pain is coming from my ankle & well worth having it done

joeln

Hi Helen,

I'm a 41 year old male. I've had arthritis in my hind and midfoot for about 12 years (former marathoner - now paying the price!). In January of this year I had a subtalar fusion, which unfortunately, did not allow me to walk properly without pain. In September I had a talonavicular and calcaneocuboid fusion along with a total ankle replacement (Hintegra joint).

I am 8 weeks post-op and walking (very carfeully) without crutches or a boot. My arthritic pain is gone but a have a lot of rehab ahead of me to learn to walk properly instead of limping. My surgeon warned me that the joint could last anywhere from 2 to 10 years. I have 2 kids so I need mobility now, not later in life.

I spent 1 night in hospital and to tell you the truth, I felt more pain after my first surgery in January than the last one. I have been pretty much pain free since September.

Joel

He1en

Hi Trepolpen,

Sorry I am so late in replying to you. Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately the replacement is my only option really due to the amount of bone damage. The Surgeon suggested I go with the replacement before a fusion because the fusion can still be done later on in my life. However if I have a fusion done now, then I will never be able to have a replacement. So I am having the replacement done at the end of January now.

Thanks again.

He1en

Hi Joel,

Thank you for your reply. I'ts great to hear that you are already walking 8 weeks after surgery and that your arthritic pain has gone! I have been warned as you were that the joint may last anything from 2- 10 years - but in my eyes just to be pain free is worth that risk! Glad to hear that you didn't have to stay too long in hospital as well.
This has really helped me feel more optimistic now about the proceedure, so thank you and Good luck with the rest of your recovery!

Helen

bsanva

I am going on one year since my Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR). I have had a bad ankle my entire life and have done extensive research. In my personal, but educated, opinion this is the first viable ankle replacement. I am sure there will be others in the next 10 years, but it is the only one for now. I was 39 when I received the STAR, and am now functioning fully with no ankle pain. I am never going to run or jump again, but otherwise I have no limitations. I suffered for many years waiting for a technology like this one because I do not feel fusion is a good option. STAR is new in the U.S.A., which means not many surgeons offer them. However it is worth looking around. Both because it is a superior technology, but also because it requires less bone to be removed. At my age, and even more so at yours, this is vital. Less bone removed means that you are more likely to have a second replacement when that technology becomes available.

As far as recovery, I was walking in a boot at 3 weeks, 7 weeks without. I never experienced pain with this surgery, but that is likely uncommon. But I don't think people experience pain very long with this.