Ankle Fusion or Ankle Replacement??

sugarcaine

Hi all,

I am a 38 years old mother of 3 and have finally gained control of my rheumatoid arthritis with the help of anti TNF medication. My biggest problem now is dealing with the damage done before finding the right medication.

All of my issues revolve around my left foot/ankle. So far I have had a triple fusion on my foot. The problem now seems to have moved to my ankle.

Following recent consultation with my two different specialists it seems my next step is either fusion or replacement of the ankle. It seems the specialist I prefer is leaning towards ankle fusion due to my age and the fact I will wear a replacement out too fast. I already have mobility issues due to the triple fusion and I am now wondering what to do next. Will I lose much more mobility with a fusion? If anyone can give any opinions or advise I would greatly appreciated as I am not sure which direction to go! Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Hello
Welcome to the forum, I am sure you will find support, advice, light relief and friendship here.
I am one of the moderation team and we are have one or more of the arthritis "hanger ons" or look after family with the same.
If you need help with the technicalities of the forum just get in touch via a personal message
Best wishes
CK Mod.

annie41

Hi, My name is Annie, i am 27 years of age and am quite an active person, although since being diagnosed with severe RA 6 years or so ago, I find it hard to stay as active as I was, before i was diagnosed. Although I try to do what I can. 3 years ago, while at work, I was finding it very difficult to walk around and to weight bear. My left ankle had become extremely sore and painful, so I met with my orthopaedic surgeon who requested an MRI and an ex-ray. This showed that there was a loss of bone internally in the middle of my ankle, so the consultant then discussed the results with me, and said that my only option was to do have a talo-naviciular fixation surgery.

I was so shocked with the news at first, that I did not know what to say or do, but a few months later, weight bearing became unbearable for me, i could hardly get up the stairs at home and my ankle had swollen up to the size of a balloon. So, i decided to take the surgeon's advice and underwent a talo-navicular surgery as soon as a slot was available. Having the surgery has made a huge difference to my life. My life and mobility have both hugely improved, as a result of the surgery. With a fusion surgery, only a particular part of the foot is made stiff and pain free, as apposed to having a painful and less stiff joint. so even after surgery, good mobility of the foot and ankle should still be possible, as it was with me. I do hope this information helps.

stickywicket

Hi there, sugarcaine, and welcome from me too. I, too, was coping with both children and RA in my younger days and, after my fingers, the ankles were the next target so I can empathise with some of what you're going through.

I'm afraid I can't help with your question, though, as I've never had foot surgery. (My ankles fused themselves in the end.) We have people on here who have had various kinds of foot surgery, though, and I hope some of them will see your thread. However, not many look on this forum so I suggest you re-post on the Living With Arthritis forum. I also put the title of your thread into the Arthritis Care search engine and these are former threads which came up. http://tinyurl.com/h6fctuw Good luck!