Arthritis in feet - Fusion operation

lizhorehants

Hi

I’m a 67 yr old woman. I’ve had OA in knees for years, held under control with injections. Last 2 years in left foot; Talvuncular joint now right awaiting mri. However, consultant says foot needs fusing.

Has anyone experienced this? Private or nhs? Did it work? What was recovery like? Honesty appreciated.

thank you

liz

noddingtonpete

Hello @lizhorehants and welcome to the Community. We are friendly and supportive and hopefully that will be your experience as well.

Have a look through the following from our website which I hope might be of some help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/foot-and-ankle-surgery/

You could also search on ankle fusion for example - just use the magnifying glass at the top - and you will see there have been a lot of discussions on this already so hopefully some good experiences to read about.

Please let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

frogmorton

Hi @lizhorehants nice to meet you😊

I thought this search did might help

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?domain=all_content&query=foot%20fusion&scope=site&source=community

Take care

Toni x

TaniaMac

TaniaMac

Hello happy to chat anytime

TaniaMac

I am recovering from tarsometatarsal bone fusion surgery in three joints and a bunionectomy. Surgery was 3 months ago. You need to prepare fully and be prepared to elevate your foot 24/7 and non weight bear for quite a while

TaniaMac

Hello, I have just had 3 tarsometatarsal joints fused and a bunionectomy a month ago.

It isn't easy partly because my bedroom is on the 4th floor (I have to sleep there as it's got an ensuite). Honestly getting to the bathroom is very hard. If you have a living room/bedroom with a bathroom on the same floor that'd be really good.

I can now get downstairs and upstairs but only by going on my bum so if you have lots of stairs it's not easy but I'm just about managing it (I'm 57).

Make sure you have all the equipment you need - a shower stool, a plastic sleeve for your leg for showering (after first couple of weeks), crutches or walkers for each floor (this is really important), a commode for tge early days, an over the bed table and a special cushion to elevate your leg 24/7. I need to elevate my leg for 6 weeks and also to inject myself.

These pieces of equipment are all essential as is a perching stool for washing initially. The hospital should provide most of these.

Take vitamin C and D, stock up your freezer and make sure you have a lot of help for the first few weeks.

Actual pain is ok. Happy to chat more. It's doable but you must prepare

noddingtonpete

Hello @TaniaMac and welcme to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

Thank you so much for your post, it contains some great advice and I am sure will help others. If you have any questions just create a new discussion and I am sure others will be able to help.

Best wishes

Peter

remmingtonwildhunter

I had a talus an subtallas fusion in 18 and 2020 in plaster for 3 months nice funky colours air boot for 8 weeks then learn to walk again...

I'm a gardener so on my feet all day can't do steep banks my avatar is my ankle best thing i did pain free...