Ankle fusion

wendybird

hi I’m new here, I’m struggling ! I had severe ankle arthritis in my left ankle, I waited over 4 years to have my consultant tell me I have to have it fused, I had the operation I had the ankle fusion April 24 , I was told I would be off work 3 months. Three months came and went I’m still off 6 months later. I have been back 5 times to see my consultant as I can’t put any weight on it after sitting for less than 10 mins and I can’t walk at all when I get up in the morning, he has given me a boot again ! My feet are in horrific pain , I can’t feel the top of my foot and it swells really bad all the time , I can only wear crocs! I don’t feel like I’m ever going to be the same again.

annabanana

Hi @wendybird , first of all I would like to welcome you to the online community and say that we're glad to have you here 😊.

I'm so sorry to hear about the immense ankle pain you have been experiencing and unfortunately can only offer my sympathies. Have you seen a podiatrist in the past? I am only asking because my foot/ankle pain was quite bad and I could also only wear Crocs - until I found out from my podiatrist that they were doing more harm than good! I got an insole made by getting casts of my feet, which were a life-changer. Obviously, each person is different and only a medical professional can give you advice accurate to you but my podiatrist advised me to switch to something like wide-fit sketchers as opposed to Crocs. It may be worth looking into a podiatrist if you continue to feel let down by your consultant, but I have never had an ankle fusion so cannot give precise advice but I have attached some links.

I wholeheartedly hope that things improve for you.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-toes-feet-and-ankles/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/foot-and-ankle-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/who-will-treat-you/podiatrist/

wendybird

Thankyou annabanana, I am seeing a podiatrist and I’m waiting for my casts to be done, I believe they will go inside my trainer if I can get them on, Iv tried many sketchers and different trainers but can only keep them on for a hour at most as the swelling starts then! I’m limping very bad and my knee joint and hip hurt also! I feel 90 when I’m only 50! Reading some of the forums i do feel like I’m not on my own. I wish I never had it done , my life has changed drastically and I’m in excruciating pain.

PJoanne

Hello @Wendybird

Its good to hear that the forum is helping you and that you are seeing a podiatrist. Have you been offered any pain control medication/therapy? If not ask your consultant or GP to help you. Also have you been offered any walking aids such as crutches/walking stick, this may help you become more mobile, if you can avoid the weight bearing.

Best Joanne

Nanna22

Hang on in there. I had an ankle fusion in February and it is only in the last month that the swelling has gone down enough to wear trainers comfortably, still a little puffy but not the painful swelling of a few months ago. I even walked down a few stairs today and had to chuckle, because my feet had just done it without me having to tell them where to go, so things are on the up.