Ankle Replacements

Kareyan3
Kareyan3 Member Posts: 11
edited 27. Jun 2014, 11:18 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi
I was wondering if anyone has had an Ankle Replacement done..as I maybe having one done...so was really looking to see if anyone could give some feedback on it...at the moment it's not as common as hips and knees...I've had both my hips and knees done..but first Time for an Ankle...thanks

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Did you see the thread I bumped up, Kareyan3? If you look at other threads by the people involved you'll be able to trace their progress. Good luck :D
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Kareyan3
    Kareyan3 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you
  • prefabkid47
    prefabkid47 Member Posts: 1,316
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Kareyan3 wrote:
    Hi
    I was wondering if anyone has had an Ankle Replacement done..as I maybe having one done...so was really looking to see if anyone could give some feedback on it...at the moment it's not as common as hips and knees...I've had both my hips and knees done..but first Time for an Ankle...thanks


    Hi Kareyan3

    First thanks to stickywicket for bumping up my (and Rob's previous posts).
    I have been very neglectful of the forum having been a regular poster,I apologise! :cry:

    I had my ankle replacement just over 3 years ago and am due to see the surgeon next month for my annual checkup.
    Were you given the option of replacement or fusion,or was the decision made by the consultant?
    Fusion was the usual course of action but replacement is becoming more and more common.I believe the NHS is monitoring this to gain a more accurate life expectancy but most say 15-20 years or more.
    I went into hospital on a Thursday morning,had the operation that afternoon and came home Friday evening.Pain was minimal,only took paracetamol and ibuprofen.Was in a 'back slab' for 2 weeks,then plaster for about 6 weeks and a brace for another 2 weeks or so.

    I don't regret having the operation,but didn't have much option really being almost immobile.The new ankle appears to be holding up well. :)

    If you have any questions or concerns feel free to ask,you can always PM if you wish.

    Regards
    Ron
    ''Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy''. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
  • Kareyan3
    Kareyan3 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ron
    Thanks for your feed back..May I ask why you were in a 'back slab' I was told that after the op I will have a plaster cast on for six weeks...must admit not looking forward to that...he did mention a fusion but spoke more of having replacement...going for CT scan on the 2nd July then to see him to talk about the best option...to be honest think I would rather have replacement more than fusion...

    Regards Karen
  • prefabkid47
    prefabkid47 Member Posts: 1,316
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Kareyan3 wrote:
    Hi Ron
    Thanks for your feed back..May I ask why you were in a 'back slab' I was told that after the op I will have a plaster cast on for six weeks...must admit not looking forward to that...he did mention a fusion but spoke more of having replacement...going for CT scan on the 2nd July then to see him to talk about the best option...to be honest think I would rather have replacement more than fusion...

    Regards Karen

    Hi Karen
    The 'back slab' was put on my leg in the theatre after the operation.It is in two parts taped together,therefore it is less constricting and allows room for dressings and for any post operative swelling (although the latter was minimal in my case).
    This was removed,the dressing changed and my leg put in plaster (choice of colours!) from just above the toes to just below the knee.
    I was fortunate in having a surgeon who was a specialist in this type of surgery for the south east (which part of the country are you in).
    Ron
    ''Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy''. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
  • Kareyan3
    Kareyan3 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ron

    Ok thank you...it's being in plaster thats not quite grabbing me...after having bad times with them many years ago...but if it's worked for you...and I know everyone is different, and the fact its only temporary...I had both my hips and knees done in the last 13 years by a very lovely surgeon...but unfortunately he's now retired..so having to put my life in another surgeons life..lol...I've not heard anyone having ankle replacements this is why I'm asking...only people that have had fusions..the surgeon told me it only last about 10 years..but its now I need the quality of life...I'm in the south west(Cheltenham)..I'm having a CT scan on the 2nd July and then seeing him to weight up the options...

    Karen
  • alpine
    alpine Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ron,
    Thank you for your post. Interesting to read Karen's situation. I too, discussed fusion vs TAR with my surgeon. I am opting for a TAR using the STAR prosthetic over fusion because I was told with a fusion there is a likelihood of arthritis developing around the other ankle bones. My ankle is already very arthritic and because it runs in my family, I did not want to invite any more arthrtis.
    Is it true that the TAR may last 15-20 years? I was told 8 at most.
    My operation will be July 14th at the Brigham & Women's hospital, Boston, Mass. Am quite nervous.
    Thanks again,
    Alpine
  • Kareyan3
    Kareyan3 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Alpine

    Hope you don't mind me interrupting...its a very scary situation...I wasn't too bad when I had my other joints done...but because I've never heard anyone else talk about Ankle Replacements...I like to know the in's and out's of it before I make up my mind....good luck with your op on the 14th July..hope all go's well

    Regards

    Karen
  • alpine
    alpine Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Karen,
    Yes, the thought of the ankle replacement is very scary. I have lived with a lot of pain for about three years, now, I am about at the end of my rope and felt that the ankle replacement was my only option. So....I am going to dive in. I did a lot of research on the type of prosthetic, some seem a lot more invasive than others. Then I wanted to have a surgeon do this that had done a number of them. I am a bit embarrased to say, that I have had five ankle specialists look at my ankle. The fifth will do the surgery. Each doctor really said it comes down to YOU and what your expectations of yourself and your lifestyle are. Replacing or fixing the replacement is tricky and can be complicated, but I have to rely on technology improving every year.
    I hope some of this helps. Will be more then glad to continue sharing my thoughts etc. with you.
    All the best,

    Alpine
  • Kareyan3
    Kareyan3 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi alpine
    Thanks for your reply...I must admit I didn't feel to bad about having my knees and hips done as I had the same surgeon..but now it's a different one and I don't know his 'way' of doing things..he didn't seen fazed about doing it...but I do have to go and see him soon, to decide...so I will do a bit of fishing then...this op will be completely out my comfort zone as I will be in plaster and for the first couple of weeks no weight baring...and I don't have a lot of upper body strength...so it's going to be a challenge for me..I'm very independent and having someone to rely on for doing things for me that I usually do myself is going to be hard...but I will get though it.

    Karen
  • GraceB
    GraceB Member Posts: 1,595
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I need a left ankle replacement/fusion but am putting it off for as long as possible as my right knee is partially replaced and I am concerned about it doing all the work whilst I am non and then partial weight bearing following the replacement. I've been told that the weight bearing restrictions can be anything between 6-12 weeks and I can't consider that at the moment.

    My neighbour has had two ankle fusions now and is delighted. Whilst she has a slight 'tipsy' walking gait, apart from that you wouldn't know. She struggled a bit more to get over the second one but she was 10 years older and put her slower recovery down to that.

    It is worrying when you have a change of surgeon but if you need an additional appointment to chat things through further with him/her before you say 'yes' then it's probably best to see if this can happen. If you are due to see him/her again in clinic, take a written list of questions with you together with a list of anything else that is worrying you. Don't forget your pen and paper for the answers though! Also, if you can have someone else with you that can work as between two of you you can usually recall everything. If it's just you in the room with the consultant you can get into information overload situation.

    Good luck with this.

    Take care,
    GraceB
    Turn a negative into a positive!
  • Kareyan3
    Kareyan3 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi GraceB

    Thank you for your input..I am a positive person..just unsure about the ankle replacement...havent heard many people having it done like the hips and knees..to which I've had both done..thats changed my life...if its 2 weeks no weight barring and then the last 4 weeks some weight barring..thats not bad if it lasts 10-years plus..I would rather have the quality of life now...it won't be easy I know that because I'm very independent...where would we be if it wasn't for replacement joints..my husband has spoken to the anethatist that did 3 of my op's and he is going to do it this time too...my husband and myself both work for NHS(the devil you know)and all that..just a shame I can't have the same surgeon..anyway hope all works out for you too GraceB

    Karen