Ankle Fusion or Replacement?

[Theresa]

My partner is to the point where he has been recommended by his Doctor to have an ankle fusion operation. What has been the failure to success rate for this procedure and what would be the down side?
There is alot of tendons damage from the original injury 35 years ago so he is not sure replacement surgery would be an alternative option. He is an active 67 year old, but in constant pain from my injury.
Any advise or info would be welcomed.
Thanks

[injuryupdate]

At 67 years old, a fusion is almost certainly going to be a better option than a replacement (with current technology). Unfortunately ankle replacements are nowhere near hip and knee replacements.

The main problem with fusion is increased load on the other joints due to lack of movement at the ankle. This is a huge issue for someone younger, but at 67 an ankle fusion hopefully will give excellent pain relief, with any secondary arthritis in other joints occurring late enough in life to not worry about.

[Marcia Knorr]

My partner is to the point where he has been recommended by his Doctor to have an ankle fusion operation. What has been the failure to success rate for this procedure and what would be the down side?
There is alot of tendons damage from the original injury 35 years ago so he is not sure replacement surgery would be an alternative option. He is an active 67 year old, but in constant pain from my injury.
Any advise or info would be welcomed.
Thanks

I had an ankle fusion surgery on Sept 20, 2005. Before deciding on finally having the fusion I tried arthoscopic procedure which gave me an extra 3-4 years of mobility, but bone spurs etc. seemed to grow back. Then I tried an operation where they tightened ligaments so the ankle would not turn over so easily. This was a dismal failure. Now I am in a cast going crazy with boredom at home. In two more weeks they will xray the ankle and if I have enough bone growth with the fusion they will place me in a walking cast where I can start placing partial weight on the ankle over the next 4 weeks. It is still to early to know how things will work, but I just wanted the pain to go away and be able to walk again without going so slow and stopping to rest. I am 55 years old and hope this gives me some mobility to enjoy life. I don't plan on jogging, climbing mountains etc. I just want to walk again without people asking "why are you limping so much" It is a big decision to make. Jury is still out on how well it will work. Hang in there. I wouldn't recommend the ankle replacement since they seem to wear out within 5-7 years and you will be back in the same or worse place making decisions.