ankle replacement

[echo2822]

Hi, I have had 2 surgerys on a painful ankle in 3 yrs. In 1996 my lefft ankle starting hurting bad. Locking up. Plus loosing range of motion when pulling toes up. (dorsiflection) I belive. And just not feeling right. X-rays showed a syst on the talus and some arthritis? Until 2003 when I had a piece of bone float under the skin on the inner side of my ankle. It was the size of an m&m. I was being treated with celebrex among others for arthritis. The ankle did not respond. sometimes it felt good, sometimes i could hardly walk on it. .... My first surgery was to remove the syst and bone chip, also to just clean the joint up. The syst turned out to be covering a hole in the talus which was bone grafted. The joint was cleaned up. And my achillies was stretched to help with the range of motion and to stop it from rupturing when stretched in p.t. It was very painful , but after many trips to p.T. I made it back to work. Continued doing the p/t. On my own at the therapy gym for a yr. And a half , but the pain on dorsiflection and the loss of range of motion never cleared up. Every time I roll through a step it pinches and at times still locks up. also the inner side of the 2 calf muscles never grew back. .... We did a 2nd surgery this june. Oats from knee to ankle. 1 plug 4mm in size was put in my talus. The bottom of my leg bone or top half of ankle was cut off diagonally to get at the site. After the plug was in plsace. the ankle was screwed back togeher. My last visit to the doc, I was still in a good deal of pain. He gave me 6wks more of p.T. Which ends next week to work it out. Its still hurts bad. I have trouble with steps, range of motion ( dorsi) and a huge pinch with just about every step. Theres no way I can go back to work. And it seems a replacement is the only way out of pain. Who does the best work on ankles? Is a replacement to a 40 yr. Old male at 165lbs. The only thing left? Also I do know theres moderate to severe arthritis in there on top of it all. Any advice would be great. Thanks, jeff

[Unregistered]

Hi - just wanted to say
I had a very bad riding accident 3 years ago,(horse and me parted company at great speed)
I have been reading all the posts regarding ankle fusion and replacements and wanted to add my two-cent's worth. (but, I am from the UK so i guess that should be pence..lol!)
Had 4 surgeries in the first month afterwards, and was told that there was nothing to be done, except fusion.(but the surgery had to be delayed for about 18 months or so)
My injuries were so bad the whole ankle was smashed. No cartiledge, just bone on bone with accelerated arthritis. Pins, plates, yep, the works.
Oh, such pain.Intense pain - all the time. *ouch*
I couldn't accept this - so made 3 attempts to get a replacement done, but was refused by the consultant surgeons as I was too young, only being 50+.

However, my physiotherapist found me a surgeon(who was highly recommended - and had a very high proportion of success) and last October, had the ankle replacement...but sadly, had to give up on the horse-riding, as the joint wouldn't be able to take such movement.
Reluctanly, i gave up my horse(to a member of the family)...and now can walk relatively well.
I use my cross-trainer,and my bike(and swim) and I guess things are going ok. Pain, well yes, still have pain, but it is not at the same level, and night time - is fine(when still)I am hoping that this will improve though...*sigh*
However, reading all the negative comments here about ankle-replacement, i am now worried that things will deteriorate after about 5 years.
I know that the surgeon told me I was too young, and normally these replacements were only used on much older and more sedentary patients, but i just could not accept a fusion (which seemed so total/final)- without giving it a try first.
So, now i just have to wait and see!I will, however, try to remain optimistic!
Cheers!