more ankle fusion stuff

[vanessa]

Hi, I just registered... I am having another ankle fusion next week and am abit scared. I had an old injury and have had 2 orthroscopies since 1990 .Had an ankle fusion 2 years ago and everything seemed great. A few months ago I started having pain again and found out I need more ankle joint bones fused. I guess I hadn't realized that there was possibility of yet more surgeries. I wish my doctor had fused the whole mess and got it over with 2 years ago. I was on non-weight-bearing crutches for 3 months.(added an extra month because I smoked...WARNING TO ALL). I had a five month total recovery time. Please tell me that this will be a quicker easier recovery. I am 45.

[gwen dee lynn]

I had compound fracture of tib. fib. and ankle because of auto accident on feb. 9, 2007. I have two surgeries with who knows how many pins plates screws and god know shat else put in there. My recovery was going well I thought untill one morning i woke up and was in severe pain, swollen bad, and turned purple. I could also see one screw poking out just under the skin, looked like it would break the skin at any moment. I had been off the crutches for 3 weeks, and out of the walking cast for one week. I actually got to wear shoes for a week. I have been back on crutches ever since and now the doctors say the ankle has rebroke and they are not sure exactly how they want to fix it. One option they are looking at is fusion. At this point I just want it better, i really don't care what they have to do to it. Make it quit hurting, 7 months of this much pain is more than I can deal with. I was a smoker too. I have quit and its been hard when you unable to get around and aren't as active as usual. sitting and smoking go so well together. I am 39 (for a few more months) and diabetic. one more strike against me when it comes to foot healing. I have 4 teen-age sons and would like to be out in the yard playing football with them like the old days. this whole deal has made turning 40 feel like turning60. Any words of encouragement? oH BY THE WAY MY BOYFRIEND OF 8 YEARS COULD NOT HANDLE THE STRESS OF THIS (SAID I CHANGED) AND WALKED OUT ON ME.
:confused:

[Peggy Snider]

Hello all...I have been reading all the posts and I just recently joined! I am 1 month away from haveing my ankle fusion...I am so scared. I have 5 1/2 year old triplets and I'm so scared that things are going to go bad! I have had 3 priar surgeries in the past result of a high school gymnastics injury. But nothing as serious as this. What if I can't walk normal? Will I be able to wear my cute shoes anymore? Will I still be able to chase my kids around and play? I am so freaking!!!

I need some advice and someone to talk to.

Peggy

[KiraB]

Hiya,

I decided to get a replacement, not fusion, for a number of reasons I won't go into here (and it is going very well for me). But I do have some advice for you guys from when I was looking at fusion. You should be able to wear cute shoes (with a little heel) again, but think months and months after the operation. You should be pain free and walk without a limp in shoes, you might limp barefoot. the recovery is long and hard, but worth it from all accounts, and get a roller to help you get around (at least the house). I don't know what they are actually called, but you kneel on it and push yourself around with the other foot, means you can carry things etc and still be non-weight bearing, your doctor should know what they are called, and may know of where to get one second-hand. Prepare the house etc as much as possible, and elevate your foot as much as you can post op (above the heart). When you get out of walking boot, use a compression sock for the swelling.

I won't lie and say the recovery will be a bundle of laughs, but being pain free has given me my life back (and I was 26 going on 60!) It is the best decision I have ever made and I am confident that your fusions will be the same for you once yo have got past the first bit of recovery.

Good luck and I hope it all goes swimmingly!

Kira

[KiraB]

Oh and one last thing, I lost 14 pounds in the 2 months since my replacment (I am much more skilled at gaining that kind of weight in that kind of time) and I didn't actually try...I was just so relieved to be pain free and less depressed that I guess I didn't eat as much junk without even realising... it was a pleasant surprise for me.

[karenb285]

Hi all,
Wow, I think in reading all these comments, we all have one thing in common, we have extreme ankle pain and want it gone! I had an ankle replacement two years ago and have had many surgeries since. I am considering removing it now and getting an ankle fusion. I think what we all want to hear is "when the surgery is over, we will be pain free". I'm not sure anyone can guarantee that. I think people have better results with fusions and seem to have much more success with that surgery. I am contemplating having my ankle taken out and fusing it. My only worry is.......will it work or am I just having more surgery, another long recovery, and ending up in the same boat.

At least it's good to finally talk to people who are going through the same thing. Keep the comments coming.

[Don Nerren]

Hi: my name is Don and I am 63 years old and in good health. I broke my left ankle when I was 20 playing football. In this period of time I have had two failed ankle replacements. On December 5 I am to have a ankle fusion. They will take out the old replacement and put bone in and fuse it. I has fused itself over the years and I have not even 1% movement. Thus, I will not miss the movement. However I am constant pain. I am very anxious about the surgery. My suregon told me he could help do away with at least 90 % of main with this fusion.:p
I just need to hear from you that it is going to be alright. My doctor told me I would be in a cxast for 3 months with no weight on the ankle.
Than you for listening. Anything you can share with me would be appreciate it.
Thank you
Don

[KiraB]

Hi Don,

Lots of people I have spoken to have had very successful fusions which removed the pain. I am sure it will be fine. If you get a rolleraid it will help the non-weightbearing period.

Can I ask what kind of replacement you had? How long did they last? how many revisions? Just any info on your experience would be really great to hear!

All the best for the operation I am sure it will be a great success

Kira

[KiraB]

Karen,
so sorry your replacement hasn't worked out, anything you want to share about your experience or advice would be much appreciated!

Good luck with the fusion if you decide to go for it!

you are right about the pain, a solution to the pain is the main objective!

all the best
Kira

[Don Nerren]

Kira:
Thank you for your note. I am not looking forward to this surgery as I have had so many on this ankle. I had two replacments, one at the age of 27 and the other one at 34. They both had problems that resulted in operations to trighten them up or they came unglued. The one I have now is gone and I can only have a fusion. I was the youngest man in a large part of the world to have a replacement at the age of 27. The doctor who is to do my fusion told me they should not do replacements on anyone under the age of 35. But, that is his thinking. He is the Teacher/Surgeon of the largest hospital we have in MS so he must know something. At least I hope he does.
Thanks for the roller help. I have seen them. Will Insurance over them, do you know ?
I hate crutches and always in the past have messed up and put weight on my ankle and I cannot to do that this time. This is my last shot.
Thank you again for taking the time to talk to me and give me hope.
Thats what I need to hear.
Don

[Kandy]

I am new to these forums and I am trying to decide on (or come to terms with) - not sure which? an ankle fusion. I have read some stories and have to say more against fusion than for fusion. My doctor told me it would mean total pain relief of that ankle which I now query. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in all joints and the other concern I have is the excessive pressure it may place on the other joints. I don't know if I'm better off not walking too good now or maybe walking worse off later??? Has anybody had similar experiences with other joint pain from this operation? Having RA has limited my abilities as it is but this is only making things worse with osteoarthritis from old brake in ankle. Any advise would be appreciated?

Kandy

[KiraB]

Hi Kandy,

I am not really able to answer your questions, as I chose replacement over fusion for many reasons, mainly the problems that it can cause to the rest of your body later down the track. I also know that replacement is considered to work particularly well in RA patients. Not sure if you had considered that option, but my new ankle has given me my life back, pain free and it is wonderful! Hopefully you will be able to get rid of the pain one way or another and it certainly is a great feeling!

All the best and good luck!
Kira

[Kandy]

Hi Kira,

thanks for that information. It is very interesting that my doctor suggested the opposite for the replacement to me. He said that a replacement wouldn't be advisable in RA patients as it places too much strain on other areas. Maybe it's time for a second opinion. These are the things that are not explained to you enough so hearing it from those who have gone through it is really valuable information. I appreciate it!

Kandy

[nic]

Hi there all, this is my first time on,but have been reading things on here for a while.5 mnths ago I had quite a fall and shattered my heel into many parts also a fracture of the talus and a small avulsion fracture of the fibula at the ATFL,just to complicate things also tore my subtalal.Had plate and 6 screws and a bone graft a week after the accident once some of the swelling had gone down.The hardware has given me so much drama I feel like an 80 year old I am a 38 yr old who before the accident ran most days and competed in dragon boat racing,feel like im going stir crazy...Havent been able to stand for longer than a few hours, I have surgery booked in for 6 weeks to get the hardware out and in a week hoppefully will get a MRI as am having a lot of pain in the ankle and my physio things that there might be some scar tissue in the ankle region at the ATFL preventing me from getting past a 1 in the stretch test so hopefully they can clean things up while there in there taking things out.Mainly want to know if anyone has had a subtalar fusion as that is what the doctor is advising in may to stop the pain.Any thoughts would help with the desicion.