fusion ankle

[COB]

Hi I am a 27 year old male and have had ankle problems since birth and have seen my fair share of specialist and now it has time to get my ankle fused as we have been putting it off for about 12 years now but the pain in my right leg is to much now .I have limited movement and wear a ski boot brace when it is to much to walk on .What I would like to know is how long does it usually take to get back mobile again after the op and side effects if any thanks

[djmitchell]

Hi I am a 27 year old male and have had ankle problems since birth and have seen my fair share of specialist and now it has time to get my ankle fused as we have been putting it off for about 12 years now but the pain in my right leg is to much now .I have limited movement and wear a ski boot brace when it is to much to walk on .What I would like to know is how long does it usually take to get back mobile again after the op and side effects if any thanks

It depends a bit on which joint - the ankle usually refers to the up/down movement - the residual stiffness from this is quite noticeable after a fusion. The subtalar joint rolls the hindfoot side to side and is much more commonly the issue. My approach is 6 weeks on crutches in plaster, 6 weeks progressive increasing weight bearing in a camwalker, so a t 3 months normal footware. If you want to run on uneven surfaces - reassess your goals! It might be possible but the specific complaint after subtalar fusion is uneven ground.

Good luck!

[COBb]

It depends a bit on which joint - the ankle usually refers to the up/down movement - the residual stiffness from this is quite noticeable after a fusion. The subtalar joint rolls the hindfoot side to side and is much more commonly the issue. My approach is 6 weeks on crutches in plaster, 6 weeks progressive increasing weight bearing in a camwalker, so a t 3 months normal footware. If you want to run on uneven surfaces - reassess your goals! It might be possible but the specific complaint after subtalar fusion is uneven ground.

Good luck!

Thanks for your advice my doctor said that i will loose the sideways movement as i have only a little of that as it is it was not a great loss but my other concern was up and down i have 2-2 1/2 inches of movement now but none when i am bearing weight on the one ankle do you know of any other things i could look at to stop the pain tablets creams gels until i get it done and is it better to get it done early in my life or later on thanks

[BAVSTHEONE]

Hi cob ive had a subtalar fusion about 6 months ago and i still have pain,and hard to walk even on flat surfaces,but like you i didnt have much choice and really i had a bad run to get thru to now ,but we are all different