Living with an ankle fusion and subtalar fusion--Any advice?

I was in a car accident 2 years ago that shattered every bone in my foot. I had an external fixator for 10 weeks. After surgery number 3 with my first surgeon ( a podiatrist..... first mistake ) he gave up me because he couldn't get my foot to 90 degrees. I researched other doctors and found a reputable podiatrist ( mistake number 2 ). He got my foot to 90 degrees by shaving bone and removing bone fragments. After the cast came off I had so much nerve damage that my foot felt asleep 24/7 and still does.
He wanted to do another external fixator surgery and I cancelled at last minute ( my little voice said to ). I found an orthopedic specialist ( mistake number3 because I didn't go to him first, but who knew?? ). He looked at my x rays and couldn't believe the disaster inside of me caused by unqualified doctors. Hence, my right foot was fused with 16 pieces of hardware. It is so bad he could only get my foot to 87 degrees so now I walk with a limp and my hips are killing me. He said he could amputate ( what?!!) but couldn't go through with it. I am now thinking if this is the way to go ?? All my other doctors say no and well as friends BUT nobody knows what I am feeling. At this rate I'll have a hip replacement within the next five years. And STILL no relief. Orthodics haven't helped and now I'm back in PT. To top it off I am a restaurant manager and bartender at a very high volume restaurant in FL and working 50 hours a week on my feet running ( hobbling ) around. I don't know anything else for a career. I am 47 years old and not a book smart person to even consider going back to school. I really need to start what is next. My pain management is morphine, opioids, steroid injections in my hip and synthetic nerve blocks in my spine. Still suffering every day. It just sounded like I answered my own question..... maybe amputation is all I have left. Very scary. What would you do?

I had a car accident in 1986 broke fibula and tibia. I was 20 at that time. Now 49. I have been in pain for years and bones were not set right. In may this year a doctor removed all my bone spurs and repaired a ligament. Unfortunately that left me with more severe pain and unable to walk without excruciating pain because all he did was made my ankle move more and rub more which I had no cartridge so it only made me rub bone to bone more. So beware if a doctor has you go that route. This doctor only had me do that because he didn't do fusions and he was money hungry. Same dr told me I needed back surgery and two knee replacements.
Anyways Sept 2nd this year I had a fusion by another doctor. I am still using walking boot. Dr told me a week and half ago I can go out of boot which I went cold turkey and walked around with swelling and dealing with massive pain. Therapist told me to go back into boot and gradually come out. I was so happy to come out of boot from being in cast etc since May (first surgery) that I really over did it. So go slow! I also had my acheles tendon shortened and I have to say that is the worst pain right now I am experiencing. Everything else is working it self out pretty good I guess. Therapists says could take year before I can really walk and enjoy things. Just great! I am just hoping I can be pain free for first time in a very very long time. As far as walking I dont feel any different really as far as motion goes because for years I couldn't move ankle well anyways probably due to massive arthritis. I wish you the best! Julie

I had a sub-taler fusion Feb 2013. I was in pain for 23 years after a mc accident. My life is great and pain free today. My ankle fused completely in about 2 months. Why 2 months? I stopped drinking alcohol 2 years before the surgery and I have not had carbonated drinks like soda in over 15 years. I drink water, chocolate milk and coffee. I'm 50 years old and feel like I'm 20 again. Good luck.

Hi yes had an ankle fusion and subtular joint in July 2015 I am in week 14 and still unable to walk properly.
The surgery was painful but bare able I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks and in an aircast for however long it takes!
This is my second major operations as I previously had my heel moved tendons lengthened and plates over toes. So I was already poorly before the next op.it is expected to take me 2plus years to make a full recovery as I have fibromyalgia as well.
This for me is a foot deformity as oppose to an injury, when the right foot is done I need to do the left as well!!