In the last ten years I’ve had surgery eight times on my right ankle. Most of them were ligament reconstructions and finally a complete ankle fusion. Making the decision to fuse my ankle was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make but with the chronic pain, instability, degenerative arthritis and inflammation I agreed. It’s going to be two years this June and although it’s been a very long recovery and endless hours of physical therapy I can say I’m feeling good about it. One of the biggest challenges is finding shoes that help me walk. With an ankle fusion you have no range of motion so I need orthopedic shoes to help me out. I wear a pair of MBTs but would like to find something different that still provides the support I need, any suggestions? I’d love to hear your story and how you are dealing with the ankle fusion -- was it the right decision for you?
~Gimpy
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Hi Ron....I read your comments with great interest. I believe you had the courage to say what many of us have thought. I have anyway. My ankle was totally pulverized and my tibia broken in a head on back in 97. I was 45 at the time. It took me forever to heal. The docs weren't sure if I'd keep my foot or not due to circulation issues. I wound up having my ankle fused about 16 months after my accident. The problem, going to a prosthetic foot will open up another can of worms. It is very common for ulcers to appear, circulation problems can occur and you will still have pain. Just a totally different type. If I was going to do anything else, I would have an artificial ankle. The progress they've made on them over the years is quite amazing, so that might be something to check into. One thing I have learned since all this has happened to me....I can still do most of the things I used to do....I just have to do it differently. I have done everything I knew to do to get my pain under control. I am now on gabapentin, diclofenac, cymbalta and Norco.
February 11, 2015 - 6:33amAm I pain free? Absolutely not, I haven't been since February 28, 1997....I have a limp. I have back, foot, hip and leg issues. Be kind to yourself, change your lifestyle. After much deliberation, I wound up on disability. I hated making that decision, but I had to. I can't handle crowds like I used to. I can't travel like I used to. I can't drive like I used to. I have to accept all of that for my peace of mind. Have you seen more than one surgeon? You definitely need someone you can trust and who's on top of all the changes in the orthopedic world of ankle reconstruction. Good luck to you and God bless.
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Hey Suziq. Have long ago given up chasing a fly ball down in the outfield. Sold my motorcycle and boat. Can't even walk around a golf course anymore. Your point about crowds is so true. People who post here realize their shower floors are not flat. Just want to stand in my kitchen and prepare a meal with both hands without pain. Am luckier than most in that I can support myself, take no prescription meds at all, and have 1 good leg. Meds never helped my bone on bone anyway. My father is 81. His father lived to 98. No way will I suffer for 40 more years. Any issues with a prosthetic are better than 40 more years of pain. I would at least be able to swim pain free. Go to bed each night dreaming of the best way to cut off my foot/ ankle. Sorry for the negativity. Regards. Ron.
February 11, 2015 - 12:24pmThis Comment
Hi I'm Laura,
I'm 8 weeks post ankle fusion to my left leg. I think its better if I start from the beginning. At 12 years old, I dislocated my left ankle and fractured both the bones, I had surgery to hold the ankle and allow the bones to heal, however, a few months later I had to have the ankle adjusted as the surgeon and after care team didn't set the ankle at the right angle. After 3 months non weight bearing and no physiotherapy it isnt hard to say, within a year of walking again arthritis had started to develop. The pain was killing me, my heel didnt touch the ground and I walked on my toe. I seen specialist after specialist, my GP had me on strong pin relief since I was 12. At 17, I had to have the metal removed which helped slightly. After years of pain, doctors appointments and depression due to my brothers suicide, I seen my GP who had sent me for orthotics, to see a specialist again and a physio. I found out that my heel was 5cm off the ground, xrays were taken and I heard nothing, so I thought they didnt see anything and I left it at that. Out of nowhere, I got a letter to attend a Private Clinic by the NHS, I was to see a specialist in Ankle Surgery. After the usual poking and proding I was sent for alot of Xrays. I was told I had mass degeneration of the ankle which ment the cartilage, tendons, etc had wore away and I was left bone on bone. Only option was to Fuse it and Lengthen the acceles tendon and bring my heel to the ground.
I'm 27 now, surgery behind me, healing great and I'm Partial Weight Bearing in a cast and cast shoe. I had no pain from after the first week of surgery, now I'm experiencing slight pain in my heel and I'm walking like an old lady. I was just wondering can any one advise on getting more stable on my feet. I'm in a flat rigid cast shoe, would a rocker sole cast shoe be beneficial.
Please Help
Laura
February 5, 2015 - 4:21pmThis Comment
Hi, Laura;
March 11, 2015 - 2:25amI am pretty well in the same situation as you, I had a complex fracture
when I was 24, held together with 5 titanium screws...I had them removed gradually, and it was fine for years...but as I entered my 50's, the sharp, stabbing pain became excruciating!!! This past year I could hardly walk my dog, let alone do my job...I was popping Tylenol 3s' just to function...it was also bone on bone..so, about 12 weeks ago I had my ankle fusion. I really considered ankle replacement, but my doctor suggested fusion, and he promised me a good range of motion. I am still in the boot now, and walking with crutches because in the boot I can point my foot forward...soon I have to forego the boot, but I am now really worried if I chose the right surgery. I don't want to walk with a limp, and I hope it'll be OK after intensive physio, which I haven't started yet....there are alot of positive vids on Youtube on fusion post-op, so hope for the best..if not, I may have to go for ankle replacement in the future.
But, the best part is pain-free!! That pain ruled my whole life, now
it's gone..!! MBT rocker shoes I guess are the best, but can't get them here in Canada anymore, so I found HOKA Bondi athletic
shoes as the most similar, suggested by an orthotics guy..I will
check them out tomorrow, somewhat pricey...good luck..!!
William
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Hello Fused Ankle Peoples: I've been reading with interest about everyone's adventures with ankle fusion. I was in a 100 mph head on back in 97. I had a broken leg and my right ankle was totally pulverized to the point my foot was not attached to my leg, except for skin. When I woke up after surgery I had an external stabilizer attached to my right ankle and leg. 1 week later they put a rod up my right leg to set my broken leg. For months I did not know if I would keep my foot. The docs were very concerned about the circulation in my foot and lower leg. The stabilizer came off 4-1/2 months after my wreck and I went into a cast. I had drop foot every time they took the cast off, so they'd put on another cast. I went thru this for about 4-5 months. My ankle refused to heal. After a year of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes and casts my ankle would not improve. I finally went to an ankle surgeon who saved me. After trying a few other options, we started to discuss ankle fusion as my last resort. I considered it on and off for a month and decided I'd be crazy not to do it. I finally had the surgery in April of 99. What should have been a 90 minute surgery turned into a 4 hour marathon. It turned out my leg was also twisted at the hip socket . As a result my foot is slightly turned to the right. After a year I had the rod removed from my leg and then 4 of the 5 screws removed from my ankle. My fusion is very solid, the surgeon had to use bone from my tibia as my ankle bone. However, other problems have evolved. Because of my twisted leg, I'm starting to have hip problems and lower back problems. I also have problems with my knee. My major problem is my right foot. I have developed arthritis really, really bad and some days cannot walk. I've read many comments about shoes. The thicker the sole the better for me. I too use the rocker style more than any other. The easier to put on the better. I've tried so many different types of shoes. Some very expensive and some not so expensive. I have to replace my main shoes every 6 months. My foot still swells, my ankle swells as soon as my foot hits the floor in the morning. I had also got to the point that my pain was major all the time. I went to a sports medicine, nerve damage doctor. I have been diagnosed with crsd, It is a nerve condition caused by any type of blunt force trauma, typically after a car accident. I'm on meds now for arthritis, (diclofenac), nerve pain (gabapentin), chronic pain (Norco). I have tried massage, etc, but that tends to aggravate the rsd. (go figure). I was 47 when I had the accident, I'll be 63 this year. I have been on a huge learning curve, which will continue. I won't have any more surgeries. I had 5 the first 18 months after my accident.....The more surgeries the more nerve damage. Keeping my weight down is a help with the whole right side of my body. I don't do any power walking or anything, to much pain from the arthritis. I do ride stationary bike though, which does strengthen my legs. When I'm in pain, I relax. When I feel good I do things. I don't have pain in the ankle itself. It's the foot, heel and lower leg that's the biggest hassle. That's enough from me. Everyone have a blessed day.
January 4, 2015 - 1:45pmThis Comment
I am due to have subtalar fusion is four weeks. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and have been putting this surgery off for 5 years. Seen 4 different surgeons and they all agree on this fusion. My surgeon did say I would be able to use a knee rider and he does remove the surgical screws on 80% of his patients. Removing the screws is a small operation with a two week recovery. Is there anyone on this forum who has had subtalar fusion as a result of RA? If so, what was your outcome? Of course I am nervous about the operation! Any comment would be appreciated!!
62 female from Massachusetts...
January 1, 2015 - 10:13amThis Comment
I had a subtalor fusion 8 weeks ago. Presently I'm in a walking boot. My surgeon states I can move towards total weight on ankle in two weeks as my ex rays look good. My primary issue has been swelling. As soon as I m not elevating my foot it starts. also I'm experiencing poor circulation in foot and toes feel like their freezing . Not sure if I should be applying ice or heat so I do both. Not sure if these issues are normal so any feedback would be helpful!
November 10, 2015 - 9:59amThis Comment
Hi: I just came across your post trying to do some research about the ankle fusion surgery. It sounds like I am in the same boat as you and I am wondering if you had the surgery? If so, how did it turn out? Good I am hoping :)
March 11, 2015 - 10:28am44, with RA from Cleveland
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Hello fellow fuse-ers! I had my right ankle fused in April of 2011. When I was 9 years old, I had a terrible sledding accident which caused a compound fracture of my ankle. 14 years and 7 surgeries later, I was still in so much pain, the arthritis was getting so bad that my surgeon at Mass General, stated that I had the worst case of arthritis he's ever seen, and I was in my early 20's. So I opted for the fusion, even after the doing research, knowing that the other joints in my foot will start to get arthritic at some point. But I didn't think it would have been so soon, the sharp stabbing pain is back in the small joints and now I'm just going to wait and tough it out as long as I can before another surgery. I just removed the screws last year thinking that would relieve some of the pain, and it did minimally, but I know it's just going to get worse with time.
October 18, 2014 - 4:33amI feel everyone's pain here, and I know what it's like trying to have to explain to people what wrong because it usually comes with a long story trying to explain how you got to this point.
As for shoes.... It's really hard to find comfortable shoes that my foot can move/fit in, never mind it being stylish! I have found that the Walking Company does sell shoes that can be comfy. Expensive, but comfy. I usually buy Abeo brand, they have the memory foam that forms to the foot. Downside, the foam holds in the daily heat and sweat, and it's a hassle to clean. But I swear by them. It's still sad walking buy beautiful heels, knowing that I can never wear them again in my life!
Sorry for the rambling, and good luck to everyone.
--Anna, 27, MA
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Hello fellow ankle fusion people, I had my ankle fusion surgery 6/23/14. After 6 different hard casts I am now in the walking boot. I hate this boot. I think from being in the hard casts I have developed a 4-5 inch callus under my heel so it hurts like heck to walk in this boot. I but a water insole in it but it is still sensitive in that area. Sleeping at night I have to put something around my ankle because it is sensitive to touch the sheets.
October 8, 2014 - 3:56pmAbout a week and a half ago I got the walking boot and will have it for 8 weeks. In the mean time I need to find shoes to wear back to work and wonder what kind of exercises I can do when I take my cast off at night or while at my computer that will make my toes hurt less. The doctor has not mentioned PT but I assume that I will need that so that I can learn how to walk better when the boot is off.
It's kind of fun when people ask what happened I tell them that I fell off my stillettos while pole dancing. Haha, I am 56 years old and somewhat overweight so I get a lot of laughs.
Good Luck to everyone! Wanna finally go on vacations without having to be pushed around in a wheelchair. Tammy
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