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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I am so happy for the all of you that are pain free and can do zumba etc... that is truly great. I had my ankle fused 17 yrs ago and maybe I had a botched surgery or something. I in NO way can do what I did before. I have trouble going up or down slopes or steps. I absolutely cannot wear heels. Shoes are limited for me in choices. I still have swelling and can tell you days before it rains. Balance is a problem which caused my to fall 6 months ago tearing my acl and mcl on my GOOD knee. And oh how I miss being able to run. I am truly happy for all that have had such a success with their fusion and wish only the best for all of you preparing for your surgery. My fusion has been life altering.
August 7, 2014 - 6:54pmThis Comment
I have found out that the longer your ankle is fused the more problems you have. Mine's been fused for 15-16 years and I've developed numerous problems the past few years. The arthritis in my foot is horrendous. I, like you, can forecast the weather. I have fallen too, a number of times. My doctor told me I had to slow down. Usually I fell when turning. I do know your ankle can be set so you can wear short heels, my surgeon and I discussed that prior to my surgery. Wearing heels was the least of my worries!!! I still have swelling in my ankle and sometimes my leg. However, I am grateful I can walk. My life has been altered forever.
January 26, 2015 - 7:30amThis Comment
I am like Anonymous. My fusion was life altering though necessary. I am not pain free though I'm considerably better than I was prior to fusion nine years ago. Back then the pain was intense and my ankle felt burning hot to touch. I had to stay on pain pills to function. Now there's no way I can do strenuous exercise or wear heels. I am now even having trouble walking. My good foot now hurts like heck and both ankles look like watermelons when I'm on them all day. I'm trying to find orthopedic shoes that will make standing all day more tolerable. They now have ankle replacement surgery. I would definitely do that over a fusion. A fusion puts your entire body out of whack. I saw a doctor at the University of South Florida who specializes in ankle replacement. Someone I know had one and was doing great!
August 13, 2014 - 7:49amThis Comment
Hi everyone! I am 31 and had my ankle fused in April. I shattered it 5 years ago and ended up with traumatic osteoarthritis. The doctor said a fusion was really my only choice because I had no joint left. The bones were grinding together and trying to fuse on their own, but they were in an awkward position that caused lots of pain. He said I could wait a year if I wanted, but I chose to get it over with. I was on crutches for 8 weeks, then walked in the boot for another 8 weeks. I just started walking with no boot. I have been pain free since 3 days after my surgery! It is swelling a lot now, but I think it's because I've been doing too much. Now that I'm free of the boot, it's hard to not do all of the things I wasn't able to do before. I have a bit of a limp, but it's really not as bad as I expected. I have been wearing my running shoes that I bought not long before surgery. They are Brooks Ghost. They seem to be just fine for me. My only issue is when it's super swollen and I have a hard time getting my shoe on. I'm hoping the swelling will be less soon. I can't wait to be able to exercise again!
August 7, 2014 - 5:39pmThis Comment
Hi,
My name is Alexandria and I'm about to get an ankle fusion . It's pretty scary and I don't know what to expect. But the amount of pain that I am in controls my life and I am only 24. I want to take back my life and from the stories I have read, it might actually help me. I too am looking for shoes for after my surgery. Something that is somewhat normal looking but mainly something that helps me walk without a limp. So any advice with dealing with the pain and what I can expect would greatly bring me joy. Really scared and nervous, just looking for someone to talk to about all of this.
Alexandria B
July 21, 2014 - 6:19pmThis Comment
HI Alexandria,
My name is Krystal and I am also 24. I was in a severe car accident at the age of 16 and crush my R. Ankle. Since then, I have had numerous surgeries to remove pins, then clean out the scar tissue and bone spurrs, lengthen my Achillies Tendon (twice), amonge other procedures. Finally after 4 years of extreme pain and seeing no improvement, I had it fused in 2011. It took about a year to be where I was comfortable. I has abeen about three years since my Fusion and I WOULD NOT TAKE IT BACK!!!! It was one of the best things I did or myself and I am currently without pain. With strenious activity I do feel some DISCOMFORT, but nothing close to what I was feeling before my surgery. At times the pain was so bad I strongly contimplated having my ankle amputated.
Your post was from July, so Im assuming you have had the Fusion by now. So good luck with healing. And hopefully you have as good of a turn out as I did.
~Krystal
September 11, 2014 - 7:25amThis Comment
Hi Alexandria,
I had my right ankle fused when I was 26, which was 4 years ago. It was the best decision I ever made. I had debilitating pain my whole life due to a tarsal coalition. It's not perfect, but the pain is almost completely gone. The only time it hurts now is if I land on it wrong with a lot of weight, mostly on the bridge of my foot(top). Or if you step on uneven surface, you have no give..so you kind of topple over. :) But it's really not an issue. As far as shoes go, I can wear mostly the same shoes. high heels are out, unless they are 3" or lower, which isn't bad. I will say that the most comfortable shoes for me, in terms of dress shoes are wedges - just not high ones. I'm still searching for a good sneaker though. That's why I'm on here! ;) I have a pair of Reebox that absolutely kill my foot. I can't even wear them.
As far as the surgery goes...it's very painful. It is. There's no sugar-coating that. I was on oxycontin and percocet - at the same time! - for a month it was so bad. BUT!!! It's worth it. And you eventually recover. Hard cast and crutches for about 6-8 weeks. Then the walking boot...careful with that one. It gave me knee problems on my good leg. I think i was in that for 4 months.
As awful as it sounds, it will be worth it in the end. I wish you well!
-Allison
August 12, 2014 - 5:55amThis Comment
Hey Allison,
August 12, 2014 - 9:31amI just got it done, and the recovery is a bit challenging but I can tell from what you have written and others that it will take time. Im glad to hear that it was the best choice for you and that you are doing well. I am curious about working afterwards. Meaning, could you go back to regular work or do you need to find a sit down job? Just been on my mind, because I gotta do something to pay off these hospital bills... Thank you for writing back and sharing your story. It sure helps me and means a lot. I look forward to hearing from you again :)
This Comment
Hey Alexandria,
I hope you're doing okay. Recovery is the worst. I feel for you, but it will get better. Before the surgery I had a standing job, where I would work 8+ hours and it was torture. I could only work every other day, so my ankle could recover. I would come home from work and crawl up the stairs to my room - then limp around campus the next day. UGH! Do not miss those days! I have been able to be much more active. I can do sports and activities on a daily basis now. Your quality of life improves greatly. I don't have a job where I stand all day, just because my path took me to graphic design and photography, but some days I am on my feet in the studio and climbing stepping stools and it's been no problem. I don't know your exact cause for surgery, but in my experience after the fusion everything is better. I don't know what it will be like when I'm 50, but right now it's good. I also do try to not over do anything - as it will put stress on other bones in your foot. If there is pain, it's really pale in comparison and from overexerting myself.
Hope my story and information helps you :)
August 12, 2014 - 10:40amThis Comment
Hey, Allison. Try some Easy Spirits. I have the Compass from their e360 line. They have a slight wedged heel instead of the traditional tennis shoe bottom which always seemed to kill my feet. These are awesome. Even before my surgery I could not find a comfortable pair of tennis shoes before these. Granted they are neither sporty nor stylish, but effective. I have them in black and gray. Good luck!
Lisa
http://www.easyspirit.com/Compass-Water--and-Stain-Resistant-Walking-Shoes/55770759,default,pd.html?variantSizeClass=&variantColor=JJ1JOM9&cgid=53364917&prefn1=catalog-id&prefv1=easyspirit-catalog
August 12, 2014 - 7:20amThis Comment