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
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment311 Comments
I am 34 years old. I just had a ankle fusion July 1, 2008. I felt really good after. I have a family and it is really hard trying to get things done that you normally do in your normal life. 2 to 3 weeks post op I started to put pressure on my ankle and walking around on it just cook dinner and maybe some cleaning around the house. Me walking on my ankle was not under doctors orders.
I hope someone can answer this question. Do you think it will hurt my progress by walking on it? Did anyone feel this good post op. I am just so afraid I am going to cause my ankle not to fuse. Becasue I have been use it sometimes.
August 13, 2008 - 11:58amThis Comment
Has your doctor said anything about you putting pressure on it? Have you told him/her? My doctor said NO pressure at all so I'm curious if yours said that too? I've been tempted, but have resisted. Hope it works out ok for you. Please let us know.
August 20, 2008 - 1:57pmThis Comment
hi everyone i had a bad fall and had to have ankle fusion due to mrsa no other options after mutli operations it finnily fushed they removed the exturnal fixture i month ago then put into cast for a month removed that 2 weeks ago have to walk in cam boot for 3 weeks then go to shoe seems ok but for swelling does swelling ever go away if so how long does it take it seems i can walk only for 30 mins then must elevate I would also like to know how long you people are able to stand or walk after ankle fusion,Would like any help on this matter thanks
August 10, 2008 - 11:51amThis Comment
Hi Janae,
I’m glad you found the site!!
I had my right ankle fused in 2006 and if I remember correctly it was about 8/9 weeks before I was able to drive again. I had a pantalar fusion meaning all of my bones were fused in the ankle, I know there are different types so just depending on what you had may change your recover time. Check with our doctor I’m sure he’ll give you a better timeline. About work….I was able to work from home after 3 weeks (once of I was off the heavy pain meds) and wasn’t back in the office until I was weight bearing. I had a co-worker who lived closed by and she’d drive me to work until I was able to drive on my own.
I know how frustrating it is when you’ve had an active life and all of it sudden it comes to a stand still, I had the hardest time adjusting to it. But lesson learned on my end…take it easy and let the fusion heal correctly. The last thing you want to do is push yourself and have it mess up and increase your healing time.
Here is a suggestion to get you out of the house and still keep the ankle protected…can you get a wheelchair? I rented one from Walgreens. I used it when I went to church or just wanted to get out of the house (being confined to my house drove me nuts on some days). This option made everyone happy including my husband and kids.
Hope the pain gets better and all goes well at your appointment today. Keep me posted I’d love to hear how you are doing.
Not sure if I helped much but I do understand where you are coming from and so do the ladies on this blog.
Ladies, if you had a different type of ankle fusion what is the amount of time you were off work and back to normal activities?
Look forward to hearing from you Janea.
Best in health,
Ang
July 24, 2008 - 10:04amThis Comment
Hi Ang.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Things are really looking up now. The doctor took off my big bulky cast and replaced it with a much lighter fiberglass one. The raw spots weren't acutally raw. They were just the incissions which haven't completely closed and the achelles tenden where he had to "LENGTHEN" it. The new cast is much more comfortable and I'm able to get around much better.
I can't tell you how much better I am feeling. The only pain I have is from the wounds. Even when my foot is down too long, I just feel some pressure (my cue to elevate). I am so thankful that I had the surgery done and am on the road to a more normal life.
He says he will replace this cast in three weeks to check the wounds and then go into another for three more weeks. The xrays show it is already fusing some even though he had to use my fibula for a graft. After this period, he will allow me to walk directly on my ankle (if things are still going this well). He said this would be the uncomfortable part for me, but with p.t. I would get back most of my abilities.
He also says I won't need specialized shoes. Maybe an orthotic.
All in all, I am very optimistist! Oh, he as also given me the go ahead to return to work as long as I'm sitting and able to elevate my ankle. He only suggested I start with shorter days. Wow! Praise God!
To anyone considering this surgery. I was terrified at first at having my life limited by such a drastic surgery (I'm only 47). But after realizing how limited my life was already, I jumped in and now I can't be happier. Even though I am at the beginning of recovery from the surgery, I am well on my way to living again. I am planning some fun and active trips for next summer with my husband and children! And I am thankful that I have so many prayer warriers on my side and that God is SO loving and healing!
Thanks for starting this website for us all. It has helped me in so many ways to read other peoples stories.
Blessings,
Janea
July 27, 2008 - 2:06pmThis Comment
Hi Janea,
I'm so glad to hear that things went well for you at your doctors appointment. How are you doing these days? I hope and pray all is coming along well for you.
Thank YOU for sharing your story with all of us!
~Ang
August 20, 2008 - 10:57pmThis Comment
Hi Ang...
I'm at 6 weeks now and doing great! I have two more weeks in my cast, then I get to walk again. I'm having pain ONLY in the evening when I do too much. I've been working for two weeks now and having no problems with that.
I'm very thankful that I have had such a good recovery!
Blessings to all.
Janea
August 21, 2008 - 6:20amThis Comment
Hi, I had my right ankle fused almost 2 weeks ago and am so thankful I found this website! I am 47 and fractured my ankle 6 years ago. Last year I decided to lose weight and get healthy, so I started walking. I lost 30 pounds (which is back now) and was walking up to 5 miles a day. I even walked in a 5K marathon. Thought I was doing great until my ankle started hurting again and swelling. My doctor said I overdid it and now needed the fusion. I had no cartlidge left in my ankle, my hardware was coming out and I had multiple bone spurs. Not what I had planned by getting healthy.
I had several opinions and got the steriod shots before deciding to go ahead with the surgery. I finally decided that I couldn't live with the limitations anymore. I have 3 children and am a youth coordinator at my church. I couldn't keep up anymore.
Since having my surgery, I'm concerned about how long I have to remain confined to my house. Since it is my right ankle, driving is out of the question for awhile I know. But how long did you all wait to drive? I've been looking into getting a left foot accelerator for my car. I am also anxious to return to work. What is the amount of time you took off?
I'm in some pain, but not more than before the surgery really. The most painful part right now is the raw skin under my bulky cast. I go in tomorrow to remove this cast and get a new one. The nurse says it will be easier on my skin. I'm not so sure I believe her, but whatever.
Please tell me if I'm being unreasonable about getting back to my life and if you have any advice on how to get back and still keep the doctor and my overprotective husband happy. :o)
Blessings to All,
Janea
July 23, 2008 - 11:52amThis Comment
Hey, ladies! Can't tell you how much I appreciated reading your kind words. Well...I made it through surgery! :) I went yesterday to have my drainage cast removed and was placed in a fiberglass cast. I kept telling my mom and my husband (my caretakers) that before, when I had my ankles operated on from a carwreck, I could get some relief by elevating them and placing them on pillows. However, this time I couldn't get any relief, because my heel kept hurting. That's when they told me the dr. had to cut my Achille's tendon due to the length of time I had walked on my toes. That's the only way he could get my ankle to a good position. Is this normal? Will this affect my outcome? I'm a little frightened by this news and would appreciate any input anyone may have. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!
July 16, 2008 - 7:30amTammy
This Comment
Wow our stories sound pretty similar. My injury was from a car wreck in 1993. When I had my fusion they had to lengthen my achilles tendon also since I walked on my toes for nearly 15 years. I think that lengthening the achilles tendon is pretty normal, I've heard of others having it done. I'm sure by now you are doing much better. I'm doing great, I'm walking painfree for the first time in years, it's the best feeling in the world. I walk a couple of miles 3 times a week. I have to brag that I can walk circles around my husband when we go out trail walking. I still have a puny left leg from all the work done on it but it's such a small price to pay. Let me know how you are getting along.
Mary Kay
July 27, 2009 - 9:16amThis Comment