1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Ankle Problems

2 Years Post Ankle Fusion

Posted , 3 users are following.

marian01540
marian01540

Hi Everyone,

Well its been 2 years since my ankle fusion and have been going ok, hills and steps still an issue. Oh and standing on stepladders. Anyway I just wanted to hear if anyone else has arthritis back in the ankle as it is now starting to give me pain and grief. Saw the doctor today and she suggested a cortisone injection, hopefully that will help.

Cheers

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • RichardKen
    RichardKen marian01540

    Posted

    I'm glad that you are doing well but sorry that you are having to deal with some. issues. I wonder why you chose a fusion over a TAR.

    All the best, Richard

  • carolyn98733
    carolyn98733 marian01540

    Posted

    Hi Mariano. i am in Australia and had my fusion done in Brisbane 3 years ago. i also have some arthritis and my dr told me not to do sideways movements. also not good on hills or uneven ground but otherwise not much pain. i cut down walking as much as poss to make it last longer! lrft ankle. yours?

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen carolyn98733

      Posted

      May I inquire why you chose this over TAR and how you rate its success. Cheers Richard

    • carolyn98733
      carolyn98733 RichardKen

      Posted

      my ankle specialist said it was a good option. i chose it because it allows some movement. however if my other ankle becomes too bad to walk on that one will have to be fused as it is too bad for a replacement. the replacement made a huge difference. i can wait in queues without pain and potter about ay home an on the yacht. both feet hurt if i do too much.

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen carolyn98733

      Posted

      Thanks for explaining. I'm interested if your ankle specialist did your ankle fusion and if so does he/her also carry out Total Ankle Replacements. Were you told what it was about your ankle that made a TAR nit possible. my reason for asking is this. Six years ago I had a TAR here in the UK and I made an excellent and quick recovery and was walking a mile or so. reasonably comfortably a d doing. roofing work. At my four year check up my surgeon dropped a bombshell by saying it was failing due to osteolysis and major rescue work was needed but the outcome was very uncertain with amputation a distinct possibility.

      As I had now moved to a different part of the country and a different health authority I got all my notes back and could see that he appeared to have made a poor job.

      I realized from what I saw that to have any chance of getting my long term mobility back the rescue work only had to be done by a top ankle revision surgeon. After a lot of searching and several private appointments I found the surgeon who had the necessary experience and skill to help me.

      The surgery took six hours and was very technically demanding requiring the removal of the original prosthesis, making good so that a special longer more advanced prosthesis could be installed, and there was considerable bone grafting and filling work required.

      That was almost one year ago and for the last five months I've been able to walk on any surface at any angle and can easily walk six miles at a brisk pace and swim over half a mile all in the same day.

      My recovery has amazed my surgeon and others and it is so fantastic to have managed such a great recovery. I hope that my story will help others here. Oh yes I'm nearly eighty years old.

      Cheers,Richard

    • carolyn98733
      carolyn98733 RichardKen

      Posted

      Richard i had a total ankle joint replacement. if the other ankle plays up it will have to be a fusion.

      yes my surgeon reviews it and sees me once a year.

      Carolyn

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen carolyn98733

      Posted

      Caroline I thought from what you had written that you had had an ankle fusion not a total ankle replacement. What prosthesis did your surgeon install?

      Cheers, Richard

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.