6 months post op fusion and lots of pain still.

It sounds from your description that you had a subtalar fusion, it's that correct? If you'd have had a tibiotalar fusion then you wouldn't have trouble in your ankle (because it's that joint that gets fused). Whenever you fuse a joint in that region other joints have to compensate for the lack of motion and this can make them ache. It's not unusual.

I had a tibiotalar fusion in Feb and my subtalar joint is causing me some discomfort even now after 5 months. Also due to my gait now my lower back has a lot of pain so I'm back to using my crutches again and will be getting physio to help me walk symmetrically again (no limp) and also an orthotic to help with my subtalar discomfort. We're are bit of a jigsaw I'm afraid, if one piece is out of alignment then the whole picture is affected. Orthotics sounds the correct route for you and remember that our normally takes 12 months before you feel the surgery was worth it (apparently). Before then it is a lot of hard work, discomfort, inconvenience and lifestyle changes. I sympathise because I'm going through it right now too.

The pain is an awful thing to have to deal with. It makes life seem less bright, less enjoyable and less worthwhile in some cases. Your talus crumbled you say. In that case its likely the blood supply to that particular bone has been affected (hence the bone disintegration). The podiatrist (foot and ankle doc) who will deal with your orthotics will test your standing stance and maybe your walking gait too - it could very well be that once you have the new sole that the pain will decrease due to a better ambulatory alignment. The injection into the ankle they're referring to is very likely a steroidal injection which *if* it stops the pain will result in re-doing the fusion. If it doesn't stop the pain then the problem is very likely not your ankle joint. It could be a variety of other issues from other joint arthritis to tendonitis to the metalwork in there causing problems. The worst thing for any patient is to be left on your own to figure things out. That usually results in a lot more worry which will affect your mental health. I'm in Paris and my surgeon was the same, dismissive and lacking in regular after care. If my fusion was a new car, I'd be very upset at the lack of after sales support. It sounds like you are too and I don't blame you. We both had these operations to improve conditions in our lives. No one tells you just how hard the journey to get to that point is. It's your body, and it's your life - don't be afraid to badger your doctor for more information. Once again, I'm very sorry for your pain. I know what it's like.

Well I got no good news for you... 21 months post triple subtular hindfoot fusion... Since not long after I came out of boot I've been in worse pain than before original operation... I complain and they dismissed it, says looks fine...

7-8 months in they send me for x-ray and says it looks like it's fused but still I complain of pain.. they decide to send me for CT... On arrival back at docs office in told it hasn't fused, next visit it's decided to take top screw out to allow for more impact such helping it fuse..

That operation leads to infection and wound, one I still can't get healed.. and has not caused it too fuse..

Couple weeks ago i was told my fibula which they had to break to straighten my ankle in first op has fused back together, which apparently the ones that r supposed to fuse sent because I smoke 10 smokes a day.. but fibula fused???

Monday I had of to receive break and remove some of fibula so can't refuse and drilled some holes in towards where fusion is wanted to stimulate it....

Can't understand why surgeon hasn't called it and started again

Hi Alison, just a quick update which might give you some hope. I had orthotic soles put in my main footwear today and for the first time since weight bearing 80% off the pain is gone. I am fully expecting that heading towards the 12 month mark (another 7 months or so) the rest of the pain will be gone. I still get aches start being on my feet a lot - I took my little boy out to the park to play for an hour earlier in my new orthotic soled trainers without my crutches and my calf muscle down to my heel and left side of my ankle was aching but after resting up for a couple of hours the pain is gone (apart from the usual stiffness that occurs after any rest time).

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I good I've found mine today and I pray you'll see yours very soon too. Orthotic soles can really help!