Ankle Replacement Surgery

Hi, I had my replacement 2 years ago. Have had nothing but problems since; lots of swelling on the outside of the ankle, popping and my ankle hurt so bad by the end of the day I couldn't do anything. Told the doctor that originally did the surgery, he took X-rays and CT scans said nothing was wrong. I decided to go to another doctor that took more X-rays and ct scans, again, nothing. But he knew something wasn't right so he took me into surgery and found a fracture of the outer bone and also a lot of torn ligament and tendons. He fixed everything and put in stabilizers and that was it. This happened Nov "2015. I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks. My incision was not healing. I ended up being allergic to the sutures so (I have so many allergies it's unbelievable) so back to surgery in January this year. He found that all the work he'd done had pretty much went to crap because of my body rejecting everything he had put in...including the stitches. So he repaired it and used totally stitches and staples. More weeks and alternating between casts and the boot for non weight bearing. Again it wasn't healing, it was actually draining yellow and green nasty fluid. He did several cultures and it came back with a bacteria infection from the replacement. He contacted the Center for Disease Control and other Ortho Doctors and the only thing left to do was remove the implant because my body was also rejecting that. A week ago this was done and I have a large metal thing around my foot half way up my leg with 9 metal pins going through my leg, foot and ankle. 6 weeks of this and then a fusion next. I'm 52 years old and this is all because of breaking my ankle back in 2004 and the doctor telling me it wasn't broken and walking on it for 4 weeks till I finally went back and then they decided yes, it was broken but too late to do anything. So the arthritis got so bad over the years that was the only option. I lay here in bed and just get more and more depressed over this whole thing. I'm usually a very active person and work 40-50 hrs a week and run a business. Of course it has to be my right foot so I can't even drive. If I had to do it all over again there's no way I would. This has been absolutely horrible and it's still not over. I can't sleep at night with this heavy weight on my foot. I can't get anything done at home. I can only go to work long enough to do very important things. Life is just plain miserable right now. Plus being single kind of makes it worse because of not having much help. I hope you have much better luck than I have but I would never recommend it. I swear the pain never goes away and I am not one to take prescription pain mess. I hope this helps you. 

Connie

I see post from one year ago! I would like to know some updates. I had total ankle replacement and plate placed over fibula bone seven months ago. I am doing pretty good with four months of P/T two times a week along with water aerobics class two times a week. Has any one tried to apply for SSDI ? And if so outcome? Blessed i'm walking 58 yr old female.

Hi Ultraboxer

Some time since I have had contact with you. Just a quick word or two.

I am waiting for the removal of my TAR now, should be somewhere end of April. If all goes well I will be without any metal objects in my ankle. I will have a fused ankle but not a completely stiff one, only the affected joint will be fused. Bad part is that I will have to “wear” a Taylor Spatial Frame for a few months… 5 at most…I hope. Not going to be easy but should all be worth it, I believe.   

An interesting thing has happened to me and I was wondering if it had something to do with my ankle problems, or rather the decay of the cartilage in my ankles. I had my blood tested and tested positive for Hemochromatosis after they found excessive high levels of iron in my blood. One of the symptoms of iron overload is Osteoarthritis…apart from other very grim complications. I am trying to establish if the iron in my blood actually caused the arthritis’s in my joints. If so, if anyone has the same symptoms of chronic joint inflammation and degeneration of the ankle cartilage etc., you should consider testing for high iron levels in your blood. I know there are many reasons for arthritis, but this is actually one you can be tested for.

Regards

Leon

After 5 surgeries on my right ankle following a car accident, I was referred to an orthopedic surgeon for ankle fusion.  He decided that I would be a good candidate for a TAR and told me it would get rid of pain and maintain ROM.  I found out later that this was his first TAR.  6 weeks after surgery, the replacement was recalled by the manufacturer because cleaning media was left on the parts.  6 months after surgery I was still in so much pain and the doctor gave me no options.  I found another surgeon to take over my care after considerable looking around and he realized that I also needed a subtalar fusion.  I am now 8 weeks after that surgery, in a boot and progressing well.  My ankle still is in pain but hoping that resolves when the subtalar is healed.  Anyone out there get a Zimmer recalled ankle?

Update on my surgery. Doctors appointment today and x-rays show no issues with the TAR. Minimal swelling and tightness and I do get some minor clicking from the implant but was warned by my surgeon that it would happen. First time I have had a normal shoe on in almost 3 months. Just feel blessed that I can walk with out a lot of pain. Have 4 -5 weeks of PT left and look forward to a pain free life in the future.

My Fiance recently underwent ankle replacement surgery 7 weeks ago so we are still in the recovery stage. Started 50% weight bearing this week. Continue to have a lot of swelling. Has pain usually at night, and usually once every few days he will take a pain medication to help. He is very concerned that every time he puts his leg down, within 30min  it starts to swell and turn color. We go to the ortho every 2 weeks so they are aware. He is a very mobile independent contractor who had difficulty remaining house bound.

 

Hi, just read your post. In January 2011 I slipped dislocated and triple fractured my left ankle.  Surgery, plates, pins I eventually got back on my feet which was followed by two more surgeries removing wires and pins due to allergic reaction but arthritis set in very fast, I would be in tears every day with the pain of putting my foot to the floor. It was bone on bone. I was referred to Sports Med (I live in Australia).  I was advised that I was a candidate for an ankle replacement (I am female and was 60 at time of accident) which was the recommended path in place of fusion.  I went ahead with the replacement in July 2012.  Continued wearing medical boot for about 10 weeks. Attended physio twice weekly.  Had bouts of weakness in trying to step up hill or stairs, in right hip and thigh.  Hips caused discomfort and pain – night time worse, could not sleep on right side anymore.  Possible Bursitis. Ultrasound confirmed it.

March 2013 - Physio advised that he did not feel he could do much more for me and I was to return to him only if I felt it was required. I decided to see a Podiatrist who had just opened her practice.  Very thorough in her approach and seemed to do more for me than the Physio.

August 2013 - Referred to a local sports med doctor for review of ankle stiffness returned to the ankle along with heat in ankle and bouts of swelling and general discomfort.  Referred back to Surgeon who advised that arthroscopic synovectomy may be required.

September 2013 - Left ankle, arthroscopic synovectomy took place.  Greatly improved walking and stiffness, had occasions of a severe cramp like pain up leg that stopped me from moving until it passed – this eventually subsided.

​December 2013 / January 2014 - Bouts of swelling and some aching again.  Extended periods of walking or standing on feet distressing.  Limping again.  Sitting or laying down also a problem due to worsening bursitis in hip.

May 2014 – Still bouts of limping due to discomfort in ankle. Then experienced more pronounced weakness in hips and pain down right outside thigh again.  Worse at night and getting to feet after periods of sitting.  Both hips affected but worse in right, tender spots in both sides top of thighs and buttocks.  Given exercises and stretching by physio to try and ease pain which is worsened by limping or favouring left ankle.

August 2014 - Ankle becoming tight again, some periods of swelling.  Continue with physio and clinical pilates classes to improve core strength and balance.  Have continued with exercising in heated pool.

Both Physiotherapist and Podiatrist believe that the lateral incision scar should be reviewed as it appears there is some adhering to the bone which may be the cause of some bouts of small blistering and also tenderness and aching in the region.  Experience some ‘nerve ‘pain in the lower end of the lateral incision scar if placed against sheets at night, crawling sensation happens regularly and feelings of the wound being open.  This often disrupts sleep.  No action was ever taken on this.

Bouts of burning pain over the medial malleolus does occur, no particular pattern to this, often looks blue and slightliy raised.  Regular to almost constant tightness experienced in ankle is best described as if an elastic band has been placed around ankle region – nobody can give any explanation for this other than it is probably due to the seriousness of the original injury and subsequent surgeries.  Sections of foot is still numb or pins and needles through to toes.

September 2014 – Bursitis in right hip (minor in left) caused distressing amounts of pain requiring analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs particularly at night can also be severe into groin on right side and radiating down thigh to knee.  Experienced distress if too much walking took place. 

Avoid stairs where possible as going up is a problem cannot put pressure on right side and left ankle foot weak.  Going down stairs is done sideways as loss of range of motion in left ankle makes me unsteady and fear factor.  Uneven ground also distressing.

Ankle aching being experienced again and found at times coming down stairs left foot tender to step onto with weight.

MRI took place October 2014 which indicated mild strain distal myotendinous junction soleus with adjacent oedema in Kagers fat pad. Signal increase in the distal Achilles tendon suggesting some distal Achilles tendinosis.

Podiatrist fitted orthotics on October 2014.  This has improved walking but slow and tire easily – frustrating. 

Next Podiatrist visit – heat in ankle evident along with some swelling.  Do not do recommended exercise till further notice.  Continue with physio, pilates, pool. 

​It is now May 2016, I have chronic pain, some days mild other times distressing. Weather can cause different reactions to the ankle area.  Medical believe it is nerve pain along with some achilles tightness. Have to wear shoes with slight heal, nothing fashionable.  Often wear an elastic bandage.  I have been told my only other option is total fusion which could cause greater problems.  I count myself lucky to still be on two feet.  Weight is a problem for me which does not help the ankle but other than swimming I cannot walk distances.

​Hope this helps.