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Ankle Replacement Surgery

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Ultraboxer
Ultraboxer

I would like to estabish contact with anyone who has undergone ankle replacement surgery and reflect a ittle on the aftereffects and the longer term prognoses for recovery and mobility.

Having undergone such an operation about 9 months ago I am currently coming to terms with a less than welcome (and certainly unexpected) imapct upon my life and mobility.

Issues such as lack of mobility, excessive swelling and cronic pain from the ankle itself but also from the toes and lack of sensation and feeling in parts of the foot are those I am facing and would like to know how other poeple have fared, both in the short and longer term.

16 likes, 848 replies

848 Replies

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  • LDT
    LDT Ultraboxer

    Posted

    Hi Ultra

    Quick update here, not much though.

    I am scheduled on 20 July to have my loose ankle prosthesis removed and to have a fusion, hopefully of only the one joint. Big operation waiting with a donor bone implant and a Tailor Spatial frame on my leg for at least 5 months. No metal in the ankle, which is a plus. In the mean time I have been in the boot most of the time and it has gotten so part of me I start to feel weird without it. Having a loose prosthesis is not a lot of fun, that I can tell you.

    An interesting fact I have become aware of is that I have "HH" or Hemochromatosis which is when your body accumulates iron. The side effects is not very encouraging so I have to get rid of a lot of blood also. As Arthritis is part of the HH symptoms I have realised that it must also be the cause of my cartilage deterioration. It is also not fun letting a pint of blood every second week but all for a better health I suppose.

     

    I hope all is still fine with you?.

    Regards

    Leon

  • kim30180
    kim30180 Ultraboxer

    Posted

    Good Morning! I understand most of these posts are over a year old, any updates from anyone? My Fiance is now 3months post TAR and still has considerably pain and swelling. He has Physical Therapy 3 times a week which includes the pool worksout and electonical stimulation. He is getting discouraged and is wondering if he should have never had it done. The doctor says things are progressing the way they should. He had quite a bit of tendon pain also. He uses the brace once in  a while, takeTylenol a few times a week for the inflamation, keeps it elevated when he sits. Any insights from anyone?
    • BradleySTAR
      BradleySTAR kim30180

      Posted

      Good Morning.  I understand your Fiance and his frustrations.  I was the same way after about 3 months.  I had my surgery (STAR) May 20 of 2016.  Sounds like your Fiance has had a more serious injury in the past compared to mine.  But I was bone on bone and lived with the pain for 8 years.  I tell you now I could not be happier after 1 year since the surgery.  I am mowing the lawn, walking my dog, and even went to the Mall of America and walked around that complex with my wife.  Everyday I think about how nice it is now that I do not carry that pain around ... very thankful.  I just want to say that your Fiance needs to be paitent.  It is a slow healing process.  He should soon notice small improvements.  I wish him the best.
    • kim30180
      kim30180 BradleySTAR

      Posted

      Thank you for sharing your story. He also had bone on bone for over 20 years, yet still continued working as a self employed contractor. He is still going to physical therapy but is getting discouraged. His leg was extremely swollen Tues and he was in considerable pain. Then on Wed morning we had rain which was not in the forcast so we are thinking we are back to square one with the pain being arthritic even with the TAR.
    • kim30180
      kim30180 BradleySTAR

      Posted

      We are now done with Physical Therapy (insurance reasons) and Tom is still experiencing extreme pain when the weather changes and strong discomfort the rest of the time. He is getting discouraged and is questioning if he should have had the TAR done. He still has on and off swelling and cannot walk for any distance. We are only 5months in so hopefully things will change.
    • BradleySTAR
      BradleySTAR kim30180

      Posted

      This is my gut feeling.  Tom needs to give it 2 to 3 months yet.  After this time has past I would expect that he should notice much improvement.  If not, then he must discuss things with the surgeon.  I was still hurting yet after 5 months and taking a pain med everyday...got me through a busy time at work.  Let us all know in 3 months how he is doing.  I still have a bit of pain now and then and the top of the foot into the big toe numbness that comes from some nerve damage from the surgery.  But overall with my STAR I am happy with the outcome. The motion I still have with my ankle as opposed to a fusion was well worth it.  This surgery is a tough one to go through believe me. You know this from reading here.  But I believe most are success stories.  Tell Tom to keep the faith.  I truly wish him the best with this.  As with all that go through this sort of thing.  Keep an eye on the X-rays for anything that looks wrong. 
    • QuietMrG
      QuietMrG kim30180

      Posted

      16 moths since my TAR and only just thinking it was the right thing to do. Tell your fiance to hang in there, it does get better. My recovery will be 2+ years but I believe it will be worth it. My big mistake was thinking an office job was good. With hindsight that has hindered my recover, you need to keep the ankle moving all the time. once I found this out things have improved.....

      QuietMrG.

  • Maggie99019
    Maggie99019 Ultraboxer

    Posted

    I have been reading many of the postings about post op pain following ankle joint replacement. I can't imagine any pain greater than what I had before going to to surgery. My ankle joint had completely disintegrated and was bone on bone. Before going under I looked at Dr. Michael Brage, my surgeon, and I said, "Hey doc... You've got this right?"  He looked a bit confused and I went on to say, "Do the best that you can and I will trust God to do what you can't".  

    Following my my surgery the doctor called my sister and left a voicemail that I was his "miracle patient".  I had so much wrong with my foot from compensating for the pain and lack of ankle joint that they had slotted me for a 4hour surgery...cutting my foot in half and using many plates and screws to fuse everything. None of that was necessary. Once they did the ankle joint replacement everything corrected itself right then and there. I am five Meeks post op and have been off the pain medicine since week two. I leave the cast/boot off when I am sitting and I constantly flex my foot. I have no pain whatsoever. I am currently walking with crutches and putting 50% of my body weight on the foot with no pain.  I see the doctor in 2 weeks for my six week post op follow up. I can't imagine having anything wrong but will post if I do. 

    Im sorry for all who have posted on here about their pain. We all did this is hopes of living pain free. I will pray for all of you and Gods mercy to heal you.

    • LDT
      LDT Maggie99019

      Posted

      Hi Maggies

      Good to read your story and I still believe in TAR, although I am due to have mine removed on 20 July. Having been there, all I can say is that  if I can have it all over again, I will NOT put ANY strain on that prosthesis for at least 3 months. Make sure it's 100% fixated.  My  surgeon also told me I can put 50 % on it etc. ...all went fine and then the pain came back...and the replacement became loose...now that is hell you are looking at when it happens. 

      All the best.

    • kim30180
      kim30180 Maggie99019

      Posted

      Thank you for your post Maggie. We are still hopefull we made the right decision with theTAR. Tom also was bone on bone for over 20years. He no longer takes pain meds, but still has considerable pain 3months post op. The swelling and tendon soreness is what we are working on now, along with the pain during rain storms which still leads us to believe it is arthritis related.
    • mary4013
      mary4013 Maggie99019

      Posted

      So good to read a positive response. I am scheduled to have surgery Sept.6.I am very worried about it. I am thinking about having the newest implant out there called trabucular metal ankle replacement its by Zimmer.They go into your ankle through the side. Have you heard of it?I just want the best I can have. My ankle is shot right now. Was in a car accident 20 years ago.
    • LDT
      LDT mary4013

      Posted

      Hi Mary4013

      I have had the Zimmer Tribucular Implant from the side, now about 20 months ago. I was scheduled on 20 July 2016 to have it removed as it's supposed to be loose, but at the last minute decided to not have the operation as it will serioulsy take away the little mobility I have. I don't want to sound negative as all TAR's are unique in their own way but for me, the Zimmer thing did not work. If you go for it, please make sure the Fibula is 100% joined and healed before you put stain on your ankle. Give your ankle at least 6 weeks of no weight bearing. It feels weird and you tend to think you have to get the joint loose and the swelling gone as soon as possible. Remember, you have your whole lifetime to do the excersizes and get the joint all loosened up.  Don't make the mistake I think I made by not letting everything heal 100% before putting weight on it.  The cut in my Fibula did not heal completely and it made the joint, together with the prosthesis collapse to the inside, shifting the prothesis. I now have an 11 degree shift in the alignment on the prosthesis. Having worn my moonboot for 5 months, now the prothesis seems to be more fixated than before although not traight. I can walk on it for short distances but sometimes it's just not usable. The surgeon said it will eventually become 100% loose and taking that thing out means a huge operation, for which I was scheduled but just did not have the guts for on 20 July 2016. Being sick and tired of pain and discomfort together with a very hectic schedule just made me stick with what I still have and I chickened out of the operation. Please think twice and read the threads on this forum. TAR is not always the best option, in fact, it can become a nightmare. Maybe I was just unlucky or I did something wrong but my TAR just did not last. The thought of loosing the joint movement is very upsetting for me and that is why I went for the TAR in the first place. I know how you feel and gosh!, if only one could make peace with the no movement idea. It's hard but I, for one has to prepare myself for it for the future. Just look very well after your TAR from the beginning and maybe it will last.

      Regards

      Leon

       

    • mary4013
      mary4013 LDT

      Posted

      thanks so much for your information. I have no choice I have been wearing the moon boot for 6 months now. ands taking pain meds and anti inflammatorys for longer. my ankle is gone. my only decision now is which ankle replacement to go with. my surgeon users the Star.I wad the one who started researching the zimmer. because i figured recovery would be easier than gong through front of ankle. but I know those first few weeks are critical to not weight bearing. thanks for your information.
    • LDT
      LDT mary4013

      Posted

      Hi Mary4013

      I personally feel the one from the side has the least impact on the nerves and recovery is a breeze…if the Fibula heals properly. No dead spots etc. I have been to the best ankle surgeon in South Africa. He was supposed to take mine out 9 days ago. According to him the placement of the prosthesis was not correct in my case, too far backwards he said, which leads me to believe that the placement of the Zimmer TB system is crucial for success. I have watched animated movies on how it’s done in detail and the way they do it does not leave much room for mistakes so I am not sure how mine ended up to far back. Just make sure your surgeon has done a few of these implants (mine was nr 2 in Africa…big mistake!) and that he has a proven success rate with this type of implants, otherwise you may end up in the same position than what I am in. I know what it feels like wearing a boot, in it myself for months now and having been thru the pain of a busted ankle before TAR,  I can honestly say even having a botched TAR is still 100% better than being without it. I can sleep at night without pain and that was a huge luxury before TAR. It has spoiled me to such an extent that I just can’t get it over my heart to have it taken out and risk being on crouches for months. I wish you well and please just follow the rules.

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