Ankle Replacement Surgery
Posted , 196 users are following.
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
ElaineKemp Ultraboxer
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I've been reading all about the experiences you have had regarding total ankle replacements. I had one 4-1/2 months ago at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I related to many of the issues you have had or are having. I spent 6 weeks in a total non-weight bearing cast, then into a boot slowly putting weight on the ankle. Also just finished 3 months of physical therapy, religiously doing the exercises at home. When I started PT, I was going in a wheelchair. I was totally walking without a limp when 3 months was up. The surgeon is happy, the PT team was happy and I am happy.
I know that not all TAR surgeries are this successful, and I was told that from the start. I had a long history with my left ankle, ending with severe arthritis. I had broken both the tibia and fibula at the ankle in 1968, and the surgeon said that is why I was looking for something now. Arthritis had "attacked" that ankle to the point that something had to be done. I had been having cortisone shots several times a year, but that just wasn't doing it. I could not walk on grass, sand, rocks, pebbles...only very solid surfaces.
I feel very fortunate that I seem to be a success story as I am not a kid...72 now, but it has given me so much more mobility. I wish everyone's story was like mine. Looking forward to a few dances at a wedding we are attending in May!
Petemon ElaineKemp
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RichardKen ElaineKemp
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Well done however a word of caution. Your ankle will still be very new and therefore quite vulnerable for your May celebrations. It would be so easy and such a shame to harm it at this stage.
Take care
Richard
ElaineKemp Petemon
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Not sure wat you mean by "type" of TAR. I have the Wright ankle joint if that helps.
ElaineKemp RichardKen
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mamie2269 Ultraboxer
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Had my ankle replaced June 2016. Then I had a nerve cut in November 2016. I have good days every once in a while. I'm a lot better than I was with my ankle fused. I was no weight for 8 weeks. I still go to PT three times a week.
kailee01892 Ultraboxer
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Hey, I got a question. I had a severe dislocated ankle trimalleolar fracture (ankle shattered) a few years back and my doctor recently told me if my bone spur removal surgery didn't help my pain that they may fuse my ankle together or do an ankle replacement. I am 20 years old, so I got a lot ahead of me still. But, I am concerned, when they did my reconstruction they had 11 screws and a bar. My body basically rejecteted the metal. I had a huge lump of muscle above the top of my scars where the metal ended. They removed it and that muscle ball went away. I still had a lot of pain though for a few months after that, doctors did an MRI and found a few things. I have told some people that I may get a fusion or a replacement but everyone says no. My pain is affecting my everyday life. It constantly hurts to walk and stand, running or hiking or stairs is out of the question. Is it worth doing the fusion first than ankle replacement or just go to the replacement if my recent surgery doesn't work out?
lakelifesc kailee01892
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Jpsotan Ultraboxer
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Hello every one, this October 8th will be two years since I had in one tar. I took two pain pills in the hospital for the 3 day stay and have never had to take even a Advil ever since. They gave me my life back I have 0 pain I own a mill shop and work 7 days a week and don't even know my ankle is even there. The fantastic thing about this is I am a polio victim and my leg and ankle was never normal but these fantastic doctors in Miami are mirical workers for sure. I was told by a doctor in Orlando that it could not be done on me, bad doctor. But I'm on my feet all day carrying wood and things and never have any trouble at all. It is fantastic
JohnCaleb Jpsotan
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Hi. I am 5 months post TAR. I have no pain but 2/3 of my foot is numb and I have constant swelling as soon as my foot hits the groud in the morning. I'm walking fine and golf (3) times a week but just can't feel my foot.
The doc had to move a nerve to clean out the arthritis. I'm curious if you have numbness and or swelling? Thanks for the report.
Jpsotan JohnCaleb
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Hi John , yes I had swelling for a good 8 months nothing in the morning just at times he end of the day. But never had a problem with my foot being numb. I'm on it 12 hours a day and really don't even know it's there because all the pain is gone. I think with operations like this it takes a year for things to get normal again
JohnCaleb Jpsotan
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Artlizzard Ultraboxer
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I am curious how you are doing 5 years post TAR? I am a 47 year old with a 1.5 year old ankle tri-malior fracture with syndosmotic rupture repair and ORIF. I suffer cronic pain and am considering/debating TAR or Fusion - or if I should just deal with the existing pain and do nothing. I am mostly concerned with the recovery time given that I am a small business owner and my business requires that I am very active and physical. My doctor told me that its 2 weeks non weight and 2 weeks walking cast - however this forum has me believing that recovery is actually much longer. Can you tell me how you are doing 5 years out? Im thinking right now about going to a podiatrist before I make any decisions.
ron22660 Ultraboxer
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Assuming you might still be participating in this forum, Ultraboxer, I'm curious as to how your ankle is doing now. It's been some 2 1/2 years since I had my TAR (STAR) installed, and after a brief initially good response, my ankle is rapidly becoming my major focus in life with consistant pain in the joint and an angry bunion from twisting my foot a somewhat when I walk. I experience daily swelling and loss of feeling along the arch up to the ball of my foot, including my toes.
I'm being fitted with an orthotic boot in a few days, which I'm told will stabilize the joint and distribute support around the foot and lower leg. Several patients have commented on the efficacy of boot type supports.
I'm no longer convinced that the TAR was the right choice for me, as my injury occurred almost fifty years ago and resulted in a permanently enlarged ankle. Perhaps in my case, a fusion would have been the better way to go, though there are no absolutes in these situations. More than a few fusion patients have suffered from the "gold standard" approach to treating ankle T.A., but fusion does seem to offer a better likelihood of stability and freedom from pain.
jeanette74398 Ultraboxer
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Hi,
I've been reading about your recovery. 18 days ago I had the Inbone Total ankle system done in Columbus, Georgia. My main issue is the nerve pain shooting around my foot. There are times I need to use medication to dull the discomfort.
Have any of you experienced the tingling sensation? If so, what was the time frame that it dissipated.
I'm looking forward to having more mobility and freedom from this procedure. Many of your posts give me hope.
Thank you
shanda1980 jeanette74398
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I hope your recovery and mobility gets better!
bruce83466 shanda1980
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Jeanette/Shanda, I guess I've been lucky. I have not experienced this sensation.
Wishing you the best.
jeanette74398 shanda1980
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shanda1980 jeanette74398
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I just got my stitches out yesterday and moved into an air boot. I am still no weight bearing for another 3 weeks but they gave me the go ahead to start PT. I'm pretty excited because I haven't had any pain relief since 2013 when I shattered it and my pain is probably around 0-2 daily now. I cannot wait to start walking again and riding and training horses again!!
jeanette74398 shanda1980
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Wonderful news. I wish you the best. Let's stay in touch.
i broke my ankle 10 years ago, cysts started growing in the fracture, 5 years ago had it repaired. This year my ankle crumbled from arthritis. Had a clean out, had no cartilage. A friend of mine has had both her ankles replaced, she's a marvel. We play golf together. I went to her doctor in Georgia who did her ankles.
I was given two choices, fusion or replacement. I chose the replacement.
So, I'm going to monitor my recovery by how you do. I think when I get my stitches out, my foot will feel better, my foot is the only skinny part of my body.
Thank you so much for your reply.
Once agin, wishing you the best, my new bested friend.
Blessings.
michael82768 bruce83466
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shanda1980 jeanette74398
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Just checking in to see how you are doing!
I am now 2 months out from my TAR. I am in physical therapy 3 days a week. I am still in the boot the majority of the time but I am walking with just an ankle brace and a regular shoe 1-2 hours a day as well. I am 100% weight bearing with no walking assistance (walker or cane). I am 100% pain free most days, although my ankle gets tired and aches at the end of the day after walking on it all day. But overall, I am soooo pleased with my progress and my surgeon is as well!
I hope you are doing well and recovering nicely! Hope to hear from you soon!
Shanda
bruce83466 michael82768
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Hi Michael,
Here's my history and an update from today.
I’m a 66 year old male in relatively good shape.
On September 1, 1991 I broke both right leg bones and crushed my ankle and heel. I’ve been living with moderate pain and very limited mobility for the past 26 years. I chose not to have a fusion. I waited all those years searching for an ankle replacement that looked good to me.
Earlier this year I discovered the Inbone Ankle replacement. One of the more difficult things for a surgeon to do during this type of surgery is to remove your ankle and properly align the replacement into the correct position. The Inbone system eliminates this. 6 weeks prior to surgery a CT scan is taken of your ankle. From this your new ankle is manufactured along with the Inbone Prophecy. The Prophecy instructs the surgeon what to remove and how to place the new ankle, thus greatly reducing the chance for human error.
I had replacement surgery on Friday June 9, 2017 in Hendersonville TN. On Saturday a nurse helped me out of bed and had me stand with weight on both legs. I was able to do this with no problem. I stayed in the hospital one night and was discharged the next afternoon with a splint on my leg and 60 Oxycodone pain pills.
I had mild pain for 4 days after the surgery and took a total 8 Oxycodones to help relieve the pain during that time. After 4 days I had very little pain. I did take 1 Oxycodone each night to help me sleep for 7 more days. After that I was pain free. I was allowed to shower with full weight on my ankle immediately providing my splint did not get wet. I was able to buy a splint cover for $35 at a local medical supply shop.
On Wednesday June 28 the splint was removed and I was placed into a hard cast. My next appointment is Wednesday July 19. At that time the cast and all stitches are scheduled to be removed and I expect to be given a walking boot.
I’m ecstatic with the results so far. I’ll post further updates as time goes by and I begin to walk.
10/23/2017 - I was in the boot for 6 weeks. Once out of the boot I purchased hiking boots to ensure adequate support for my ankle. I wore those for about two weeks and then went back into my regular Nike sneakers. My muscles/tendons are still a little tight which prevents me from a completely normal gait but I had a 26 year period where my foot was slanted to the right. As I result I had no choice but to walk on the outside of my foot all those years. So it’s I’m 4 months post op with no pain except for some very slight muscles soreness as I work these issues out.
I’ve read so many horror stories on this site and I feel for those people and wish them well. I’ve had a wonderful experience, so much better than I anticipated. I would highly recommend you consider the Inbone replacement and Marc Tressler. He probably averages about 2 TARs each week and people come from many of our neighboring states to be treated by him based upon previous patient’s testimonials.
Let me know if I can be of further help and please advise what you decide to do.
Bruce
jeanette74398 shanda1980
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I saw my surgeon last Thursday, X-ray taken, healing has gone well. He gave me permission to put weight on foot with boot, I start PT Thursday. I feel like a toddler learning to walk again. The pain has subsided, but at night the nerves in foot light up.
i think the surgery was a success too. I’m looking forward to getting my life back too. I’m so in awe by science, I feel blessed that this was a available for us. My golf game is calling me.
We are going to California for Christmas, I should be ready for the grandkids and the stairs.
Once again, I’m so pleased for you. Also, I want to thank you for your suggestions with the medication, it helped me tremendously.
Sending you positive loving thoughts. Keep me posted of your recovery.
Jeanette
shanda1980 jeanette74398
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I'm so happy you're progressing good as well! It's all downhill from here! I am sure you will be playing golf very soon! As I will be back riding horses and training!
Awe! I'm sure you will have a blast in Cali with the grands! We are heading to New Orleans in November for our friends 40th birthday. Then I'll be heading to NC to visit with my best friend, then it will be off to Italy again for 3-4 weeks. My boyfriend will be working while I'll be relaxing! 😂😂
Keep in touch and I'm again so happy for you, and we are very blessed that this was an option for us!!
jeanette74398 shanda1980
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Have a wonderful time on your holiday, you deserve it.
michael82768 bruce83466
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bruce83466 michael82768
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It's definitely a decision that takes a lot of thought. And there are risks, no doubt about it. In my case at least to this point I couldn't be happier. Good luck, keep us posted.
lynda317 michael82768
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RichardKen michael82768
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Dear Michael
It's always a difficult decision to have to make. To be honest I very much doubt if there are any life changing devices waiting to be brought to market.
What will change is the ability of surgeons to more reliably align the prosthesis more accurately. Along with this more surgeons will have the necessary experience and ability to do a good job.
I had a TAR five years and after four years it was failing due to osteolysis and in a few days time I'm due to have it revised.
The prosthetics was badly positioned and set at an angle which would have increased the production of wear debris which has caused my problem.
I'm in the UK and here we have quite a number of surgeons doing very few TARS each year so the chances of them having the necessary experience for this technically challenging work is not good. The most important thing is to select a surgeon with a lot of experience of this surgery above anything else.
Hope that helps.
Cheers Richard
jan_90728 shanda1980
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