Do Ankle/Foot Fusions Place More Strain on Your Knees, Hips & Back Afterwards?
Posted , 6 users are following.
I'm asking because I already have arthritis in my knees and hips and have had an injured back for the last thirty years which gives me pain on a daily basis, as do my hips and knees - so I'm very worried that when I have ankle/foot fusion, the knock-on effect will be that I'll essentially be left unable to walk and in considerable pain due to the demand on my already worn-out components, regardless of how 'successful' the fusion procedure itself may be considered to be by the surgeons.
Can anyone shed any light? Thanks.
0 likes, 7 replies
marijke55 WalkingWounded
Posted
I had ankle fusion 3 years after knee replacement! Both knee replacement and ankle fusion have been successful. Only you can decide how much pain you can put up with. ANKLE fusion on its own won't put extra stress on your other joints.
I have, 6 years later, had to have a sub talar fusion. Now 6 months after, and a lot of pain later! This has not worked, I will have to have a revision done in the next couple months.
If you decide to have fusion, you must allow yourself a minimum of 6 months rehabilitation.
Good luck.
WalkingWounded marijke55
Posted
So sorry to hear you're in pain now, after the original operations were successful. How very exasperating. Sincere good-luck wishes for your recovery after the revision.
coljc marijke55
Posted
You had a fusion and 6 months later you have to have another??? omg.. I've had TAR 4 months ago and in worse pain than ever and can barely put foot down still in boot. My next option is fusion to get rid of pain and I'm devastated at thoughts this op has been a waste of time and still have to go through fusion. But if you're saying fusion didn't work I'll seriously be asking for something that will take everything away. thanks.
shelley27394 WalkingWounded
Posted
Hi,
I would think having a fusion could potentially put other joints out of whack so to speak. Don't forget though, you have two legs, so your other leg could do a lot of the work too. If it has been advised I would highly consider it - they think it could be beneficial. If you do have it, just remember, physio, physio, physio. Those guys will teach you how to walk without it causing too many issues on other joints.
Shelley.
WalkingWounded shelley27394
Posted
Sadly for me, I'm facing having ankle fusion combined with foot fusion on both legs (one at a time, obviously), which will seriously affect the way I walk even if the fusions themselves are successful. Both ankles are pretty much as bad as each other right now, so the reality is that I have no 'good' leg to take the strain while I'm recovering from the first operation. In fact, the unfused ankle and foot will probably give out altogether whilst being required to take most of my bodyweight; hopping on it would be a complete non-starter, even for just a couple of steps. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried sick about the whole thing. Sadly I don't have the budget to book myself into a nursing home for three months at a time, which is really what's needed, I guess. No family to look after me, either.
sandra91776 WalkingWounded
Posted
The only experience Ive had is ankle surgery
When I began WB I did have painful hips due to the way I was walking
Once I was in sneakers and both feet were working the pain diminished
WalkingWounded sandra91776
Posted
Very glad indeed to hear that ankle surgery diminished your hip pain. That's a real plus. I'd be over the moon if it worked out like that for me too.