Surgeon recommends fusion & calcaneal osteotomy. But mentioned I could be worse off after..?.
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Hi, appreciate opinion and any advice. I am 51 yrs female, keep-fit active (love cycling and dog walking), with office duties f/t occupation.
I had R foot ankle peroneal tendon transfer 7 mths ago. This is after L hip replacement 5 mths prior. The recent R foot surgery resulting from gait change - walking with new L hip longer slightly.
Now after the tendon transfer 7 months ago, I continue to have the instability feeling and ankle rolling sensation. Like nothing changed.
I feel like the ankle will break on unstable ground.
Tendon transfer is confirmed intact on very recent MRI, but arthritis has advanced severely in the 7 mths.
Surgeon now suggests Fusion, but also Calcaneal Osteotomy. Claims the Osteotomy only 6-12 mths relief but eventual Fusion required regardless. Told me i should use ASO brace again ( but I explained it made my ankle feel very rigid and worse for rolling), and asked if I drive a car, of course yes, ... claims I will not drive a car again after a Fusion. If Fusion not liked, it is amputation. Really??
I ask from those that have travelled... :
Will Fusion help correct that rolling / instability sensation I currently have? (A big for me as I love to walk my dog - don’t care about ever jogging again).
Will I be able to walk on the beach (as I currently cannot do so)..? You know, that correction feeling?
Can you drive a car after Fusion?
How much normality do you have? Continued disability?
My walking ability is currently severely disabled due to my present foot rolling feeling, but can I know that a Fusion decision will be a better option? Well, I feel I need to walk better than I currently can.
I do have a 2nd opinion booked in the next week, but this is by the current surgeon but I am considering my own 2nd opinion after my GP visit.
Thanks for reading & appreciate any answers.
E.
0 likes, 2 replies
Penguin99 Sumrheat
Posted
Hi Sumrheat.
I'm 56 yo male and had rt ankle fusion las August after having ostearthritis fir 10 yrs. Best thing I ever did. I drive, I walk without pain and I'm back in the gym powerlifting again. I' m looking forward to walking on the beach in the summer.
Go for it.
Morrismanc007 Sumrheat
Posted
I’ve had 7ops in 14yrs and I’m waiting to have the metal work taken out as one of the screws goes to far into the subtalar. For me the op has made the pain so much worse, I though it would help but was very unsure. I put it off for 2yrs and the pain is unbearable, I’m just hoping that once the metal work comes out the pain will settle.
I did have a calcanium osteotomy a few yrs back and I was expecting it to be awful and not work. Surprisingly it was fine, very little pain and it did help for a few years. But my consultant at the time was right it was a temporary fix to an ongoing problem of OA.
After my fusion I haven’t been able to drive a manual car but I’ve swopped to an automatic and it’s fab! I have really good movement in my ankle and unless you studied my ankle and my walking you would have no idea that I’ve had a fusion.
The op isn’t for the faint hearted; it’s a full on slog and not a quick recovery...I still have very bad swelling which does improve with elevation. I’d read as much literature that you can, be frank and honest about your concerns with your consultant and if you are still unsure ask for a second opinion.
Let us all know how you get on.
Claire. Xx