ankle fusion

[Kim Trombley]

Hello Everyone, was wondering if i could get some feed back on my ankle pain. I have had terrible ankle pain for the last 3 years. My doctor says i need a subtalar and talonavicular fusion. i dont want to do it because of the things i have read that can go wrong and the fact that my balance will be effected. Also the long 12 weeks no weight bearing on that foot. can someone please share your experience and is there anything other than this fusion that could help to be able to tolerate the pain, the pain right now is unbelievable . The cortisone injections dont work anymore. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated . thank you 

[Laura Kott]

I had a subtalar fusion and gastrocnemius recession on March first. My foot now is perfectly straight and the balance takes a while to get used to.  However I am having severe pain weight bearing with a lot of popping behind the ankle. I have a MRI tomorrow.  The doctor said now that my bones are lined up perfectly my perineal tendon either is not sitting in the grove, is torn or enlarged.  Also the mild arthritis is now bone on bone.  I think I am looking at another surgery.  If it is possible get a MRI before surgery to check your tendons.  Soft tissue doesn’t really show on a CT scan.  Wishing you the best.

On Fri, Jun 18, 2021 at 10:18 PM Kim Trombley <ktm5...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Everyone, was wondering if i could get some feed back on my ankle pain. I have had terrible ankle pain for the last 3 years. My doctor says i need a subtalar and talonavicular fusion. i dont want to do it because of the things i have read that can go wrong and the fact that my balance will be effected. Also the long 12 weeks no weight bearing on that foot. can someone please share your experience and is there anything other than this fusion that could help to be able to tolerate the pain, the pain right now is unbelievable . The cortisone injections dont work anymore. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated . thank you 

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[vonda cowling]

I had triple arthrodesis and Achilles lengthening in August 2019essetnially the same surgery you are anticipating.     I had been having ankle pain with every step I took.   I was in a half cast with secured with an ace badge until I got the stitches removed, and then a hard cast non weight bearing for 8 weeks, finally in January walking cast which i could remove to bathe and sleep   I started physical therapy in November and was still having physical therapy when the pandemic started.  .  I was kept very comfortable and nearly pain free by taking the medications as prescribed.   I would have some swelling and pain when I changed  foot positions (put foot down to get to the bathroom).   

Nearly two years later, I am finished physical therapy and I am essentially pain free.   I will admit that I do have stiffness when I first get out of bed and I have to stretch my Achilles before I am fully mobile.  The discomfort I went through after surgery and being non weight bearing for that period of time were nothing compared to the pain I had just walking across a room.  I had started to limit my activities.   I think that you should make your decision to have surgery based on the quality of life you want and not the stories that you hear.  Everyone's recovery is different.   Not having pain made it all worth it to me.   

On Fri, Jun 18, 2021 at 10:18 PM Kim Trombley <ktm5...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Everyone, was wondering if i could get some feed back on my ankle pain. I have had terrible ankle pain for the last 3 years. My doctor says i need a subtalar and talonavicular fusion. i dont want to do it because of the things i have read that can go wrong and the fact that my balance will be effected. Also the long 12 weeks no weight bearing on that foot. can someone please share your experience and is there anything other than this fusion that could help to be able to tolerate the pain, the pain right now is unbelievable . The cortisone injections dont work anymore. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated . thank you 

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[Susan Doran]

My results were the same as Vonda Cowling.  I walk pain free most days and am pleased with my results.

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On Jun 19, 2021, at 2:33 AM, Laura Kott <lko...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Deb]

Kim,

I had a triple arthrodesis and achilles release 2 years ago. I'm pretty much pain free. All depends on what I'm doing. I find the Hoka Clifton the one shoe that

allows me to walk without pain. Granted if I walk too much or do too much yard work there might be some discomfort. But nothing like the pain I had before the surgery.

It was well worth it. 12 weeks non-weight bearing. I used a knee scooter, made things a lot easier. Also, I purchased a waterproof cast cover that allowed me to take a shower. I've had fusions on both ankles and don't regret it.

Not sure where you live, if near Massachusetts, consider Dr. DiGiovanni at Mass General.

On Fri, Jun 18, 2021 at 10:18 PM Kim Trombley <ktm5...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Everyone, was wondering if i could get some feed back on my ankle pain. I have had terrible ankle pain for the last 3 years. My doctor says i need a subtalar and talonavicular fusion. i dont want to do it because of the things i have read that can go wrong and the fact that my balance will be effected. Also the long 12 weeks no weight bearing on that foot. can someone please share your experience and is there anything other than this fusion that could help to be able to tolerate the pain, the pain right now is unbelievable . The cortisone injections dont work anymore. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated . thank you 

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[jjfc...@gmail.com]

I’ve been told that over 90% of patients report significant pain relief or no pain 1 yr after their ankle fusions. Those people typically may not share their stories or details of their surgeries because they are too busy getting back to life with horrible pain. 

Nothing is really effective when it comes to end stage ankle arthritis, although I heard that stem cell therapy may be effective at reducing pain and improving function. My advice would be to make sure the surgeon you go with us a specialist in foot and ankle reconstruction and tons of your recommended procedure(s) under his/her belt. I wish I had been more selective, but that’s water under the bridge. And, if you haven’t, always get a second opinion.

Good luck in your decision making journey, and let us know what you decide. 

Julie

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On Jun 19, 2021, at 2:36 AM, vonda cowling <vonda....@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Caroline Levine]

Kim,

I know how frightened you are to proceed with the double fusion.  I put off my second fusion for too long-til I couldn't stand the pain anymore.

My 2nd surgeon didn't believe I needed the double surgery and only fused one joint.  This was a huge mistake because even after the 12 weeks on non weight bearing and rest, the joint he refused to fuse was still too painful.  so, I went to a different surgeon and had it done a year later.  I cringe when I think of all those weeks sitting on the bed.

That said, 3 years after the last fusion, I'm fairly free of pain, an incredible relief.  Yes, I don't walk properly, can't walk very far without my foot getting sore, but it's worth it to  me.   Sometimes if I'm doing too much around the house, I use my rollator which takes a lot of pressure on my foot.  I'm looking into a four-footed cane with ends that bend, kind of like ankles.  I'm also looking for a PT who specializes in patients with ankle fusions.  But the main thing I'm trying to say is that I'm nearly pain-free.  I remember the pain before the surgeries was all I could think about.  Now I just think about now and then. 

Caroline

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[brian gregan]

Yes 

We only really about the bad results on this site 

Most results are good 

Mine was  !

I had a good recovery 

No pain at all (about 12 years ago)

The problem is to get the right surgeon for the job

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[Kim Connolly]

I had a triple arthrodesis Jan 2019.  I had a good recovery as well- but it wasn’t easy to be non weight bearing for 10-12 weeks! My house is a colonial, and we had a temporary chair lift installed that helped immensely!   When I was done with it they removed it,  No need to purchase that as just needed it temporarily. I had a knee scooter, a bath chair, and used a walker.   All of these things helped me to be independent so my husband could go back to work. He would come home and help me with my bath, but I had a system work out s I could do things by myself.  The PT I started when I graduated to having my cast off and in my boot was very helpful in my recovery,  Really helped strengthen my ankle, my hips, legs, and core muscles.  Especially helpful in learning to walk and keep my balance again- felt like I had to learn to walk again. I did my exercises religiously at home, and complying with the non weight bearing helped my recovery.  I have very little pain, my foot is straight (had a terrible flat foot with posterior tendon dysfunction,  My foot will never look like the other one, it swells from time to time, but no pain that is consistent and ai can walk much better,  As Julie said, you need the right surgeon.  I work at Hopkins and can give you several doctors that are strictly foot and ankle surgeons- that is what you need, Please let know if I can help.  i went back to work as a nurser-just doin office things-with my boot on-saved my sanity and sick time!

Kim

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[Caroline Levine]

Kim, I agree that the right equipment really makes the difference in recovery. 

 

I rented a portable commode, 2 walkers and a narrow wheelchair.  I used the commode only during the night when was too sleepy to get to the bathroom safely.  My husband took off the bathroom door nearest the bedroom.  I had my wheelchair next to the bed.  I had a walker just inside the bathroom.  I'd wheel to the bathroom, get out of the wheelchair and grab the walker.  Then it was just 2 hops to the toilet.  (The wheelchair wouldn't fit in the bathroom and have room to turn it around)  My husband went back to work after my 2 days in the hospital and one day back at home.  I managed to make my own breakfast and lunch.  I didn't know it at the time, but since I'm a senior, I couldn't arranged for Meals on Wheels to deliver lunches during the week.

I did learn that if I ever have to have surgery again, it couldn't be same day.  My surgeon offered this but I declined.  I didn't see how my husband could take care of me right out of a major operation.  Some seniors go straight to a rehab place, but he didn't even mention that.  I'd be curious to hear about other people's recovery plan immediately after surgery.

The other lifesaver was cable TV.  I'd watch whole series.  My dogs really helped too.

My foot too swells up sometimes after too much use.  When it swells it likes to be elevated with a couple of pillows on the bed.

I don't walk properly and have to be careful.  My balance is off. Some days I have to use the rollator around the house.  BUT, I walk.  I am mostly without pain.  The surgery vs. hardly any pain was well worth it.

Caroline

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[Tracy Craft]

I dislocated and shattered my ankle, 20+ years ago. I had 2 surgeries within the first 2 years before I could bear weight. I love my surgeon, I actually still follow up with him today. He was a god sent. I was told right off the rope I most likely would never be able to walk again. He said I will do my best, I am thankful everyday that I can get up and walk. I do still have some pain due to nerve damage from the the number of surgeries (5). I have tried different things for nerve pain, and it is managed pretty good. I had and awesome surgeon and even the one that helped out was great to (I didn’t care for her bedside manner). 

Tracy

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On Jun 20, 2021, at 9:56 AM, Caroline Levine <carolin...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Caroline Levine]

Hi Tracy,

I broke my ankle and leg roller skating at my daughter's school's PTA. in my forties. Seven hour surgery early next morning.  Was okay for 5 years then the arthritis set in and I had my lst fusion. Much relief.  Then many years later, in 2017, had my 2nd fusion, then a year later my 3rd one.  I had all the hardware taken out  of each fusion within 6 months of each time within 6 months because it bothered me.  

My ankle is sometimes red and swollen, giving me the loud and clear message:  give me a break.  Put me under a few pillows for Pete's sake!  

Given all those surgeries plus one for a Morton's neuroma, it's amazing that poor foot still works.  But the pain relief is the bigger issue.  I'm grateful for that every day.  My pain was changing my personality and not for the better.  I've never regretted the surgeries.  Yes, they changed my gait, but to get rid of the horrible pain, they were well worth it.

Caroline

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[Kimberly Dotson]

What is the best medicine you all have found for the arthritis pain? I have had my fusion over 30 years. I was only 14 when it happened. I have recently had a neurotransmitter put in my back for pain. It does help but looking for even more options.

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Very respectfully,
Kim Dotson

[Caroline Levine]

Kim,

I found nabumetone, an RX to be the best pain reliever for arthritis.  I think it does have some side effects, though.  Other than that, sometimes a heating pad, sometimes a baggie of ice helped.

Caroline

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