Ankle Fusion
SHARED by SAC on June 22, 2008 - 8:41am
Looking for anyone who had an ankle fusion and now is having problems with severe pain agian (mine was done in 2000)?
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Looking for anyone who had an ankle fusion and now is having problems with severe pain agian (mine was done in 2000)?
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Oh my -- it sounds painful. I've not had ankle fusion myself, but I've had issues with heel pain, and I'm a real baby when it flares up. I can't imagine the pain you're experiencing. Have you seen a doctor recently? If so, what did he/she say?
Kristin Davis
I'm sorry I can't respond directly to your question. I am a candidate for ankle fusion or ankle joint replacement. I'm holding on both because I'm scared frankly of the rehab time involved. I have an old injury broken ankle from 1975 with a screw inserted. Now I am on anti-inflammatories because of pain from bone-on-bone in joint lacking cartilage. If you had to do it over again, would you have the fusion? Or was yours not voluntary? KM
SAC,
You have come to the right place! There are (at least) 6 other women who are talking about their ankle fusion surgery and/or ankle pain, and they range from "being a candidate" to "having surgery 10 years ago".
I hope you hear from these women on your recent ASK post, but if you have not already, you can reach out to these women via angmares blog:
http://empowher.com/community/blog/angmares/08/04/11/ankle-fusion-i-know...
And, there were also women talking on one of EmpowHer's Ankle Fusion forum a few months ago.
What have you done so far to ease your chronic pain?
I'm scheduled for a triple arthrodesis on August 6, 2008. I have read everything possible regarding the surgery but I am also concerned about the recovery time and the long term satisfaction of those who have had this done. Any advice or suggestions from anyone will be greatly appreciated. Peggy N
You may want to become friends with all of the people who have posted here, especially Ang. She went through this a couple of years ago and may be able to help. http://empowher.com/community/blog/angmares/08/04/11/ankle-fusion-i-know...
Sac,
I'm in the same boat as you. I had ankle fusion almost 8 years ago. Since then I have undergone 3 other surgeries. One just recently. The pain is unbearable and have to use a crutch or cain to walk most of the time. I was referred to UCLA where they discovered non-union is present. I have to be re-fused. Today I had xrays done and a CT scan to confirm non-union before we move forward.My sugesstion is do a lot of research, ask questions and get as many professional opinions as you can. That is what I'm doing and how I found this website.
My heart goes out to you. I understand the pain.
~DMarie
DMarie-
Can't tell you what a surprise it was to hear that someone has to have their ankle re-fused. I never heard of that! It does sound like that could be what I'm experiencing since just "arthritis" doesn't seem to make sense and could cause that much pain. I'm seeing an ankle/foot specialist on the 21st and I can't wait to ask him a bunch of questions.
My pain is just like it was before the fusion now, "unbearable" at times and I just want some relief. The thought of amputation has even crossed my mind, though fleetingly. Only someone who is experiencing the same kind of pain can understand what we are going thru. So what other surgies have you had done? I've really had a smooth time of it, compared to you. Initially my recovery and getting back on my feet was alot better than I ever expected. Did you have your ankle done arthroscopically or the open method? I'm wondering if there is a connection with the way the surgery was done?
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your condition, so please keep up the conversation.
SAC
I love this site. It answered many questions I had prior to my ankle fusion. My surgery was Aug. 6 and I am doing much better than I thought I would. The pain immediately after my surgery was rough but after a few days I'm doing much better. I try not to take pain meds...my doctor doesn't seem to be too keen on prescribing much and I don't want to run out of them. The best decision I made was to purchase a scooter which gives me much more mobility than a walker. It's amazing the coping skills you can develop when you're forced to. My husband made a long pole with a flat end on it so I can push on the screen door to let the dogs in and out of the house without having to crawl down 4 steps to reach the door. The roughest part of my day is getting dressed. My only bathroom is upstairs and I'm becoming quite adapt at crawling upstairs. At least I'm getting some exercise!
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