Ankle Fusion

hi I am due to have Right Ankle fusion in Nov 09 any info you can spare [email protected]

Curad makes short leg cast covers that are inexpensive and work well. I used them while recovering from an osteotomy. I think the cost was around $14 for two of the covers. You just slide them over the cast. I wrapped a towel around the top too and my cast stayed dry. Like the other poster, I sat in a plastic lawn chair in the tub and used a handheld showerhead. These are easy to find at any hardware store and don't cost a lot.

I am having to be evaluated about having an ankle fusion. I have been having so much pain with my right ankle after being up on it for a couple of hours. i am a nurse, so i am concerned if I will be able to go back to my regular duties without any problems after healing. My concern is with the cast are you still bale to shower or take a bath without getting the cast wet/ Is there a secial wrap of some sort to cover the cast?

Hi there! I too have been advised to have an ankle fusion but I have so MANY reservations. Has anyone had an ankle replacement? I have a friend in Africa that has had one. I am interested in hearing about other non-surgical options. PS. The pain is getting me down, terribly! LL

Hi everyone,
The idea that I could come to this forum is a Godsend...I need someone out there who understands what I am feeling....friends and family have been wonderful, but truly can not know how I am feeling to the extent of someone that I do not know personally, will probably never meet, but who has been through this. I have an ankle fusion coming up next week. I am so scared. I was in a horrific car accident in May, and my tibia had to actually be put back into place by the surgeon as it had "come out" due to the accident. The result was that there was what the surgeon called "massive bone loss" in the bone across the top of my ankle. The surgeon told me that this was one of the worst he has seen in all of his years as an ortho surgeon. I was in an external fixator for approx. 7 weeks. During the first few days, he had told me and my family that the likelihood of me having to have my foot amputated still remained because of the risks involved. Luckily and thank God, this did not happen. As all of the wounds from the initial accident and surgery have healed, I have been put on a weight-bearing as tolerated status. I am not able to walk without a walker, but have managed to "walk" upstairs to take a shower! wooohooo!! Anyway, the doctor is now ready to move forward with the ankle fusion. He says that this is the only option and although I could put it off, eventually I would need this procedure. As he said, I could wait...but would only really be prolonging the inevitable. I am stressing big-time about this. I asked him if there were any other options in between not doing anything and having the ankle fusion, and was told that there was not. I did not get a second opinion, as some have mentioned to me, because I really do feel that my surgeon is brilliant and I do have faith in him, just wish that there could be another alternative. As this was the result of a terrible car accident, I did not "research" the doctor, but he happened to be 'on call' that day in the ER. Many others in the hospital have great respect for him, and one of the anestheologists told me that he brings his young daughter to him...so, to me- that is a pretty good testimonial. I know that the sooner I have this done, the sooner I can get on with living my life. I just fear the actual surgery a great deal, and also am freaked out by the thought of my foot being frozen forever at a 90 degree angle.....will I walk normally? will I be able to drive? Also, everything that I have read on this says that you are non-weightbearing for 8-12 weeks. I could have sworn that my doctor said that I would be in a walking cast and able to weight-bear. Does anyone know or have heard of this? Please.... If anyone out there can email me with their experiences or advice, it would be greatly appreciated. A big concern of mine has to do with my ability to drive after the ankle fusion. Although I have heard it is possible, I can not imagine how this works. How is the driving after a right ankle fusion?? Does anybody have any feedback on this for me.... Thank you so much...
My email addy is: [email protected]
Please email me, someone, anyone....

I had my ankle fusion on August 6th, and it included a bone graft taken from my tibia. The pain is not bad at 2+ weeks. There is a lot of swelling when I sit up for any length of time. My biggest issue is getting mobile. I can use a walker and a wheelchair. I am like a beached whale on crutches. Am wondering how long it takes to be able to use those crutches well. My greatest challenge this week is to go back to the doctor's to have stitches removed. I have four steps to leave my house.