In the last ten years I’ve had surgery eight times on my right ankle. Most of them were ligament reconstructions and finally a complete ankle fusion. Making the decision to fuse my ankle was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make but with the chronic pain, instability, degenerative arthritis and inflammation I agreed. It’s going to be two years this June and although it’s been a very long recovery and endless hours of physical therapy I can say I’m feeling good about it. One of the biggest challenges is finding shoes that help me walk. With an ankle fusion you have no range of motion so I need orthopedic shoes to help me out. I wear a pair of MBTs but would like to find something different that still provides the support I need, any suggestions? I’d love to hear your story and how you are dealing with the ankle fusion -- was it the right decision for you?
~Gimpy
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Hi Everyone,
I have a complete left ankle fusion that I have had for the past 5 years after 18 Surgeries... I feel your pain...
Following the fusion I have always lifted my left shoe by guessing and adding inserts into shoe. At 48 years old, I am having knee problems also on my left leg, I believe caused from my ankle fusion...
My question; I have now gone to see "Orthodics Specialist" and he said that I should possible lift my Right(non-fused) leg to help this situation... I have never heard that before and as everyone seems to be guessing, does anyone here that lives my pain have any thoughts on this idea?
Thank you in advance as I am at my wits end...
John
June 16, 2016 - 7:05amThis Comment
I Also had my left ankle fused back in 2007.
September 27, 2016 - 5:42amFirst I had the boot guy raise the ball of the foot and then I went to a boot specialist who removed the heel of the boot and that seemed to help the most. He said he had done this for all his fusion customers. So now I find shoes that have zero elevation. Like Sketchers.
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Can you tell me who you used for your boots?
January 24, 2017 - 10:29pmThis Comment
Hi John,
August 12, 2016 - 2:02pmI have lifts on both shoes-I have a tibial calcanial fusion on the left ankle, plus I lost bone length on the left, so I need an extra lift on left as well.I happen to live in the North where the winters are long, snowy with alot of ice-and salt.Shoe modifications with rocker soles are very costly,and lately in the past year , my shoes have fallen apart after only a few weeks from walking in salty snow.I feel your pain-what's more, the frustration.Why does no one seem to know what their doing.They call themselves experts-and charge the prices to prove it!But to answer your query,I have always had both shoes modified,and I am currently on my third pedorthist in eight years.Good luck.
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John, I don't have an answer for you however you did give me food for thought. An neighbor suggested orthotics for me (mine is right foot full ankle fusion that the right knee was broken out sideward 25 years ago-did fine with determination-still dropped 1/2" at this time- now determination doesn't seem to be enough. I walk with a bad limp and try and overcome with concentration. Pain, won't even think of going barefoot, and trying different sneakers. New Balance did not work for me doctor recommended something that was rolling and Sketchers with (separate) arch supports helped with the constant pain. This is all new to me since Feb. 2016 and accident in Aug. 2015. I will speak with my surgeon in a few weeks about the orthotics and I think it might just make a difference.
June 16, 2016 - 10:06amThis Comment
I've had 5 ankle surgeries, I'm 42. I've had 2 ankle fusions in the last 2 years on my right ankle. Doc says X rays look good on the second one, I have a plate and 13 screws. I have a feeling that the fusion did not take. It's going on 6 months post op and I can walk fine but every step hurts. Anyone have replacement surgery? I'm so tired of this. It's getting old. I'm debating the replacement surgery if I find out it was another mal-Union
May 31, 2016 - 3:24pmThis Comment
I was told they could not do a replacement due to the instability of the other bones around my ankle. Fusion was my last shot. With a lot of prayer and a bone stimulator I was blessed to have it heal completely. You may look into a bone stimulator to see if that would help the union. Also stay away from medications like Ibuprofen because they can hinder bone growth.
July 18, 2017 - 7:02amThis Comment
On May 15, 1985 I had a horrible auto accident in which I broke my left femur and crushed my left ankle. The tree won! The only way to save my left foot was to fuse my ankle. I was 21 at the time and a Junior in college going on my Senior year. I thought my world had come to an end. I also got a pulmonary embolism but that is a story for another day. Anyway fast forward 31 years and here I am with pain worse now than due to arthritis, stiffness and continued swelling after all these years. I have favored my right side so much my right hip, knee and right foot give me problems all the time. I have plantar fasciitis in my right foot and had to have surgery in 2013 due to wear and tear. The dr's tell me there is nothing they can do b/c arthritis has settled in due to the horrific break. Sometimes you feel you are the only one out there. No one in my family really understands what Ii go though and have been going through for 30 years. Don't get me wrong I did survive the accident and am very grateful. Thanks for listening!
May 3, 2016 - 6:53amThis Comment
My story is very similar to yours. In 1987 aged 22 I had a serious car accident, broke right wrist, femur and crushed ankle. I had ankle fused in 2006 due to pain. Since accident I have not been able to wear shoes as my foot is no longer normal shape, I can only wear flat boots or trainers. I know I was very lucky to survive but the difficulty I have finding footwear is a constant source of upset for me :(
August 7, 2016 - 4:13pmThis Comment
wow.. your story sounds parallel to mine. hit a tree broke femur completely into in two places crushed knee and basically broke my foot off. this happened two years ago ..fusion did not take and want to do it again..reading your story doesn't look like I have a lot to look forward to...my accident happened 2 years ago
July 29, 2016 - 9:47amThis Comment