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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I wasn't in a car accident, I went fishing with my Dad. When we drove up to the boat ramp, there was a little Boy, about 5 I guess. He was holding his dad's boat, but without a rope. Just holding on to the side. When I seen him, he seemed to be leaning further and further out over the water. Scared that he was gonna fall in, my dad stopped and I jumped out and ran down to help him. When my foot hit the concrete ramp, I slid down. Broke both the bones and dislocated my left ankle.
My life has never been the same.
Of course when I broke it I had surgery...the next day! The Dr that was on call at the hospital was out on his boat and had to cut his fun day short. Only, when he got to the hospital he had been drinking. So they scheduled my surgery for the next day. I have always wondered if this made a difference in how it turned out.
June 30, 2016 - 2:50pmAnyway, to make a long story short(er), I was in my 20's and now I'm in my 50's. I have had six total surgeries, with 2 being Total Ankle Replacements...under a clinical research. I guess you know, clinical research is a trial. Nothing was approved by FDA.
By the time I was about 40ish, and after having 4 surgeries to remove hardware, Spurs and trying to keep my leg from hurting I agreed with my husband to go to Duke for a TAR.
The first one I had done seemed to be doing ok. After about a year I stepped out my back door and it felt liked someone stuck a power cord to my foot. Shocking!!!! The TAR had shifted and I couldn't walk without crutches. So I ended up going back for a "redo". Dr told me, "second time around is never as good as first".
Since I have had my second one, my ankle has not stop hurting. I hurt after the first surgery, but I could tolerate it.
Now, it hurts constantly. Pain, swelling, stiffness and now this redness. I know there are people that have had good success with total ankle replacements because my uncle had one that did fine. Actually same Dr did surgery. I asked him one day, why did my uncle have such good success and mine turned out so crappy? Dr said, there is a difference between arthritis and trauma. Your uncle had arthritis. You on the other hand, have trauma.
When I went to Duke originally, I had no choice. I was hurting so bad. The local Ortho said there was nothing else he could do to help me.
I don't regret getting the TAR, but now for me to get a fusion it's gonna be very complicated. Since my leg bone was cut to implant the ankle, I'll now have to have a cadaver bone the lengthen my left leg bone.
Then a fusion. Sometimes I feel like maybe an orthopedic foot would be best. My ankle has hurt everyday for the past 6 years. I'm tired.
I have an appointment on July 26. I also have a red streak that looks like it is tryin to circle around my ankle.
Anybody ever had that goin on? Mine has never looked like this. Doesn't hurt any more than normal. Just a redness to the skin from the center of my ankle and going around to the inside. Oh well, I feel your pain and prob then some. Any info would be appreciated. Really scared to have surgery again.
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Hi, the red line Could be a sign of infection. You should get that checked out.
August 6, 2016 - 5:32pmYour story has made me even more sure to go with a fusion. Dr mentioned I have almost no range of motion after just 6 years since my accident. So a fusion won't be much different... Exept much less or hopefully no pain. He also said TAR is not the greatest for active people, because it wears out faster. And also as you have found out might not take with certain patients.
Prayers for a good result for your very complicated fusion.
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I am dealing with a failed TAR. The doctor is now recommending afusion. This is even more worrisome to me because I have had 2 triple artrodesis in that foot. I am scared of what this means for me.
July 28, 2016 - 6:57amThis Comment
Best to you. I don't have any advise as I haven't had a TAR, had a quad. ankle fusion ++++. Just wanted you to know there are people who feel your pain and share with you the fact you are scarred.
July 1, 2016 - 12:23pmThis Comment
I too was in a car accident and crushed my talus bone and had to have an ankle fusion at 21. I'm 36 now and I feel as though the last 15 years have been wasted. I can't do much and if I do I'm on the couch for 3 days following from swelling and pain. I too have favored my right leg so now my left hip goes out on me, my left heel and arch hurt every day and my right ankle that was fused feels like I'm walking on a broken ankle. No one understands what this is like. It's tough. I wish they would finally come up with a successful ankle replacement that last more than 10 years. I just wanted to say I feel ur pain.
June 6, 2016 - 8:06pmThis Comment
And I feel your pain. Keep the faith!!! 25 years ago they told me I would have to have a knee replacement in 10 yrs. due to a really bad side break of my knee and I would never ride a horse or walk without a limp. Proved them wrong! 25 yrs. later I blacked out in the middle of the day and the tree tried to win. Trauma Center talked about amputating my right foot and gave my family 30 min to see me still alive. Yes, with the powers above I am still fighting, and yes I will drive, and yes, it will be my super big wonderful double cab Tundra Limited truck, no matter what tests I have to take to prove to DMV I can drive! Keep fighting, I have more back problems than I care to think about. I just refuse to concentrate on any pain except for severe and immediate. This 65 yr. old is not ready to roll over and let it get the best of me. I have and you have a lot more waiting for us to do and enjoy. Pep talk over. Have a better day.
July 1, 2016 - 11:59amThis Comment
I hear you. I broke my Tib/ Fib and crushed the talas. I had to have a fusion 5 months after my accident due to nonunion. Now 16 months since the fusion I have to have it refused due to the fusion didn't fuse.
May 6, 2016 - 3:32amIt's very emotional having to go through another fusion. I will be non weight bearing for 4-5 months again! It's difficult just to go to the store and ADL's.
When people ask you how are you feeling??? Sometimes I just want to cry, but I tell them I'm fine. Keep your head up.
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You're right keep your head up and try no matter to smile and say thank you, you are here. Don't have the support I would like to have but a lot of us don't. There still are people worse off than we are, I saw it and saw what happens when people don't have all their mental capacities. I'd rather deal with the pain and keep trying to overcome. I'd still rather have my leg and arm attached vs the alternative and much better I am still alive. Yes, I do complain like everyone else. Hopefully I will be starting (since Aug. 2015) to start looking for shoes in the next month or so. Face that when I get to it. Now just happy I am with great surgeons who know I want to be pushed and do so.
May 6, 2016 - 10:08amThis Comment
Oh please, can you tell me have you found any shoes that last longer than 6 months. My husband has same operation which did not work....
June 2, 2016 - 10:58pmThis Comment
Yes FOR ME with additions. NB 1040v2 hurts but Sketchers work with the memory foam. Still need to add an arch support (never needed before) and my feet (good and the one with the fusion) tend to lean in on the inside. Fabric runs smaller, and no wide widths, than the leather. Takes some getting use to - rate: pain is minimal and I am adjusting. Expensive trying NB at $150+ a clip plus $50 for inserts, but on amazon I tried Sketchers (2.0 memory foam walking) and ordered another pair since. Since I can't drive right now legally I am stuck pretty much with online shopping. The NB's were not online, went there and would not buy another pair. NB's just were not for me. They do work for others.
July 1, 2016 - 11:35amThis Comment