Hi Ang :)
Just read (July 17 & 18, 2017) through all the thread responding to your post on April 11, 2008. Technology has changed a lot since 2008. I am heading toward an ankle fusion, MUCH to my disappointment. Auto accident in 2008 (someone crossed the center line & hit me square head on) ... many broken/shattered bones, many surgeries, complicated ankle fractures .... Through much PT & damned determination the only thing I want to do & cannot is run again :( I was a marathon runner. I still grieve this loss. Presently, hardware has to be removed in order to have an MRI. Then determination will be made about how to surgically address my recent inability to weight bear. Current orthopedic dr is thinking AVN (necrotic talus) & that an ankle fusion will be necessary because I may not have structural bone integrity to have an ankle replacement. I have learned a lot about ankle fusions by reading this thread, of which I had no idea. Like many, numerous times, I have considered & requested amputation ... thinking that then I can run again with a blade prothesis (at least, in my fantasy, I can). Nearly 10 years later, for you, what shoes are you finding helpful? If it is possible for me to make a choice, how do I decide the degree of ankle placement (this is something I learned from this thread)? I am nearly 10 years, post-accident (Jan 22, 2008). I am surgeon shopping ... I am willing/able to travel nearly anywhere for quality & skilled care. Suggestions? What should I be asking of the 2nd & 3rd & 4th consultations? Eventually, I will bite the bullet & be Nike: Just do it! For now, I don't want to forfeit any of my summer & fall plans. I have several trips planned, including England to meet my 1st granddaughter in November. I am reserving my energy & movement & getting many complementary therapies to help me function & bide time (massage, laser light therapy, acupuncture with estim, Feldenkrais, osteopathic manual manipulation, sympathetic nerve block injections). Currently, I'm walking in an aircast & using a knee walker, when necessary. I use those electric riding shopping carts when in stores. After the accident, when I could walk again, I had to give away all of my shoes. I love shoes! The shoes I wear now are (orthotically modified) Merrells & Birkenstocks. It sounds like, from these comments, I won't be able to wear the Birkenstocks or open back sandals post ankle fusion :( Post accident, I have limited movement in my ankle, but enough to allow me to keep open back sandals on my foot. I have Smart Toe Implants in my toes on that foot, which eliminate toe gripping to keep on shoes. Oh, Ang, When will those dark clouds all disappear, Where will it lead us from here, You can't say we never tried, Remember all those nights we cried, All the dreams were held so close, Seemed to all go up in smoke, Come on, (help me) dry (my) eyes, (I want to say) ain't good to be alive.
With much gratitude and blessings to be showered upon you & everyone else here,
Angeela
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Hi Ang :)
July 18, 2017 - 6:23amJust read (July 17 & 18, 2017) through all the thread responding to your post on April 11, 2008. Technology has changed a lot since 2008. I am heading toward an ankle fusion, MUCH to my disappointment. Auto accident in 2008 (someone crossed the center line & hit me square head on) ... many broken/shattered bones, many surgeries, complicated ankle fractures .... Through much PT & damned determination the only thing I want to do & cannot is run again :( I was a marathon runner. I still grieve this loss. Presently, hardware has to be removed in order to have an MRI. Then determination will be made about how to surgically address my recent inability to weight bear. Current orthopedic dr is thinking AVN (necrotic talus) & that an ankle fusion will be necessary because I may not have structural bone integrity to have an ankle replacement. I have learned a lot about ankle fusions by reading this thread, of which I had no idea. Like many, numerous times, I have considered & requested amputation ... thinking that then I can run again with a blade prothesis (at least, in my fantasy, I can). Nearly 10 years later, for you, what shoes are you finding helpful? If it is possible for me to make a choice, how do I decide the degree of ankle placement (this is something I learned from this thread)? I am nearly 10 years, post-accident (Jan 22, 2008). I am surgeon shopping ... I am willing/able to travel nearly anywhere for quality & skilled care. Suggestions? What should I be asking of the 2nd & 3rd & 4th consultations? Eventually, I will bite the bullet & be Nike: Just do it! For now, I don't want to forfeit any of my summer & fall plans. I have several trips planned, including England to meet my 1st granddaughter in November. I am reserving my energy & movement & getting many complementary therapies to help me function & bide time (massage, laser light therapy, acupuncture with estim, Feldenkrais, osteopathic manual manipulation, sympathetic nerve block injections). Currently, I'm walking in an aircast & using a knee walker, when necessary. I use those electric riding shopping carts when in stores. After the accident, when I could walk again, I had to give away all of my shoes. I love shoes! The shoes I wear now are (orthotically modified) Merrells & Birkenstocks. It sounds like, from these comments, I won't be able to wear the Birkenstocks or open back sandals post ankle fusion :( Post accident, I have limited movement in my ankle, but enough to allow me to keep open back sandals on my foot. I have Smart Toe Implants in my toes on that foot, which eliminate toe gripping to keep on shoes. Oh, Ang, When will those dark clouds all disappear, Where will it lead us from here, You can't say we never tried, Remember all those nights we cried, All the dreams were held so close, Seemed to all go up in smoke, Come on, (help me) dry (my) eyes, (I want to say) ain't good to be alive.
With much gratitude and blessings to be showered upon you & everyone else here,
Angeela
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