Anyone in the ankle fusion community ever have to go back in after surgery to have screws removed?

Jackie, I know that there was a type of filler or some kind of substance that promoted healing in my ankle. I know this because the substance (can't remember the name) cost about $11,000 all by itself--but it worked. I had to have donor bone used in my joint because there wasn't enough left to fuse, and I couldn't have asked for better results. I don't know if it's the same stuff, but if you'd like I can look back through my hospital paper work and see if I can find it again.

Hello,
I am searching for other people who have had ankle fusion surgery and it was not successful. I had a fusion last Aug 2010. Almost a year ago. I have pain constantly and the plate in my ankle is rubbing on the bone causing swelling and pain. My doctor from the Mayo Clinc in Jacksonville Fl wants to go in and remove the plate, drill some holes in the bone and add some liquid bone or some sort of filler to help the healing. I am not 100% ready to commit to this unless I get a second opinion. Could someone help. I live in Palm coast Florida.
thank you
Jackie

So happy to have found this thread. I had no idea so many of us shared the same/similar stories.

I had my ankle fused in May '10. There was no cartilage in my joint, and I had had bone rubbing on bone for a few years. I'd had my ankle shattered in a car wreck many years ago, and it never healed completely.

For the most part, I am symptom free now. Or I was. Starting a couple of days ago, I started feeling a small, pinching pain on the larger outside bone of my ankle. I couldn't feel anything that felt like a screw coming out, and I had that happen a couple of times with other surgeries so I know what it feels like. The pain has gotten progressively worse since it started. It doesn't last but a few seconds at a time, but the intervals between pains are getting shorter and shorter. Does this sound like a screw working its way loose? Or is it a symptom of something more serious? My surgeon has been very very pleased with my fusion, so I don't think something too drastic could have happened. I'm a teacher, and I'm literally on my feet all day long, but since I came out of the walking boot that hasn't been a problem.

By the way, for those of you who can't afford the more expensive orthotics and shoes, the toning shoes like Skechers Shape Ups are pretty awesome. It's almost like having movement in my ankle when I wear them, and my gait is normal. I actually use the Danskin version from Walmart, and I can get them there for under $30.

Hello all - I'm new to posting here, and have a few questions. I underwent my 1st surgery 2/24/09 for PTTD - did a transfer, as well as put in a subtalar implant. 3 days post-op, I had a lot of discomfort at the implant site, and wanted it out. It didn't feel right, and my Dr. didn't believe me. I finally convinced him to take it out, but that wasn't until 8/6/09. It felt better after that, but I still had the same pain I went to him with initially. (First Dr. is a Podiatrist)

I changed Dr.s in 1/14/10, this time to an Ortho. She took one look at my x-Rays, MRIs, and everything else, and said that the transfer didn't look right, and started talking about fusion, but wanted to try bracing it 1st. I spent the next 2 weeks in a walking cast, then 6 weeks in an air-cast boot, then 6 months in an Arizona AFO... THEN I had the fusion, she redid the transfer, as well as a Tal Gastrocnemius Recession.

Now I'm the "proud owner" of a 7" scar on the interior of my foot/ankle, several 1" on the exterior, and a 2" on my calf. (www.go2warp.com/mare) Here are some actual pics 10 days post op.

My questions are, with all this going on, how long can I expect swelling? At the end of the night I'm still softball or larger size, and it keeps getting worse. My hubby has to take my shoe off for me because I can't. Also, how long should there be pain? Not a lot of pain, but enough to be uncomfortable, and a constant reminder that something isn't right. The pain gets worse through out the day as well.

My current Dr. wants me to go for a CT scan, but she came right out and said she doesn't think it's going to show her anything. So why go? Also, she's concerned about the swelling and pain, but since I've only been back to work and really driving (more than trips to the store) for about 1 month, she thinks it may be that. I'm just worried, because I'm pushing 6 months post-op.

Sorry this is so long and drawn out, but, as I'm sure most of you know, this isn't something to be taken lightly, and I'm starting to really worry.

Thanks all!
-Mare

Hi Gem,
Please be careful when you're walking. I know you can't control when you ankle goes out on you but be safe. Remember I said it took me a year to decide to have the surgery...well it was a nasty fall that helped me make my final decision. Hope the insoles help you out some with the pain and that you can get that second opinion.
As for me I'm doing a lot better from where I was before my ankle fusion. I still have some pain and swelling from time to time but nothing compared to what I had before. My biggest complaint now is the stiffness in my ankle when I sit for long periods of time or when it's cold. But once I start moving again it goes away. I miss not being able to run or hike like I us to 15 years ago, but then again I couldn't even stand for 5 minutes at a time a few years before my ankle fusion. And from one chick to another I miss wearing high heels! I know that sounds stupid considering I can walk now, but I do have my moments of shoe envy :)
Keep us posted and let us know how things are going for you. Hoping you get some answers soon!
Take care,
Ang

Gem,
I'm glad you were able to find some additional information and hopefully connect with a few other women who are going through the same thing you are. Sounds like you are doing all the right things, have you gone in for a second opinion/orthopedic surgeon about your ankle? At one point while I was going through my ligament reconstructions (on my ankle) and they just weren't holding anymore I did have one surgeon tell me there was nothing else he could do for me. I kept searching and found my current ortho surgeon who gave me hope and helped me out. I know my situation is not the same as yours because of the tremors your are having, but my pelvis did turn inward (tilt) as a result of the way I was walking and compensating the rest of my body was doing so I could walk.
I did not try any alternative treatment, but that's a great question to as the community of women on this site.
I hope you get some answers from your next appointment about your tremors and find a different orthopedic surgeon that might be able to help you with your ankle. So you can get back to living your life pain free! Keep me posted and let me know how things go.
Take care,
Ang