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In January of 2009, I fell from a ladder and suffered a catastrophic open-bone fracture of my talus. Not only was the talus shattered, but I immediately developed a serious infection and subsequent deep wound. 9 surgeries, 8 months of IV antibiotics, 9 months on a VAC device, and 15 months of walking in a boot, later . . . I am now looking at life following a complete ankle and subtalar fusion (no part of my ankle moves--except my toes). I am overjoyed that my fusion surgery was successful and am looking forward to learning how to walk again! I was just given the go-ahead from my doctor to begin using MBT shoes and to start physical therapy. I am just wondering if others have walked this road before and have any advice or insight. Thanks so much. Anneh8sldrs (Anne hates ladders)
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How's your ankle now? I had ankle fusion 8 weeks ago.
June 17, 2015 - 7:31amThis Comment
How's your ankle now? I had ankle fusion 8 weeks ago.
June 17, 2015 - 7:25amThis Comment
Hi all, Having undergone a subtalar fusion in January 2014 (for post-traumatic osteoarthritis), I have had a remarkable recovery (I can now climb, hike, play tennis, squash etc. all without pain).
It may be that some of the residual pain that some of you are experiencing (especially in the heel pad) is due to the screw - sometimes there can be some scar tissue which forms on it / it can slightly protrude and irritate and this can be solved by removing the screw(s) after fusion.
It is inevitable that a fusion will affect gait and therefore muscle power / strength / wear and tear in other places (knees, hips etc) in time due to compensation but lots of PT to minimise this will help.
Good luck all!
January 14, 2015 - 11:42amThis Comment
You have really made a full recovery? Whilst on a routine rock climbing training, I had a fall after a rope-snap & ha d Beak fracture of Calcaneum. I am still recovering from it, but the doctors feel eventually I will develop the need for a Joint Fusion. That is why I am asking you this question. Are you really able to maneuver your feet enough to play Squash or Hike, that too without pain. Please reply.
February 17, 2015 - 1:06pmThis Comment
I had a subtalar fusion on nov. 17th, 2014 had a soft cast on for two weeks, then had a hard cast on for a month. Currently i am in a walking boot and just started weight bearing again. I shattered my talus joint in 2011 and had surgery to repair it however i developed arthritis pretty quickly and broke three of the screws hence part of the reason for me moving forward with having the fusion. I am still having pain especially in my Achilles area. I have been on narcotics for three years and have asked to be weaned down however i finding that this surgery provided so far little to no improvement from the pain i was experiencing before this fusion. I am very fearful that i went forward with this surgery.
January 11, 2015 - 10:50pmThis Comment
Hi. I had my subtalar fusion on 20 November 2014. I went into a boot at 6 weeks post op. I thought I was doing well but all if a sudden the pain is so horrid. Putting the boot back on in a morning is just unbearable. I know that it will be good in the end but as you are at the same point time wise, are you having any probs? I'm 37 years old.
January 18, 2015 - 12:24pmThis Comment
Hi to the Jan.11, 2015 writer: You are just at the 8week post op point, and I think it was still a painful period. I remember being in shock when I first walked without the boot; I believe they had me wait till I was 10 weeks post op. Can't remember now. But it was more than a year before I became grateful for the surgery. Took my body a long time to adjust to the unnatural lack of movement in the foot. Please not the cautionary tale in my writing about the subsequent hip damage. The hip PT is extremely important for post op ankle fusion - I believe it should be continued forever. potter cheri
January 13, 2015 - 8:33pmThis Comment
hello Potter did you have any numbing on your toes? I had an operation subtalar fusion on July 18 2014 and I still have numbing on the toes. did you have this problem?
January 14, 2015 - 11:26amThis Comment
I had a Right sub talar ankle fusion 8/29/11. During the healing I had the
pins and needles that some of you are reporting; the Physicians Assistant
prescribed Amitriptyline which solved the problem for me (he said in some
cases the tingling may not leave).
The bigger issue that I would like you all to know is that I started having hip weakness on the same side within 16 months of the fusion, around December '12. By December '13 I was considering hip joint replacement. What I have learned since the Right hip replacement (Feb '14) and a Left knee replacement (Oct. '14) is that the lack of an ankle joint has repercussions that I wasn't forewarned about: I was told that I would loose my calf muscle because the ankle movement creates the calf, but I wasn't told that my hip would be affected, even though I got hip exercises in PT. At the time of recovery I wasn't having any hip problems, so once I started walking on the foot the hip exercises went by the wayside. I did notice occasionally that I was beginning to walk a bit bent over (whenever I caught a glimpse of myself in a store window, for example), and it did seem to relieve some pressure on the hip.
In hindsight I believe that poor posture in my recovery and discontinuing the hip exercises contributed to the loss of the hip joint. Since hip replacement I've noticed that I do good PT, regain strength, range of motion, etc only to loose it again when I stop the PT exercises. Upon having the left knee joint replaced I had to focus on the knee recovery and once again the PT on the right hip lost priority; the result is always the same - the hip gets so weak that it feels like it will slip out of joint, walking becomes painful, etc. I feel that I have learned that I have to be proactive and monitor my progress.
I think that the ankle fusion prevents development of necessary glute and other hip muscles...this is just MY theory and I am not a professional. I only know what stages I've gone through, my observations, and my final acceptance of a daily workout routine, which is finally leading me to a comfort and strength level that I find acceptable. I am 65, but I do line dancing 2-3 nights a week, go to the gym now daily, do my own home maintenance, walk the dogs 3-4 times a day, etc. Most of my younger friends can't keep up with me. I had amazing recovery with both the hip and the knee, but the decline of the hip strength occurs EVERY TIME I slack off on the exercises and I truly think it is because of the ankle fusion....SO if you have an ankle fusion PLEASE do your hip strengthening exercises regularly and DON'T STOP! Maybe you won't need to have the hip replacement!!!
Hope this has helped someone. Good luck to you all. Would love to hear back from you.
January 6, 2015 - 4:40pmThis Comment
Potter Cheri,
January 14, 2015 - 3:43pmI just wanted to say thank you for your information. I'm listening and taking notes regarding the PT and ongoing care. Thx from a young fused patient.
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