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 Pat...
December 15, 2009 - 10:39amThanks 4 your reply; you are the first in this community. I found it ironic that you being the first have the same name as my mom & sister! Their full names are Patricia though. My mom likes to be called Patsy and my sister Patty. Anyway I posted my story in my profile if anyone is interested and has the time to read it. It's fairly long and could of been longer as I left some things out. I have pictures in my computer of my inverted ankle but donot know how to download them into this site. And are you allowed to? Talk soon-pabeach
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Hi pabeach - Sorry but we don't have a way to show photos on the site. I'm sure they're quite interesting though. :-) I like the idea. Thanks for offering! Pat AKA Patricia
December 15, 2009 - 5:14pmThis Comment
Hi Ankle fusies...
December 14, 2009 - 8:33amI just found this wonderful site this morning and have been reading some of your posts. I to am in the boat with you! I am 60 days post op for the 2nd year! My first ankle fusion (Nov '08)to take the arthritis out of the talus bone last year didn't go so well as my heel shifted out from under me and was resting near the outside of my ankle. I was inverted for months and trying to work after the first surgery. My dr wanted to wait to see how my ligaments would heal before he would do the second surgery. So in Oct he moved my heel over and retro-nailed into my tibia. I now have 1 nail being held in place with a rod and 8 screws besides in my foot. On the 10(dec) he left me out of my cast and put me in a walking boot but no weight bearing yet. I go back on Jan 5th and I believe I will be allowed to weight bear again! The only problem I am having this time is an irratation on the outside of the ankle in the back. The dr says it is probably a screw...if it bothers me to much he will have to remove them next year. Has anyone had this problem and what were your outcomes? I will fill you in on my long story at a later date if you are interested.
Your new friend in fusion-pabeach
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Not sure sometimes if it was the right decision, miss what motion I did have even though the pain was intense most of the time. Wearing the MBT's as well they do have a low profile selection that makes you feel a little more comfortable, but as far as working out it has been tough. Can wear some regular shoes have to say my Dr rocks and she is super when it comes to supporting my feelings and concerns. I do get alot of people asking me whats wrong with you or it looks like it hurts when you walk. Looking for a way to streghen my legs again any excersies that you know of?
December 13, 2009 - 9:35pmThis Comment
Hi - mu daughter had an ankle fusion over a year ago. I got online because she also has a problem finding shoes. She's gone through the grief process of losing her pretty high heels. The MBT shoes coming out have been a help; but styles are limited. She was pleased that she can wear boots; we had the cobbler put zippers in them. Though they don't have the rocker bottom in them, the cobbler said she could put those in. If you know where to get any different shoes for ankle fusion patients, please post. Good luck to you!
December 10, 2009 - 8:09pmThis Comment
HI All
I have had a fused ankle for about 19 years. I went back to work (plumber/gasfitter) the day after I came out of the cast (3 months then). I concentrated on learning to walk without a limp and having my foot straight as I walked so as not to trigger any back problems. I had no expectation of the ankle but after 5 years of severe pain from an accident I still say I would rather have had a wooden broomstick leg than go through the 5 years again. I am amazed at the progression I went through over time. One of the major steps was to be able to lift my heel off the floor by flexing the rest of the foot. This small movement was a massive step in the strengh of the foot and allowed me to run and even short sprints. After about 5 years I was able to make 5 day tramps in rugged backcountry (New Zealand) without holding the other 3 guys up. This was a Search and Rescue exercise and I started with a 24Kg pack on day one. I also started hunting and tramping again at this time and often culled goats on farms in the district which sometimes meant a sustained jog when chasing a mob of goats around the hills. I have had no problem with any of the outher joints on that leg - knee, hip, tarsels, etc. Before getting back into the bush I took up sea kayaking which I am still into in a big way often doing 12-14 day trips with a mate, and more recently kayak fishing.
I did look after the ankle for many years but other than not being able to stretch it - yes it ruins a big full body stretch... Like a cat... and being able to stand on tiptoe, the ankle has not stopped me doing anything. The only drawback was I went through a lot of footwear. Usually replacing them after 4 to 6 weeks. I tried sports shoes with shock absorbing soles ($340.00 NZ dollars) and destroyed them in a weekend. I found tramping boots and tradesman workboots lasted the best - other than soft rubber jandels (flip flops?) which are still my favourite footwear. I was amazed how my calf muscle wasted away on the fused ankle leg.
But, due to another accident 3 years ago I had my other abkly fused a year ago... and having two fused ankles is totally different to only having one. I did not realise how much work my "good" leg was dong. I used to mostly weightbear on the good leg and now I can't stand for very long.
The ankle fusions are pain free but the soles of my feet get so sore, especially the heels. Not just the impact point but the pads under the heels. I also get pain up the base of the fibula and the tendons (?) alongside. I have just had to stop working due to the pain and destroying shoes within 2 weeks, one pair in 3 days. I crush the heels then the front of the sole on the outside which makes the sole soft and the boots/shoes slope to the outside. The orthotists herer have tried modifying them by inserting wedges but this is just making my feet sorer. The job I was doing was a salesman in a light engineering workshop and I was on my feet most of the day on a concrete floor so no wonder I had difficulty - I stuck it out for 9 months. Standing on faulty footwear for so long I am sure has made the outwards roll of my feet more pronounced.
With the second fusion I went to a Phisyo who used Pilates as the basis for her treatment and I am impressed with the early progress I made, as well as watching others massive improvement too. I also find that deep professional massage, and not just a rub, helps somewhat with the pain. I get relief the next day which is even better the following day but the effects slowly wear off.
The fibula was cut on the first fusion but was left complete on the second, so obviously two techniques were used.
I definately have an expectation of the second fused ankle that I did not have on the first and progress seems slow although I have been told it is early days yet. I make a fool of myself when I try to run as I cannot push off with my ankles. I get very sore if I walk any distance, although it is much easier off the concrete and footpaths. I have been out for a couple of short hunts which were sucessful, I came home with a stag each time, although I had to rely on someone else to bring the meat out. I still have the kayaking and am not in HQ for search and rescue, so I am still cative and plan to get more so.
Yes I have put on weight as someone else mentioned - and I hate it. I am also worried about the future job prospects.
John
August 11, 2009 - 2:05amSunny East Coast
New Zealand
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Hi John,
August 3, 2010 - 12:49pmI neglected to check the date of your post, so maybe you've found some solutions to your problems, but in my experience, your situation is highly unusual. Fusions aren't designed to solve all your issues on their own, which was one of the reasons I found it very difficult to decide I finally needed the surgery; you also have to alter your lifestyle. It sounds like you just expect to keep going as hard as possible, but that only leads to more issues & more pain. Also, my fusion took about eight months to heal to the point where I wasn't in as much, or even more, pain than before the surgery. Lastly, you should invest in some custom orthopedic shoe inserts. I put off getting them for years thinking that they couldn't possibly help that much, but was shocked at what a difference they made. At first, they do cause more pain as you get used to them, but after a few weeks, they make a huge difference. Best of luck!
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Its amazing reading other women's stories and knowing that I am not alone in the way I feel sometimes especially about the pain we have been in and are going through. My pain was caused by arthritis which happened partly becuase of the trauma of the initial break but also because my mother suffers from arthritis and my consultant said because its runs in the family the arthritis I was prone to having it.
June 15, 2009 - 7:16amI do find walking with a stick frustrating but know I need it for stability. I don't know where the other women are from but I live in Plymouth, Devon and was very lucky to be referred to a brilliant consultant.
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I am 54 and have had 10 ankle and foot sugeries after breaking my ankle in 1985. I have had 4 fusions. I just had a surgery in Aug of 2008 and it broke again in Jan of 2009. I have had 3 different Ortho dr's the most recent is an ankle and foot specialist. I am in a boot now but would like some advice from someone who has been there on what kind of shoes are best if and when I get to wear shoes again :(. Thanks
April 24, 2009 - 8:02amCarol Mc
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Hi Carol,
June 15, 2009 - 11:44amWow 10 surgeries and I thought I had a lot! I'm wearing MBT shoes they provide the support I need and give me the heel to toe movement needed as well. Not sure how much of your ankle is fused by mine fused 100% and I have no movement whatsoever, so these type of shoes really do help me out. I know Avon/Curves have a rocker bottom sole similar to MBTs and not as expensive.
How's the recovery coming along from your break in Jan? Did you have to have surgery again?
Good luck with it all!
Ang
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