Ankle/Foot Fusion

[Old-Biscuit]

Howdy,

Has anyone had their ankle/foot bones fused?

I have been dealing with pain/numbness in left ankle/foot since June 2016

After a long drawn out 'fight' with the VA Medical I was finally able to see an outside Orthopedic Surgeon in OCT 2017

Numerous x-rays, cat scan, steroid injections etc it has come down to having to have the Tibia/Talus fused (ankle) and the Talus/Navicular fused (mid-foot) due to degenerative joint disease.

I go in this Thursday (5:30AM ) for the surgery.
Doc says 2-3 months of 'no load bearing' (Cast) ----minimum of at least 2 mos
Then transition to a booty and PT
6 mos of recovery....hopefully less

When I was 8 had right foot rebuilt....1 year in casts
Then few months after coming out of that had to have 3 bones in right ankle/foot fused when I was 9.
Being a kid I went with it and bounced back relatively quickly (at least that is how I remember it now :B )

But I am now 65 and this will be my 'good ankle/foot' so a bit apprehensive but I am so tired of the pain/numbness and limitations.


If you have had this done
How old where you?
How did your surgery go?
How was the recovery?
How is your ankle/foot now?

[JaneSiver]

Not old at all.
I`m a 58 and feels great by general health
And I used to trust technology in cases with ankle or foot problems.
Like kneed scooters,help me a lot last year,after ankle operation.Ideal for recovery!

[Gjac]

Good to hear your recovery is going so well, by the way 65 is not Old.

[Old-Biscuit]

Had 2 week post surgery follow-up

Surgical splint/cast removed. Sutures taken out. Large incision across top of foot/up ankle. Mid sized incision on inside where Achilles Tendon was accessed and Small incision on outside where graft from heel was taken.

All looking very well.....nice tight incision and healing quite well.

Still going to be 6 weeks more of non-load bearing due to fusion of ankle/foot bones.....large anchoring screws, two support plates and 'snip' on Achilles to relieve tension
Interesting X-Rays!

No pain, slight discomfort..more like itching where incision are.

Knee scooter is MY FRIEND!

[dedmiston]

Those scooters are such a godsend. We have one in our garage that we share up and down the street when any of the neighbors are in a cast.

We even decorated ours with Christmas lights one year when my son broke his foot.

I hope you mend quickly.

[toedtoes]

Glad to hear!!!!!! Hope the recovery continues to roll smoothly!

[Old-Biscuit]

Had Surgery early last Thursday Morning (7:30AM 2/8/2018)
3 1/2 hrs -------Tibia/Talus ankle joint fused and Talus/Navicular Mid-foot joint fused. 4 large/long deck screws thru joints, a large & small plate across joints, a little bone graft from hell and a small snip of Achilles to relieve tension.

2 months NON-LOAD Bearing on left foot/ankle

Come home Friday morning.

Stopped ALL pain meds 2 days ago.


Knee scooter delivery this AM
What a simple concept that makes ALL the difference in ones ability to be mobile and function W/O much assistance.
Sure takes a load off loved ones.

Love my knee scooter!


Life is good! :B

[Tiger4x4RV]

X2 on the knee scooter. Totally a life and sanity saver.

I had to spend 4 months in a non-weight-bearing cast with a broken ankle 3 years ago. The young doctor said to use crutches and hop on my good foot. No could do - that foot had plantar fasciitis. NWB is not easy. My HMO sent a physical therapist to my home to teach me how to live with one foot. Best service they ever provided! Get this if you can.

Best wishes for healing as quickly as possible.

[Farmboy666]

My sister was in a car accident when she was 18 and broke her ankle, in her 40s started having trouble with pain and mobility. She searched for a long time and had her ankle replaced in her 50s. Healing took some time and she also slipped on ice during that time so that didn't help but doing OK now.

[NamSniper]

I had something similar done by VA. Got a new tendon to rebuild the arch, broke my heel off and readjusted it, and partially fused the foot. I have a metal plate on top of the foot and eight screws holding it together. The first fusion didn't take and they had to do it again. I had 8 weeks non weight bearing with two different casts and then transitioned into a boot. Did all the PT they asked me to do. Other than some numbness in the foot from the incisions and the foot feeling tight, it works well. No more pain which is a big plus. The biggest thing is to make sure you remain non weight bearing for as long as needed. I got a knee scooter from VA which is much easier than trying to use crutches. We are roughly the same age (66) and it does take longer to heal up. You don't need to put up with the pain.

[toedtoes]

Have you seen a pain management specialist?

I don't know if they can help, but I've found it is worth the appointment.

I have torn cartilage in both knees and was prepared for surgery in both. Saw a pms for neck/shoulder pain and he gave me a 5-shot series in each knee (it was basically a lube job). A year later and I am pain free in both knees still. And he electrocuted a nerve in my neck and has stopped my neck/shoulder pain and chronic headaches.

If a pms can't help, then the surgery is still a viable option.

As for recovery, I talked with my dad's orthopedic surgeon and he says the best way to recover is to do all the exercises prescribed and as prescribed. If it hurts too much go back to the surgeon asap. The longer you wait, the less likely you'll get the full expected mobility.

Good luck!

[Lwiddis]

No experience but wish you the best. Stay positive!