Ankle Replacement Surgery - anyone had it?

[rupert the dog]

My wife has severe arthritis in her ankle, and has been referred to a surgeon specialising in ankle replacement. Has anyone undergone this procedure? If so,
1. how was the procedure itself?
2. How was your recovery
3. How long before you were back on your feet fully?
4. What's your opinion of it - worth undertaking for a mature lady with a lot of ankle pain and deformity?

Thanks everyone, look forward to hearing from you.

[Blue Cat]

I haven't had an ankle replacement but Arthrodesis on both ankle due to bad arthritis, the second in 2012 where my ankle joint has failed to the point it was knocking against my leg bone and was very painful.

http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/A... for basic details

It was the best thing I ever had done!!!

They took bone from the hip (most painful thing) and used it to built up the ankle with 2 big metal pins which are now fun at airports.

I was in plaster for 12 weeks but as it was my left leg, I could still drive an automatic car and even flew with it.

Being non=weight bearing for that long and using crutches was fantastic for the arms! Best shape ever.

It really depends on how good you are with a challenge, you could lie around for 12 weeks doing nothing or you could still work as I did.

Pain, not really much at all but amazing bruising around the hip where they took the bone.

And BTW you could describe me as "mature lady with a lot of ankle pain and deformity" as well before this op

Edited by Blue Cat on Tuesday 6th October 10:56