Ankle Joint Fusion
Discussion
Does anyone know about this? Have you or someone you know had the procedure done? My wife has severe arthritis in her ankle, she saw the consultant last week, and he has suggested that the best way forward is fusion. However it's a major step to take and my wife is unsure whether she wants to undergo it or not. She was told that she will be in plaster for 12 weeks, and that for the first 6 weeks she can't put any weight on it. Her foot movement will obviously be limited afterwards but she should experience a reduction in pain, and be able to walk better than she can now. Any experiences will be gratefully received.
Could she try wearing a brace for a while first? That would give her some idea of how the end result will affect her. I've 'only' had foot drop and the ankle certainly does more then you'd think when it comes to walking.
It's a trade off, mobility for pain relief. Good luck whatever she decides.
ETA that could buy her a few years relief, my surgeon recommended it to eke a bit more life out of my knee so I can delay a total replacement for a few years.
It's a trade off, mobility for pain relief. Good luck whatever she decides.
ETA that could buy her a few years relief, my surgeon recommended it to eke a bit more life out of my knee so I can delay a total replacement for a few years.
Edited by WinstonWolf on Thursday 20th August 09:37
Has she not been offered a joint replacement?
Reason I ask is if it's fused the forefoot will start to develop arthritis anyway due to becoming more mobile to try and take the place of the lost ankle movement, from that point once it gets to bad it's amputation time.
If she has a replacement first, then she'll have 6-8 years with a fairly decent ankle. Once the joint faces break down to the point it's no longer viable they can then do a fusion.
At least this way it gets her the best use out of the ankle.
I had mine replaced about 4 years ago with the hope that by the time it breaks down they can resurface the joint faces and put another replacement in, if not it's fusion time.
Reason I ask is if it's fused the forefoot will start to develop arthritis anyway due to becoming more mobile to try and take the place of the lost ankle movement, from that point once it gets to bad it's amputation time.
If she has a replacement first, then she'll have 6-8 years with a fairly decent ankle. Once the joint faces break down to the point it's no longer viable they can then do a fusion.
At least this way it gets her the best use out of the ankle.
I had mine replaced about 4 years ago with the hope that by the time it breaks down they can resurface the joint faces and put another replacement in, if not it's fusion time.
Rikk said:
Has she not been offered a joint replacement?
Reason I ask is if it's fused the forefoot will start to develop arthritis anyway due to becoming more mobile to try and take the place of the lost ankle movement, from that point once it gets to bad it's amputation time.
If she has a replacement first, then she'll have 6-8 years with a fairly decent ankle. Once the joint faces break down to the point it's no longer viable they can then do a fusion.
At least this way it gets her the best use out of the ankle.
I had mine replaced about 4 years ago with the hope that by the time it breaks down they can resurface the joint faces and put another replacement in, if not it's fusion time.
No, a replacement wasn't even mentioned. We've just been researching it, and we'll be seeing the GP asap re a referral. Thanks for that (if you don't mind me asking, where did you have it done?)Reason I ask is if it's fused the forefoot will start to develop arthritis anyway due to becoming more mobile to try and take the place of the lost ankle movement, from that point once it gets to bad it's amputation time.
If she has a replacement first, then she'll have 6-8 years with a fairly decent ankle. Once the joint faces break down to the point it's no longer viable they can then do a fusion.
At least this way it gets her the best use out of the ankle.
I had mine replaced about 4 years ago with the hope that by the time it breaks down they can resurface the joint faces and put another replacement in, if not it's fusion time.
I had mine done privately so wouldn't help you sadly. They really do not like doing it in younger people but if it extends the life of the limb I'd be wanting it.
They may well say they can't fuse after a replacement as another reason not to. This is actually wrong, what's usually done to fill the gap is use some bone taken from a hip replacement.
Also still quite rare is an allograft, this is taking the joint from a cadaver and using that as a replacement, this is all round the best option as it should last as long as a normal good ankle.
Feel free to drop me a mail rikk@golum.co.uk if you need anything, I did a lot of digging and research as being an amputee on the other side I wanted as little mobility loss as possible.
They may well say they can't fuse after a replacement as another reason not to. This is actually wrong, what's usually done to fill the gap is use some bone taken from a hip replacement.
Also still quite rare is an allograft, this is taking the joint from a cadaver and using that as a replacement, this is all round the best option as it should last as long as a normal good ankle.
Feel free to drop me a mail rikk@golum.co.uk if you need anything, I did a lot of digging and research as being an amputee on the other side I wanted as little mobility loss as possible.
I knew someone that had a done about 8 years ago. He'd smashed up his ankle bone and they tried to repair it a fews times but it was always painful. Eventually he elected to have the fusion rather than the constant pain.
Only real impact on him afterwards was having to adjust his driving to move the whole leg rather than just flexing the ankle, his running looked somewhat ungainly, and his calf muscle kind of wasted away with not being used anymore.
However, it did get rid of the constant pain.
Just make sure they fuse it at the correct angle!
Only real impact on him afterwards was having to adjust his driving to move the whole leg rather than just flexing the ankle, his running looked somewhat ungainly, and his calf muscle kind of wasted away with not being used anymore.
However, it did get rid of the constant pain.
Just make sure they fuse it at the correct angle!
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