I have just become aware of this Forum via a leaflet from the National Joint Registry.
In 1990 I suffered a fall from a ladder resulting in a comminuted pilon fracture of my left ankle. Following recovery I was able to walk well even doing some quite severe walks in the Lake District and also following a hobby of exploring old mine workings in the Lakes and North Pennines.
My work was as a technician in woodwork, metalwork and multi-media in a university meaning I was on my feet all day, including carrying heavy objects and operating machines. After some years I started to develop arthritis in the ankle meaning eventually that I had a partial fusion of the ankle.
I also underwent a hip replacement of my right hip, due I am convinced from me tending to stand on my right hip to reduce the pain in my left ankle. Further pain developed in my ankle and I had a series of three simple steroid injections into the ankle with a varying degree of success. I subsequently was referred to another specialist who recommended image guided steroid injections. I have had three of them but with little long lasting effect, the last hardly having any.
When I had the fusion I was informed that if problems subsequently occurred the only course of action was full ankle fusion. However the specialist who recommended the IGS advised last year that I could either continue with the steroid injections (no point) use pain relief (not much use really) have a full fusion of the remaining joints or have an ankle replacement which can now be done for fused joints. Full fusion would inevitably lead to further complications in other joints and muscles in my leg so I have agreed to ankle replacement which is planned for next Wednesday 15th November in North Tyneside Hospital under Mr Kakwani, Mr Murty and Mr Powell (plastic surgeon)
Apparently they have only ever done three other replacements following previous fusion surgery. I should also mention that I also had a left hip replacement just over two years ago so maybe I am a good candidate for this forum!!! I shall add comments once I have had the surgery.
In 1990 I suffered a fall from a ladder resulting in a comminuted pilon fracture of my left ankle. Following recovery I was able to walk well even doing some quite severe walks in the Lake District and also following a hobby of exploring old mine workings in the Lakes and North Pennines.
My work was as a technician in woodwork, metalwork and multi-media in a university meaning I was on my feet all day, including carrying heavy objects and operating machines. After some years I started to develop arthritis in the ankle meaning eventually that I had a partial fusion of the ankle.
I also underwent a hip replacement of my right hip, due I am convinced from me tending to stand on my right hip to reduce the pain in my left ankle. Further pain developed in my ankle and I had a series of three simple steroid injections into the ankle with a varying degree of success. I subsequently was referred to another specialist who recommended image guided steroid injections. I have had three of them but with little long lasting effect, the last hardly having any.
When I had the fusion I was informed that if problems subsequently occurred the only course of action was full ankle fusion. However the specialist who recommended the IGS advised last year that I could either continue with the steroid injections (no point) use pain relief (not much use really) have a full fusion of the remaining joints or have an ankle replacement which can now be done for fused joints. Full fusion would inevitably lead to further complications in other joints and muscles in my leg so I have agreed to ankle replacement which is planned for next Wednesday 15th November in North Tyneside Hospital under Mr Kakwani, Mr Murty and Mr Powell (plastic surgeon)
Apparently they have only ever done three other replacements following previous fusion surgery. I should also mention that I also had a left hip replacement just over two years ago so maybe I am a good candidate for this forum!!! I shall add comments once I have had the surgery.