Ankle My left ankle

[Celle]

I have two, similar to those, Jo. Instead of swelling around my ankle and on the top of my foot, it just shifts to above and below the support.

Judging by the MRI report (9 months ago) do you think the time has come to stop trying holding measures and just bite the bullet and get on with surgery?

I shan't be able to choose a surgery date that suits me if I do that. This ankle treatment comes under the aegis of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), because it relates back to the original ankle sprain, back in 2006. I'd rather get it done privately, but being under ACC rules that out.

I think I will ask to see the ankle/foot OS, to get a second opinion, and take it from there.

 

[Jamie]

Celle, I'm so sorry this is worsening for you. Not fair!!! I think your idea of getting another opinion is a good one, though. It never hurts to put some new eyes on the situation. Good luck!

 

[Celle]

It just bothers me to be getting the same sort of pain that I had ten years ago. Now, that surely can't be due to the osteoarthritis in my foot and ankle, because I'm not aware that I had OA there 10 years ago. No one commented on it when I had X-Rays then.

 

[Josephine]

I have two, similar to those, Jo. Instead of swelling around my ankle and on the top of my foot, it just shifts to above and below the support.

Then use a knee high with a closed toe.

Judging by the MRI report (9 months ago) do you think the time has come to stop trying holding measures and just bite the bullet and get on with surgery?

I can't possibly offer an opinion on that, Celle.

I shan't be able to choose a surgery date that suits me if I do that.

For the same reason I cannot comment on this as I don't know enough about your case or what options you have already been offered. But if you trust your surgeon, I would suggest you take his advice.

 

[Celle]

Typically, since I decided to do something about it, the ankle has become less painful.

 

[Red's Mom]

After reading your thread I wonder of MBT shoes or sandals would help. I had a foot/ankle issue years ago and after a year of PT, steroid shots etc a pedorthodist recommended them. Within a few weeks the pain was completely gone. They are expensive and heavy clunkers and not too attractive rocker bottom shoes with steel shanks for stabilization. My issue then just mysteriously went away...


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[Celle]

Thank you for the suggestion, @Red's Mom . Unfortunately, I have to wear shoes that accommodate an orthotic devised for me at the hospital's orthotic department. I need a shoe that has good support at the heel as well, because I need my hind foot strabilised. I find that Ziera shoes work for me.

I think that my problem is that the osteoarthritis in my foot and ankle is progressing.

 

[Red's Mom]

I'm glad you have found something that works! Hurting every time ou stand up is not fun! Be well and hopefully things will not worsen. Happy New year!

 

[Celle]

I had a long talk with my own doctor (GP) this afternoon. He is going to refer me to the foot and ankle OS, and will send notes, letters, X-Rays, and MRI reports to him. My GP's opinion is that, since non-surgical measures have not prevented progression of my symptoms, I should now seek the specialist's advice.

Although I have a couple of things that weigh against surgery (weight, bleeding disorder), I now have a stiff, painful ankle. Surgery would swap that for a stiff, painless ankle. At 75, I am currently in reasonable health, which could deteriorate as I age further; that argues against waiting. I'm not diabetic and my blood pressure is well controlled.

Whether or not to address the ankle osteoarthritis at the same time as doing a triple arthrodesis would be up to the OS.

So, now I wait for an appointment with the ankle/foot surgeon. His rooms are closed until after the New Year, so I don't expect to hear for a week or two.
Meanwhile, I will try to lose some weight, which will help. I knew that advice would be given!

 

[Celle]

My ankle woke me up twice last night, because it didn't like the position it was in. I'm beginning to think I should get it sorted.

 

[Josephine]

Whether or not to address the ankle osteoarthritis at the same time as doing a triple arthrodesis would be up to the OS.

As I recall, there are effectively two ankle joints. The three in the left image and the 'true ankle' depicted in the right image. I would doubt whether a person can actually tell which of these joints are causing their problems as they are all so close together.
View attachment 54745 View attachment 54746

 

[Celle]

You're right, Josephine. It all hurts! And the sub-talar pain is referred to just below the lateral malleolus, which then feels like ankle pain.

The MRI shows more extensive OA in the 3 joints in the left-hand image, but there is also OA in the true ankle joint. My knee surgeon showed me the MRI images on his computer screen and pointed out loss of joint space.

I've been doing a lot of on-line reading about this and I see that OA in the true ankle joint is a common sequel to a triple arthrodesis. I will ask the ankle OS if he'd consider it wise to deal with that at the same time as the arthrodesis, and thus avoid two surgeries.

I'm taking John with me to the appointment with the ankle specialist, so that he learns it all first-hand.

 

[Celle]

I have an appointment with the ankle orthopod on February 16, 2017.
I have to have another X-Ray of my ankle and foot before seeing him.

 

[Jaycey]

@Celle So sorry you are still in pain and having to deal with all this. But at least it sounds like things are moving forward. I hope your appointment is a good one. You know the deal about making lists and writing it all down. Fingers crossed for you!

 

[Celle]

Thanks for the support, Jaycey.
This is what I may end up having, a triple arthrodesis:
View attachment 54919 View attachment 54918

It's a prospect not to be undertaken lightly.

 

[Jaycey]

Looks very complex and I do know any surgery involving the foot can be very painful. You obviously need an expert! Good luck with your appointment.

 

[Josephine]

Actually, it looks a lot worse than it is. They are usually pretty successful procedures so don't despair!

 

[Celle]

Thanks, Josephine, for that encouragement.

It's actually not the surgery that concerns me - although of course I am not looking forward to that. It's how I will get around, during the period of non-weight bearing (NWB) afterwards.

I'm too heavy and too old to be able to hop more than about two steps, using crutches. I've tried, using our son's crutches, and it was a dismal failure.
I contemplated hiring a knee scooter (as Sonja once suggested to me) but when I put my leg, bent, up on a chair, to see if I thought I could do that, the TKR didn't like it at all.
So, it looks as if at least the NWB period will be mostly in a wheelchair.

However, I may be jumping the gun here and the ankle specialist OS may have some other suggestions before surgery. I'll let you know, after my appointment on Feb 16th.

 

[gertie]

I'm too heavy and too old to be able to hop more than about two steps, using crutches.

I, too, was a dismal failure using crutches when I was NWB after a broken ankle but I was able to hop successfully on a walker--hard work but doable for short distances. Would that work for you? In my house I sat in a wheeled desk chair to scoot around.

 

[Celle]

Thank you for that suggestion, @gertie . I do have a wheeled desk chair. I'll try out a walker, too.

If I have the surgery, I will make inquiries beforehand, to see what the hospital provides - the hospital has a scheme where they rent out some equipment, for a minimal sum.