Ankle Questions about ankle fusion

[Supersonic]

Hi,
Haven't been on this site for awhile. I had an MRI on my left ankle which shows a fully torn ATFL ligament. Healed damage to my deltoids, bone oedema and chronic arthritis
.
Almost cried when I read the gruesome details but I'm looking to the future now.
I can't fault the NHS for being thorough though I'm unhappy that my consultant wants to fuse 3 joints in my ankle as long term fix.
I know it's the right thing to do but I'm worried that I will lose the limited mobility I have.
I limp now anyway , take heavy meds but I do have flexibility when I'm not weight bearing. Which probably isn't much use in reality !

Has anyone had their ankle fused with plates?
Consultant doesn't know if there's a plate to fuse my tibia, talus and navicular on the market !
Also how will this give stability to my fibular and calcaneus which is were the ligament is torn ?

I wish I hadn't consulted doctor Google but I believe knowledge gives me choices.

 

[Annie N]

That sounds like a nasty injury, sorry to hear that - what happened?

Fusion will sort out your pain. Being pain free will make it easier to walk again. How much mobility you gain is a real question you must ask until you are happy. You are young, you have lots to get out of this and are at an age where you will benefit.

It's not an easy option, but it might be your only one. Were you offered an ankle replacement?

You can consult another surgeon who is a foot specialist for a second opinion - I did that and felt so much happier that I did. The recommendation was the same, but the process was so much better. Your 2nd opinion can be done on the NHS but will take ages, but a private consultant should be able to access your NHS scans, saving you money.

Where in the UK are you located?

Both LindyLee & I are currently recovering from the Talonavicular fusions.

 

[Supersonic]

Hi
I'm located in Cheshire, I thought about a second opinion too. Not sure how I'd go about it.
Twisted my ankle 5 years ago but was able to walk it off. Since the l've rolled it numerous times and think the ligament finally tore last September. Nothing traumatic happened but it had ached for a year. I had an x-ray which confirmed arthritis then an MRI which showed the torn ligament.
Went my GP for stronger pain meds and he just printed out my MRI result !
My consultant didn't mention the chronic ATFL tear which I thought was strange.
He was more concerned about the arthritis!
I confessed that I'd read the result and even though the tear was on his screen highlighted he never mentioned it and discussed the long term arthritis prognosis.
Anyway he stalked about putting the 3-joint plate down the front of my foot or using screws. He hasn't decided yet.

 

[Supersonic]

I'm confess, I'm in shock, hence coming back to one bonesmart for reassurance from people who've had similar ops

 

[Annie N]

Your history sounds a bit like mine, I've had two bad sprains, the last one was a fracture as well, that my third fracture in that ankle. Breaks and sprains can cause arthritis.

Cheshire - OK, I can't advise you who is the best expert in your area [I can for ours!].

You can consult the British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society [my surgeon is their past president] and find out about your surgeon and other experts in your area. Here is a link:

Home

You could do what others have done. I've seen people from all over the UK in my surgeon's NHS clinic - you could travel to see him personally if you felt up to that. His NHS clinic has a massive waiting list, but I saw him privately for a second opinion in 2 weeks when I had this issue happen to my other foot. He's amazingly good at showing you what is going on and explaining your options and likely results. I needed time to think this through, but it was the right thing for me to get the work done quickly, so I stuck with my surgeon.

I'd not be concerned overly about the individual nature of your proposed repair, almost all of us are unique in our injuries, and the fact that he needs to do some planning and is not gun ho is excellent news. If it's very complex and may take a bit of recovery time it's usually best with the NHS, you can still choose your surgeon if you wish to wait. But if it's urgent, maybe get it done and start getting better?

Be warned this is a long recovery, it has its ups and downs, but your solution is before you and you can get a lot better than you are right now. Think how you might feel in 12–18 months rather than how you are now, and plan to be that person.

Please keep us up to date on how you feel when you have had a chance to think it through.

Ann

 

[benne68]

@Supersonic Please note that we have created a personal thread for you and moved your recent posts and member responses here. Your story is important, but it belongs in your own thread. Please be sure to post any additional comments or questions about your story in this thread. You may want to bookmark it so you can find it easily.

For more on how to navigate the forum, you can read through this article: https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/how-can-i-find-my-threads-and-posts.56840/

 

[Supersonic]

Thank you for your replies and advice I've looked at the BOFAS website , very useful.
I might get a second opinion or just do some more research.
Think I'm just scared I'll lose the rom that I have but I guess I'll lose it anyway.
There's lots on YouTube that is very anti surgery and advocate strengthening muscles but I honestly don't think that's an option now

 

[Annie N]

These suggestions are just something that might help you make the right decision for yourself. I didn't look on YouTube, looked here & various surgery websites.

Personally I'd already lost ROM and was walking very flat footedly & slowing up long before my surgery, I asked this question & was told I would likely gain better use of my foot as the other joints step up to help, not that my surgery is the same as yours. I'm sitting here out if my boot (just getting ready for the shower) & can lift & drop my feet equally, but I no longer have left to right full twisting, it's not completely static but it's not much difference to before (however it's totally pain free!).
It's 9 weeks now, great to be pain free.

 

[benne68]

@Supersonic
Please note that I have moved your recent posts and the responses to it out of newhip's thread into this thread we created for you. We ask you to maintain your own thread so you don't distract from another member's own story.

Please be sure to post any additional comments or questions about your story here. You may want to bookmark it so you can find it easily.

For more on how to navigate the forum, you can read through this article: https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/how-can-i-find-my-threads-and-posts.56840/

If you are still having difficult navigating the forum after reading this, please let us know.

 

[Supersonic]

Update
I'm down for a knee and left hip x-ray. Should have been done before musculoskeletal clinic. He's of a mind to just 'pop' me down for new hip and have my knee looked at too...
He said 'lets just get all this done ! Wow, probably can't do all in one op as knee & ankle need to be none weight bearing but it's a figurative step in the right direction.
Who knows in a year or so I might be able to enjoy my new grandchild more

 

[Supersonic]

Meant ask has anyone experienced multiple surgeries all.in one go ?

 

[djklaugh]

@Supersonic Well there are a number of us who had both hips replaced at the same time - called a bilateral THR. And there are people over in the knee section who also had both knees done at once. I don't recall anyone who had both a hip and a knee done at the same time though. It will be interesting to hear what your surgeon says about your specific situation. Do, please, let us know.

 

[Lindylee]

Why will you be non weight bearing for your knee? They usually get you up and walking quite quickly. They had me out of bed and standing on the operated leg as soon as the numbness had worn off mid afternoon the same day as the op. The ankle has been a different story, non weight bearing for 6 weeks.

 

[Supersonic]

Hi,
Was examined and sent for x-rays. My left side is really failing me. My consultant said my hip had no rotation ( well I knew that from walking!) So I need an ankle fusion, hip replacement and maybe a partial knee replacement.
I'm just wondering what the consultants will decide is most beneficial to do first.
The muscular skeletal specialist seemed to think starting with my hip would be more straightforward and a good base for further knee and ankle surgery.
Having gone through it once already, I know what to expect. Favouring my right side is both tiring and probably doing damage there too.
I keep going though, prioritizing work which I know is foolish.

Keeping moving is vital and possible with the right combination of meds. As long as remember to not over do it and hurt my back- which I did recently.
I'm where I was 5 years ago pre TRHR, reliant on opioids, paracetamol and nsaids. No to mention Tumeric, cinnamon and ginger, magnesium, zinc and multi vitamins.
Heat packs
Ice packs
And YouTube gurus who claim to be able to fix me without surgery

 

[djklaugh]

@Supersonic Drat it does sound like your whole left side needs repairing. Some folks with both hip and knee pain have found that the knee problems get better when the hip is replaced. I would certainly hope that would be the case for you! The ankle/foot problems though are separate issues and those probably would not see any positive change with getting the hip fixed.

Sigh maybe some day we will have advanced technologies ala current science fiction stories that will fix such problems without surgery .... but we are not there yet.

Best wishes to you, I sure hope they can get the hip done relatively soon so at least that part will stop hurting so much!

 

[Supersonic]

Wouldn't it be great to drink a liquid or go under some sort of device like in sci-fi films and all our aching joints are rebuilt and ready to use right away.
That or the gene responsible for osteoarthritis mutates into super bones for life!

 

[Lindylee]

Wouldn’t it just! So sorry to hear about all your issues. I hope having the hip done first helps somewhat.

 

[Supersonic]

I'm at work, it's 1am and fairly Q( never say the Q word in health care!).
I've had nearly a week to process where I am regarding all my left sided joint woes.
Frankly I'm back on the waiting game. This is when the idea of health insurance seems superior to having to wait 4 months to see a consultant about my hip, then a year to year and a half for surgery so that's 22months for a new left hip and 8months for my ankle fusion, the ankle will be around Dec 2024 and my new hip approx Oct 2025!

I was devastated that the wait is so long but l just don't have ready money to go private.
I'm limping along trying to do just the essentials.
My spoons get used up too quickly !
I'm trying not to gain weight with my
reduction in physical movement.
But as a notorious foodie and it being my dole indulgence it's hard.
Looking back on some of my first posts, helps me see, I've been here before. I got through it , it was worth it.
In the next 2-3 years all my surgeries will be complete.
It will be time to travel, and walk and see new things. I would be dogged by pain if I did these things now.
I've recently become a grandparent last September to Gracie and last month to Adiah.
I see myself taking them on day trips, holidays. I'm fit and healthy and my priorities have changed. Less work more play.
I know I can get to that point.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Looking back at my post pre 1st TRHR, I really was feeling the same.
But I had 3+ good years before my left side started to go.
Wish I'd just done it sooner but it was that bad and I was so happy to be moving and pain free.
I know I can get through this ! Mentally and physically

 

[MissFanny]

I hope the time goes fast for you! Those long waits would be hard. You are going to be in great shape and a fantastic grandparent! I have a 9-year-old grandson. Joy of my life, he keeps me on my toes!

 

[Supersonic]

It really is mind over matter at this point. Hate feeling so diminished, being physical was always my thing but I'm paying for it now.
Wouldn't have done it different though.
Grandchildren bring such joy, not sure how I'd cope without them at the moment.
I know time will fly- I just need to.make the most of it!