Hi guys I'm new to all of this..very nervous and very scared...I'm facing foot surgery... a triple arthodesis..major major surgery from what I can tell! Can anyone shed some light..I have lots of questions

Dear Zer,

You have the right to be nervous and scared - any surgery can be a tough thing to deal with - let alone a biggie like you are facing. While I have not had a triple yet, it is in my mind as I face it down the road. Knock wood it will be in several years. I am getting transplant surgery (hopefully it takes and I can put off fusion for a few years) and am also getting nervous. It is my last option to try before fusion.

There is a lot of info on the web about triple fusion as well as some posts on this board (use the search feature). This is the limited info I know about triple fusion (after talking about it with my OS and PT):

After you are recovered and into rehab (VERY important) the PT will help you learn how to walk easier as your gate will be altered. PT will also work on strenthening other muscle groups that will "take up the slack" during walking, etc. My surgeon said most folks hate him initially after the surgery, but then decide it was well worth it after they get over that first month post op { just like with any foot surgery ;) }You will not have much, if any, ankle joint movement. While this sounds horrid it gives you a solid and reliable foot/ankle. If you have arthritis/injury, pain and/or stability problems you'll appreciate what I am saying. Essentially they cause your ankle joint to become a one piece/solid unit. This gives stability and lessons/eliminates that joints pain.

An older patient spoke to me about it, he had it done to both feet (was done a long time ago) and it relieved his chronic pain. He was glad he did it as he could again walk and do normal everyday activities. He even golfs three times a week. He said it was a tough rehab but he got thru it. He said it was on par with his hip and klnee replacement surgeries. He can not do some things like running and jumping, but he said it was an acceptable trade-off. He does have occasional aching and some pain if he was on his feet a long time, but this was not a bad "pain" type of pain. He likened it to a full day of shopping and coming home needing to kick back in the lazy-boy, pu on his slippers type of thing. He eventually had some issues in other parts of the foot and his hip, but this was after many years. He told me high heels are "out", but he said he never cared wearing them anyway- ha ha

I hope all this info is correct - check it out, do some gogle searches (there are some excellent sites, but we cannot post links on this board) and read the fusion posts on Healthboards forum. I wish you the best and hope this is the answer to your problem. I don't know why you are having this done, but trust you have tried other remedies and feel confident in your surgeon. Remeber, a second opinion is never a bad thing if you are nervous or unsure in the slightest.

Hugs-:angel:
~Jane

Jane thanks for chatting with me..I have a long story..I was in severe pain 2 yrs ago and was refereed to a podiatrist who performs surgery. He said I needed the triple..I have since been to 4 doctors still in pain..and have decided to switch to an orthopedic surgeon because I've been told that's what I would want for the type of surgery I need. I like my podiatrist but am a little nervous about sticking with him since everyone around me feels so strongly that I switch to the ortho! ...Thanks I feel a little better from hearing from you! I make the big 50 this year and plan on working for a little longer and want to be able to continue my exercise walking and travel...so I guess with that in mind I'm up for the surgery....but still scared. I wish you the best and I'm glad to hear the golfer is doing so well..Talk to ya soon...THANKS

No problem, hope it helped. Just remember that it is your foot - so do what you think is right, with the doctor you feel comfortable with.

I have been seen by a few, especially as the last two (before current doc) said I was beyond their abilities {they get points for honesty}. FYI-There are orthopedic foot and ankle specialists. That happens to be who is handling my feet and I am very impressed with him. Ask your podiatrist and the OS how many fusions he has done. If he says a bunch, you like him and his bedside manner, trust him, etc then do what your gut tells you.

Regardless of who does the work - good luck, quick healing and here is to a future "Happy Feet". Couldn't resist the pun as I just saw the movie and the irony set me to giggling...

jane

If you don't mind me asking, what are your symptoms that you would need a triple fusion? I had a triple fusion, than another and now I need to have it broke down and reconstructed. Not an easy surgery. I hate to say this but, I would see a foot and ankle orthopedic specialist. My first one was done by a podiatrist. I wish I would have gone to an orthopedic doc.

I know it is a lot of traveling but, If I were you, I would go to the Foot & Ankle Institute in Baltimore Maryland. They are considered #1 in the country.

There are so many more advancements than a triple fusion. I wish I would have known this before I had mine done. It is hard to walk in grass or any other surface that is not even. You will not have the side to side motion. You need that for balance. You will have to learn balance thru your hips. It is a lot of work.

Do you have flat feet? Is your ankle rolling in? Do you have an injury that would require triple fusion?

My Feet Are In Horrbile Shape! I Have Rolling Ankles..completly Flat ..so Flat That It Feels Like Im Wlaking On My Ankle Bone..the Top Of Feet Hurt So Bad And Ache ..i Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night From Pain..underneath My Heels And Some Times On The Back Of My Heel The Pain Is Sooo Bad ..then We Have The Outside Of My Akles Which Are Throbbing Right Now..and Thats With Me Being Off Of Them For 3 Months ..yuchhhhhhhhhhhhh I Just Want To Be Able To Stand And Wlak With Little Or No Pain..thanks For The Maryland Info..i Hope Everything Works Out For You Keep Me Posted...good Luck Zer

Zer, I replied to you under the Orth vs Pod thread but thought I would also here....find out who the Spurs use and go to him/her. That's you're best bet in San Antonio. Lubbock is a little far for you but I can recommmend Dr Robert Brodkin there.

Hi - please see my response in the thread titled "comminuted navicular with some serious consequences". It's very detailed and may help. In short I had bilateral triples and my problem was very similiar to yours. I walked on the inside of my ankle - the ankle bone was touching the ground when I walked. My heel didn't really touch the ground. I'm running short on time here but please read the response just a few threads down and I also have some more responses if you look under my other posts.
If you have more questions please ask - I've been there and am extremely pleased with my results and happy I did it.

Hi guys I'm new to all of this..very nervous and very scared...I'm facing foot surgery... a triple arthodesis..major major surgery from what I can tell! Can anyone shed some light..I have lots of questions

hi this is teresa im waiting for total ankle replacement surgery end of this month due to arthritis im just 50 so i am very very nervous indeed about this,can u tell me was your operation a success please be honest as i am seeking a second opinion as regards to this operation,when i have shoes with little heel on i walk fine but when flat shoes or barefoot i walk terrible with a limp so confused thanks teresa.

this is teresa so confused and scared too im about to have a total ankle replacement but really not sure if im doing the right thing,im just 50 with arthritis,please let me know how your operation went,i am getting a second opinion next week.