Hi. X5CAT I am looking for information on the types of ankle replacements there are out there and the people that have had them. I have researched and found a few different types. Can you tell me your story about your ankles and what you know about replacements?

CaN U TEll me about any ankle replacements u know of i am due to have one this month very frightened for this,and i have arthritis bad in my feet but im only just 50.thanks teresa.

i had/ traumatic arthritis in my ankle..so it got to be bone on bone. i had it fused on august 29....but he didn't x ray right before surgery,,and hadn't for about a year prior..and low and behold...my talus was totally porous,,,and the pins went thru like mush. so he screwed two more into my heel. i don't know what is happening with that healing yet. it's been a month plus..and cast should have been removed if everything was normal on october 25. i doubt i will go right into a sneaker,,,but have to use an aircast til the surgeon thinks i'm ok to remove the extra screws.

not sure how much more that will affect my mobility...but hopefully will be ok to walk,golf,,,etc.

there are alternative things to do...docs in florida who do injections in ankles to regrow cartilege. look into that..you are young for a fusion. glucosomine if it works...is great. i used that for about 10 years...also wore a copper bracelet on my ankle...and even magnets. i did it all!!!

good luck:)

Hi, I have severe arthritis in my right ankle, mild in my left. I have had such horrible pain in my right ankle at times, I have literally asked doctors if they could amputate my foot!!! So I know exactly how you feel and I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I've had this for about 18 yrs (since I was 20..taht's when it started). I get bouts of bad swelling, terrible pain, cant walk on it, stiffness, deep aching, foot cramps, and my ankle locks up on me and I get there very sharp pains deep inside. I also developed a collapsed arch over these yrs, plus I have extensively torn tendons which now seem to never heal. I saw a new Podiatrist this spring & finally had an MRI done. Nothing in the past really helped with the pain or swelling EXCEPT for prednisone. THat was the only med that made it all go away. BUt I was taking pred for what I thought was lupus. I dont really know what I have anymore. Other than that, the new Pod. had me get an AFO brace, which has helped ALOT!!!.

Hi, I have severe arthritis in my right ankle, mild in my left. I have had such horrible pain in my right ankle at times, I have literally asked doctors if they could amputate my foot!!! So I know exactly how you feel and I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I've had this for about 18 yrs (since I was 20..taht's when it started). I get bouts of bad swelling, terrible pain, cant walk on it, stiffness, deep aching, foot cramps, and my ankle locks up on me and I get there very sharp pains deep inside. I also developed a collapsed arch over these yrs, plus I have extensively torn tendons which now seem to never heal. I saw a new Podiatrist this spring & finally had an MRI done. Nothing in the past really helped with the pain or swelling EXCEPT for prednisone. THat was the only med that made it all go away. BUt I was taking pred for what I thought was lupus. I dont really know what I have anymore. Other than that, the new Pod. had me get an AFO brace, which has helped ALOT!!!.

Hi...sounds like you have had a rough time of it as well. the AFO brace,,,that is the leather one that ties up, and is fitted to your foot/ankle, right? I used that for three years,,and it really made my calf muscles atrophy, which worried me quite a bit.

Have you thought about going to a foot and ankle doc? Where you have so much going on,,,that is not only the foot,,and it really helps to have a second opinion.

I've never taken predinisone, but my son has,,and i have many friends who have,,it's a miracle drug, they say. My son used it for a kidney transplant.

Hope you get your foot issues worked out...and although I'm having an awful day today...I should get better eventually! Keep intouch. p;)

My brace is made of some kind of rigid plastic. I had to go to an Orthotics maker, he made a mold of my entire foot and almost up to my knee...then he made the brace from the mold. It covers the bottom of my foot from the ball area and goes up around the sides of the ankles and up my calf about 6 or 7 inches...and it has a velcro strap at the top. It keeps my ankle and foot from moving in any direction. I still get achiness when I get arthritis flares, especially with weather changes and humidity, but it still is a big difference. And my tendons dont kill me while wearing it. It's just a pain b/c I cant fit it in many shoes so I wear my sneakers all the time.

I have seen many Podiatrists (foot/ankle specialists) and an Orthopedist over the years.and this recent foot doc is the only one who ever offered me this brace. I've also been going to a Rheumatologist for several years, but he seems to have given up on me LOL, what else is new. I might just go see the Foot & Ankle specialists at the Orthopedic Group taht my spine surgeon belongs to, though....for another opinion. I was told that any kind of surgery on my ankle would be very complicated and I would probably have even more pain afterwards...But this other group is in Philly and well known. I was very pleased with my spine surgeon, so Im thinking their Foot/Ankle group might give me more insight.

I do hope you feel better soon, too! Have you tried any arthritis meds for your pain at all?

I had my ankle fused august 29,,,and i think i told you i had a porous ankle which caused a few extra pins into my heel...not sure how that will turn out. but assuming it all works i should be pain free or close to it. i hope!

so not taking pain meds anymore from the surgery,,,have a cast on til oct 23.

your brace was the same as mine, but mine was leather. and that's how they fitted me for it as well. you know, i had an MRI and it said i had torn tendons,,,and that boot was probably the best thing for healing that issue! so in that respect it was good.

but fusion of the ankle is an extensive surgery,,and my surgeon advised me strongly to stay in bed or on the couch for the two months. my hub and i are taking it very seriously and have pretty much followed his orders. i hope to heck it works!!!:confused:

i'm fortunate that i don't have any other big physical health issues, but i think that's big enough! my son died a year ago...so lots of stress, but don't think that would cause the osteoporosis.

Hi, I have severe arthritis in my right ankle, mild in my left. I have had such horrible pain in my right ankle at times, I have literally asked doctors if they could amputate my foot!!! So I know exactly how you feel and I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I've had this for about 18 yrs (since I was 20..taht's when it started). I get bouts of bad swelling, terrible pain, cant walk on it, stiffness, deep aching, foot cramps, and my ankle locks up on me and I get there very sharp pains deep inside. I also developed a collapsed arch over these yrs, plus I have extensively torn tendons which now seem to never heal. I saw a new Podiatrist this spring & finally had an MRI done. Nothing in the past really helped with the pain or swelling EXCEPT for prednisone. THat was the only med that made it all go away. BUt I was taking pred for what I thought was lupus. I dont really know what I have anymore. Other than that, the new Pod. had me get an AFO brace, which has helped ALOT!!!.

hi did you not have ankle replacement this is the only thing they have ofered me and im sure they have not done enough to prevent this,how are things now with you anything u know may help as im seeking another opinion but time running out as im due for op 29th cheers get well.

teresa...i cancelled my surgery three times alone this year...so if you are not sure about yours...reschedule it and give yourself time to get another opinion.

you need to go into your surgery with a positive outlook. it's hard, and it's scarey..but you need to feel you are doing the right thing!

i would suggest you reschedule. my doc told me he could always take the day and golf if someone cancelled prior to the surgery...if they couldn't get someone else in...:cool:

Hey all- I have been diagnosed with reactive arthiritis stemming from a gut bacterial infection that doctors can not help me get rid of. My ankles and feet swell extremely bad and hurt to the point I want to cry. I have tried all the anti-inflammatory drugs and due to the bad gut NONE are tolerable. One thing that has helped the pain alot is some support (like spandex almost) that goes on your feet up above the ankle. if I put them on when they are aching it usually takes it right away as well as helping to reduce swelling. I find if I put them on while watching TV or just relaxing and wear them a few hours it truly does help take away the horrible ache all the way to the bone!----Just thought I would mention it!

thanks grana...i may have to do that when my cast comes off. right now, i'm still casted til next week.

however, prior to the surgery i never had any swelling. and have had my cast changed 4 times already due to swelling going down and down. so i hope it stops hurting,,,and have no swelling..just some jim dandy looking scars...:o glad you get some relief tho!

thanks for your advice,its next week the surgery,i went to the gp and he told me to put my views to the surgeon,so i sat down and wrote a long letter,i have had all my medications stopped because surgery is coming and i cant move,iv been in bed all week,so i know something must be done because when i stand i think il topple backwards,its a big decision,lets see what the surgeon says.thanks for the advice.

i have been on embrel for over 2 years injecting myself 25mg but now increased to 50mgs but at first it helped,but i feel its made the foot ten times worse and the deformity has just happened within 6months.its very strange,its supposed to make your joints be slower in getting disease but as i say its made developments quicker,has anyone experienced these problems please,i am on predisolone too and voltarol antiflammatory,i cope quite well but now my foot is making life so difficult.i have wrote to my surgeon to take another look if ankle replacement is the only option.

My brace is made of some kind of rigid plastic. I had to go to an Orthotics maker, he made a mold of my entire foot and almost up to my knee...then he made the brace from the mold. It covers the bottom of my foot from the ball area and goes up around the sides of the ankles and up my calf about 6 or 7 inches...and it has a velcro strap at the top. It keeps my ankle and foot from moving in any direction. I still get achiness when I get arthritis flares, especially with weather changes and humidity, but it still is a big difference. And my tendons dont kill me while wearing it. It's just a pain b/c I cant fit it in many shoes so I wear my sneakers all the time.

I have seen many Podiatrists (foot/ankle specialists) and an Orthopedist over the years.and this recent foot doc is the only one who ever offered me this brace. I've also been going to a Rheumatologist for several years, but he seems to have given up on me LOL, what else is new. I might just go see the Foot & Ankle specialists at the Orthopedic Group taht my spine surgeon belongs to, though....for another opinion. I was told that any kind of surgery on my ankle would be very complicated and I would probably have even more pain afterwards...But this other group is in Philly and well known. I was very pleased with my spine surgeon, so Im thinking their Foot/Ankle group might give me more insight.

I do hope you feel better soon, too! Have you tried any arthritis meds for your pain at all?

Hi...they removed my cast last week,,,(one week ago) and I have an air cast on...rigid, with chambers to fill with air all around my leg. It hurts and it is kind of a wierd feeling,,,and yesterday I walked all over creation...so today I am using pain meds to get thru..and may take it alittle easier. I called the doc thinking I should take some sort of break,,but they said no..keep walking.

overall, he was pleased with my healing...considering i have a porous ankle...and i see him again the end of november...hopefully to schedule removing those pins and walking without PAIN and without a boot.

i hope you are feeling much better with your orthotic boot. let me know..k? p

I just had my 4 month post op check up from my ankle replacement! It looks perfect, which I knew before I went in since it feels like a normal ankle! My ROM is still a bit limited, but I walk without a limp, have no problems with hills. I am like a normal person and I love it!!

I never thought it would be this good again!

All the best to anyone getting a replacement! It has been everything I hoped and dreamed of and more =)

lucky you!!!! thanks for your info. :)

Hi Everyone,well i finally had my total ankle replacement last monday 5th and im back at home now resting.It was a long operation as my bones are so small,and i had to have the tibula cut and the bone under my arch was reconstructed,the surgeon says it was a success,some ache after i was on morphine pump but i wouldnt say it was screaming pain.In all i was very impressed,have a plaster up to my knee for 6 weeks,and will have the sutures removed next wednesday then if all okay have it replastered,i was lucky because my surgeon says he wants me to walk on it with a special shoe so life hasnt been that bad as i have a frame to get around the flat.I do limp a bit still but its only a week since the op.I will keep you posted,but i was terrified as you all know but i am realived its over but wasnt that bad after all.Lets hope the outcome is good when plaster is taken off,i will have a xmas in january when im without plaster.its a new replacement i know but im sure i made the right decision.

good for you tess...i know you struggled with a decision..sounds like you made the right one. i am finally out of my cast from my fusion...and wearing a walking boot. i see my surgeon the end of november for x ray and hopefully to schedule removing the extra screws in my ankle. so i have my fingers crossed.

keep recovering..let me know how it goes. i met a woman who's husband had to have two ankle replacements...(here in the states)...he had one last november...it failed...he had his second in january 07...and is only just now walking with an aircast boot like mine!!! yikes..

they just can't seem to get them right in USA yet. p

good for you tess...i know you struggled with a decision..sounds like you made the right one. i am finally out of my cast from my fusion...and wearing a walking boot. i see my surgeon the end of november for x ray and hopefully to schedule removing the extra screws in my ankle. so i have my fingers crossed.

keep recovering..let me know how it goes. i met a woman who's husband had to have two ankle replacements...(here in the states)...he had one last november...it failed...he had his second in january 07...and is only just now walking with an aircast boot like mine!!! yikes..

they just can't seem to get them right in USA yet. p

i will keep you posted,im at home as i said but the surgeon wants me to weightbear with the cast on which i found different from ones i am reading about non weightbear,but he must know,i have a frame but still walk with a limp i just hope iv been through this and im better off or il go mad,going through all this,i have pain at the ankle inside when i try and put weight,i just want to get these sutures out next week and have xray and know.

you had a different proceedure than me..so i'm sure your doc knows what he is doing! i have pain in my ankle too,,,fusion..followed by two months casted in bed..and now two plus weeks walking in the aircast.

i'm interested in how you heal...good luck

I just had my 4 month post op check up from my ankle replacement! It looks perfect, which I knew before I went in since it feels like a normal ankle! My ROM is still a bit limited, but I walk without a limp, have no problems with hills. I am like a normal person and I love it!!

I never thought it would be this good again!

All the best to anyone getting a replacement! It has been everything I hoped and dreamed of and more =)

I have just had my replacement 10 days ago as i said,consultant said i can weightbear with the plastercast and special shoe,but when i use the frame to get around in nthe flat its very painfull in the inside of the ankle it feels like my foots slipping down in the plaster is this normal did you feel this thanks tess

well remember, i didn't have an ankle replacement,,i had it fused..but honestly, today the right inner side of my left ankle is killing me...plus, it's very 'hot' to touch. i wear an aircast, big old thing with velcro and pump up the inside.

so your issue is different than mine, i'd think. call your doc,,,when do you go back? good luck. p

Hey Tess,

I had the Hintegra replacement which I think is the same as you, and I had it with the surgeon who invented it. I had to weightbear from day 4, he told me it helps with the recovery and it is very important to weight bear with thi implant, he wanted me at full weightbearing - no crutches at home by at least 2 weeks post op which I was (however, my op was simple) but just to let you know it was uncomfortable at first, but you do need to do it as you can, and it gets better really fast (at least mine did) so the good news is you are by far over the worst!!

If the cast is giving you issues then just go get it changed rather than stressing about it or it being uncomfortable!

All the best with your recovery! Keep us posted!

thanks grana...i may have to do that when my cast comes off. right now, i'm still casted til next week.

however, prior to the surgery i never had any swelling. and have had my cast changed 4 times already due to swelling going down and down. so i hope it stops hurting,,,and have no swelling..just some jim dandy looking scars...:o glad you get some relief tho!

hi how long have u had your plaster cast on for is it still hurting a bit,my surgeon said i can weightbear throught the plaster and special shoe but everytime i go to walk with a walker its painfull and because my foot swellings gone down its slipping so i want to know are you still feeling discomfort,its early days for me 2 weeks after the op.but im so worried its workked i hope so going through all this.did you have your full cast off now

yes...full cast off now...i take off my boot to shower and sleep. no weightbearing without it tho.

yes...my leg atrophied with the fiberglass cast...and i had to go back sometimes every other week to have it replaced. they hurt wicked when they get loose! go back to your doc. p

Hi its 2 weeks after the ankle replacement,i have a full plaster on to my knee but m,y surgeon wants me to weightbear which i found odd through a special shoe,but i walk in the flat just to the loo with a frame about 20metres a day there and back but find the inside of my ankle is hurting,is this normaldid u feel this,Ithink the plaster is catching on my ankles to be honest.I go back on 21st to have the sutures removed,i just hope it hasnt moved or dislocated itself i am so woried,i donty want to go through all this again.Maybe i am wanting to much too early,i want to know how your pain was and how long until it drifted away thanks tess.

call your doctor, babe...he will let you know what is normal. i feel pain on the inside of my heel..but your doc will know if it is normal or not. i don't have any idea, really...take care, p:)

Hi thanks for your reply.i think you are right its getting loose as the wellings gone down.Going to have sutures out tomorrow not looking forward to that,so have xray and see how its progressing.I SPEND A lot of time in my bed with my computer and tv but its rest i suppose,i ts been 2 weeks already.I think they will re plaster it tomorrow maybe fibreglass keep u posted thanks tess.

hi i have just had the sutures and stitches removed 15 days after surgery,it was fine,felt a little twinge when taking them out but all okay,the surgeon is very pleased with the scar and the flexibility of the ankle,he has replastered it today and i am getting the plaster off 12th december just in time for xmas so im so pleased,then il have a special boot.So far so good,i can weightbear now as much as i can with my frame in the house,but i explained my inside of my ankle aches when doing this he said this is normal,muscles must get back to normal and ligaments.So i am slowly getting there Tess

yippie,,good for you Tess! I guess you don't have Thanksgiving there,,,but you will be all set for xmas. good luck. p

Hi You asked me what replacement i had its a new one Mobility De Puy part of Johnson and johnson Group its weightbearing prothesis,so i am weightbearing as told with my aircast now.Will be like this until 16th Jan so Happy Thanksgiving also,i feel like we have become friends and you have helped me very much .Cheers Luck for 2008.Tess

hi tess...i'm having my surgery to remove two of my screws in my ankle on wednesday...and hopefully within two weeks i will be walking with real shoes instead of this aircast,,,which at this point...almost two months longer than i thought...is driving me nuts!!!!

merry xmas to you too...keep intouch. p

hi how come you are having screws removed,i thought everything was olkay,this aircast is very heavy isnt it and hard to walk,im only a small person and finding it difficult especially getting out in the night to go to loo you have to put it all on.I hope you get on okay and keep in touch,was the scres rubbing then im intrigued by this,Have a nice xmas like you im not doing too much no dancing this year for me Tess.

well...not the best news for me...had my second surgery today to remove two screws...only one could come out of my heel...the other taken out of the heel and then a washer put on to hold it in place. the problem is that there is a part of it that is not healed yet...so i'm on crutches again...will get into the walking boot when i can fit into it...and also will be using a bone stimulater asap to try to get it healed.
dern.:(

Sorry to hear that u was doing so well i thought,But u had a replacement didnt u,what was with the screws.I dont have any to come out not that i know of.I went to my first session of Physio,not much happened,as they are excercises i can do at home until i get the boot off,only weightbear through the boot not myself.So back to that especially at nightimes is a bind going to loo,as i said i must still put boot on,well takecare and dont give up,new year will be better i pray for us both Takecare rest Tess.

nope...i had my ankle fused...and it was porous ontop of it...looked like with the porous ankle..it was still healing well..but not now. i got a bone stimulator today...and will wear it for 10 hours a day...(mostly at night) and a few hours during the day. then in about ten weeks, i should know if it is helping. i'm not very happy about it..but such is life. take care of yourself...and get a porta potty!!! i have one..don't have to go anywhere, and my husband dumps it in the morning! haaa...thank G:)od for him!

Hi I am sorry things are not working out at the minute,i heard fusing was a lot more longer to heal,thats why i couldnt understand when you said screws.Yes i will do that geta portable potty as i have a commode but as near to my bed as i can,therfore i must put my boot on always as no weightbear on the foot alone.Thanks god yes for husbands,hes been great and is doing everything but i am getting wrestless now and want to do things.Especially xmas.Well takecare just rest and do what the surgeon says.Tess.

thanks tess..merry christmas...and i'll keep intouch. pegi *hug*

Hi Its Tess,Im 1o weeks after operation,i went to see surgeon today,had the aircast boot off,what a relief,but still feels a bit sore.They say this is normal as iv only just started having physio,but the surgeon says very pleased with the outcome and told me to weightbear fully in my shoes now.So i am three quarters there.Its been a long road but if i can walk without a limp and less pain then its been worth while.I am walking in the house today just with slippers and im a bit slow but walking straight not like i was with my leg out and a limp,but still not 100percent.I must give it time i know.Well hope the new year brings you good health and sees a good future for us all.tess.

hi tess..happy you are doing well. i'm still in the aircast...my ankle not totally healed when he took hardware out on dec 19th. hopefully i will be 'freed' on january 31st. i'm using a bone stimulator 10 hours a day, and also doing hyperbaric to increase my bone healing. i'll be intouch after the next x ray!

real happy you are doing well! p;)

Hi i do hope you get better when you next go to see the docter.What is bone stimulation,is it something that is done at home u say 10 hours a day is it a special machine,i go to physio 2 times a week now,walking in the house with just thick socks on and slippers,still a bit slow but dont have that limp like i had.The ankle dosent hurt like it did before but still dont feel iv got there yet,still another day tomorrow.If the docter says i can fly we are going somewhere in the sun,i need a break,Talk soon Tess.Keep smiling and we will get there im sure.11 weeks now and at least i can get around now.Going to drive tomorrow hopefully as i have an automatic,we will see.