Bearsnumber1
01-07-2008, 02:25 PM
I have to decide to either fuse my foot in multiple places or amputate. I am curious if anybody has had a fusion and been able to be active afterwords or not. My doctor says I can but my therapist plus some articles I read say otherwise. If anybody has a had a ankle, heel or arch fusion if you could give me feed back it would bee much appreciated.
Thanks
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vicher59
01-07-2008, 05:01 PM
Ouch! I'm into week 5 of ankle fusion..so far it's not been too bad, still NWB, I don't know what will happen when the cast comes off....I haven't had much pain at all and I can get around pretty good with my wheel chair and walker. amputation sounds pretty drastic...good luck!
Bearsnumber1
01-07-2008, 05:45 PM
Thanks for the input and good luck to you on your healing
elk lake
01-11-2008, 02:17 PM
I guess it depends on the nature of your injury and whether you have other medical conditions. Amputation sounds pretty extreme. I am recovering from a triple arthrodesis (fusion of 3 joints of the hind foot) and it's been long, but easy. The key is to find a doctor who has plenty of experience with your kind of problem. Best of luck.
Bearsnumber1
01-11-2008, 02:30 PM
Have they told you about what kind of activity you would be able to do once your healed?
walkabout
01-11-2008, 03:14 PM
Hi Bearsnumber1:wave:! I have had my ankle fused 9 months ago. It takes a long time to heal and I can honestly say that it is a different way of life for me. However, my pain in my ankle is gone. A foot could be alot different than the ankle maybe, I'm not sure. But, I know that there alot more bones in your foot and I'm not sure what exactly you are have done. If it were me, I think I would opt for the fusion if these are your only choices (Hopefully you have had a second opinion). Amputation is quite extreme. If all else fails with your fusion (which seems to be a common surgery) than amputation might have to be in place. If you are still able to walk down the road, keep your body parts in tact as long as possible.
Keep us up to date! My best to you!
Keep us up to date! My best to you!
Bearsnumber1
01-11-2008, 03:22 PM
My main problem with fusing is that I am 25 years old and been active my whole life. I am outside playing football or training for triathlons or hiking golfing. Pretty much anything outside so if I can't do most of that stuff I don't know if I could enjoy life to much. I have had a second opinion and they said the same thing but I got in to the Mayo Clininc and see them in 2 weeks so hopefully they have a third option
walkabout
01-11-2008, 03:41 PM
I'm sorry that you are having to go through this tough decision. Try not to be so hard on yourself on your activity level. I truly know what it is like to have to settle for a physical condition, wether I like it or not. I am 46, but ankle fusion wasn't all I had in my life. I was born with hip displacia. I struggled through body casts in my younger years to several surgeries in my teens to at the age of 22 my first hip replacement. I have since then had 3 more hip replacements. I could imagine what you are picturing in your head right now, but I am 5'3" and weigh 130lbs. I look way younger than I am (so I have been told by many). I take good care of myself because I am very active. No I can't run anymore, but I work out every day ride bike etc...Sometimes in life we are just thrown a curve ball, so we just need to deal with it and concentrate on what we are still capable of doing. I know it is really hard to except and I still have a hard time just not being able to be normal, but if I spend too much time into dwelling on the what if's, I won't be able to enjoy the what now's. You are young with alot of potential ahead of you. I know that you can be strong and get through this too.
Bearsnumber1
01-11-2008, 04:12 PM
Thanks for the help and for telling your story. I will let you know what I hear from the Mayo Clinic.
happyfoot17
01-12-2008, 11:54 AM
Hi Bears,
I'm 26 and was told to have my ankle fused. Fortunately it was only the ankle, so your situation is totally different. When you go to the mayo clinic you may want to ask them about the possibility of replacing the ankle with an implant and fusing the rest. This would allow you to still have some movement in the ankle which would impmrove things I would think. After being stubborn I ended up getting to see a top surgeon who gave me a replacement. It has been fatastic. I used to do triathlon competitively so was similarly devastated by my lack of movement. I am 6 months post op and cycled around 600km across cambodia for christmas (not fast, but it was awesome!) So my recovery has allowed me my life back, not able to race, but I'm so happy to be able to feel normal again. I really hope they can help you. please let us know how the appointment goes!
good luck
kira =)
I'm 26 and was told to have my ankle fused. Fortunately it was only the ankle, so your situation is totally different. When you go to the mayo clinic you may want to ask them about the possibility of replacing the ankle with an implant and fusing the rest. This would allow you to still have some movement in the ankle which would impmrove things I would think. After being stubborn I ended up getting to see a top surgeon who gave me a replacement. It has been fatastic. I used to do triathlon competitively so was similarly devastated by my lack of movement. I am 6 months post op and cycled around 600km across cambodia for christmas (not fast, but it was awesome!) So my recovery has allowed me my life back, not able to race, but I'm so happy to be able to feel normal again. I really hope they can help you. please let us know how the appointment goes!
good luck
kira =)
vicher59
01-12-2008, 12:28 PM
Walkabout, How long were you NWB, and how long did you wear a boot? What's life like after the cast comes off??
walkabout
01-12-2008, 02:21 PM
Walkabout, How long were you NWB, and how long did you wear a boot? What's life like after the cast comes off??
I was 10 weeks NWB. I got my cast off at 8 weeks and wore my boot for 8 weeks. When I first started out wth my boot I had to gradually after the 2nd week start putting weight on it. It was kind of scarey because I was afraid I would damage something. E-xrays looked great though. Have you had your ankle fused?
I was 10 weeks NWB. I got my cast off at 8 weeks and wore my boot for 8 weeks. When I first started out wth my boot I had to gradually after the 2nd week start putting weight on it. It was kind of scarey because I was afraid I would damage something. E-xrays looked great though. Have you had your ankle fused?
vicher59
01-12-2008, 06:37 PM
Walkabout, I did have my ankle fusion 5 week ago. I hope to get my cast off in 2 weeks. I'm a bit concerned about going back to work as I'm mostly on my feet all day. I don't know anyone who's had ankle fusion and would really like to know what to expect as this process goes along! Thanks for the input.... vicher
walkabout
01-13-2008, 12:28 PM
Walkabout, I did have my ankle fusion 5 week ago. I hope to get my cast off in 2 weeks. I'm a bit concerned about going back to work as I'm mostly on my feet all day. I don't know anyone who's had ankle fusion and would really like to know what to expect as this process goes along! Thanks for the input.... vicher
I actually did not go back to work until 5 months, but I don't have to work, so I worked only 2 -3 days a week for about 4 hours each day. I am on my feet the whole time without a break. Have you talked to your Doc about getting some physical therapy when you can have WB? That helps alot.
I actually did not go back to work until 5 months, but I don't have to work, so I worked only 2 -3 days a week for about 4 hours each day. I am on my feet the whole time without a break. Have you talked to your Doc about getting some physical therapy when you can have WB? That helps alot.
stepbystep89
01-13-2008, 01:13 PM
I have had my ankle fused. I did not return to work for 3 months. Originally, my dr said we could consider going back just 2 weeks after surgery. I have a desk job, so we weren't really worried about being up too much. However, I ended up with an infection at about 4 weeks out, so I endured more complications that kept me home.
Feel free to ask more questions. I wish I had found this board when I was going through the fusion. I had a lot of questions and didn't know anyone who had been through the process.
Good luck!
Step
Feel free to ask more questions. I wish I had found this board when I was going through the fusion. I had a lot of questions and didn't know anyone who had been through the process.
Good luck!
Step
Bearsnumber1
01-14-2008, 08:57 AM
stepbystep89 I have a question for you. What did the Doctors tell you about activities? Are you fairly limited or can you do what you want? My Doctor says I can run again but Therapy said it would tear my knee and hip apart if I did. I am just curious on what your Doc said.
Thanks
Bearsnumber1
Thanks
Bearsnumber1
janewhite1
01-14-2008, 09:44 AM
Bears, you're talking triple arthrodesis, not ankle fusion, right?. Ankle fusion is more limiting. You will still have the "main" up and down movement of your foot, just not much other movement.
I will say this: If you do have the surgery, and do try running after, absolutely pavement only. No dirt, no gravel.
I will say this: If you do have the surgery, and do try running after, absolutely pavement only. No dirt, no gravel.
Bearsnumber1
01-14-2008, 09:58 AM
They don't think they will have to fuse the ankle but I find out today about that. I have arthritis in my ankle to but they think it should be managable but the CAT scan will tell them apparently.
stepbystep89
01-14-2008, 09:54 PM
Bears,
Like Jane said - if you are talking about Triple Arthrodesis it is different than ankle arthroses which is what I did.
I am about a year and a half out from the fusion, and I have had a variety of complications, so please ask more people about their activity limitations. The information you get from me is slightly skewed.
My dr told me before my fusion that I will probably walk without a limp. He said there are many patients he has fused that you would never know have a fused ankle. I can't remember for sure, but I think he said running would not be in my future. I am not sure, since I have never really been a runner.
Right now I am waiting for my foot to heal. During the fusion process my big toe went crooked. Dr said he has never seen that happen. He has been a surgeon for more than 15 years and does about 30 fusions a year. I had a bunionectomy done 11/9 to correct it. I was diagnosed with cellulitis (infection of soft tissue) 11/29. I was on IV Vancomycin for 4 weeks after. I found out today that the infection is back. It may be in the bone. I am not telling you all of this to scare you. I just want you to know that I have not had a full recovery yet. It will probably be at least 6 months before I can say I am really done.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Good luck and keep posting!
Step
Like Jane said - if you are talking about Triple Arthrodesis it is different than ankle arthroses which is what I did.
I am about a year and a half out from the fusion, and I have had a variety of complications, so please ask more people about their activity limitations. The information you get from me is slightly skewed.
My dr told me before my fusion that I will probably walk without a limp. He said there are many patients he has fused that you would never know have a fused ankle. I can't remember for sure, but I think he said running would not be in my future. I am not sure, since I have never really been a runner.
Right now I am waiting for my foot to heal. During the fusion process my big toe went crooked. Dr said he has never seen that happen. He has been a surgeon for more than 15 years and does about 30 fusions a year. I had a bunionectomy done 11/9 to correct it. I was diagnosed with cellulitis (infection of soft tissue) 11/29. I was on IV Vancomycin for 4 weeks after. I found out today that the infection is back. It may be in the bone. I am not telling you all of this to scare you. I just want you to know that I have not had a full recovery yet. It will probably be at least 6 months before I can say I am really done.
Let me know if you have more questions.
Good luck and keep posting!
Step
dbgoalie
01-15-2008, 12:00 AM
Bears1, sorry to hear what you are going through.
My procedure is less than what you have in store, but it may help in making your decision. I have had my MTP joint (where the big toe joins the foot) fused together with bone off my hip. My ortho says that I will be able to return to running if desired, he has many patients that run marathons to this day after recovering from MTP joint fusion. Of course, I have full range of motion with my ankle, although during my recovery it is taking a while to regain the strength there. (I am currently 10 weeks post-op)
Amputation is very extreme, I wondered many times if I could have my big toe amputated because of the pain it was causing me, but there wasn't a doctor I could find who would do it. I got so tired of the operations (this is my third), the rehab (countless hours spent with a therapist), the doctor visits, x-rays, the endless discussions and decisions, and all the pain involved. It gets mentally draining. I think I know where you are coming from; it gets frustrating to see people who are amputees able to run marathons or compete in triathalons, and yet I was in so much pain I could barely walk to the mailbox and back, and I am in my mid-thirties. However, I have an Aunt who is an amputee, and the complications that she suffers on a daily basis is something I think you should avoid if possible.
Hopefully you get some good answers and choices, but unless a doctor is making the case to amputate, I would think that should be out of the question.
My procedure is less than what you have in store, but it may help in making your decision. I have had my MTP joint (where the big toe joins the foot) fused together with bone off my hip. My ortho says that I will be able to return to running if desired, he has many patients that run marathons to this day after recovering from MTP joint fusion. Of course, I have full range of motion with my ankle, although during my recovery it is taking a while to regain the strength there. (I am currently 10 weeks post-op)
Amputation is very extreme, I wondered many times if I could have my big toe amputated because of the pain it was causing me, but there wasn't a doctor I could find who would do it. I got so tired of the operations (this is my third), the rehab (countless hours spent with a therapist), the doctor visits, x-rays, the endless discussions and decisions, and all the pain involved. It gets mentally draining. I think I know where you are coming from; it gets frustrating to see people who are amputees able to run marathons or compete in triathalons, and yet I was in so much pain I could barely walk to the mailbox and back, and I am in my mid-thirties. However, I have an Aunt who is an amputee, and the complications that she suffers on a daily basis is something I think you should avoid if possible.
Hopefully you get some good answers and choices, but unless a doctor is making the case to amputate, I would think that should be out of the question.
Bearsnumber1
01-15-2008, 11:05 AM
Went to the Doctor yesterday and found out that he thinks my ankle is decent enough that it doesn't need fused yet. So that was somewhat good news. He consulted with another Doctor and neither of them had another option besides fusing my subtalor joint and my arch. So now I have to wait till next Friday to see if the Mayo Clinic has another option or not.
Bearsnumber1
Bearsnumber1
vicher59
01-15-2008, 12:04 PM
Bears, Hmmmm, are you in pain all the time, what do you want to do with that foot?? Good luck with the dr. keep posting! vicher
Bearsnumber1
01-15-2008, 12:29 PM
I am in pain most of the time. The thing that hurts the most is I get tissue caught in the joint and gets smashed by the bones that one brings me to my knees but I can't walk more than 100 yards with out starting to limp badly because my foot is so weak because of the condition its in.
Bearsnumber1
01-18-2008, 03:15 PM
I am still looking for anybody that can run after having a subtalor fusion. I talked to my physical therapsit this week and she said I might possibly be able to if I learn to run different after the surgery. But she also said that she could pretty much gaurantee that I would be runnign through pain. So if anyone has talked with there doctor or therapist about running or have actually tried it would be appreciated to hear from you.
Thanks
Bearsnumber1
Thanks
Bearsnumber1