I am 73 years old with severe arthritis in both ankles. I can only walk a very short distance with difficulty and always in pain.
My surgeon recommends an ankle replacement for my right foot in January followed at a later date by the left ankle.
Because of my age I am very concerned that the operation may be less successful than if I was younger, and that I may take a long time to recover from the operation and getting mobile again.
I am still not sure if I should go ahead with the operation and would appreciate comments, good or bad, from anyone who has had a similar experience.
Ruby
The following user gives a hug of support to ruby73: lealouis (08-28-2011)
Hi Ruby,
I just had my ankle replaced 3 or so months ago, it is fantastic, I have no pain and can walk so much better...still early days of recovery, but I would do it again or recommend it to others in a heartbeat, and I was excited but very nevous too about the operation.
I am only 26, so was very lucky to get one as I am so young. When I was having my operation most of the others in the hospital were between 50 and 90. The guy in the room next to me was 86 years old. Now I didn't actually meet these people, but talking to the nurses and the doctors I discovered that I was having a much slower recovery than the other, older, patients. I was partially weightbearing on day 4. I was walking around without crutches or anything except my boot at 2 weeks (and no drugs either). So if that was slow...then I envy the others hehe
Apparently the fact that I had had so many surgeries previously and my very very poor ROM before the operation was the cause of my slow recovery. I must say that it is a bit funny to hear you say you are not sure whether you will recover ok, since every doctor I spoke to until the last two specialists, (and there were lots of them) said that I was too young and that it would be different if I was 60 or 70, then I would be the ideal candidate. So if what everything I was told is true...you should be a prime candidate with a good recovery period.
Just make sure your surgeon is an ankle specialist and has a good success rate with the operation, and make sure if there is any sign of infection you get to the hospital asap and don't leave till you see an OS!
I am 73 years old with severe arthritis in both ankles. I can only walk a very short distance with difficulty and always in pain.
My surgeon recommends an ankle replacement for my right foot in January followed at a later date by the left ankle.
Because of my age I am very concerned that the operation may be less successful than if I was younger, and that I may take a long time to recover from the operation and getting mobile again.
I am still not sure if I should go ahead with the operation and would appreciate comments, good or bad, from anyone who has had a similar experience.
hi ruby i am 50 and am about to have a ankle replacement,i am scared too but have had second opinion and i have severe arthritis like you and my quality of life is getting worse,especially my walking.i have surgery 5th november so i hope to chat about it after a few days.i cant see no other way,iv been on embrel injections steroids and have a stick now,i am not happy about surgery but what else can i do,have a think if you want to walk better then its a best option and take away the pain.keep well teresa.
I am 73 years old with severe arthritis in both ankles. I can only walk a very short distance with difficulty and always in pain.
My surgeon recommends an ankle replacement for my right foot in January followed at a later date by the left ankle.
Because of my age I am very concerned that the operation may be less successful than if I was younger, and that I may take a long time to recover from the operation and getting mobile again.
I am still not sure if I should go ahead with the operation and would appreciate comments, good or bad, from anyone who has had a similar experience.
Ruby
Hi Ruby iv just had a total ankle replacement due to severe rheumatoid arthritis,im just 5o younger than you but my mobilty was so bad the last 6 months i had to do something everything else had failed drugs injections,so i was scared but had it last monday 5th,im back home now with plaster for 6 weeks.The surgeon says it was a success but early days its the aftercare thats slow physio rest and being patient.I was sent home with a frame and crutches as i can weightbear on this ankle he said with a special shoe,i am very nervous too of the outcome,i am limping but i still have a big cast on up to my knee and im a small person so its heavy anyway.I have the sutures out next wednesday 21st have xray and see the surgeon so i will keep u posted but at this this time i am glad i had the operation.
Hi Everyone,Its 1st December tomorrow cant believe where time has gone,i had my ankle replacement 5th november and so far getting along nicely.I had my sutures out and stitches which wasnt half as bad as i expected,i was nervous but dont listen to too many people its fine.I can weightbear through my plaster and special shoe,and i am at home in a flat so i dont go out at this time anyway but am keeping busy read a few books computer,its soon gone the time,i try and stay up late watch tv and then rest till late morning then the days are not too long.Yesterday i walked with my frame,from one end of the flat to the other with no limp,before my foot was turning outwards.I can only hope it has worked,its still early days.Just do what your body tell you,if you find u get tird then rest next day,I am back at the hospital 12th december to have plaster removed again and reviewed,again xray etc,so i should be in a boot for xmas.So far i will say to anyone that has this chance of replacement,go for it,the operation isnt half as bad,i was only on Morphine pump 2nd day after,nurses cant believe it i hardly used it.I will write again after my next visit to the hospital.Tess.
Hi I am 5half weeks after my ankle replacement so far so good,i had my plaster off yesterday and was xrayed,the actual implant is looking goog hasnt moved in anyway so the surgeon deceided to put a Aircast on my leg,which has to be blown up and deflated .Its a bit weird at first but then i am getting used too today,but made my ankle hurt a bit especially at the sides but now iv adjusted it and feels better.It was great to bathe my foot after 5half weeks without any protection,and the scar is looking very well done.I go back 16th January for another xray and see if the bones have started bonding with the implant,i start physio next week,but i do various excercises in my bed,move my ankle up and down and sideways just to get the motion in it,the surgeon said stand on it and i stood at 90 degrees so good.If it all works i would say to anyone if u have the opportunity to have a replacement and to stop the pain and have more mobility go for it,i am 50 but there were people older than me and they were recovering much quicker than me so its not always younger you are that matters.There is so much information out there now to read about i did before the operation.Tess.
Re: Ankle replacement 
