pranay

Hi All

I underwent a TA surgery in Oct'07 for a deforminty of my lower foot.Tripple fusion was done but ankle fusion was not done to spare some movement in my lower limb.I was in hospital for 6 days and was then discharged.25 days later the pins and K wire was removed and started my tow touch and standing (without weight bearing) after 30 days of surgery.My caste was removed after 4 months and 8 days and was provided with a special shoe which i wore for the next 2.5 months before coming to normal shoes. By this time i also was undergoing physiotherapy (around 3 months). Pain was continuous but was decreasing. Inflamation was considerable for atleast 7 to 8 months after the plaster caste removal.By november last year (13 months after the surgery) i started exercising in Gym and saw a remarkable improvement. I use to walk 1 to 2 miles (increased from 250 mt to 2 miles in two months) in speed range from 2 miles/hr to 6 miles/hr along with other exercises like leg press, leg raises (front and back), squatting, calf and ankle stretch etc. But then due to professional commitments I had to stop for one month.
This is where i faced a challenge. I am now facing a very frequent locking in my lower foot. I am normal when I am seated but once i lie down or remove the weight from my leg after some long day work or fatigue my ankle joint gets locked. It takes me some 10 to 20 mins to regain my stability and unlock the joint.By the time the joint is lock my complete leg below the knee is badly cramped and weight bearing becomes impossible untill that cramp is over.My pain and joint instability has increased again along with cold sensitivity. I got my Rheumotide Arthritis, Thyroid (TSH), and blood sugar checked but all is normal.
I dont know what is happening to me.When I took second opinion I was told that I have developed Arthritis at my Ankle joint and I need to undergo a fusion of my ankle joint too (the same ordeal again).I was a TT,Volleyball and a Cricket player before the surgery and leaded my engineering college team in those sports as a captain.I feel every thing is spoiled now because of this surgery.
Surgeons never really project a clearer picture about the implications of this surgery and possibly keeps the patient in dark till an extent.
Kindly help me with your experiences,observations and possible cause of my pain. What should be my line of action. I have not left my hopes and I want to fight back.