Considering Triple Arthrodesis

shelleybutn

i only had a triple, no ankle fusion. so i have some motion left. mine went very well. very LONG recovery though. i would think the fusions would be the first step, then down the road the replacements if the fusions start to fail (many years from now).

shelley

lovelyladi

Hi

Like the other Shelley I have only had a triple arthrodesis. I did go to a seminar on foot instability at UCSD Medical School and think I remember hearing that if you have an ankle fusion you cannot later get an ankle replacement...but that an ankle fusion lasted many many years. Replacements are new and much like knees have a 10 year life expectancy.

With all your issues I would consult at a major medical center with cutting edge technology. Also

The recovery my surgery is very long....You will need help with your son probably 24/7 for a while.

Good luck

Shelly

sundare

Thank you Shelleys! I have heard about not being able to get a replacement after ankle fusion, but with the new Wright In-Bone, you can. They made this implant so it would be possible to give motion back to people with fusions and bad fusions. How is your quality of life now? Are you able to walk, bike, etc... I'm not expecting to be back where I was before I was diagnosed with arthritis, but, I do want a somewhat normal lifestyle like family walks and bike rides. Is the fusion totally non-mobile? Is it hard to get used to? My doctor is sending my XR's out to 15 of the very best in the nation, so I hope they will come up with some good ideas, one that will work best for me.

shelleybutn

our triple is not completely immobile. we can flex and extend (a little limited) and have no inversion/eversion. with the ankle fusion i think it is completely immobile. my doctor is actually the head of the world foot and ankle association (well, last year anyway. i think a dif doc is every year). dr. digiovanni in providence ri. he is awesome

pranay

Hi All

I underwent a tripple fusion (not on ankle joint) in Oct '07 for a club foot. My recovery is still not complete. Most of the surgeons wont tell you but once you undergo a fusion (tripple arthrodesis) down the line you will develop Arthritis again in ankle joint and the entire procedure will have to be repeated again in order to fuse the ankle joint.
One year four months after surgery traumatic arthritis surfaced in my case at my ankle joint. Benefit of not having ankle fusion is that you can still manage with small dosriflection and plantarflextion. But depending upon my own experience and observation you should not do the weight bearing on your leg till around 8 min weeks. Once the caste is removed dont expect to be as normal as before. Once the joint is worked upon in this difficult and complicated fashion it demands a very precise care. Physiotherapy and rigorous exercises in a religious way is the key to problem during rehabilitation. Ensure that you dont overload your ankle joint during the exercises and work on mobility, stability and strengthening. Follow a very dedicated regime and increase the exercises slowly. Dont stop exercising if pain is felt just lower the intensity. Pre surgery strengthening of the leg is very very important to get good results after surgery. Remember arthrodesis is not a cure it is a treatment and is degenerative so one needs to bery cautious with our movements after the surgery. Dont load the leg and take as much rest as possible after the surgery to avoid weakness later. Take a rich and a nutritious diet.
Wear shoes that can give good support to your ankle once caste is removed (Can also use silicon gel packs as extra cushion in shoes). Avoid hard shoes. More you care for your leg longer will it support you throuh.
Dont opt for all the fusions together and try to bear some pain along with good rehabilitation and pain management and go for total fusions and replacement once it becomes unavoidable to increase the life of your joint. Once you do the fusion and bone grows back no natural and defined replacements will be possible.