Anyone have an ankle joint replacement?

[gsganzer]

I think this might be coming sooner rather than later. I had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor back in June about my ongoing battle with plantar fasciitis in my left heal and pain in my right ankle. He gave me some orthotics for the plantar fasciitis and a "to-do" list of stretching etc. My right ankle he diagnosed with arthritis from an old injury, gave me a brace and a "to-do" list of ankle exercises. Based on x-rays, he said I'll need an ankle joint replacement, but couldn't predict when.

Long story short, I'm just about completely hobbled right now. I'm finding almost no success with the plantar fasciitis, I can bear it and just keep going, but it isn't going away, and it isn't getting better.

The bigger issue is the ankle. I'm surprised at how bad it's become in such a short period, but I have been on my feet a lot lately. He said he could do some cortisone injections, but that just buys time. Unfortunately, between now and the end of the year, I'm really busy, so I guess I'll be calling him about these injections, because I can't keep walking on it.

What can I expect with an ankle joint? Can you still walk decently on rough ground? Work on your feet all day? I hear it's about an 8-week recovery, so I'd need to plan for that. Anything else of concern?

 

[jyoutz]

I think this might be coming sooner rather than later. I had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor back in June about my ongoing battle with plantar fasciitis in my left heal and pain in my right ankle. He gave me some orthotics for the plantar fasciitis and a "to-do" list of stretching etc. My right ankle he diagnosed with arthritis from an old injury, gave me a brace and a "to-do" list of ankle exercises. Based on x-rays, he said I'll need an ankle joint replacement, but couldn't predict when.

Long story short, I'm just about completely hobbled right now. I'm finding almost no success with the plantar fasciitis, I can bear it and just keep going, but it isn't going away, and it isn't getting better.

The bigger issue is the ankle. I'm surprised at how bad it's become in such a short period, but I have been on my feet a lot lately. He said he could do some cortisone injections, but that just buys time. Unfortunately, between now and the end of the year, I'm really busy, so I guess I'll be calling him about these injections, because I can't keep walking on it.

What can I expect with an ankle joint? Can you still walk decently on rough ground? Work on your feet all day? I hear it's about an 8-week recovery, so I'd need to plan for that. Anything else of concern?

I have recent experience with similar ailments, albeit not as bad. I had plantar fasciitis for 12 years and have been wearing custom orthotics. The orthotics helped but I was never free of that curse. A couple years ago a friend told me about a treatment that cured his condition. I searched for a physical therapist that was skilled in that treatment and had 12 sessions. My plantar fasciitis pain is gone, but I still use orthotics in my footwear. See the link for information about this treatment. It’s non-invasive but does hurt a bit during the initial sessions.

What is Astym treatment?

Astym therapy is available only from certified providers, who have undergone intensive training and testing. To find a certified provider see www.astym.com

astym.com

Last spring I had a tendon injury and bone bruise on an ankle. My podiatrist decided to try a noninvasive treatment first. He had me wear an air cast boot for 8 weeks. It was clumsy, but after 8 weeks of immobilization of the tendons, they are substantially better. I’m currently doing physical therapy weekly to strengthen the ankle. Mine is a tendon injury, so different than your joint situation, but it’s worth asking your doctor about. Good luck. These are debilitating conditions and not fun at all. Fortunately for me the ankle injury is on the left foot, so I was still able to drive with the boot.

 

[CalG]

The ankle is incredibly complicated. nearly like a wrist.

I can not even imagine a mechanical replacement. Parts of it perhaps....

 

[lman]

I knew somebody that injured their ankle in an accident and they wound up with an Ankle Fusion. It's been several years since I've seen her but she spent a lot of time in a chair at that time.

 

[BruceSH]

I talked to my wife's ortho surgeon a few months ago. When asked he said that ankle replacement surgery was his favorite (he does them all) as he gets the most positive feedback after patients rediscover their mobility after battling with a bad ankle for years. He also stressed, as did my ortho doc, that NO weight on that new joint for 6 months.

 

[newbury]

Good thread.
I looked down at my right ankle as it got crushed between a car bumper (that ran a stop sign) and my Suzuki 250 engine case. That was ~ May 1st, 1970. I was sure that was the end of that ankle.
Have not played the piano since.
Gave me a passable good 30 years, but always kept ankle braces handy.
40 plus years later it started failing more often. Seemed like every winter it would get overworked, requiring a few days rest.
Last few years I seem to get laid up for a few weeks where I need crutches to get around and the ankle is swollen to twice normal size.
Every time I get told they could do a rebuild but it may take 6 months. Now they are saying "or longer because you heal more slowly".
With my other obligations I'll just put up with crutches for years.

 

[EddieWalker]

No knowledge of anybody that has had that done. What I am familiar with is that there is a very large number of people that get knee replacements that fail because of the doctor doing the procedure. Just like in every field, there are those that are really good at what the do, a lot that are just average, and too many that are really bad. That challenge is finding the really good ones. What makes this so hard to do is that everyone recommends "their doctor" without knowing about any others. I'm fortunate that my wife is a nurse and a professor, and knows just about everyone at the different hospitals in my area. There is a massive difference in treatment from who you know, compared to just hoping for the best.

 

[JPRambo]

My wife also had her ankle broken (1971) during an car accident. After 4 or 5 surgeries a fusion. And a couple more operations. Andstill uses a cane t walk any distance..

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Following!
I sprained my ankle really bad snowboarding years ago. It bothers me sometimes with overuse, but it comes and goes. I am only 49 so I know I have a long way to go with this ankle before it is said and done. If there is any joint that I think I will need some surgical help with at some point it is that ankle. I hope you find a good solution.

 

[gsganzer]

I managed to get to the Dr today and got a cortisone shot in my ankle. Hopefully it helps.

Sunday. I have an appointment for some whizz-bang Thera-laser and piezowave treatment for the plantar fasciitis in my other foot. Fingers crossed for that as well.

 

[old and tired]

My current foot doctor is talking fusion but I know 2 people who got their ankle replaced; both done at Duke. I'm seeing their doctor Oct. 7th The lady I know, had one ankle done with replacement. The other was in our department but now at Tx A&M bug department, he had both of his done. Both are doing well...

I've been bone on bone for 10-15 years. The doctor who I had an MRI (I think) I was injected with something that turned grounded bone, blue on the read out. Halfway through the scan the nurse (or operator?) came in to ask which ankle I was in for since both had lots of blue dye.

Told them the left one but both of them pretty much sucks... The doctor reading the scan, had x-rays done - and afterwards called me back into his room to show them to me. Said to wait as long as I can, but my ankles were finished.

I've lasted a long time and basically can get around but every step I take, I feel it. Just glad I'm not a horse...

Not sure what I want from the doctor; I'll ask about failure rate for ankle replacement (my current doc. thinks it is high). Not sure what else to ask the new doctor about...

 

[gsganzer]

In my quest to find some relief, I bought some new safety toe work shoes today. I've always worn Justin or Tony Llama pull on work boots. But when I got plantar fasciitis in my left foot, the lack of good support was adding to the issue. So, I swapped to ankle high lace up boots. Now I find it really uncomfortable to have anything lacing up over the front of my ankle. I'll see if the lower height shoes solve that problem.

It really stinks having foot issues.

 

[gsganzer]

I had an appointment with my primary this morning and he agrees it's time to get an ankle joint replacement. I've been down the physical therapy route, been taking cortisone shots and use a topical, NSAID like Voltaren and I'm almost on the verge of being crippled. I have to think about every step and I've been miserable. I'm surprised at how bad it's become in such a short period of time. Definitely not a linear equation.

I have a ton or work for the remainder of the year, plus a house move, and I'll need to find a way to gut through to January, but I'll start making arrangements to get it done after the first of the year.

I think that should give me enough time to rehab before an Africa hunt I have booked for next September. If not, I'll just have to postpone the hunt.

 

[gsganzer]

ted a long time and basically can get around but every step I take, I feel it. Just glad I'm not a horse...

Not sure what I want from the doctor; I'll ask about failure rate for ankle replacement (my current doc. thinks it is high). Not sure what else to ask the new doctor about...

Have you had any update from a consult? Mine really pushed for a replacement and said to avoid fusion, but I'm sure it depends on the specifics.

My issue is complicated by my previous injury. I lost my interior calf muscle and had to have muscle and skin grafts, lengthening of tendons to the toes and remaining pins/screws etc. The surgeon said he'd want to do a dye test to understand the muscle graft plumbing.

Wishing that we both have great success!!

 

[old and tired]

So I had mine done in March... not 100% happy but so much better. Problem is I let mine go for too long (maybe you too) I didn't have some muscles and I need them to walk correctly. Best part is most of the major pain is gone...

This is what I got (video is my doctor): Exactech Vantage Total Ankle System

These were my latest xrays...

 

[old and tired]

I did wish I had talked to someone who had Fusion done to hear what they said about it. I had ground down so much of my ankles that I was actually doing pretty good (very little pain and could get around). My first doctor was all about fusion the bones... but decided to talk with Duke doctors who said that they could help me...

 

[old and tired]

One thing, maybe it's too late, is don't wait too long. I waited for 10-15 years and just put up with the pain, mean while some of my muscle just went to nothing since they were not used... good luck, let us know how it turns out.

I did ask the nurse what percent doesn't take and she said 5% - I was fine with that....

 

[gsganzer]

Old and Tired, thanks for your feedback.

Yes, I fear I've also had some muscle loss. It's actually very noticeable to be. In fact, feels like my foot is very precariously attached to my leg and walking on anything uneven is of great concern to me. It's something the surgeon has checked every visit I've had with him.

The weird part is it hasn't been that long for me, but the deterioration has been dramatic in such a short time. It doesn't help that I've walked on concrete and uneven ground for 30+ years as my daily work routine.

 

[old and tired]

For me, I've "sprained" or twisted my ankle every summer since I could remember. For work, I routinely walked many miles a day in cotton fields with a 50 pound backpack sprayer. I just wore mine out...