Have you have your ankle pinned/fused due to osteoarthritis?

[CuttedUpPear]

Talk to me....12 years after the original injury which brought on the condition, and 5 years after an arthroscopy which had moderate success, my ankle is giving me so much pain again.

I'm really worried as to what the procedure may mean in the long term. I'm an (amateur) dancer who was at teaching level a while back and it's my happy place. A consultant told me with some satisfaction that I would "never dance again" if I had the fusion procedure.

My work is 50/50 physical/office based and I'm worried about that too. But right now I can't walk for more than 20 minutes, if that. Sometimes it's only a few steps before the hot searing pain cuts in.

I'm wondering about asking for another arthroscopy - I don't know if they would do it.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has had ankle fusion and how it affects their life.

Following, my DM is on the waiting list for this operation. She isn't sure whether to go ahead or not. Will be interested to hear people's experiences.

Bump for evening traffic

I'm considering toe fusion surgery on my big toes but will probably say no for now. My friend has had his ankle fused.

He walks awkwardly, you definitely notice. But he says he'd rather walk awkwardly than not at all which is where he reckons he'd be if he hadn't had the surgery. He was off his feet for a few weeks, he said it was sore afterwards for a week or so but not as sore as walking around beforehand. He can walk as far as anyone else now but I know he gets tired and achy because he's not walking entirely normally, but not the same level of sore as before. He does get some pain in his hip caused by his limping and that bothers him a bit, worrying that he's just shifted the problem to a different joint, but he wasn't walking normally anyway so he would probably have the same problems with or without the surgery.

He also cycles mega distances up and down massive hills. He can't run though, he was planning a fundraiser 50 Parkruns but found he couldn't get into a comfy running style with his fused ankle.

My pain is not that bad yet so I'm not ready for the surgery. And I can still walk and run, it's just sore. Sore that can be managed with painkillers.

But having seen my friend's experience I will definitely have it done when the time comes.

@Sewbean I'm at where your friend was. I can't run any more - I would so love to - because I can't put my heel down and that gives me an uncomfortable gait. And I get tired and achy doing what used to be normal.

I'm really worried about my hip being affected. My knee on the other side already is degrading and I fear that recovery from an op will make it even worse.

How old is your friend btw?

Not had it, but in a similar position in that I may need a fusion of some of the joints in my foot following trauma. I am planning to put it off as long as possible though as I currently have some function albeit with a lot of pain. Plus I guess I am hoping that some other treatment might help or new ones be developed in the interim whereas once a joint is fused, that is it really.

I would explore other avenues first if I were you. When did you last have any imaging done? I would want a CT and/or MRI to know more about what's going on in there before I agreed to any invasive treatments. I've had good, albeit temporary relief from steroid injections into the joint - has that been suggested to you? And be sure you are on absolutely optimum analgesia. Ask to be referred to a pain specialist maybe?
Ultimately a fusion may be your best option but don't rush into it. Other surgery, even an ankle replacement might be an option for you. I would also consider another opinion if a fusion is all you are being offered. As you were dancing until recently and are working, I'm assuming you are relatively young and otherwise fit so being left with basically an immobile ankle joint is not a great option if it can be avoided, even if it is pain free. Plus as a previous poster alluded to there is potential for problems with other joints once the biomechanics of how you are walking change. Ask lots of questions and dont be afraid to get a second opinion if things don't feel right to you.
I hope you get some effective treatment soon - I can really empathise with you. I get seriously fed up of being in pain and everything being such hard work. Good luck!

What about ankle replacement? My mum had one done a few years ago,they will have definitely improved by now. The only down side being once it's replaced it then can't be fused if the problem isn't improved. Unfortunately for mum hers still has bony prominent growths making it really uncomfortable so is now a bit stuck...

He's 52 and had his surgery maybe 4 years ago.

When I find the pain too much to walk around doing my everyday stuff I'll have the surgery. My friend's pain in his fused joint is gone. He would definitely say his surgery was the right choice for him at the right time. Sounds like you're nearly there.

Normal walking is long gone for you (and me) so when the pain is too much it's surgery time. You'll still walk funny but at least it won't be sore.

I had my ankle fused aged 16.. not due to arthritis but cerebral Palsy Same operation though
I'm 54 now and still fully mobile, for me it helped enormously as my foot was turning inwards
Recovery time was long and difficult as I couldn't use crutches
I was non weightbearing for 6 weeks.. a knee scooter would be fantastic for scooting around the house!
If the pain and limited mobility are impaired mobily are impacting your daily life, and thus pleasure in life I'd advise anyone to have the op
The only " difficulty" I have is walking over rough ground and beaches but nothing insurmountable. I would recommend a fusion over replacement in every case( even though my surgeon invented them!)
Happy to answer any questions

This is all interesting, thanks for your input everyone.
I would of course get MRI scans done first, I doubt I'd get an operation without one.

My osteopath advised me against an ankle replacement as they aren't that good (yet), and @han01uk your mum's experience definitely puts me off! It's the bony prominent growths that are giving me trouble now.

I'm wondering if I'd be suitable for a second arthroscopy. I can't walk around the house without a burning jabbing pain today.