May need to have leg broken

[Player456]

I've had ankle arthritis for 5ish years. I've had physio, then a steroid injection. I had my second injection just over two years ago.

Days after the second injection, my pain increased so much I couldn't put weight on it. An ultrasound revealed tenosynovitis on the outer leg, consultant suggested MRI to look inside ankle. GP referred back to physio.

Physio said the ankle was too unstable and referred to orthopaedic surgeon. Appointment postponed due to Covid (was March 20).

Ankle never got better. Significant falls, GP referred back to physio, who refused to see me. I never needed to walk much due to lockdown.

DD went to summer camp in August for her new high school. I had to walk a short way from bus station to school. This caused my opposite knee to swell up and it is still very swollen and hot.

Saw orthopaedic surgeon and had x-ray.

He mentioned my broken leg (spiral fracture in tibia, caused by son's dad 32 years ago). I was surprised. Apparently it wasn't set correctly and healed bent.

The arthritis in my ankle means the bones aren't straight (?). I have large holes in the bones, cysts and dead bone. He mentioned osteo something, but I was too shocked to listen (I had been crying as I thought I was going to be dismissed as a malingerer with normal 'wear and tear'.

I have to have an MRI and x-rays of feet, legs and hips (not sure why, sometimes hip hurts, but I never mentioned this).

I can have ankle fused, but the relief would only last a short time, due to tibia shape. So he suggested I may have to have leg broken, straightened and ankle replacement. Will know more after tests.

I'm a bit shocked. I walk with my bad foot outwards, so I never flex it, as I can't point it forwards or I fall. My knee on opposite side is really causing me pain. I'm in constant pain from both night and day.

He said I may never be back to normal.

I don't understand how an decades old injury can have healed incorrectly without me knowing?

I've put on lots of weight as I used to walk a lot, but can't now. I was learning to drive, but can't put my foot down on brake hard enough. He told me not to walk too much on it as it is fragile.

I'm sorry, I've no personal experience of this, but it sounds horrendous, and you must be in a great deal of pain, not to mention the shock of it all

Is there some sort of orthopaedic support for the ankle/lower leg that they could offer (a bit like a 'boot' when people have damaged their Achilles etc) that would aid your mobility and give enough support to allow decent movement?
Have they shown you any kind of physio you can safely do to prevent muscle loss? That seems like a must, so that on days with less pain you can walk on it, and also inorder to prevent further deterioration.

Would you be able to switch to learning to drive an automatic instead? That might help you when you're unable to walk far. Definitely think you need to be doing other exercise, swimming perhaps plus physio so that your muscles don't shrink. The problem with having a mobility issue on one side is that the other side compensates and you end up out of alignment.

Your symptoms sound very similar to what I was going through.

I have had my shin bone broken and set back into place with pins and plates due to my foot facing outwards. That then left me with foot drop and unable to move my foot at all, so I had my ankle fused and a tendon transfer to bring my foot to a 90degree angle, I don't have any movement at all in my foot but I've recently learnt to drive using an automatic.

I hope you get some proper answers soon and can get some help with your symptoms!

I work for a GP and process hundreds of letters every week from orthopaedic consultants about our patients and their many complex cases. My advice is to possibly ask for a second opinion - most specialists are totally used to this and more than happy for someone else to offer input. And then - trust their advice and have the surgery that they recommend. They are in the business of you getting maximum use of your body for as long as possible. Old fractures often come back to haunt us as we age, and if they can fix it, do it!

We have an 80yr old patient who has had one ankle, both knees, both hips and one shoulder replaced. She is really mobile as a result, and because she can maintain mobility she is a good patient for further surgery (most recent op was only last year)

Osteomyelitis, osteochondritis, Osteonecrosis? The last two at least involve some degree of bone death.

@PragmaticWench

Would you be able to switch to learning to drive an automatic instead? That might help you when you're unable to walk far. Definitely think you need to be doing other exercise, swimming perhaps plus physio so that your muscles don't shrink. The problem with having a mobility issue on one side is that the other side compensates and you end up out of alignment.

Automatic cars still need you to press the brake pedal.

“I was learning to drive, but can't put my foot down on brake hard enough.”

Automatic cars can have hand controls fitted, so you push/pull to accelerate/brake and don't use feet or legs at all.

The comment about not getting back to normal can be taken with a grain of salt. I had a trimalleor leg fracture last year. I was told the same. At the time I had visions of limping in pain and suffering for the rest of my days.
In reality what it means is I’ve adjusted my life a bit and dont push things too much like doing long hikes. I do my stretches every day and am currently losing weight to give myself every advantage. Did it change me yes, can I live a normal life absolutely.