Ankle fusion. Can anyone share their experience please?

[BringmeGin]

Hi. I have been advised I may need ankle fusion surgery for an arthritic ankle following a nasty break when I was 17, (27 years ago). Has anyone had this done who could share their experience with me please? I'm concerned about how I will walk afterwards and if it will affect other joints as I'm hyper mobile and already have permanent left hip pain from limping all the time. Thanks in advance x

[BringmeGin]

No yoga though! 😭😭😭😭

[IdaBlankenship]

@bringmegin I'm not saying no yoga ever, but realistically some positions are impossible. You can do modifications (I use cushions and blocks) if you know what you are doing. It's just harder and you lose the flow as you have to keep repositioning things.
I do alot of pilates and again, I have just modified some positions and work around the ankle.
Again, you can fire the calf muscle with one of those electric impulse thingys and actually I know someone else who had an ankle fusion who was offered a cosmetic calf implant, so that could be an option.
You can be as mobile as you like and obviously the more mobile you are the better - you just have to be conscious of making sure you are not compensating by overusing the good leg.

Walking up and down inclines is hard too, but if you walk alot, you could use a nordic walking pole.

[BringmeGin]

Well, injection went well and 4 days later and the pain has about 90% improved! I was a bit disheartened yesterday when it had improved but I still had some sharp pains but it's better again today. It does feel like I could possibly do with one in the back (this one went in the front) as well maybe but time will tell. It's getting better by the day atm. Almost no pain today, about 6 stabs all day and they were less severe! I do hope it lasts a decent while, I could get used to this! I feel I almost forgot about it a couple times today and walked without fear! 😁.
Hadn't thought about the impact of fusion on the calf muscle Ida! Another reason to put it off if I can!

[IdaBlankenship]

I had injections before the fusion, but each time the effects lasted less time, the third one only lasted 2 weeks, so that's when I made the call to fuse. You'll know when the time is right for you.

[BringmeGin]

How long did the first injection last Ida? If you don't mind me asking?

[BringmeGin]

Well that didn't last long, although I have moved house which I don't think helped! Was almost pain free for about a month, then I moved house last week and by the end of the week was using a crutch again. Have now rested it for a couple of days but random stabbing pains on weight bearing appear to be back.
I don't know if the steroid has worn off or if it just masked the pain enabling me to do more damage!
If it doesn't improve my surgeon won't be prepared to do another one as when I saw him last (just under a month after the injection) it was great! He said he would do more if this one lasted upward of 6 months but wouldn't be worth it if not and we'd have to look at something more permanent. By that I'm pretty sure he means fusion which I wasn't quite ready for yet! Anyway, just an update for anyone still following x hope u all are well x