Hello to anyone reading this. Im 68 have an arthritic ankle which frankly I dont get any pain from, there is stiffness and im starting to limp, starting to get some slight burning sensations - cant run of course but Im told there is 5% cartilage left and consultant tells me it will get worse. I dont take any pain killers at the moment. He has suggested ankle replacement which I thought Great! Had visions of long walks and pain free life in the future. But Ive now after researching this operation - have discovered and read awful stories of continued pain and almost disability after people have had ankle replacement. Nerve pain and referred pain elsewhere. it sounds horrendous, Would anyone have made a different choice if they had known the outcome?? Would anyone have had a fusion instead and has anyone had fusion. What is the outcome of that? If anyon e can give me advise please let me hear from you. Many thanks.
Hi,
i am in the same boat as you and I have put off doing anything until I really have to. My surgeon has suggested fusion and the out come of replacement is very poor. For what it's worth I'm going for fusion based on all my research over the past two years. The ankle and the elbow have poor out comes after replacement
jim
Thanks for prompt reply - Yes, I have yet to read of a really good outcome of this operation, I am being recommended the Zenith TAR as its the latest I think. I wonder also if there is anyone that has had that particular implant.
Dbee
Hi - there is no evidence at all that replacement has worse outcomes than fusion (if anything whilst it may have a higher need to require further surgery the evidence so far shows slightly better outcomes for a more natural movement post surgery); I know this for certain because I have opted to be part of a national clinical trial that is researching just that - which outcomes may be better for which type of people. The trial is call TARVA (total ankle replacement vs arthrodesis) and their website has some good information and links on it http://anklearthritis.co.uk (they also have a twitter account).
I had my replacement done a couple of weeks ago having done a lot of research - even though the need for further surgery at some point is likely, I wanted to really give the replacement and lots of physio a go; ultimately if it doesn’t work you can still have a fusion I believe - but not the other way round. It’s very much an individual choice and I would urge you to find out as much as possible. I am 51, there is a guy also in the trial a little older than me who was the first patient and he has a blog about it which is great to read and he is having brilliant outcomes
One thing I would urge you to remember when reading about other people’s experiences is that people more naturally write about poor outcomes - or seek answers from others on social media sites (which I do think are helpful) when things aren’t going well for them. If you have had surgery and it’s all gone well there is usually less need or desire to talk to others about it. Whichever route you chose ankle surgery tends to have a fairly long recovery period and you rely do get the outcomes you work for - I know because i had very major surgery 30 years ago following an accident which took both my ‘ankle bones’ off - and eventually I gained 100% movement back and could still go running. Unfortunately the inevitable osteo arthritis has now caught up with me - but only after 30 very active years.
Good luck whatever you decide - I’ll try and follow your progress !
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Hi - I have sent you quite a long reply but because I put links in it I've just relaised it's gone off to be moderated - oops !
Thank you for your reply and info, I have to say I am very much in a quandry about this. Im not good with pain, at least I can put up with it for a short while but it seems TAR is a long haul. I have 2 grandchildren at the moment that I do a lot of child care with 4 yrs and 20mths. I couldnt possibly do it if I were to be in constant pain and in plaster for weeks on end. As you say people do write about the negative side but it would be so uplifting if a few people who have had a really good experience could write here about it too. Im thinking that at the moment Im not in pain - though my consultant did say better to do the replacement whilst the joint is still in a reasonable condition - I will delay it perhaps until children a little older. Can you tell me where you have had your op done and which TAR prosthesis
were you given. Ive been offered Zenith. Also how are you feeling now 2 weeks on.
Thank you Barb - I read your link with great interest and it showed me one thing especially - that I have not done nearly enough research. You also seem a very positive person - essential for what you are putting yourself through. Please keep up your blog as I will be following with interest on your progress.
Hello, I had inbone ankle replacement on October 8th of this year I am walking in my sneakers with out any ankle pain. This was the best thing I ever did. Un like you at this time I had so much pain I would grit my teeth every step I took. If you think of the worse took ach you could have that is what I felt with every step. I had great doctors and the day after the operation I had no pain at all not even from the operation. I have not taken one pain pill because of the operation. I had polio and I think I am the first polio victim that had this done. So far every thing is good
Hello, So so good to hear a good report at last. I am eager to get as much info as possible. I have learned that it is essential to find a good surgeon that has done this op many times as the skill of placement of the TAR is paramount to success. So my question if you dont mind to reply is where did you have it done, who was your surgeon and which prosthesis did he us for you. Its remarkable you did not have any pain??
HI dbee - I had total ankle replacement in July 2013. the estimation for feeling something like complete recovery was 12 months. I think it was 18 months before I felt like my ankle was strong again. With ankle replacement, you have to be careful for the rest of your life. Can't carry heavy weight, bounce on it, run, etc. It still gets sore once in awhile and swells occasionally, but I feel lucky considering how much pain I was having and walking was becoming difficult. I can walk for excercise, ride a bike, play with my dogs, etc. I think the most important thing you can do is find someone who's done A LOT of these surguries. I went to Dr. DeOrio at Duke in Durham, NC. I did a lot of research and his name kept popping up as someone who not only was a leader in replacing ankles, but had fixed some botched jobs by other doctors. He gave me the choice between fusion and replacement, but having an ankle that didn't have movement and the rest of your joints having to compensate resulting in future arthritis in those joints didn't sound like a good prospect to me. As someone else on this thread said, there will probably be future surgeries, but who knows what the future will bring. Today I can walk.
Hi, I had a wright medical inbone implant. I have to say the first time I went to the doctors they had 3 people from wright to talk to me and see the problems I was having. I had to get a ct scan and one of there people was there to make sure they were doing what they needed. They also had 3 of there best people at the operation one to assist the doctors and two to arrange every thing so the doctors did not have to wait for anything . They also had a mock up of my exact ankle that was made from a ct scan.if you go on there web site you can watch a video of the whole procedure. My doctors were Dr Feldman, Dr Mary Williamsand Dr Jean holwinski. I would highly recommend them. I have all there cell phones in case there was a problem. I have seen a lot of doctors in my lifetime having polio, there have been good ones and very bad ones I have to say these doctors are very good.i have X-ray pictures of my ankle with the implant if you would like to see them give me your e mail and I will send them .one thing that I was shocked at I never had to take pain medicine after the operation.hope this will give you a little info thanks joe
Hello than ks for replying. I find the prospect daunting and Im trying now to locate a surgeon that does have this experience. We have a specialist Horder hospital in orthopaedics but even their experienced surgeon has only done 3 ankle replacements in the last 12 months?? Does that constitute a high number, doesnt seem so to me. The recovery is a long time in view of the fact that I help out a lot with my grand children. But thanks again for advice
hello thanks again so much. I will check out the Wright implant where did you have the operation done, I know that one can get referrals to any hospital within reason, but for me the surgeon has to be a major consideration. I will look your Dr.~Feldman up and if you can Id be very interested to see you X-rays.
thanks.
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Hi , I had my operation done in Miami the hospital is in front of my doctors office. They took out your e mail address, my last name is sotanski and I use msn .com . Dr. Feldman is semi retired but has done user 100 implants he assists in the operations. I am very happy with them. I can get you his telephone number. I don't think they let you put numbers here.
Where are you based dbee - Britain ?
Oops - pressed too quickly ! I just wanted to also point out another thread on here about ankle replacement that was started about a year ago by 'ultraboxer' - but it's still very much live with new postings
I have never heard of anyone having an ankle replacement, I'm sorry. What I would say is that my mum has now had a hip replacement and more recently, a knee replacement. I really did not want her to have the knee replacement - as my husband said, it seems like putting a new piece of scaffolding in amongst rusty and broken pieces. She has "bones like lace" according to her doctors, so it seemed ridiculous to me for her go through that surgery. I frightened myself further by reading about other people's experiences of the surgery on line! Eeeek. Anyway, she decided to go ahead and the operation and recovery were nowhere near as bad as I had read. She did seem much improved for a few years but not enough to walk for long distances. However, four years on, she is now almost wheelchair bound. The operations actually can shorten the limb so she limps about when she does have the ability to walk (her leg starts to burn after a very short distance). She has lost feeling in her foot and lower leg, also. I don't think she regrets the op as she thinks she would be worse if she hadn't had it and who knows, she may be right.
Good luck with your decision.
Yes based in South of England Hastings
Hello thanks, but Im based in the UK we do have many good surgeons here - just need to find a good one.
thank you for replying, I am considering all possibilities now.