ankle fusion

[Moonshine15]

Hi I’m just wondering if anyone has had an ankle fusion as I’m having one in a couple of weeks and I’m a bit nervous about how much mobility I will lose

[Madlegs1]

I imagine it will depend on what is being fused. There are an awful lot of bones in the ankle.

I will also be interested in the other answers, as I have to get a job done sometime.

Cheers.

[Charlie991812]

Complicated because of the unknown operation to be performed. I have had several operations for club feet but arthritis set in and there was talk of fixing the joint. In my ignorance, I thought it implied the ankle joint and I would end up dragging my foot for evermore.

Many years later ,pain increased beyond being bearable and proceeded with the operation, the bones fused were the cuneiform and the naviculore. I must say I do not feel any loss of mobility overall.

The real downside was being non weight bearing for four months and using crutches, even when fit I found them a struggle.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Charlie991812]

Yes- I understand that almost any foot surgery involves 4 to 6 months of restricted mobilty.

Looking at Moon boots and suchlike. Crutches etc.

So - a major decision!

[BonnieMagic]

No experience of an ankle fusion but have had big toe fusion which, by and large, has been successful. A friend has had ankle replacement surgery which has been amazingly successful. I’m guessing this is not an option for you? Good luck

[Blackknight1989]

I’ve had both ankles fused with “relatively” low loss of range of motion. I’m sure it depends on which bones they fuse but I’ve had mine fused twice and still have about 50% ROM. I will hazard a guess that a tib/fib to the talus fusion would limit motion severely but I don’t think those are done often maybe for that very reason. Anyway, my $.02 cents, doesn’t seem like much help but hope some insight from my experience. I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming procedure!