Posts
1078
Joined
4/20/2010
Location
Temecula, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
10/10/2016 4:21pm
Good morning guys.
I know that there have been several threads on the topic of ankle fusion, but seeing as how some of you may have had the surgery recently, I thought I would start a new one.
After 10 years of living with chronic ankle pain and having multiple "specialist" tell me to put some ice on it and take advil, I got an appointment at the Foot & Ankle institute yesterday.
The doctor spent an hour and a half with me yesterday and took X-rays from every possible angle, and what it came down to is my left ankle is completely shot. No cartilage anywhere in the ankle joint, all of the bones in the joint are rubbing together and deteriorating, bone fragments floating everywhere, etc etc.
He said with a custom brace my ankle may be able to last a few years, but the fact is that I am going to need a fusion.
The fusion is on my shifting foot, and I wanted to see if any of you guys have had the surgery, and how it affects it your riding.
Granted, my riding ability isn't my main concern with all of this. The ability to get out of bed everyday and take my daughter to the park without having to sit after 5 minutes outweighs not being able to shift worth a shit....but I just gotta know how difficult grabbing gears is going to be without being able to bend my ankle at all.
Thanks guys,
Moscrop
I know that there have been several threads on the topic of ankle fusion, but seeing as how some of you may have had the surgery recently, I thought I would start a new one.
After 10 years of living with chronic ankle pain and having multiple "specialist" tell me to put some ice on it and take advil, I got an appointment at the Foot & Ankle institute yesterday.
The doctor spent an hour and a half with me yesterday and took X-rays from every possible angle, and what it came down to is my left ankle is completely shot. No cartilage anywhere in the ankle joint, all of the bones in the joint are rubbing together and deteriorating, bone fragments floating everywhere, etc etc.
He said with a custom brace my ankle may be able to last a few years, but the fact is that I am going to need a fusion.
The fusion is on my shifting foot, and I wanted to see if any of you guys have had the surgery, and how it affects it your riding.
Granted, my riding ability isn't my main concern with all of this. The ability to get out of bed everyday and take my daughter to the park without having to sit after 5 minutes outweighs not being able to shift worth a shit....but I just gotta know how difficult grabbing gears is going to be without being able to bend my ankle at all.
Thanks guys,
Moscrop
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007254.htm
http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Total-Ankle-Arthroplas…
The Shop
Not sure if the issues were because of the heels or the fused ankles.
In 2009 I was able to run 5 miles (3 days a week) but had to spend a few hours every night with my feet wrapped in ice. But having fused ankles never affected my ability to run or shift gears.
My whole thought it I might as well get it fused, because I can't see it being any worse than it is right now....and god forbid my ankle is worse off for having it fused, Ill chop off the SOB myself.
The knee replacements seem to be far more stable and secure than ankle replacements at the moment. The specialist I saw yesterday told me that while I could have an ankle replacement, but there would be no more physical activity....even my Monday night softball games would be a big no-no.
I will be getting second and third opinions of course, but everything I have heard/read/seen on ankle replacements all points to them being meant for people over 65 and don't lead a physical lifestyle.
Its great to hear that you were still able to live a physically active lifestyle. My biggest fear is not being able to keep up with my daughter after the surgery, but then again, I can't keep up with her as I am now with a shitty ankle...
Your story sounds very familiar. I had my left ankle fused few years back, after spending years (injured it in 2002) with all the pain from shattering my ankle and tib/fib. I had only the upper ankle joint fused, so there is some movement, but the doctor said that in about ten years the lower joint needs to be fused as well.
About riding with it, of course it isn't as good as it is with healthy ankle, but it's possible. I've been riding since i had it fused, but i have become a bit lazy in changing gears and i'm currently riding 250F. So lots of rev limiter abusing!
But thinking about normal life, i am 100% happy with the result! All the pain from getting out of bed in the morning and days when you need to walk a lot etc are gone. Also all the lower back and hip pain went away cause i can walk normally without pain, and custom insoles further helped the case. I can't run with it, so everything including running has been out of question for me at least. I've been playing hockey a bit though, so that's somewhat doable.
Hopefully this "user recommendation" is helpful! And good luck!
I myself just wasted 5 years with achillies pain and not particpating in my 3 boys early childhood.
Just now i had surgery and cant wait to participate in their lives.
Good luck.
Two docs said fusion only thing that will make me pain free but then I also have screws and plate stuck in my foot forever ( I had bunch pins in it when I broke it that were all removed ).
Anyone had a foot fusion done ? I've tried going to chiropractor to loosen it up which he got it more loose but didn't really do shit for the pain and ache.
I will have to have a full fusion, but after spending almost every waking minute researching after I got the news, I feel a lot better about the situation.
Ill just have to learn how to keep the shifting to a minimum, which will be tough! ha! But if thats the biggest issue I have out of all of this, I will be ecstatic.
Thanks again man!
After surgery maybe you can give this technique a try. Good luck with the surgery.
Pit Row
Thanks for you input and words. Really do appreciate it!
I'm now pain free and can do most things except run long distances. I play golf, ride mountain bikes and ride moto although no racing anymore. No one notices a limp or anything.
Being my right leg is probably easier to adapt than the shifting foot but I reckon it wouldn't take long to get used to changing gears.
I wouldn't hesitate to get it fused even if you don't plan on riding for a while it will greatly improve your quality of life. I was like you in pain every day so know what it's like battling away all day.
Also don't bother with a replacement, they are for non active people and won't last for you.
Any questions just ask, here's a link to a few videos of my ankle https://youtu.be/tXTSV_Z2udg
Good luck with your surgery! When you're ready to come back try these, work great with fused ankles
Glad to hear Mikey is on the mend, ready to see him kill it in 17!!
Hope all is well sir, say hello to everyone for me
Glad to hear you are living a healthy/normal lifestyle after the procedure...gives me a lot of confidence heading into my surgery!
6 months or so ago Jody at MXA mentioned a regular REM guy getting used to racing again with an ankle fusion. I might see if I can find him at a REM race.
Post a reply to: Left ankle fusion **Post surgery W/photos**