Ankle fusion surgery?

April 1, 2009 2:36 PM

Has anyone here ever had a surgery to fuse your ankle bones together because of osteoarthritis?

I've injured my ankle numerous times in the past, and have severe osteoarthritis in one of my ankles. The last time I went to the osteopath he gave me a cortisone shot (which was heaven for about a week) and said that the pain would continue and eventually I would need to have my ankle fused. I thought eventually would be in a couple of years, but the pain is back and it is excruciating. I was wondering if anyone here has had the surgery, and if it really helped? I'm 40, pretty overweight (the ankle isn't helping) and have somewhat of a clubfoot on the same side as my faulty joint. Thanks.

posted by kittyloop to health & fitness (3 comments total)

My mom had it done after a severe break that never healed correctly and resulting arthritis. It restricts the kind of shoes she can wear (no super high heels and no super flat shoes) because she can't flex to meet the angle of shoes on either end of the high-low spectrum, but I think overall she's been pretty happy with it.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 2:47 PM on April 1

My mum also had it done after a severe break from a fall that just wouldn't heal right. She can't run anymore (not that she ever did anyway), and yeah, she's restricted to shoe choice. She was also told to lose a bit of weight just to ease the pressure on the joint, she's only lost about half of what they recommended but found it helped all the same. In a general way, she's pretty happy with the result. I'm afraid I don't know if it would help your pain though.
posted by harriet vane at 10:47 PM on April 1

It's generally recommended that the patient wear a trial of a walking cast before fusion. This simulates the fusion and if the pain disappears, it can be expected to disappear with fusion. The fact that it disappeared after a cortisone shot is also a good indication that fusion would be effective.
posted by Brennus at 4:26 AM on April 2