Anyone have an ankle joint replacement?

[gsganzer]

I think this might be coming sooner rather than later. I had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor back in June about my ongoing battle with plantar fasciitis in my left heal and pain in my right ankle. He gave me some orthotics for the plantar fasciitis and a "to-do" list of stretching etc. My right ankle he diagnosed with arthritis from an old injury, gave me a brace and a "to-do" list of ankle exercises. Based on x-rays, he said I'll need an ankle joint replacement, but couldn't predict when.

Long story short, I'm just about completely hobbled right now. I'm finding almost no success with the plantar fasciitis, I can bear it and just keep going, but it isn't going away, and it isn't getting better.

The bigger issue is the ankle. I'm surprised at how bad it's become in such a short period, but I have been on my feet a lot lately. He said he could do some cortisone injections, but that just buys time. Unfortunately, between now and the end of the year, I'm really busy, so I guess I'll be calling him about these injections, because I can't keep walking on it.

What can I expect with an ankle joint? Can you still walk decently on rough ground? Work on your feet all day? I hear it's about an 8-week recovery, so I'd need to plan for that. Anything else of concern?

 

[jyoutz]

I think this might be coming sooner rather than later. I had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor back in June about my ongoing battle with plantar fasciitis in my left heal and pain in my right ankle. He gave me some orthotics for the plantar fasciitis and a "to-do" list of stretching etc. My right ankle he diagnosed with arthritis from an old injury, gave me a brace and a "to-do" list of ankle exercises. Based on x-rays, he said I'll need an ankle joint replacement, but couldn't predict when.

Long story short, I'm just about completely hobbled right now. I'm finding almost no success with the plantar fasciitis, I can bear it and just keep going, but it isn't going away, and it isn't getting better.

The bigger issue is the ankle. I'm surprised at how bad it's become in such a short period, but I have been on my feet a lot lately. He said he could do some cortisone injections, but that just buys time. Unfortunately, between now and the end of the year, I'm really busy, so I guess I'll be calling him about these injections, because I can't keep walking on it.

What can I expect with an ankle joint? Can you still walk decently on rough ground? Work on your feet all day? I hear it's about an 8-week recovery, so I'd need to plan for that. Anything else of concern?

I have recent experience with similar ailments, albeit not as bad. I had plantar fasciitis for 12 years and have been wearing custom orthotics. The orthotics helped but I was never free of that curse. A couple years ago a friend told me about a treatment that cured his condition. I searched for a physical therapist that was skilled in that treatment and had 12 sessions. My plantar fasciitis pain is gone, but I still use orthotics in my footwear. See the link for information about this treatment. It’s non-invasive but does hurt a bit during the initial sessions.

What is Astym treatment?

Astym therapy is available only from certified providers, who have undergone intensive training and testing. To find a certified provider see www.astym.com

astym.com

Last spring I had a tendon injury and bone bruise on an ankle. My podiatrist decided to try a noninvasive treatment first. He had me wear an air cast boot for 8 weeks. It was clumsy, but after 8 weeks of immobilization of the tendons, they are substantially better. I’m currently doing physical therapy weekly to strengthen the ankle. Mine is a tendon injury, so different than your joint situation, but it’s worth asking your doctor about. Good luck. These are debilitating conditions and not fun at all. Fortunately for me the ankle injury is on the left foot, so I was still able to drive with the boot.

 

[CalG]

The ankle is incredibly complicated. nearly like a wrist.

I can not even imagine a mechanical replacement. Parts of it perhaps....

 

[lman]

I knew somebody that injured their ankle in an accident and they wound up with an Ankle Fusion. It's been several years since I've seen her but she spent a lot of time in a chair at that time.

 

[BruceSH]

I talked to my wife's ortho surgeon a few months ago. When asked he said that ankle replacement surgery was his favorite (he does them all) as he gets the most positive feedback after patients rediscover their mobility after battling with a bad ankle for years. He also stressed, as did my ortho doc, that NO weight on that new joint for 6 months.

 

[newbury]

Good thread.
I looked down at my right ankle as it got crushed between a car bumper (that ran a stop sign) and my Suzuki 250 engine case. That was ~ May 1st, 1970. I was sure that was the end of that ankle.
Have not played the piano since.
Gave me a passable good 30 years, but always kept ankle braces handy.
40 plus years later it started failing more often. Seemed like every winter it would get overworked, requiring a few days rest.
Last few years I seem to get laid up for a few weeks where I need crutches to get around and the ankle is swollen to twice normal size.
Every time I get told they could do a rebuild but it may take 6 months. Now they are saying "or longer because you heal more slowly".
With my other obligations I'll just put up with crutches for years.

 

[EddieWalker]

No knowledge of anybody that has had that done. What I am familiar with is that there is a very large number of people that get knee replacements that fail because of the doctor doing the procedure. Just like in every field, there are those that are really good at what the do, a lot that are just average, and too many that are really bad. That challenge is finding the really good ones. What makes this so hard to do is that everyone recommends "their doctor" without knowing about any others. I'm fortunate that my wife is a nurse and a professor, and knows just about everyone at the different hospitals in my area. There is a massive difference in treatment from who you know, compared to just hoping for the best.

 

[JPRambo]

My wife also had her ankle broken (1971) during an car accident. After 4 or 5 surgeries a fusion. And a couple more operations. Andstill uses a cane t walk any distance..

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Following!
I sprained my ankle really bad snowboarding years ago. It bothers me sometimes with overuse, but it comes and goes. I am only 49 so I know I have a long way to go with this ankle before it is said and done. If there is any joint that I think I will need some surgical help with at some point it is that ankle. I hope you find a good solution.

 

[gsganzer]

I managed to get to the Dr today and got a cortisone shot in my ankle. Hopefully it helps.

Sunday. I have an appointment for some whizz-bang Thera-laser and piezowave treatment for the plantar fasciitis in my other foot. Fingers crossed for that as well.