ankle fusion

[Guest guest]

" I was just wondering if anyone has

had their ankles fused or stapled to stabilize them.

I am thinking of having this done so I will not have

to wear afos. "

I just wanted to relay my story...

I had triple arthrodesis surgery on my right foot in

1995. That is surgery that fuses 3 bones in the foot

together, allowing the foot to move up and down, but

not side to side. Like someone else mentioned, the 3

in. screw that held the bone together was rejected and

began to back out about 3 years after the surgery, but

it took a while(almost 8 months of continuous pain) to

figure out that the screw was causing the severe pain

in my heel, before I had the surgery to take it out.

The fusion surgery was done so that I wouldn't have to

wear AFOs, and thus prolong my career in the operating

room. Generally I figure I had about 5 great years,

taking into account the screw problem, before

arthritis(I am 35 yrs old) in my one and only

remaining foot joint made me opt for the AFO afterall.

I was devastated as I believed that I would never

need an AFO for that foot at all, but the AFO has

worked out great, too. The AFO gave me another 2 good

years in my career, before my left foot decided to

follow the ways of the right one, and I applied for

disability and got an AFO for the left foot. I don't

believe my right foot could support me through the

recovery period from triple arthrodesis of the left

foot.

So I guess I'm saying there is a lot to consider. I

am glad I had the surgery on my right foot at the

time, as it lengthened my career, which I truly LOVED

doing. But it wasn't the miracle that ended all pain

and suffering forever. But then, too, I abused my

body to some extent with the type of work I was doing,

but I loved it and would never have left it any

earlier.

Sorry to complicate things, but when I found out I was

at the end of the line with this foot, I was really

upset and disappointed. And I wanted to put that out

there for consideration.

Best of luck in your decision.

Joyce

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