ANKLE FUSION??

[Blackwater 53393]

In the never ending saga of my foot injury and subsequent problems, I have been advised that fusion surgery may be necessary.

 

BELIEVE ME!!  I’ve been through enough surgery to have created Frankenstein’s monster, but if this will finally get me back on my feet for good, I reckon I can go through another one.

 

If any of ya’s have had the surgery or been involved with someone else who has, I would like to hear about it!

 

Something short, go ahead and put it here.  If there’s a lot to tell, send me a PM!

 

Thanks in advance!!

[Rip Snorter]

Man, you just have the worst luck!  Best wishes for a real solution this time!

[Blackwater 53393]

8 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

Man, you just have the worst luck!  Best wishes for a real solution this time!

I probably should have done this when they did surgery early last year.  We had tried to avoid this, but I guess it’s the logical next step!

[Rip Snorter]

Gotta do what ya gotta do!   When I can't walk, I'll have to get the knees replaced.  So far I'm making it.

[watab kid]

sorry to hear this , but as said above if it gets you back on your feet , probably worth it , ill keep you in my prayers for speedy recovery , 

[Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L]

I basically tore my foot off in a M/C accident in 1976 (only hanging by skin). After a few attempts to save the mobility of the ankle, (including an artificial joint), it finally had to be fused in 1978. Because of the artificial joint being removed, my left leg was now an inch shorter so I have to contend with that with orthopedic shoes being built up. 

 

Also, the ankle was not fused at the proper angle so the weight goes to the outside of my foot which causes a callus to form behind the little toe that, in turn, causes bruising on the bone. I have to keep that callus filed down to prevent the bruising. In the past, I had an orthopedic device that I could wear in my shoe to keep the callus from forming. It was a small lift in the inside of the foot where the callus would form. 

 

I have to watch where I walk carefully so that I don't step on something that will throw me off balance as I do a lot of walking off the beaten track.

 

Also, I can't run!

 

PM me if you have any questions.

[Eyesa Horg]

Our hearts and thoughts are with you BW. Having thought about your options for a while, I support the surgery and 12 more grumpy weeks. You've made it this far and long, and for 3 more months,you can do it. Effin scooter anyway. The not being able to drive and getting another pressure sore just doesn't seem an option . Hang in there buddy. 🙏

EH

[John Kloehr]

Trust your heart before your doctors, but it may be the right next step to getting functional. I have a tiny broken part of a bone in my foot I have had since I was a young adult. When it moves wrong, I almost go down. To date, any suggested fix is worse than the problem. I've been living with it for a long time.

 

But if I could not do the things I love, I would do what got me the best compromise. The twang I get now is certainly not good when it happens.

 

Prayers up for your future accomplishments.

[Blackwater 53393]

2 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

Trust your heart before your doctors, but it may be the right next step to getting functional. I have a tiny broken part of a bone in my foot I have had since I was a young adult. When it moves wrong, I almost go down. To date, any suggested fix is worse than the problem. I've been living with it for a long time.

 

But if I could not do the things I love, I would do what got me the best compromise. The twang I get now is certainly not good when it happens.

 

Prayers up for your future accomplishments.

Yeah! I have broken bones in my instep on the other foot.  Pains me now and then, but it was going to be several months of not being able to even put my foot on the floor after surgery to repair it.

 

Having been up and down for so long and in and out of hospitals so many times, I am tossed between not willing to go through any more surgery and rehab and “What the hell! It’s just one more time!”

 

One of my biggest concerns is infection! I’ve nearly died more than once from MRSA infection and I already have lots of metal in places where it would be better if it wasn’t there, and MRSA  tends to flourish where there’s metal!

 

 I’m going to talk to my infections doctor and then the ortho that my foot doctor recommended in the next day or so.

 

In all honesty, I will probably go the surgery route.  But I’d like to hear from a few more people who have had it done or have close experience with someone who has before making a final decision.

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

Wish you the best for life and mobility even if that means no longer riding motorcycles or driving stick shifts which you have already had a lifetime of enjoyment doing.

[Blackwater 53393]

10 minutes ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

Wish you the best for life and mobility even if that means no longer riding motorcycles or driving stick shifts which you have already had a lifetime of enjoyment doing.

 

Thanks!!  

 

It WOULD  be a sadder world for me if I had to quit those things!  More than sixty years of something would be difficult to walk away from.  

Walk being the key word…

[Pat Riot]

4 hours ago, Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L said:

I basically tore my foot off in a M/C accident in 1976 (only hanging by skin). After a few attempts to save the mobility of the ankle, (including an artificial joint), it finally had to be fused in 1978. Because of the artificial joint being removed, my left leg was now an inch shorter so I have to contend with that with orthopedic shoes being built up. 

 

Also, the ankle was not fused at the proper angle so the weight goes to the outside of my foot which causes a callus to form behind the little toe that, in turn, causes bruising on the bone. I have to keep that callus filed down to prevent the bruising. In the past, I had an orthopedic device that I could wear in my shoe to keep the callus from forming. It was a small lift in the inside of the foot where the callus would form. 

 

I have to watch where I walk carefully so that I don't step on something that will throw me off balance as I do a lot of walking off the beaten track.

 

Also, I can't run!

 

PM me if you have any questions.

Is that why you always hike with a buddy and carry a pocket .22?

[Pat Riot]

I’m sorry to hear you may have another surgery Blackwater. 

I have no experience with ankle fusion. I wish I could give you good advice in that regard. 

[Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L]

52 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

Is that why you always hike with a buddy and carry a pocket .22?

 

No. But I tell my wife (who is afraid of bears and mountain lions) that she is safe when we hike together as she can outrun me! 

[Yazoo City Gal]

Blackwater, ankle fusion is on my bucket list.  I avoid rough terrain and prefer smooth ground.  The healing process (elevated foot) and non-weight bearing period would make me crazy, but you have been nothing but graceful and patient with your foot healing.  I know you have excellent care and pray a plan is developed soon!

 

[Blackwater 53393]

47 minutes ago, Yazoo City Gal said:

Blackwater, ankle fusion is on my bucket list.  I avoid rough terrain and prefer smooth ground.  The healing process (elevated foot) and non-weight bearing period would make me crazy, but you have been nothing but graceful and patient with your foot healing.  I know you have excellent care and pray a plan is developed soon!

 

WELLLLL! I DO  have lots of experience with sitting around with my feet propped up!!  You COULD say I have that mastered!!

 

My problem is that my patience is wearing VERY VERY thin and my sanity,  (which has always been in question) is becoming more threatened with every passing moment!!  🤪

[Eyesa Horg]

As I said back near the top of this thread, hang in there BW, you can do this. I believe it will be worth it if they give you good odds of success with the fusion. Not being able to play with your toys would really bite.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

51 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

WELLLLL! I DO  have lots of experience with sitting around with my feet propped up!!  You COULD say I have that mastered!!

 

My problem is that my patience is wearing VERY VERY thin and my sanity,  (which has always been in question) is becoming more threatened with every passing moment!!  🤪

Have you earned a black belt in sitting around?  

 

I don't have the seriousness with my feet and legs that some of y'all have, but I have walking problems of my own.  After I got a black belt in falling down I started working on one for sitting around.

 

 

[Blackwater 53393]

1 hour ago, Forty Rod SASS 3935 said:

Have you earned a black belt in sitting around?  

 

I don't have the seriousness with my feet and legs that some of y'all have, but I have walking problems of my own.  After I got a black belt in falling down I started working on one for sitting around.

 

 

 

A 32nd degree Black Belt in sitting around!!  People from every corner of the earth come to me to learn the techniques!💪

 

I have a second specialty in recline and notoriety for my napping skills!! 😜

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

I am assuming that a replacement ankle is out of the question? I have had one for 11 years and it has solved my problem. I have a sister who has a fused ankle and she is in  a wheel chair a lot. Good luck on whatever they do .

[Blackwater 53393]

13 minutes ago, Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life said:

I am assuming that a replacement ankle is out of the question? I have had one for 11 years and it has solved my problem. I have a sister who has a fused ankle and she is in  a wheel chair a lot. Good luck on whatever they do .

The ankle structure is not the problem. I have partial paralysis that lets my foot roll outward. This, coupled with the added problems with “foot drop” and the removal of several bones in my foot are causing me to develop pressure sores where the remaining bone is prominent on the outside of my foot.

 

Corrective bracing has, to this point, been unsatisfactory and or counter productive.

[Blackwater 53393]

I SHOULD add that my mom had an ankle fused over fifty years ago. It gave her problems with allergies because she developed an allergy to the metal screws used in her procedure.  Otherwise, it probably allowed her to have a pretty full life so far.

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

Best wishes for a successful outcome. 

[Sedalia Dave]

Older lady in church has a fused ankle.  No running and she has to be extra careful where she walks as her balance is easily upset. 

 

 

[Blackwater 53393]

One of the more humorous aspects in this seemingly endless ordeal is that I am left footed!!  My balance and coordination are both based on how I move off of my left foot!

 

There have been several painful moments that now bring much laughter when I think about or tell about them!

 

*The Postal Service is still considering civil suit from where my head hit the concrete in front of the local Post Office! I claim that that concrete was already cracked, but they think otherwise! 😜🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

*as ol’ Widder says, “Ya’ can’t make this stuff up!” 🙄

[Blackwater 53393]

I’m going to run this back to the top to see if anyone else has anything to add.

 

I’m seeing a sports medicine orthopedist on the 31st of this month.  He’s one of the ones that treats players from the Titans and Predators and the college athletes here in town.

 

I’m leaning toward getting it done, but I would like to hear more of what y’all have to allow before I make a final decision.

 

Thanks again for what’s been offered and in advance for anything else you have to add!

[Rip Snorter]

Not as serious, just knee work after a cheap shot  a very long time ago.  The orthopod I had was known to Dad, also a Doc.  He covered a couple of major sports  franchises and a dance / theater venue.  His usual patients were different, well above the norm.  At that point, I was close, young, fit but not quite at that level. You've been 'round the block more than once, discuss outcomes & expectations.  Best of luck!