Any of you guys hunting on a fused ankle joint?

[CrimsonArrow]

Hey guys, I read over ColoradoCowboys thread for a while, but didn't find the info I'm looking for, so I thought a new thread might get some good info. I shattered my left ankle on Monday, and the prospect of rebuilding the joint is very grim. There's just not enough bone or cartilage left to rebuild with, and the odds of having a painful joint that needs fusing later are very high. I've pretty much accepted the fact that the ankle needs to be fused. I am 40, in pretty good shape, highly motivated towards hunting, and have 2 sons (11 and 8) that are my hunting partners. How badly do you think this will affect my mobility? Obviously, it will slow me down, but some of you guys must be living with a similar situation, and can give me a little insight. I hope to be able to continue elk hunting every few years and still pursue whitetail locally. Give it to me straight, guys. What do you think?

 

[ssliger]

I was told by my ortho doc that there have been some great advancements with replacement ankles. Why fuse instead of a replacement?


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[Colorado Cowboy]

Sorry I havn't posted for awhile, but I'll give you my prospective, keep in mind I am 73, along way from my 40's!

I have had a totally worn out ankle that I have put up with for years. Got so bad that I HAD to something about it, as I could barely walk. Had a cleanup surgery done a year ago that did no good. My Dr told me I had basically 3 choices: Live with it the way it was, fuse it or total joint replacement. First was no choice. Fusing really limits your mobility as you have no up, down or lateral movement of the joint. So it really was no choice for me...got the new ankle 10 weeks ago.

I am really surprised at how fast my recovery is at this point. The first 4 weeks, no weight on ankle at all. The next 2 weeks in special boot and could walk on it. Now total weight bearing and doing PT. Very little swelling and a minimum amount of pain, usually only after PT.(remember...no pain, no gain). I have very good joint mobility , so says my Therapist. A lot faster than he expected. Am doing a mile walk when the weather is good enough.

I expect to be back in the gym in February and back out hiking by this Spring.

Replacement ankles and not as prevalent as knees & hips. I talked to my family Dr and a hunting friend who is a foot specialist. I picked a local, young Dr. and am very satisfied. He told me if the replacement joint didn't work, he could fuse it later. If I had it to do over, I would not do anything different. If you have any personal questions, PM me.

I forgot to add one thing. Doc told me replacement ankle might not last as long as hips or knees, but technology is steadily improving.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

It's been busy the last couple days and I haven't had a chance to get on here until now. Thanks for the replies. My ortho doc thinks I'm too young for a replacement ankle given the short lifespan of an artificial joint. That being said, I will be asking her about the possibility of replacement sometime down the road. As technology gets better and I get older, perhaps it will become more feasible.

 

[dead river]

Crimson,
Keep us posted on how it goes if you dont mind. I am in a similar situation. I crushed everything in my ankle under a 16" log when i was 18 working on a logging crew. It jumped the stump, came back at me, i got out of the way but it pinned my pinned my ankle under the end of the log before the top hit the ground and raised the but of the log letting me jerk my leg out. I completely tear all kinds of stuff in there every few years when i am doing something like a hike. I just did it again on Oct. 31, another chip broken off the lateral maleolis and now floating in the tendon/joint complex. The ortho does a shot or two a year but you cant use cortisone in the ankle more than about 2 times a year. The fuse option has never been brought up to me, though my wife is OR nurse and has seen all kinds of ankle surgery and has mentioned to me there are options. 23 years later and i live with a lot of discomfort on a daily basis but i have not let it stop me from doing what i want to do. My concern is what it will keep me from doing in the next 30 years.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I would strongly suggest a 2nd opinion before you do anything.

There is another consideration too. There are 2 different types of Drs that work on ankles/feet. Orthopedic Surgeons (who must be foot/ankle specialists IMHO) and surgical Podiatrists. I talked to my Ortho Dr. (who did my knee) about this situation. Naturally they each thing they are the best. Iasked for lots of references and ended up with a Podiatrist who specializes in replacement ankles. I am not sorry. Before you make your final decision, do some research. As I understand it, fusing is permanent. I could be wrong, but this is what I remember being told.

 

[CrimsonArrow]

Just a little update. I'll be having at least one surgery this week, to fuse the shattered right heel. If swelling in the left ankle is manageable, they will also fuse the ankle. I've discussed my options with the orthopedic surgeon and there's just not enough bone left intact to even attempt a joint replacement. The only other viable option is to amputate and wear a prosthetic, which I would strongly consider doing if I find my mobility is greatly diminished after the recovery period. I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[dead river]

Dang that is a heck of thought....to have to voluntarily go to a prosthetic. It is a statement about how far they have come that it could be the better option down the road.

Good luck with a functional recovery!

 

[CrimsonArrow]

With spring in the air, I thought I'd send out an update in case any of you like looking at x-rays of twisted, disfigured limbs. Obviously, these are post surgery, the first being my right heel, and the second being my left ankle as viewed from my toes. The guy who runs the crematorium will get a little surprise when they grind up my ashes someday. Two weeks ago, I got a knee scooter for my left leg, and have been on that, kicking myself along with my right foot. I've got what is hopefully my final appointment on April 16, and if the CT scan looks good, I can start putting weight on the left. Our turkey season opens April 15, so odds are I'll overdue it the first week trying to get my boys on some turkeys. If recovery goes well, I'll be coming out your way for archery elk in the fall of 2016.

 

[micropterus79]

Dang Crimson. You smashed er pretty good. Really hoping for a swift and full recovery for your turkey season!

 

[ivorytip]

good luck man!