Hi @mikween, thank you for the update. I'm glad the doctor was able to help you. I'm not sure about the DMSO for foot cream. It may help with pain but won't do anything for the numbness. I haven't tried it but have most all of the others before I saw a neurologist who told me there are no topicals that help with the numbness.

Hoping you have a pain free day.

John

Hello @mikween, I actually fused my left ankle December 2015 because of end-stage arthritis. My ankle joint was so arthritic the bones were basically breaking apart and essentially fusing themselves anyways.

If I can be honest, it's the hardest thing I've ever had to endure. I've also had my right knee replaced and that was easier in comparison. It was hard because it is a LONG recovery. There is a lot of waiting because you have to let the bones solidify (fuse) which means months of non-weight bearing. I'm an active person, so the laying around with limited activity was really hard for me to mentally handle.

However, I can now say that it was the right choice for me. My ankle was so bad that there were days I could not walk, times when my ankle would randomly give out, or times when it would lock so bad I'd have to "loosen" it with my hands by basically snapping it loose. Now, the ankle is pain free and my left leg has become my stable leg again that takes some of the pressure off of my right ankle (also end-stage) and right knee. I can walk much further, and aside from the occasional annoyance of not being able to move it when you think about it, it has been worth it.

Please feel free to ask me more questions about ankle fusion, I have more to share if you have specific questions.

HI @justinmMcClanahan, so I do have some questions. So you cannot move that ankle at all anymore right? I told my Pain Doctor about the surgery the foot doctor recommonded, and he told me in the long run I would be in more pain because my feet would be stuck in that upper position at all times. So, my foot doctor told me it would be like just not having to wear my braces. Which at that point sounded wonderful. But the more I think about it I do not know. I mean did not really talk that much to the foot doctor about it that day because I went to see him for my neurupathy. Anyway my Foot Doctor recommonded the Tendon Transfer. But, I think I have waited to late to have that done. I am going to get another EMG on the 25th and send it to this doc. I have been working with in NJ. The latest EMG he had was back from 2013. And I think he told me at that point he could have done something. But as the Foot Doctor told me the Tendons could break over time. Shit, pardon my language I do not know what tondo at this point. Oh yeah, in the meantime I ask the doctor in NJ if there was anything they could do for my neuropathy? And I get this e-mail from his assistant saying that she has GREAT NEWS they can fix my neuropathy an already has a surgery date set up for me asking me if that date would work? Not even telling me anything about the procedure. So. I told her why don't we wait until we get the EMG back and see if he can do anything about my foot drop. Geez... I could not believe she already had everything all set up. This was before I found the foot doctor in San Antanio,TX. Anyway the downside of NJ, is that I live in TX. I wish your fusion would have been done on your feet, so you could tell me more about that. So, how is the ankle does hurt? And you cannot move it all? Correct? Sorry for the long e-mail. Perhaps we could exchange phone numbers. Thanks for all of your help.

@mikween, the ankle itself does not move, however, your foot bones do allow for some movement. My physicians and surgeon at Mayo Clinic did not warn about foot pain in the future. But, as with any procedure you have to weigh the benefits to risks. For me, my ankle was so arthritic, breaking apart, and painful that I did not really even have a choice. It was don't walk at all, or fuse and get some relief.

I am more active now because the pain in my left ankle has pretty much been eliminated. There are some side effects however, like my left achilles tendon does tend to get sore when I over do it. I think this is a result of not being able to move my ankle joint, so the tendon gets stiff from not being stretched and if I overdo it or do happen to stretch it a little bit, it will get sore.

As always, work with your physicians to make the best choice. Mine told me from the beginning that fusion was going to be the end result, but to wait as long as possible until the pain becomes so great so that when you make the decision you are ready. Benefits: pain all but eliminated, more active again, created a stable leg to take the pressure off of my right side. Drawbacks: very little to no range-of-motion, can't really jog or run, very long recovery time, and you can't jump on a trampoline anymore in case you were wondering.

I am back to cycling, lifting weights (assisted machine squats, deadlifts, hipsleds), and walking greater distances because of my fusion. It was the right choice for me, but you have to work with your physicians and medical providers to make sure it is the right decision for you. Weigh the risks and benefits. I held out as long as I could, but I do not regret my decision. I wish you the best mikween, it is not an easy decision to make, just make sure you have plenty of questions as the ready for your upcoming appointment! Let the community know what you find out!

Hi @JustinMcClanahan, thanks for all of the info.