November 1, 2016
One of the questions I get asked most often from patients with severe ankle arthritis is “will I be able to do sports after a fusion?”. Many are surprised when I say that they should be able to. An ankle fusion is an excellent operation with regards to pain relief and improvement in function.
You don’t have to take my word for it, here is what a patient of mine has to say about his bilateral ankle fusions.
My New Ankle Joints!
By mid 2014 my ankle joints on both feet had become severely damaged by arthritis after a lifetime of playing sports such as running, football, squash and tennis. The ankle bones had grown grotesquely out of shape to compensate for the arthritic damage.
On consultation, Mr Malik recommended ankle fusions on both feet. In October 2014 I underwent the first procedure on my right ankle and after eight weeks of non-weight bearing, and rigorously following his recuperation instructions, I moved on to an air cast boot for four weeks duration. Three months after the operation I was walking normally again without assistance.
A month later in February 2015, I underwent the same procedure for the other ankle. In many ways, the recuperation period was harder with this one, as there could be a tendency to cut corners. The temptation resisted, I subsequently proceeded to undergo physiotherapy under a professional recommended by Mr Malik, and commenced swimming and then low impact activity like cycling. By August 2015, I was playing tennis again and by October, 2015 exactly a year after the first operation, I felt I was back to my best. 12 months later, I get no pains or aches from either ankle and at the age of 58 I am playing the best tennis of my life, with absolutely no restriction to my movements.
I would highly recommend Mr Malik, and the ankle fusion procedure he conducted on me, but I really would really like to emphasise the importance of following to the letter his post operation instructions.
Warren Lomax November 2016
Playing tennis after having both ankles fused
If you have an ankle injury, and would like to have a consultation with our orthopaedic surgeon, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can book an appointment online, or you can call us at 0203 7956053.
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Hi, I have an ankle replacement for 13 years... No pain relief, no sports, no movement, and now I am waiting for ankle fusion... The ankle has a lot of movement in many directions, ankle replacements are not able to satisfy these movements... If you want to be still active in sports or movement fusion is a better and less painful option...
I'm a Tennis Professional. I still love coaching, and competing at a national level, but I have a very severe arthritic, bone on bone ankle. I'm considering ankle fusion, but it scares me. I have discovered another procedure by the name of Ankle Distraction. I'm fit and wish to still play singles someday soon. will fusion allow me to play ?
Hi, I had Ankle Fusion 5 years ago have no pain followed my doctors instructions to a tee and remember to be patient I play softball, golf, jog, basketball and I am 59
I’m a patient who had both ankles fused and I’ve played sports all my life from football, basketball, and tennis. I’ve followed the proper recovery process and both ankles fused successfully. The CONS to playing sports is I can’t run, pivot, stop/go, redirect, balance issues, transfer body weight, or be competitive. However, with self-determination, understand what you can do versus can’t do, keep an open mental mind which is the hardest, and try not to over compensate. I play tennis today at 63yrs. old and enjoy the all-around exercise it provides but the physical competitiveness takes a serious beating, mentally. If you played sports all of your life fused ankle joints won’t restrict you as much you think? Good luck!!!
Orthopaedic Outpatient Department 30 Devonshire Street, London, W1G 6PU
tel: +44 (0) 203 7956053
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info@lfaclinic.co.uk
