Fused ankle/fins?

[gypsyjim]

I just got back from the Orthopedic, at noon, and I have a big deciscion to make. The doc says I'm way past due to have my ankle fused, but he just rolled his eyes when I asked about diving and martial arts.

Do I do the fusion, or find a way to deal with the pain, which has become increasingly difficult to do? Doesn't impact diving very much yet, just walking, but the martial arts is getting too painful much of the time. Fusion will mean no flexibility at all, and they can't fuse it slightly extended as I was hoping, to accomodate fins, and the ball of foot motion that much of the martial arts requires.

Do they even make a fin that works with the ankle fused at 90%? The ones I use already have a signifacnt angle, which is why I have them. To overcome a nearly fused ankle. Total fusion seems like a huge step. Ankle replace ment is not an option. It's down to pain or fusion they tell me.

Any suggestions, either pro or con the surgery and it's impact on diving, or fin suggestions?
I told the doctor I had to think a while before deciding, but if I'm going to do it, it's going to be now, in time to be back in the water come spring, one way or another!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

You're probably well aware of all of the non-surgical options out there for treating ankle arthritis -- anti-inflammatory meds, cortisone injections, footwear changes, etc. -- but it sounds like the pain has become intolerable.

It may be possible to change your kicks a little to accommodate a permanently stiff ankle (due to the fusion procedure). I'm guessing that split fins would probably place less stress on the ankle joint. The Tusa Xpert Zooms are splits that have a little angle to them.

Your orthopedic surgeon would probably shoot me for this suggestion, but have you considered purchasing a nice scooter? It might solve some of your locomotion issues, provided that your scooter buddy is aware of your limited finning mobility. Safety first, you know.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

 

[gypsyjim]

Thanks.
It's really not the arthritis, that's more a result. There is simply no "ball and socket" to the joint. Never has been since birth, and then they botched a repair attempt 40 years ago, but the wear and tear has gotten worse as the years go by. I haven't done a good job of babying it either. Ankle replacement is not suggested for me, as both, there is little there to work with, and I am not a candidate anyway, because I am too "active", and would destroy the fragile contraption.

Extensive therapy and possibly some form of pain management would seem preferable to fusion, but the Orthopedic Surgeon was very discouraging, and he was my "second opinion". I started this process trying to regain mobility that the pain has been threatening in recent months, but in the end pain may be preferable to fusion, at least as I see it.

I did discover that split fins do have more of an angle, and that does help, but am concerned that "locking" the foot at 90% would make good propulsion much more difficult.

I will not decide till I have done more research. I thought that opening up the discussion to a larger group of minds might allow me to use collective wisdom to look at alternatives.

Again, thanks for your suggestions, Jim

 

[Cave Diver]

Any suggestions, either pro or con the surgery and it's impact on diving, or fin suggestions?
I told the doctor I had to think a while before deciding, but if I'm going to do it, it's going to be now, in time to be back in the water come spring, one way or another!

Buy a scooter and tell your wife (if you're married) it's a medical necessity.

 

[AfterDark]

Sounds like your between a rock and a hard place. Having done an entire dive with one fin, a 3rd diver forget their fins so my buddy and I each kicked in fin so the newbie could dive. It ain't easy or fun but doable. I would try using the less flexiable side with a fin as a rudder and the good side for kicking.

 

[gypsyjim]

Buy a scooter and tell your wife (if you're married) it's a medical necessity.

Wonder if Obama Care would cover it?

After sleeping on the issue, and doing a lot of talking and thinking, I am leaning toward finding a way to control the pain, and just get on the way I am, rather than allowing the surgeon at the foot. It's been 40+ years since the last time I let a surgeon try to fix it, and that attempt only made it worse. It became in effect a partial fusion, and I'm not too thrilled that the only answer they see now is to complete that fusion.

Once bitten, twice shy. I know that I can always go back to have it fused later, if the pain becomes intolerable, but like that 40 yrs old botch job, once a fusion is done I'm stuck with the results.

 

[InTheDrink]

Hi,

I am no doctor but I do have a wrist that is overdue a fusion which I'm resisting as the two operations previously they botched. And I don't like the sound of seriously reduced mobility in my writing hand post fusion. Likewise, there is some inherent partial fusion from my earlier interventions so mobility is already constrained.

They key question I have asked my doc is 'what happens if I don't get it fused'. The response I get is simply arthritis/pain/lack of mobility. Well the arthritis is there already and the mobility would be if the fusion was done so we're left with the pain and I think there are options for that.

Have you played with other finning techniques? One kick that I use occasionally is the, erg, trying to remember, reverse frog I think. Essentially it involves pressing down on the water with fronts/tops of your feet. Doesn't require much ankle mobility I don't think. Or the dolphin kick. Anyhow, I don't know precisely but others here may well do and it might be you can adjust your kick to require less mobility.

Like I said, I'm no doctor but do think thrice before going under the knife.

J

 

[BobbyB]

My ankle has no flexabilty from a 90 degree angle due to a accident years ago. I have not noticed any problem with my regular kick. I can keep up with all my buddies without a problem. I would not worry about it if I were you. Good Luck

 

[scubaren]

Wonder if Obama Care would cover it?

After sleeping on the issue, and doing a lot of talking and thinking, I am leaning toward finding a way to control the pain, and just get on the way I am, rather than allowing the surgeon at the foot. It's been 40+ years since the last time I let a surgeon try to fix it, and that attempt only made it worse. It became in effect a partial fusion, and I'm not too thrilled that the only answer they see now is to complete that fusion.

Once bitten, twice shy. I know that I can always go back to have it fused later, if the pain becomes intolerable, but like that 40 yrs old botch job, once a fusion is done I'm stuck with the results.

I ran a race this morning that I worked at as a volunteer last year due to a knee injury. I had acupuncture several times and have no pain when I run now. I don't know if it would work for you but it may be worth a try.

I sure hope you get some relief for your pain and can avoid the fusion.

 

[dmoore19]

GypsyJim,

I don't know how much a fused ankle will slow down your martial arts activity. I would think that with diving you would be able to compensate for it. However, pain is not something that is necessary. Pain can play with your mental health. I suffered with unending back pain for several years before I had it fused. While initally the pain was worse, after a while it went away. I am very pleased with the results. The pain it's self became a part of my life before the surgery. Being rid of the pain was a change in my life. It made a real difference. While it may not be the right thing for you, it worked for me and I am glad I don't hurt any more. Sure there is limited mobility but overall it was worth getting rid of the pain. Just a thought.