Ankle Fusion Surgery & Riding

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Gemzie121

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19 January 2009
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Hi everyone,

I'm having my ankle fused in the next few months as due to arthritis it is badly degenerated and painful - I am 20 so replacement not an option and I have had to give up riding as it has become so bad, I am in a permenant cast now and use a mobility scooter :/. My surgeon is hoping to do it via keyhole surgery.
I was wondering if anyone on here had had this done - I would like to hear what the likelihood is that I will be able to ride and jump small jumps again? I am concerned I wont be able to ride anymore when its done, as I haven't heard a lot with regards to riding and especially not for jumping however small. :/ Any experiences would be most welcome and I would be extremely grateful! :)
 
I shall be watching this with great interest as im having my ankle fused in the next few months.
Im in a cast from my knee down,more a plastic type cast,so im still managing to ride and have done since the accident happened 8 years ago.
Good luck. xxx
 
Is it an aircast boot you are in? I even wear one of these in bed atm, as it is just too painful. Pill-popping not much fun either! I had to stop as the ankle is collapsing to the side and crumbling, pretty much bent over on itself, so it was getting damaged in the stirrup iron and uncomfortable, plus not much use to give aids. I'm not very balanced without stirrups so made the decision I was safer not to ride anymore. :/ Hope it all goes well for you too! :)
 
Im in a thin plastic splint,special fitted to me.It goes inside my boot.How ever i do have an air cast one as well,but i cant do much whilst wearing that.
I have foot drop,and my ankle gives out side to side as well.i cant walk without my splint,so im having a pin up through the bottom of my foot,and then one in through the side of my ankle.
What are you having done???
Im not sure on too many details about my operation.....i forgot to ask in the heat of the moment:confused:
 
I just want the say that I really feel for you having to wear those aircast boots. Ive seen these at my placement being worn by diabetic people whose feet have literally collapsed (Charcot foot) and they are a brilliant idea, but patients do find them bulky and uncomfortable, particularly with the time it takes for them to heal.

Gemzie, are your ankle problems related to an injury? or a tendon degeneration?
 
Ahh I know what you mean, I had one of those but by the time they made it my leg had changed and it started to rub - my ankle causes everything to swell. So I use the beckham boot as Its easy to adjust. Im supposed to be having it totally fused via arthroscopy with pins, I'm not exactly sure what type it is? but I think he's using my old arthroscopy scars. I think its mainly for pain management as I cannot have anymore steroid injections now. :/

Pod I managed to get arthritis in the ankle and its just slowly degenerated - theres no cause, it just happened, I didnt injure it. We noticed something was up when as an 8 year old I was forever falling over and taking chunks out of my left knee. The ankle had started to swell and it just got bigger and painful over the years. I've tried all sorts of splints, plaster casts etc and now I use a beckham cast but when its unbearable I have a plaster cast made for me that has velcro on it too which provides relief. Im actually wearing the aircast right now, I quite like it as its less bulky than a plaster cast with a cast shoe, and it has a rocker sole so it makes me walk better and stops me getting backache :)
 
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Had considered that Jodie, but isn't your left foot the one that goes in the iron? thats my bad foot :/ Other problem is I am an RS rider, I don't have my own horse or access to one that can have different types of tack. The RS have been good in allowing me to use my own stirrup irons with those dressage (sloping) treads in as I found they helped.
 
Gemzie121 said:
Ahh I know what you mean, I had one of those but by the time they made it my leg had changed and it started to rub - my ankle causes everything to swell. So I use the beckham boot as Its easy to adjust. Im supposed to be having it totally fused via arthroscopy with pins, I'm not exactly sure what type it is? but I think he's using my old arthroscopy scars. I think its mainly for pain management as I cannot have anymore steroid injections

My splint rubs and creates open sore due to my ankle causing everything to swell............horrid:(
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It is usually your left foot but I think you can get side-saddles that are the other way but not much help really.

Will your ankle be fused in a riding type position? It may be that the only way you will know is to try riding again after your op and see how you go.

Have you tried riding for the disabled? They cater for all types of disability so might have some suggestions that would help you. If you can't bear to give up horses there is always driving?

Good luck with your op.
 
I'm in Lincoln :) I guess it is an option to explore though. You can jump side saddle too cant you? the main problem I have is being still a novice (only just jumping) and needing to be at an RS still. Hence I considered stirrupless riding but my balance is awful on most horses without, there was an RS horse I was comfortable/secure on but she's now been sold. I've found I am better on a short, wide, sturdy cob type that I can wrap my legs around - they flap on anything less.

I might contact the RDA after the operation if it proves a real problem :)
 
Im a million miles from you!
Im lucky enough that it is my right leg,and if all else fails im going to try side saddle.The person who gave me my mare also has a side saddle that i can try.
 
I am not entirely sure what a fused ankle would leave you with

However I wondered whether these stirrups would help, as you no longer have to push your heel down to get balance: www.kvall.fr

I know they definitely helped someone who had one ankle flopping over due to nerve damage from a big bale crushing the leg and damaging the nerves
 
Jen_Cots said:
I am not entirely sure what a fused ankle would leave you with

However I wondered whether these stirrups would help, as you no longer have to push your heel down to get balance: www.kvall.fr

I know they definitely helped someone who had one ankle flopping over due to nerve damage from a big bale crushing the leg and damaging the nerves
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They look emmmm interesting,but if its all im left with,then hey ho!!!
 
If its pain free I don't see why not - look at the paralympic team, and what they can do with so little!

I would think you'll just develop a different riding style, and different muscles to suit. Your ankle won't be a shock absorber any more, but worst case scenario is you could ride without stirrups! People jump bareback for goodness sake, so jumping in a saddle without stirrups should be easy ;););)

I'm recovering from a broken ankle, not yet back on a horse yet but FULLY intending to do my BHS stages, which involves jumping at least 2'6. My ankle isn't fully flexible yet, and I have been warned that that might take up to 2 years to get back, but in 2 years time I intend to have my bhs exams done and dusted!

Good luck xxx
 
Hopefully it will make it painfree...thats the idea!
My position is terrible anyway.I try not to let it stop me now,and will continue to do so in the future....i wont be giving up riding and hunting because of it!
 
Been watching this post with interest to replies as I am 6 months post op to an ankle fracture where I damaged the cartilage (pilon fx to distal tibia). I have had it plated and pinned but due to the damage my future will be arthritis in the joint and I have been told ankle fusion or ankle replacement but can only have ankle replaced when over 60.

I am back riding nd have started trot work without too much pain, although when first started my heel would not drop so found my right knee was higher and I couldn't balance centrally too well. I have dropped my leathers one hole, use sprengers and so far managing. I asked about the ability to ride with a fusion when speaking to the OS (who actually rode horses so that helped!) He advised there would be still some movement in my ankle from the talus (sp?) so can partially drop my heel. It all depends on which joint they fuse as to how much movement still in the foot.

I have looked at the kvall stirrups and they look very comfortable but I'd worry about getting stuck in them if I fall off again.

Hope all goes well and your healing time is speedy. :)
 
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Hey,
My brother, who is 23, has gone through his first ankle fusion due to suffering from Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT). His consultant the lovely Mr Sharp from Nuffield in oxford has told him he can still ride after but to take it very slow.
He is only allowed to walk at the mo on his horse then slowly build it up to little bits of trotting but once the ankle is fully healed he doesn't see why he cant go back to full riding, including little jumps.....about 2'3, 2'6 very highest.

The thing you have to remember is it will take up to a year for it to fully heal and when you can start slowly weight baring you have to be careful as the screw they put through your heal while the bone is kneating won't hold your weight and can snap.
He has been told to go on pain, if it hurts don't do it if the ankle is fine then carry on.

It has helped him a lot i.e walking and balance.

He will have to have the other one done at some point but is hoping he will learn to drive first.

Hope this helps and if you have any other worries I can get you in touch with my brother and you can ask him any questions.

xxxx
 
CarmaandFlin said:
I have looked at the kvall stirrups and they look very comfortable but I'd worry about getting stuck in them if I fall off again

Hope all goes well and your healing time is speedy. :)
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The back strap can be detached with your little finger, so the kvall are designed to be safe. I hunt in mine and would not do so if I thought there was any chance of me getting caught in them. Although do get odd looks!
 
There is a local event rider who had her ankle fused and still does it professionally so no reason you shouldn't ride and jump, if I remember her name will let you know.
There is also someone on another site had a fusion and started jumping again

I recently had a replacement ankle but at the time of surgery I wasn't sure whether they would replace it or fuse it. Specialist told me that even if they fused it I would get used to it and still be able to jump etc

I am in my 40's and was lucky to get the replacement as normally even I would be considered too young and certainly too active. However I persisted in wanting one and as I have Rheumatoid arthritis and they were worried a fusion would cause arthritis in the other bones in my foot so they agreed
 
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