stirrup recommendations after an ankle fusion

[Oaty]

There are so many stirrups out there these days with promises of shock absorption, etc. I'm looking for a pair that's really state of the art as I had major foot reconstruction, including a calcaneal osteotomy, a flexible ankle fusion, and numerous tendon transfers. Are the Winderen stirrups any good? Thanks!

 

[Britestar]

Can you find a stockist who let's you try them?

We have a fitter in the area who does try days.

I didn't think there could be much difference between them all, and was really suprised that they all felt so different!

I didn't like the winderen at all, and ended up with freejump airs. I went along for interest and hadn't intended on buying

 

[Cloball]

I haven't tried them but Ryde adjustable stirrups look interesting purely based on the fact you can change the position of the parts to personalise each stirrup. I definitely think if you're going to go for the more expensive state of the art ones though given you've had such a major reconstruction trialling would be best.

I have wonky feet and ankles and got some second hand compositi reflexes and I'm a total convert to light wide tread stirrups. I would image a wide tread would help keep a fused ankle stable.

 

[Fastasflames]

my favourites to ride in after surgery are the techs

 

[sbloom]

It's a really individual thing, can you try some? A wider tread is nearly always helpful, hinged treads arent generally recommended but for a fused ankle then maybe, but won't be that good for the other side. The graphic below shows that the ankles should be mobile, if we add a hinged footbed then a healthy ankle has to stabilise itself, and the knee may take the strain.

There are other subtleties in stirrup design but the other main thing to look at is the eye, where you thread the leather through, and work out if 90 degrees, or a slight "offset" ie less than 90 degrees, may work for you, or if you need the normal kind.

 

[Kaylum]

Wider leathers are meant to help as well.

 

[sbloom]

Wider leathers are meant to help as well.

They can certainly help with forward/back lower leg stability for some riders, which in itself MIGHT be a result of ankle rigidity, but it may not help at all with the ankle per se.

 

[scats]

I use sprenger bow balance. I have a decent amount of metalwork in my ankle, including at the joint

 

[flat3]

I'm not sure what a flexible ankle fusion is, but I have a complete ankle fusion so no movement at all in the joint.

My priority is having some kind of release feature that reduces the chance of my foot getting stuck as my ability to wriggle it free is very limited.

I've tried several different styles and have settled on Safestyle 90° safety stirrups. I would say there is no substitute for trying them out really. I've bought, tried and sold on as I couldn't find another way to trial.

 

[blodwyn1]

I have a bolt in my heel holding my achiles tendon to the calcaneous bone so not as extensive as you . I use the opera stirrups which face forwards and are wide and they work for me.