Joint Fusions- Part II

In last week’s blog I discussed the details of what is entailed in foot and ankle joint fusion surgery. I discussed the indications, actually surgery and recovery. In this week’s blog I will discuss the pros and cons; I will also discuss when to decide whether or not to have this type of surgery.

What are the pros to joint fusion surgery?

One of the main pros to having this type of surgery is to decrease and hopefully eliminate pain. Many people have severe arthritis or disability from a trauma and have been suffering with pain for years. If this is the case then many times joint fusion surgery will help to eliminate the pain and decreased disability. Joint fusion surgery can help return a patient to a pain free life especially while weight bearing. Another advantage to having this type of surgery would be that most times fusing joints lasts a lifetime and there isn’t a need for a “re do” surgery.

What are the cons to joint fusion surgery?

With joint fusion surgery there is usually close to zero motion at the joint that has been fused. Many patients that have these types of surgeries already have significant decrease in motion in those joints, but by permanently fusing the joints there will be NO motion in that joint. This can be difficult to comprehend until after the surgery is complete. For example, fusing an ankle joint will make it almost impossible to flex the ankle. Fusing the big toe joint will make it difficult to crouch, lunge or go up and down a ladder.

Another disadvantage is that years later there can be residual arthritis that forms in the joints around the joint that was fused. Since the fused joint has no motion the joints around it tend to have increased motion, which may lead to arthritis in those joints.

How does this relate to Lori P?

As I mentioned last week our biller, Lori P., was in a severe car accident in April 2013. She had an open fracture, which is when there is a fracture in addition to bone that is sticking out of the leg. At that time the surgeon was primarily concerned about her losing her leg. When she was medically stable and it was determined that her leg was able to be saved she was in extreme pain. She had severe bone loss and SEVERE arthritis. At that time the decision was made between her and her surgeon that an ankle fusion would be the best option for her long term ability to walk. She went through multiple surgeries, a long recovery, including non-healing wounds and severe pain, but today she is doing great. She walks with a slight limp and on rainy days she complains of arthritis pain in her surgical area. When I told her I was writing this blog about joint fusions she said “the ankle joint fusion saved my life and leg, because of it I am able to walk, live life, work and most importantly, enjoy my grandson”.

For more information please visit our website at www.footnj.com