Are you seeing a podiatrist? They are the only Drs who know how to do this correctly a surgeon generally dealing with arthritis doesn't generally know the correct way to do the surgery. I would think it could be cleaned up, pinned and realigned.

no i am going to an osteoarthritis surgeon at the hospital and he basically said to me to keep splint on and that you will have good days and bad days and on bad day take extra painkillers and back in 9 month and see me and that i was too young for operation and right now it would make things worse but i dont know how.

Where do you have the OA? On what part of your foot?The technical aspect of fusion does not involve major surgery.The problem with fusing any joint in the body is the alteration in the biomechanic characteristic in the region having the fusion.You basically are exchanging one type of pain quality for another.Many times the results are dissapointing.You are relatively young.If you initiate a regenerative program you may be able to live with your condition.The ankle and or foot is unique in it's strenght and resilience to physical trauma.You must of had a severe trauma to the area for it to become so troublesome.There does exist other options out there.(www.arthritisusa.net)

thanks for your help and advice i dont seem to be able to get it from anywhere else and i dont know anyone else that has it in the foot i have it in 2areas of the foot on the top and at the side beside the ankle bone and a couple of weeks ago my foot went and i fell down my stairs and my other foot was badly sprained i notice that a lump has appeared beside the ankle bone surely it cannot be osteoarthritis in that foot to as that was the way the other one started. Thanks again for all your advice i just dont know who to turn to as it seems to me as long as i can walk at all they are going to leave it!!!

Rose1 my name is john and I also have osteoarthritis in both feet. The right foot is more severe. I am going to a podiatrist and he and I are talking about fuessing the bones in the top of the foot. And after a lot of thinking and soul searching I have decided to have it done that is having the bones fused in the top of the foot. I have questioned the podiatrist very carefully we have come to the conclusion that this will be the best option for me.I am 61 years old.
there is no other option for me. I have had all kinds of physical therapy and cortisone shots. My DR has also advised me that this procudure will not get rid of all the pain but it will reduce it to levels that I will be able to live with. This surgery will be done on outpatient. I will be on crutchers for about 8 weeks. If you have any further questions I will be glad to try and help

ROse,
GO see a different doctor - a podiatrist would be best. I am 50 years old and have gotten the "you're too young" speech from some ortho docs too. But, I found one that was willing to work with me and he replaced one knee when i was 47, has worked on one ankle and it now needs to be fused - which he will do - but I can't take the time off at the moment. I have severe osteoarthritis in ankles knees and spine. Some ortho docs are just stubborn. YOu just need to find a good foot doc that will help you. Fusion is 'a big deal' according to my doc, but constant debilitating pain seems to me to be a clear indication that something needs to be done. It certainly is not a magical answer - but a viable option. Go find yourself a podiatrist who does fusions and see what they say. Those docs that kept telling me I was too young I never went back to. Good luck!

Vanyel

I had my midfoot fused to deal with Charcot syndrome (not arthritis). I was 26 when I had this surgery- they never talked about any minimum age. It certainly is major surgery. I was in the hospital for three days and had to be completely non-weight bearing for many weeks afterward. My surgeon was the chief of trauma surgery at the best trauma hospital in Seattle. I had a really good outcome, and my walking is much improved. My only limitation is that I can't walk very well on loose ground, like gravel, because my foot can't flex anymore.

51 is not that bad considring me being 28 . I'm due for surgury next week, my doctor tried every other thing before we decided to do the surgury, that would help prevent that pain thats associated with walking two blocks or so, so keep your head up. at least you have had more than 2o years worth of using your ankle joints..Although he did say that my age is rare for the condition researchingi found that 50-60 is the age most start having problems with this. Unless they were in some type of accident. Look at it this way your already walking with a limp at least you wouldn't feel pain, you should talk to a foot doctor (podiatrist). More than one option is always better than just one.. Good luck.. oh yeah if you don't do it your going to start gaining weight i gained 30 pounds in the two year time frame not being active sucks

I had my left great toe fused and the pain is far less than it was. I never limped once it was healed. Go for it- I was 50. The doctor said i was amess in there.

Hi I had 2 joints fused 4 weeks ago and have to stay off for 6 weeks then 6 weeks in a boot I am a 58 year old female and all mine are bad as well as my ankle. I am waiting to see the results and if they are foxing to do the ankle next. Barbara

I should add that I had my surgery done by an orthopedic surgeon in the hospital, 2 night stay, you'll need crutches after if you were as bad as me. I would not trust this surgery to a podiatrist. Good luck, I am very glad I did it, took about 6 mos to feel okay. faye

I am 52 and awaiting to have 2 joints in my foot fused soon....after 2 years my GP found a great ankle surgeon for me...despite having physio, insoles excersises hes basically told me the next step is surgery and i will be off work 3 months at least.

Surgery on 12th May.......

I'm female, 57, with RA / Psoriatic Arthritis, mainly in my feet. I taught high school for 24 years, wore "sensible shoes" but still have lost cartilage in toe joints. I had osteotemy (cut off part of foot that connects with big toe joint) which didn't help - more pain and additional numbness in that foot. I'm on Enbrel which helps but can't repair damage that's been done. Besides orthodics and cortisone shots in my big toes, I've been recommended to have fusion surgery. Any experiences with this?