Ankle problem

[computerbitz]

Well i have had an issue with my ankle for years, last year i went over on it and was the worst its been in years, took ages to recover and had enough.
Had the scan today to be told i have no tendons on my ankle and probably require surgery to fix the problem or run the risk of suffering severe arthritis when i am older, although i may still get that from what i am lead to believe.
So my main question is has anyone had similar issue and what was your recovery like reading online seems to be a mixed bag of results either way looks painful and long term recovery

 

[computerbitz]

thats a no then

 

[Student Bob]

Well... I've never had ankle surgery, but I'm on an orthopaedic placement at the mo, so I've seen a few. Generally, you'd expect to be up and about, back on the ankle between 6-12 weeks after surgery, and at 3 months, you should be fully active and weight-bearing again.

If you had no tendons, your foot would just be dangling at the end of your leg, it sounds more like you've got severe laxity in the lateral ligaments of your ankle, and the surgical option would probably be a Brostrom repair to tighten the ligaments up.

I've also treated repairs like this a few months post-op in rehab, and assuming you're young(ish), fit and healthy - basically, not a pensioner - then you could expect excellent results from the surgery.

 

[IDB1]

I would expect arthritis regardless too..

 

[computerbitz]

Well... I've never had ankle surgery, but I'm on an orthopaedic placement at the mo, so I've seen a few. Generally, you'd expect to be up and about, back on the ankle between 6-12 weeks after surgery, and at 3 months, you should be fully active and weight-bearing again.

If you had no tendons, your foot would just be dangling at the end of your leg, it sounds more like you've got severe laxity in the lateral ligaments of your ankle, and the surgical option would probably be a Brostrom repair to tighten the ligaments up.

I've also treated repairs like this a few months post-op in rehab, and assuming you're young(ish), fit and healthy - basically, not a pensioner - then you could expect excellent results from the surgery.

No the problem is with the Peroneal Tendon and ligament on the outside of my left ankle, and either the tendon or the ligament is not there apparantly its only showing a stump on the ultrasound. and only solution is reconstrutive surgery.

Now riding is a problem as a result and had me wondering if looking for new bikes was advisable and more importantly i am self employed so means i looking like i going to be skint for a while with the recovery times i read.

 

[IDB1]

Can you not brace it and still ride? Or is there muchos pain involved?

 

[Student Bob]

Aha. Now I'm with you. You've snapped either the superior or inferior fibular retinaculum - or both, so there's nothing keeping the tendons of fibularis longus or brevis in place - presumably you can't roll your foot in properly now? Walking and cycling will be a bugger as these are the muscles which keep the foot stable as you roll onto the balls of your feet as you walk or cycle.

Surgery is pretty much the only option, recovery times are pretty uniform, you should be full weight bearing at about 6 weeks, and partial weight bearing up to at least 3-4 weeks - that'll mean crutches and an aircast brace around the ankle. It should be a relatively simple operation and I'd expect you to get a good result from it. Don't be scared by the horror stories on the web!!