 Poster: A snowHead
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My left ankle is getting very painful with Arthritis caused by trauma in 1966.
It can tell me that its going to rain tomorrow, which is only slightly useful compared with the grief it give me if I've been standing or sitting for a while.
I've heard of this procedure, I don't know I'd get it on the NHS.
They may deem I'm just too old for it.
I get a certain amount of respite at the moment when its locked in a ski boot, but I don't know how much longer that will last.
Has anyone got any thoughts on this?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I didn’t realise how much pain I had got used to in my ankle before I agreed to an operation after 10 years of pain - torn ligaments and bands everywhere that had only ever partially healed or were flapping.
I’d have a chat to James Calder (who fixed me) over at
https://www.fortiusclinic.com/specialists/professor-james-calder
But I’d say do it
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks @Agent Orange
Do you mind me asking how old you are?
How much did it cost you?
How long were you immobile after the operation?
How long did you have to wait to have the operation?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Wow, never knew this was possible, will watch with interest!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'm now 46, was 43 when had the op, £250 per consult (two required), one MRI (£250) and surgery was £5-6K quoted but I didn't pay for the surgery as was a discovery piece for him as first time anyone had presented in the world and I think he wanted to explore it all and get answers - I know I was used as training and presentation video afterwards, 3 weeks in cast, 8-10 weeks on crutches, 6 months back to normal-ish, but timings of events meant skiing took 14 months to get back to. He booked me in pretty quick, about 2 weeks after I had decided to go ahead with it. He used to operate out of Chelsea and Basingstoke Foot and Ankle clinic for surgeries.
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@DrLawn, there are very few operations not available on the NHS.
And there is hardly a joint you can't have replaced.
You can certainly get an ankle replacement on the NHS.
Just make sure you contact a proper Foot and Ankle unit, and not some General Orthopaedic setup.
There is little point going Private: you get the same surgeon and anaesthetist.
The only benefit is having more control over when the procedure is done, and maybe better food.
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Cheers @Agent Orange, thanks for all the info ...
& thanks @Jonpim we do all right out of the NHS ...
I'll see how I get on, I've never raised the subject with my local GP's in all the years I've suffered from it.
This afternoon could mark a turning point in my life ... or at least whats left of it 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hubby has had private insurance through his previous employer for the past 30+ years. Most he has ever used it for was an intensive course of physio after he broke his neck. We're back to good old NHS for everything now as he's moved to work in a GP practice.
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I'm not getting anywhere with my GP ... she's not heard of ankle replacement I think I'll get on and ring James Calder again.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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My sister had an ankle replacement when she was in her mid 60's. The top dude at Royal Devon & Exeter is Ian Sharp. Has his own foot and ankle clinic. Google and you will find him. Good luck.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@DrLawn, i would be changing my GP 
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So its only my GP who has not heard of the procedure then?
I prefer the sound of a new ankle compared with a fusion job ... as long as it doesn't squeak too much.
I forgot .. does it hurt?
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You know it makes sense.
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@DrLawn, well if I have I would expect a GP to have done. A quick google shows its mainstream
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Cheers @holidayloverxx ... I think like most things these days .. if you want something done well, you have to do it yourself.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@DrLawn, maybe you don't need a replacement, that would obvs be for the surgeon to decide, but you do need referral to someone who is a specialist in foot and ankle surgery. See another GP.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@adithorp,
Oh... I see what you mean ... I find it pretty hard to bite my own toe nails as well these days.
@Hells Bells,
Of course, let the surgeon decide. I fully imagine he will say ... "sorry mate you're too late." But at least I'll have tried.
This is where SnowHeads really comes in useful, it takes over a week now to get a 5 minute phone consultation with your GP (and mines one of the better ones in this town)
But I can at least get pointed in the right direction here in the Snowy fraternity ..
We've got all kind of experts in this group from all things skiing related to wallpapering with lawn care along the way.
I feel blessed I can count on you guys.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I would suggest a quick Google shows you it is profitable and therefore pushed heavily.
Most DGHs will not be doing it. Ergo most GPs will not be familiar with it.
Totally agree go to see specialist clinic. All my patients who've has fusions love them and they are all active people. The one guy who had a replacement found it good but was always worried about it.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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A little more googling reveals about 800 ankle replacements per year in the UK vs about 100000 each of knees and hips.
If only about one in a hundred thousand people a year are getting it, there won't be a huge amount of experience. I wouldn't think about changing GP, they probably have other things on their mind.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi @motdoc,
Thanks for your input, I can understand that it a pretty rare procedure and I too don't know if I really have the bottle for it.
But I've never had any advice on my growing Arthritis problem for more than 50 years.
Its about time I tried to find out what's available for me.
Even if it's only free parking.
I jest, I don't want a disable sticker on my car.
Thank's for your support everybody ... I'll at least try to get a consultation, from an expert.
Its only the price of a 6 day lift pass.
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No worries. I have patients so can't share much due to confidentiality, but seeing an ankle specialist doesn't hurt and don't fear the fusion!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@motdoc,
"Fear the Fusion" it does fill me with horror the Fusion...
I have had limited flex in that ankle for a long time but I cant imagine being able to ski or dance with 0 flexion.
I'd love to be able to keep to the @Whitegold diet, but I can't imagine sticking to it.
But it would have several other benefits I'm sure.
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@DrLawn, a friend had his ankle fused so that he could (with difficulty) still get his ski boot on. He did have to stick to less steep pistes afterwards though.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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My husband has a major ankle issue with no flex following a break in the early 70s. He is also fine once he is into a ski boot which provides all the support the ankle needs but the arthritis is also, for him, an issue. Years back he saw a specialist up in ambridgeshire who suggest a fusion was a possibility but we somehow never got round to it. Since then he has needed a new hip on the other side because the ankle issue caused him to favour the other leg and thus wore out the hip! I believe ankle replacements are relatively new and not common but I wouldnt be wanting to stay with a GP who had never heard of the operation or was not at least willing to look into it even if ignorant of it at the time! I wish you well DrLawn whatever decision you make, I suspect my husband will not submit to this surgery partly due to age and partly due to an allergy to all things medical, he only had the hip done when, as advised by an orthopod friend, "he could not longer bear not to have it replaced."
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The surgeon that just operated on my daughters ankle claimed not to know anything about regrowing cartilage as per Alastair's [IIRC] link recently. He did say that if she has trouble in later life it could be fused, no mention of a possible replacement.
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You know it makes sense.
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My son had a bad ankle injury from a football accident in his 20s and it deteriorated in his 30s to the point where he had to stop all exercise. He has had 2-stage surgery and physiotherapy on the NHS. 2 stages in terms of 'If Op#A doesn't fix it, and you're still suffering, we'll go for more extensive keyhole surgery with Op#2. As someone mentioned, it was the same Specialist surgeon who did it on the NHS who would've done it privately. This all through GP referral, although yes, it did take a bit of pushing from my son to get the referral. My advice is to get a referral to a specialist unit and take it from there, rather than go to your GP saying you want a specific operation. If your GP won't refer then change GP or practice.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Dr.Lawn I have to ask, how do you know that this treatment you'd read about is the right one for your unique individual situation? Wouldn't it be better to see a specialist and let them decide on what the options for you are? I know a GP and one of the worst ways to approach them is to walk in out the blue and say "I have this condition and I need this particular operation/treatment/drug." Much better to describe your situation and let them take it from there. Yes, it may end up needing exactly the treatment you expected, but then again, it may not ....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi Folks, I just noticed this thread again @LaForet,
Since I started this thread a few months ago I have had a consultation with specialist in ankle replacement.
He considered that I was a suitable candidate.
I want to get it done on the NHS, a bit cheeky I know, but why not.
By serendipity,
I have been extremely lucky to have a chance meeting with yet another expert in the field of ankle replacement, the day before
I had my very expensive consultation.
I must admit things have have not moved along much in the last month, but I think the NHS is in a particularly slow motion at the moment.
Luckily I'm not in a rush.
I'll return to the thread when I have something to report.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Good luck! Let us know how it works out.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Ah, something is happening ..
They had booked another appointment for me for 29th November 2021
That only 13 months away, not bad.
I'll be able to look back at this thread in about 10 years and smile at it 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hi!
I had my ankle fused about a year and a half ago. I had 9 surgeries prior due to infection and on crutches basically 3 years. I had Avascular Necrosis of the talus. I ended up w a fused ankle, part of lower leg taken off (but build back up mostly) and my whole foot fused except I can move my toes.
I skied once last year but the mountain (Killington) closed down due to Covid. I am skiing now in 2020/2021 season now. I bought a season pass.
I can get my foot in my old boots. I love them and they were so comfortable. Debating getting new ones w a heel lift in it. I used a store bought "spongy" insert for cushion of just the heel.
Skiing sucks now considering how I used to ski. But I'm doing it. I used to do bumps all day long but I am now 55 and I guess I need to slow down? Considering I've had my ACL reconstructed twice when I was younger and my neck fused in 2016. I go very very slow now but look pretty. I turn well when I am slow and even can do flatter bumps slowly as long as I am going straighter on top of them. Turning to the right at times seriously hurts mostly my leg and I yell OW a lot. I fall way more than I used to. Getting up after a fall is a sight. That is the hardest part I'd say.
I am trying to push more w my heel of the left ankle to carve a turn more so it doesn't get as much "chatter" going horizontal to the slope. If I could just go straight I'd be fine. Lol. But I will perfect it I think. At least I'm getting exercise! I did want to cry while going down East Fall today since it had lots of bumps on them and wanted to do it but couldn't. Yet.
So.... the season just started so we shall see....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@sunpatti, well done you. Top effort
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@sunpatti, Well Done -- and Welcome
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sunpatti, Welcome, well done and much respect for your persistence to keep skiing.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| DrLawn wrote: |
Ah, something is happening ..
They had booked another appointment for me for 29th November 2021
That only 13 months away, not bad.
I'll be able to look back at this thread in about 10 years and smile at it |
Just come across this thread. Sorry to hear about the long wait for appointment.
A friend of mine had her arthritic ankle operated on (not replacement or fusion) by R. Lloyd Williams and had recommended him to me when I had my ankle injury some years ago. Apparently R.L. Williams is also Comsultant Orthopaedic surgeon to the Royal and English national ballet companies as well.
https://www.londonorthopaedic.com/specialists/mr-r-lloyd-williams/
All the best!
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Hi @sunpatti and welcome to snowheads!
Congratulations on your Fusion, it sounds like you had a lot of problems going on there.
I hope and pray you have a good season.
I'm sure you will find it a challange to develop your new style around your new ankle.
Please pop in here again and share your experiances with us.
Hey! your only 55 .. your a mere babe, you've got plenty of time to get your new style perfected.
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