I can tell you that you CAN light jog and hike after ankle fusion. Have to be careful and change your form but it can be done. Proper shoes and ache supports of whatever you need are essential depending of your foot type. 44 years old here and not listening to "can't' people.

Thanks for making this video! I have an upcoming surgery and this is useful to know.

Jan, 18, 1992, I hit a tree head-on while driving. Floorboards buckled and crushed my feet. 17 operations on both and ended up with a Blair bone fusion on my right foot. It was 30yrs since that car wreck. My personal advice-which doesn't mean much because we are all different, maintain your weight, stretch your legs to keep limber, keep your strength up and if your Dr. provides you with an AFO-WEAR IT!!! Issues today, my left foot is wore out, its been compensating for 30yrs. My back is getting worse with each passing year, my knees ache and I have arthritis. But the good- its up to you to determine your limitations. At 54yrs old, I still race motocross, I work out everyday, I can climb a tree, fish, mountain bike, swim, play baseball, roller blade, skateboard, rake the leaves, I work 15hr days as an aircraft mechanic and am on my feet weather its hot, cold, rain or like now, snowing!! I have learned to live with it, it is a life sentence and I modify my activities to accomplish what I need to do. I still have very good days, where I can go for a run but few and far between. I do live in pain everyday but its better than the alternative which is a wheel chair or dead from my injuries. If i had to do it all over again, I would have my foot amputated. I chose the course of action for the present, I should have chosen the course of action for the future, I believe I would have been better off.

So helpful! Thanks

I had full ankle fusion in 1991. The above is spot on. However it has not covered long term issues surrounding arthrodesis.

Ankle fusion here. 3 years ago. I run every morning. Not sprint. But am able to run

My fusion was successful in that it corrected the arthritis and pain in the joint but it has also caused nerve damage which, a year after surgery, with numb sections in my forefoot which are not necessarly painful, but are uncomfortable.

No one talks about 25 years after the fusion . I had my left ankle done 1999 and was pretty good until reasonably when the bones in my foot got filled up with bone spars and arthritis’s’.

9 months post ankle fusion learning how to walk again the heel feels sore when I take a step

I am about to have this surgery because I failed to years ago and the pain is bad just praying it helps so I can continue working

I have just been put into a air boot after 6 weeks in the cast, I have been told i can put around 45% weight on it. Do i have to keep the foot stiff and walk flat footed or can i let the foot push forward from the ball of the foot. Any help appreciated

I had a compound fracture and broke my ankle on both the right & left sides; I now have arthritis in my ankle. I currently play pickleball with and ankle brace followed by "Tiger Balm" & CBD ointments. If I get an ankle fusion will I still be able to play pickleball?

You may add volleyball as sport but with no jump. I can play above average in a team of young players. Even I may throw at the basketball hoop, again with no jump and even play in a team. I confirm cycling and swimming with no limits. I do on daily basis 15 minutes of elliptical bike, it is best for fused ankles, at least 6 months since surgery. I have both ankles fused, one is 2 years old and strong the other only 1 year since opperation.

Can I continue my work as a nurse after this operation because I guess making squad and getting down will be very difficult?

Thanks for the information. I throw the discus, after ankle surgery would I be able to continue throwing?

How much time it will take to walk without stick?

Thanks for clearing that up on running. But what if I had to run a short distance in an emergency?

Any idea if I can continue my yoga regimen, esp the downward facing dog pose, tree pose and warrior pose?

I really don’t understand what sports you can play if you can’t run

Thank you for the great info , what is the success rate of ankle fusions here in Australia

The music is drowning out info.

What about slow jump rope workouts? This was very helpful, thanks.

What about Dancing. What about having both Done? I was dance and doing lots. But after a very bad RTA. It lift me in with Doctors wishing you fusion of both.. I feel it should be replacements..

I have an ankle replacement in April I hope i hope I can still play rec hockey.

After 30 years, I walk terrible the pain from my other joints that the fusion has put stress on my other joints. It gets worse and worse.

i had an ankle fusion almost 3 years ago i was doing great but these pst few months i can barely stand for an hour because it gets swollen and i can barely walk i feel like a stabbing pain and like something is going to break i havent hurt ankle but after surgery kt was but at least 6 months to now it swells i can not stand for more than 1 hour or i can barely walk i go to the doctor all they say to lift my ankle but its an every day thing

I regret getting my partial ankle fusion! There were other options I was able to use instead of surgery that I was not told about. My foot problems were due to working 10+ hours 5 to 7 days a week in steel toe boots at a factory. Please look for other options as this is permanent and will affect your whole body. I'm WORSE off now than I was BEFORE the surgeries (1 surgery led to a total of 4)....Their only "help" for me now, is a full fusion (I refused) or an amputation.

Can we please answer if I can wear heels?

Love the sport of hockey. I am 65 years old, and played 6 days a week, my Doctor tells me I will still able play, do you think he is right?

I attempted to commit suicide in November of 2020 and fell 40ft off a bridge. I had a subtalar fusion and I am now running along a pavement. I had to spend about 8 weeks non weight bearing and then it has been a slow process of rebuilding up that strength in my feet and my legs and body. I am now running along pavements so it is possible, there is a tiny bit of pain but it's an ok experience. The foot obviously can't turn side to side so it will obviously feel a bit rocky on pavements. If anyone else out there has a story, I'd be interested to hear it.

How about working out at the gym? Weight lifting exercises such as squats are possible?

My ankle fusion was done when I was 19 I'm now 42. Both my knees kill me. My foot on fusion hurts all the time. I have broken my foot several times. My good knee I've had to have surgery. Where my walk has changed now for over 20 years I know it has affected all these joints. Now my back hurts when I'm up and walking.

Dump the music it's a bloke to learning

Ankle fusion SUUUCKS wanna know how it feels with a fused ankle get an ankle brace you can tie, Tie it really tight then try doing amything, even walking on a sandy beach is difficult so don't let them lie, it REALLLLY SUCKS!!! I'M trying to do below amputation to stop pain & now dr.s don't want me to 😫 I HATE FUSION!!!

I have second ankel operation😪😪 first was fail😞😞

The background music is louder than your voice. Annoying.

Play golf?

gross and disturbing commercials. terrible

So skateboarding is definitely outta the question , what about dirt biking and surfing ???