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 Hi,

I had my right ankle replaced in 2005 and also rented a scooter for a few months. I was able to use crutches and a manual wheelchair in my home, so I had the scooter delivered to my workplace on a University campus. It was so helpful to get around and feel safe doing so. I once found myself in a snowstorm with only my crutches while recovering, and that was really scary. The problem I had with the scooter, because I am also legally blind, was depth perception for curb cuts. If I hit one at the wrong angle it could tip the scooter. Be careful of that.

 

I too have RA in my shoulders, elbows, hands, writsts, etc, and have had both knees, both hips and the right ankle replaced. It's great to hear about fellow cyborgs out there! Best of recovery on your new joint, and don't overdo it while it's healing.

 

Terri 

Hi Terri!

Thanks for responding!  If you don't mind my asking, which ankle replacement did you get?  My doctor is looking at the Agility ankle for me.  How is it working out for you?  I'm starved for real info on how they work out and what the whole recovery process entails.  You're the first person I've encountered who has an ankle replacement, so I'd love some first-hand info, if you don't mind sharing. I'm going to be putting up a web site to document my own experience.  I did something similar for my MCP joint replacement, since there was a dearth of info out there.  That page is offline at the moment, but I'll be putting it back up soon.

Most people aren't even aware that ankles can be replaced.  I get the same odd looks when I talk about my knuckle replacements, since even people who have similar arthritic disabilities don't seem to be aware of that option.  I'm currently also recovering from my second blown thumb tendon (matching scars on each hand now!)  and with silicone knuckles, crutches are definitely not going to work with these hands   I'm going scooter shopping once I get my next consulting assignment and actually have money to spend.

I don't envy you navigating snow on crutches.  Last winter, I found myself stuck on an icy sidewalk in Cambridge that I hadn't realized was so bad until I was partway across.  Lumpy, uneven ice is the worst!  Silly me, I thought it was just a short stretch of ice, since I had my eyes focused down to navigate the treacherous stuff.  Luckily for me, a kind (and cute!) gentleman saw me picking my way along with my cane and offered me a shoulder to lean on. 

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

 Vi
 

 

Well, I learned the hard way that Percodan and motorized wheelchairs don't mix.

I have JRA and had my sub-talar joint fused (ankle) with a tendon transfer a few years ago. Couldn't use crutches/walker due to arthritic hands, elbows, shoulders - and everything else. I was only on pain killers for a few weeks after the surgery, but whoa, did my tiny condo get beat up. Dents in the walls, gouges in the doorways and tire tracks everywhere. LOL.

Good luck, don't Perc and drive.

Often times you can find used chairs. I once purchased an electric wheelchair for a client that was in GREAT condition for $500. It may be worth checking out. Marnie

Drive Medical and ActiveForever recently introduced the Phoenix Power Mobility Scooter which folds/breaks down into smaller pieces so it can fit in a smaller car's trunk. We fit one in the trunk of someone's rented Mustang (which is notorious for limited trunk space) with no difficulty. It comes in 3 and 4 wheeled versions. The Go Go Elite Traveller is also a nice model with similar features but it is more expensive.

 

Good luck with finding a scooter.