Ankle fusion vs Joint replacemt

My ankle is shot..gone.. the Doc suggests, strongly, a fusion. Replacements are not nearly as good as the hips and Knees..and yes he does have somewhat of a climbing /biking background.

Any thought ?

i already notice with the brace that i have trouble lowering my heel, so i guess slabs would be out.

thanks

I've had a fused ankle for over 15 years - and a fake hip for 8. Slabs will not be great with a fused ankle - but frontpointing on ice rocks. And depending what joints they fuse you can end up with a hell of a cam hook for crack climbing.

I think ankle replacements aren't yet up for a beating.

Best - Eric

The ankle replacements aren't as good....yet. They're getting there.

ted.com/talks/hugh_herr_the…

Bringing up an old thread. Anybody out there had an ankle replacement over fusion? If so, how durable compared to an ankle fusion. Looks like I might be looking at one or the other.
Grazie mille

I was advised fusion over replacement a couple years ago. Replacement still not durable enough for somebody my age (mid 30s). They could do another replacement when I wore that one out but that process couldn't go on indefinitely. With a fusion there's still a possibility to reverse the fusion and get a replacement in the future. I'm perfectly fine with the fusion. Most people would never know unless they see my skinny calf. I can move quickly but running isn't possible anymore. In general my life had to evolve to accommodate but I don't regret it one bit. 

Speaking as a physical therapist, a joint replacement is grim. If it was me, I'd go for the fusion over the replacement.

Thank you all. Doing more research has led me to conclusion that ankle fusion will be the most durable option. Do not have much ankle flex left anyway, might as well get rid of the rest:)