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Roger,
Haven't had ankle surgery but had a major knee reconstruction done. In 1994, I had a bad ski accident on the south east slopes of Mt Kosciusko. I snapped my anterior cruciate ligament, tore 3/4 through my medial co-lateral ligament and tore cartilage. I had major swelling and bruising. The surgeon advised me to wait and let the swelling subside as he could do a better re-construction if everything was back to normal. I took my time. The swelling mostly went in 7 weeks but wasn't completely gone until 5 months. If I didn't wear a brace, the knee would laterally dislocate and I'd end up on the floor.
I had the surgery after 9 months- June 95. I had a lot of pain for some months afterwards and some pain from scar tissue or disturbed nerves for the next few year but by 1998 all was OK. The past 11 years I've danced salsa for 2-3hrs at least 2 sometimes more nights a week with no ill effects. My injury was particularly bad and so my surgery generated more scar tissue than most arthroscopic surgeries. They did the ACL with keyhole but had to put a 100mm zipper in the inside leg to get to the medial. No regrets and glad I had it done.
You need to look at what life will be like with/without the surgery and make an informed choice. Even other people who've had ankle surgery won't be able to tell you what yours will be like. Others I know who had quite similar but not identical injuries to me had very different experiences post surgery. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion from another surgeon.
Best of luck
Joe
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