Amy, I am sending you my e-mail address. I would be every interested in talking with you more, thanks so much for responding. My son is in some pain, he doesn't complain every much, but he is turning his foot more each day. The last time he had X-rays he had developed arthritis and his ROM had decreased. I am very concerned that he will develop problems with his knee or hip if he continues to walk this way. I realize he is not a candidate for TAR because of age, but just wanted to stay on top of things for the future. We are from a small southern town and I am interested in finding a doctor who is supposed to be tops in this field. He has 2 app. in April with doctors in Memphis TN and Birmingham Al to get suggestions on what can be done. I really don't know what they will suggest. Someone on the site posted a surgeon at Duke that did his TAR. Do you have any information on doctors in south or where ever? I am not familiar with the OATS procedure any information you could share would be greatly appreciated How long has it been since your accident ? Thanks again for all the info

sunshine and all one thing to keep in mind is Necrosis in the foot, because the foot is at the end of the blood flow road. The blood has a hard time getting there. If the foot/ankle is always swollen that restricts blood flow and the bone can die. This is what happened to me, found out two days before my TAR. I am now currently waiting for an InBone TAR with a 54mm stem. The Ingbone with the 14mm stem is FDA approved but the 53mm is not. Anyway since you son is only 18 it is imperative that he keep the swilling down, Ice and heat keep the blood pumping.
Keep questioning the doctors big time do not assume they are Gods I could tell you stories that happened to me that would curl your hair. Be a pushy mom. If his foot is turning than something is wrong big time.
good luck
denkopf

I live in NC and had Ankle Replacement surgery 6 weeks ago at Duke University, Dr. James DeOrio, surgeon. I was in a hard cast for the
1st 3 weeks with no weight at all - used a walker and crutches. The
next 3 weeks I was in an Aircast on crutches, but using my foot for
balance only, but still not full weight. Now at 6 weeks I am to begin
walking with full weight on the ankle. Taking it real slowly as there is
some swelling and minor pain eased with Tylenol. My surgery was a
result of a very bad break 20 years ago with a 2nd break a
year later. Initially I had many surgeries putting metal in - taking
metal out, but did pretty good until 2-3 years ago. Finally bone on
bone made it almost impossible to walk and pain pills were a way
of life. I have the Salto Talaris, but Dr. Deorio also does the In-Bone.
Quite by accident, I discovered a group of 7 others who have had one or
the other of these surgeries. At this point, it is a miracle for all of us.

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum. I have been an active 64 yr. old grandmother. Last Oct. I fell coming out of the hospital (of all places). Besides dislocating my ankle I crushed the rest of it. The surgery was sort of successful. Oh! I am diabetic. About a month after surgery the doctor cut a hunk of black dead skin away from the ankle. Inside was a hole the diameter of my little finger and deep enough that you could see the screws. All along the surgeon insisted I did not have an infection. I wound back in the E.R. and they finally did a culture and admitted me. Even with the proof in writing that I had 3 infections the surgeon still said I didn't. Anyway, I went to another doctor who immediately began to heal the infection.

Now I am facing the dilemma of having a fusion or replacement. The surgeon I saw in Tucson, AZ learned from the doctor who invented the "Agility" replacement.

I have also had 4 levels fused in my back so that is the reason the doctor where I live talked me into seeing this surgeon. With the fusion it appears that I would not have any motion of the foot and therefore I would be limping and walking with an uneven gait and that would hurt my back. I cannot afford to have more levels fused in the back.

The problem with the replacement is not only the length of time they are good for, but with me being diabetic and prone to infection, if my body rejected the replacement I was told I could wind up with having my foot amputated.

I know nobody can tell me what to do but I would like to hear from anyone who has some of my health problems and has had either the fusion or the replacement.

I have not been without pain since I fell last Oct.

I just found this site because I too am looking for help deciding which surgery to have. I fell 7 1/2 years ago and my ankle shattered (the bottom of both the tibia and fibia as well as the top of the talus all blew into pieces). They did emergency surgery to put it back together - I have a 6 inch plate, 11 screws and 3 pins holding it together.

I've been doing pretty well on it for the last 6 1/2 years with only slight daily pain and swelling mainly whenever I overdid the activity. However, in the last year or so it has gradually gotten worse. The swelling is constant and I walk with a severe painful limp all the time. My activities are now limited and I'm not really living a full life like I would like to. I am only 48 years old! I cannot go shopping or walking with my family. I can't carry the laundry basket and walk at the same time. Cleaning my house exhausts me because of the horrible limp and pain.

The doctor who I see (who put it back together again) had me go see a dr who specializes in ankle replacements. He says I am a candidate, but my doctor says he would recommend a fusion. I don't know what to do. They both say it is a personal decision and they can't or won't tell me what to do. I would love to talk to some people who have had either surgery!

To BarbaraK
The doctor I saw wouldn't even perform the ankle replacement on a diabetic. They also told me that wouldn't do it for me until I've quit smoking for 6 months. It's been 2 weeks now and I am still trying to decide which surgery to have also. Have you found out any more or made any decisions yet?
lalalady

Hi lalalady,

Thanks so much for the reply. I had to have 3 bone biopsies done recently to make sure there was no infection in the bone. Results were great so I have my ankle replacement scheduled for Oct. 2nd in Tucson. Good luck with quitting smoking. I am an ex smoker and know just how tough it is to quit. I really find the doctor in Tucson very knowledgeable as he has done so many of these procedures. It might be some time before I'm back on line after the surgery but I will let you know the outcome as soon as I can. Where do you live? If you are any where near Tucson, AZ I would recommend seeing my doctor for another opinion. Let me know.

{{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}

Barbara:
Good luck with your replacement. I hope it goes well. I live in Omaha NE so AZ is not a possibility for me. The specialist I saw in SD is the son of one of the inventors of the Total Agility ankle as I understand it. I'm still not smoking so am getting closer to being able to schedule my surgery! I still have to decide if it's going to be a fusion or a replacement, though! If you feel up to it, let me know how yours goes! Or if you want to talk about it before then, I'm willing to listen.

lalalady,

It is the Agility replacement that I am having. The doctor I have learned how to do this from the doctor who invented it. He then tours the country teaching other doctors how to perform this surgery.

I am not a candidate for fusion. My ankle was too badly smashed, I am diabetic plus I rejected the plate & screws that were put in.

Great news about your not smoking. I'm sure your doctor will know which option is best for you. Good luck! I'll write after the surgery and let you know how things went.

Barbara

Hi Jeff and lalalady,

It has been some time since I've been able to get on the computer. I finally had my surgery on Oct. 3rd. At first the surgeon was going to do the Agility replacement. But, on second thought, he did the "Tornier". With this method he did not have to take as much bone. I go back to my doctor on next Tuesday to see if I can begin to bear weight.

From your message Jeff, I believe it said you were due to have surgery. The doctor who did mine is in Tucson, AZ. He is great! He goes around to other hospitals over the Country to teach other doctors how to do the procedure.

I have not had a whole lot of pain since the surgery. We'll have to see what happens when I start bearing weight and also when I start P.T. Not looking forward to that but I am so very anxious to start walking again.

Also Jeff, the extent of your damage will determine which replacement procedure you should have. I am 65 and weigh a bit more than you. Besides I have 4 levels fused in my back. I have never been afraid or nervous about any surgery I have had. I just put it all in God's hands and pray for the best. So far that has worked for me.

Let me know if you've had the surgery and how you've made out.

I'm sorry lalalady, but I have not been able to go back to see what medical problems you have had. Give me an update.

Cyber Hugs to you both
Barbara

My husband has had 3 prior surgeries, the last being a partial fusion. He continues to be in constant pain. We just returned from a consultation by Dr. D'Orio at Duke Medical Center in North Carolina and would love to hear from anyone who has experienced this procedure with this physician. Also, is there any other Dr. that you might recommend? We live in South Florida but are willing to travel to get the best medical care. We are approaching this with caution and investigating other physicians before we commit.
Jaacie

Sorry about your husband.

i would recommend that your husband sees Dr Martin O'Malley in NYC at the Hospital for Special Surgery. good luck.

I just returned yesterday from NYC for a consultation with Scott Ellis, MD who is in the same practice as Dr. Martin OMalley at Hospital for Special Surgery. I too am considering ankle replacements and I do know the physicians in this group are well trained to do the procedures, and Hospital for Special Surgery is the #1 orthopedic hospital in the country - so that certainly counts for a lot in my book. I also know that the hospital is using new approaches to pain management. I live in WV and will definitely let Dr. Ellis perform my surgery at HSS!. Aside from Duke there aren't many options for places to have these procedures done on the East Coast.