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
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denkopf
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 3
TAR Necrosis Posted: 04-16-08 12:13pm
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
|
GaeV
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 1
Ankle Replacement Surgery Posted: 05-14-08 12:23pm
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.
|
BarbaraK
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: ,
ankle fusion vs replacement Posted: 06-01-08 23:32pm
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.
|
lalalady
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 3
ankle replacement vs. fusion Posted: 07-27-08 19:59pm
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!
|
lalalady
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 3
ankle replacement Posted: 08-09-08 22:08pm
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
|
BarbaraK
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: ,
Posted: 08-10-08 19:26pm
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}}}}}}}}}}
|
lalalady
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 3
ANKLE REPLACEMENT Posted: 08-17-08 20:12pm
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.
|
BarbaraK
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: ,
Ankle replacement Posted: 08-20-08 10:02am
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.
