Artificial ankle joint surgery--anyone have it done??

[wrtmani]

Looks like next season is gonna be toast due to ANOTHER &%$#!! surgery...

Had triple athrodesis in 2007 to rebuild arch of my right foot due to collapsed achilles tendon. Too bad my ankle joint was already headed toward needing replacment then and I'm just finding out about it now

Just wondering if anyone has had this done and had good/bad to share about it. Might be able to get some riding in before I hae it done if we get enough snow early, or I might be able t get in some spring riding if it heals like it should. Just depends on when I have it done.

This will be the third surgery I've had on this foot, really hoping I don't have t go under the knife after this.

 

[trikerider]

My wife has been a nurse for an orthopedic surgeon for 25 years, she suggests you go to a board certified ankle/foot specialist, not a podiatrist.

 

[wrtmani]

It was a certified orthopedic surgeon I went to. Had my first surgery in Oct. 2007, went back in Feb. 2009 to have two of the four screws used in first surgery removed and bone spurs cleaned up. Had a procedure done in March 2009 to left calf muslce to pull muscle up to prevent arch on that foot from flattening further (calf muscle? "slide").

Went back to same surgeon in August 2009 compaining of further pain and "rolling" of my foot outward while I walked causing my $120 orthotic-friendly shoes to be blown out in 2 months. Doc took X-ray showing a worn spot between tibia bone of leg and talus bone of foot that "may or may not have been there since your first surgery". His answer was to have the fellow who made my orthotics install a wedge into my already worn shoes to level my foot. Still have been in pain since, was able to buy new shoes at tax time to replace crappy ones and that helped a little bit.

Decided this spring to get second opinion from certified surgeon in Missoula (120 miles away), who took one look at my August x-ray and said "you need joint replacement. The fusion on your arch (the triple arthrodesis) was by all means successful in that the alignment and stature of the arch is excellent. It's just that the joint itself was already headed down the road toward replacement when you had surgery. IT ALL COMES DOWN TO QUALITY OF LIFE as to wheter you want this repacement done." I'm wearing a brace to support my ankle at work (I'm on my feet on concrete all day) but I can't depend on it forever.

So I'm just trying to find out more info about this, I v'e researched some websites and such, and I'm going back next month for more tests and to talk with this new doctor about it. I'm looking at surgery in either Sept/Oct. or in Jan./Feb. 2011 depending on how little cartilge I have left and some other financial considerations.

 

[trikerider]

Sounds like your in great hands, good luck.

 

[go high fast]

Was the MD in Missoula Glenn Jarrett. If not, you should get a second opinion from him.

 

[wrtmani]

It was--found him to be very straightforward and open with me about what I am up against. Not saying the doctor I had here wasn't a very skilled surgeon, just get the feeling I was being "protected" from knowing whole picture of what was wrong with my foot.

 

[go high fast]

I would stick with Jarrett. You will be in excellent hands.

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

Be VERY cautious with this procedure! Do a lot of research! Only go to a good foot and ankle orthopedist, as mentioned above! I have only seen a couple of these in my physical therapy practice, both disasters! Find out who is doing the most of them in the country, and look for various implants being used, and their success and patient satisfaction rates. For some studies, success = no infection or rejection and the patient can walk. That is NOT necessarily good patient satisfaction and outcome, if your pain remains high, your function is limited or no better than before, and you now have had major invasive surgery.

My take....