Disqus - Latest Comments for loristewart

Re: Ankle Replacement Surgery

loristewart — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:52:14 -0000

Dear Gerard,
Sorry to hear about your ankle. I am from the Albany area of New York. My right ankle suffered 15 fractures with a torn tibialas tendon. It was one of the worst ankle breaks they had seen in Burlington VT. It was also complicated by being a compound fracture...FABULOUS! Anyway,I had a tremendous pair if orthopedic surgeons do "Open Reduction and Internal Fixation". They knew at the time most likely in the future it would have to be fused. There are two major fusions of the ankle...one is to fuse the tibia/fibula to the top portion of the talus bone and the other is called a triple arthrodesis. This procedure fuses the heel bone to the under side of the talus bone.
The first fusion(the one I already have) prevents pointing and flexing of the foot,the second surgery stops side to side motion.
This is a procedure that will most likely be in my future.
Arthritis is very debilitating and cortisone injections will help for a while. I did those for about 3 yrs. The fusion I had takes about 4months in a cast (not exciting),and then depending on how aggressive you are with getting better,it does work! I did NO physical therapy what so ever,I just went back to TKD. I was back to competing in about 8months.
You would never know I had anything done to that ankle by the way I walk, however with the leg exposed,I do have a lot scars. Oh well! The foot will,over a period of time,break down. I ended up with a neuroma in the instep of the foot that also needed to be removed and most recently I had a gastric-soleus release due to the lack of use of the Achilles tendon. That
tendon does not get stretched with the type of fusion I have and there is
no kind of exercise you can do simply because the lack if
extension/flexsion.
The surgeon I have now is holding off on the triple arthrodesis for as
long ad possible. He does do injections of cortisone once to twice a year
and that seems to be working ok. Surgery is not in my plans at this time.
It has been nice to not experience the horrific pain caused from arthritis
(at least at the upper portion if the foot). Now I have a considerable
amount of arthritis in the sub-taler joint...I will hold off if the
injections continue to help.
I hope this info helps you. You are free to contact me, however use this
email lscatlover9@gmail.com. The first letter is a lower case"L". Do you
still do TKD? I am at 5+ degree black belt,so the ankle hasn't stopped
me. Lori
On Jan 2, 2012 6:16 PM, "Disqus" <>

Re: Ankle Replacement Surgery

loristewart — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:57:13 -0000

Hi Karen, Well I guess I'm not a candidate for an ankle replacement at this
time. The Doctor said I would probably blow through it in about a year! He
believes that I'm still too active. Curious...What does your Doctor say
about activity? I still train in TKD, and am not willing to give it up. How
exciting for your sons! It is a terrific Art. I will be eligible next year
to test for 6th degree. I also walk about 2-3miles per day.Plus he also said
that with a toddler, it adds extra pressure on that replacement. He wants to
manage the other problems with my foot instead. He injected it with
cortisone and prescribed an orthodic for the shoe. I am very interested to
follow your progress and I appreciate the info more than you know. I think
alot of people suffer ankle injuries, however, yours and mine were
absolutely not just an injury. It is very tramatic to experience what we
went through. What the Doctor actually said after looking at my x-rays was,
I now have Sub-Tayler Osteoarthritis! Who knew, I thought when it was fused,
there would no longer be arthritis.Oh well, let me know, if possible, what
your Doctor says about activity. And as always, best of luck with your new
ankle. Please don't get discouraged, remember, perfection takes time! Lori

Re: Ankle Replacement Surgery

loristewart — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:56:14 -0000

Hi Karen, I'm sorry I haven't been on line in almost 2wks! I have a 2yr old
daughter,so sometimes makes it difficult to take time.My appt. is today for
a consultation regarding the replacement. Yes,my ankle too, was the result
of a car accident.It was broken in 15 places with the lower leg bones going
through the ankle joint and coming through the bottom of the foot. I also
suffered a posterior tibial tendon rupture,which was replaced with some
artificial material. They did repair and after about 9months in a non-weight
bearing cast, I started the 3yr long road to physical therapy. This repair
lasted about 10yrs.I train in TaeKwonDo, so I definately pounded on that
foot for an additional 10yrs before it broke down. At that time,and still, I
am not willing to give up Martial Arts, so the only available fix, was
fusion.They have made incredible strides at providing an impact-bearing
TAR,and that is why I'm doing my best to stay on top of it! I so appreciate
you keeping me informed and letting me in on your progress! I hope you
are,each day, doing better.It does take a long time,as it is the most
intriguing joint in entire body,and the toughest to duplicate.Stay
strong,and still,best of luck. Thank you,Lori

Re: Ankle Replacement Surgery

loristewart — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:52:30 -0000

Hi Karen, Thank you so much for the information, I am very grateful for any and all information. Before I had the Fusion performed, I researched Doctor's, hospitals, and success rates. Even though I had done all the research, the doctor I selected, did it wrong! Fused at the wrong angle...not good! I spent 4months in a non-weight bearing cast to be out of the cast for approximently 1month and had to have the ankle re-broke and fused over again! I additionally spent another 4months in a cast. Needless to say I became very proficient on crutches! Now I'm looking at T.A.R. so I can have mobility back in the ankle. Fusions can be extremely hard on the other bones and joints in the foot. A lot of the sensation your experiencing will subside in time,but don't discouraged, in the long you will be elated to not be in pain. Best of luck to You and again Thank You, Lori

Re: Ankle Replacement Surgery

loristewart — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:01:12 -0000

Hi Karen, I hope you are doing much better at this point. I,too, am considering a total ankle replacement and have an appt. in August. My ankle is a different story than yours, however, recovery periods are different for everyone. My ankle was fused 9yrs. ago. At that time, they had no suitable replacements for someone as active as I am, so Ankle Fusion was the only option. I am hear to say,yes,after 4months of being in a cast, the ankle finally did not hurt anymore. Now after almost 10yrs, the rest of my foot is breaking down. So I am considering a S.T.A.R. replacement. Is this what they did for you? Any information You could share would be greatly appreciated. Thank You , Lori