Judy, a 67-year-old Muncie native, is able to go about her daily routine in comfort, but for nearly all of her adult life this was not the case. In the early 1960s, Judy was driving with her husband when their car slid on ice and crashed into a rail. In the ensuing impact, Judy ended up with her right ankle pinned under the seat. A passerby saw the wreck and took Judy and her husband to the hospital.
Judy’s right ankle was crushed and the surgeons who operated on her did not know if she would be able to walk again. One week following the operation, Judy returned home wearing a cast and spent the next year on crutches. Although her ankle was not anywhere close to 100 percent, Judy maintained a normal life, raising two children and managing her home. However, because of her injury, she occasionally needed assistance with shopping and chores. Judy lived in constant discomfort, but it was not until almost thirty years after her accident that ankle pain began to greatly limit her mobility.
By the early 1990s, Judy developed severe arthritis in her ankle and could no longer walk for more than fifteen minutes without having to rest. Visits to her mother’s nursing home in Newcastle - only 19 miles away - became a struggle. As the years ticked by, her mobility continued to decrease but she accepted her new limitations without seeking medical attention. In 2000, Judy began using a cane to guide her walking and started wearing a brace to stabilize her ankle.
One morning after a cold night in January 2002 Judy was walking outside her home when she slipped on black ice. Though she got up, the accident further damaged her ankle and her hopes of an active life faded. Judy lived in agony for another seven years but by January 2009 was at her breaking point; she required the full time use of a cane to walk and a scooter when grocery shopping. She researched ankle specialists in her area and made an appointment with Dr. Suhail Masadeh at American Health Network. For a few months, Dr. Masadeh injected Judy with cortisone shots and though she felt temporary relief, the pain always returned a few weeks later. Judy sought a more permanent solution and inquired about surgical options.
Dr. Masadeh explained to Judy that she was an ideal candidate for an ankle replacement. His practice utilized the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement, which offers a unique prosthesis that allows recipients to experience smooth and fluid movement of the ankle upon recovery. On January 23, 2010 Judy had her right ankle replaced at Jay County Hospital. Following the procedure, she wore a boot for one month.
After the boot was removed, she was placed into a soft cast and began physical therapy. By March 2010, and for the first time in fifty years, Judy could walk comfortably, only occasionally needing a light bandage for support. Shortly after, Judy started visiting her mother regularly and was able to shop for groceries on her own for the first time in years. “I am thankful to my doctor for my surgery; I never imagined I would walk comfortably again. This surgery has enabled me to become more independent and do things that I haven’t done in a very long time!”
Judy was treated with an INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement. Total ankle replacements are a viable alternative to ankle fusion, which is a surgical procedure whereby the three bones that make up the ankle joint are literally fused together. While ankle fusions often reduce or eliminate the pain, they do not restore the ankle’s range-of-motion.
The INBONE® Total Ankle began as a leading foot and ankle surgeon’s quest to provide a surgical solution to ankle arthritis patients for pain reduction and restored mobility. The INBONE® ankle team carefully studied previous ankle designs to determine the causes of implant failure. With that knowledge in hand, and using design elements already proven successful in hip and knee implants, INBONE® ankle engineers designed a total ankle replacement unlike any existing options available.
The prosthesis consists of two main pieces: a tibial (shin bone) component and a talar (ankle bone) component. The tibial component features a polyethylene (plastic) piece secured within a titanium (metal) holder. A long titanium stem securely anchors this half of the implant within the tibia. The talar component is an anatomically shaped, highly polished cobalt chrome metal piece which also features a stem. The talar stem is inserted into the talus (ankle bone) to securely anchor this half of the implant. Once installed, the smooth plastic surface of the tibial component is designed to rotate on the highly polished metal surface of the talar component, allowing for smooth, fluid movement.
These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after
surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level.
There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who
should not undergo surgery.
Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your
unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks and possible
outcomes.