In November 2008, Susan, a 56-year-old Palm Coast resident, was simply walking through her bedroom when her legs gave out and she fell on her right ankle.
Susan was rushed to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine where surgeons diagnosed her with a broken ankle. She immediately underwent surgery during which the doctors used pins to fix the fracture. Susan returned home and took a month to recuperate but it was clear that surgery would not be a permanent fix. Though Susan recovered somewhat, she could only walk with assistance from others. Over the next year, Susan's orthopedic surgeon tried a number of different approaches to restore her ankle function, including several different casts and referring her to a physical therapist. However, not only was her ankle not healing, the pain was escalating as well.
When Susan became a grandmother for the second time in June 2009 she was still recovering from her surgery and bound by a cast on her ankle. What should have been a joyous time in her life was soured with frustration by an ankle injury and because she was unable to hold her granddaughter while standing, she could not babysit. Susan was growing increasingly despondent by her dependence on others to walk and she was discouraged by her recovery.
Motivated by the birth of her granddaughter, Susan decided to seek a second opinion and find another surgeon. A few years earlier she saw Dr. Ryan Pereira at Anastasia Medical Group for an unrelated incident and decided to solicit his opinion. After a consultation, Dr. Pereira concluded that she would be a strong candidate for an artificial ankle.
The INBONE® Total Ankle is intended to be used to treat patients with ankle joints damaged by severe arthritis or a failed previous ankle surgery. The INBONE® Total Ankle is intended to give patients limited mobility by reducing pain and restoring movement in the ankle.
Not everyone is a good candidate for the INBONE® Total Ankle. Talk to your doctor to discuss your lifestyle and health to find out if surgery with the INBONE® Total Ankle is a good option for you.
Dr. Pereira suggested that Susan be implanted with the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement from Wright Medical. Just before Thanksgiving 2010, Susan underwent surgery at Shands Medical Center in Jacksonville. She stayed there for three nights, and immediately noticed a difference. She left the hospital wearing a soft cast which she sported for a month, but by mid-December, Susan was walking wearing only a light brace.
Many factors contribute to the length of hospital stay and rehabilitation. These factors include, but are not limited to, your age and health at the time of surgery as well as your surgeon's determination of the appropriate hospital stay and rehabilitation. Additionally, there are risks associated with ankle replacement surgery such as pain and bruising, damage to blood vessels or nerves, infection, or blood clots that can travel to your heart or lungs. If you experience these complications, your hospital stay may be extended.
By mid-January 2011, for the first time in more than two years, Susan was walking completely independently and free of pain. Today, Susan has no restrictions and is able to babysit her granddaughter as often as she can. "I'm so fortunate to have seen Dr. Pereira and feel lucky that I can take care of my beautiful granddaughter" said Susan.
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.