Finally......talked my Kaiser surgeon into doing a STAR implant into my left ankle. Originally they wanted to do a fusion which would of taken away most of the movement (talk to Squirrel Hunter about that). The STAR implant has been approved for use in the US for just 4 years, although it has been done in Europe for many more years. STAR stands for Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement. It involves removing some bone from the Tibia and the Talus, inserting two titanium plates with medical grade polyethylene in between. In my case the Achilles tendon had to be lengthened. All told it was a three and a half hour procedure with a three day stay in the hospital. It has been over two weeks now and I'm off the pain meds. The staples were removed last Wednesday and the surgeon was quite happy with the results. I'm in a cast for the next four to six weeks with some physical therapy following.
This is just to let you know there are alternatives to fusion. This procedure is still new enough that there are very few surgeons qualified to perform it But if you ever need an ankle replaced, push for it. I think you will be satisfied with the result.
Bottom line, don't let a ST land on your ankle, be safe.
This is just to let you know there are alternatives to fusion. This procedure is still new enough that there are very few surgeons qualified to perform it But if you ever need an ankle replaced, push for it. I think you will be satisfied with the result.
Bottom line, don't let a ST land on your ankle, be safe.
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