Bionic Man

[BEEDEE]

Some of you know that I have spent the past 7 1/2 weeks in a leg cast and hobbling around on crutches. It has been a great excuse to wear a kilt each time I go out so my small collection has had a fair amount of use recently. It's not been an easy time and I have to want to publicly thank Jude for putting up with me during this time. She is definitely a keeper.

Anyway, though I would post some information for those X-Markers out there that are chronologically challenged and have joints that are wearing out. My surgery was a total ankle replacement - new to the USA but available in Europe and elsewhere for more than 20 years. Says something for the FDA and their slow approval process. Anyway, as a result of an old rugby injury my left ankle has had no cartilage for several years and constant pain from bone on bone contact. I've been holding out for replacement so got in line just as soon as the last was approved this past April.

Surgery went well and I was pain free about 36 hours after the operation. Of course no weight bearing so hard to tell the end result. But today went back to Duke for a check up and the surgeon says progress is great. Can now start weight bearing - still have to keep the removable boot for three more weeks then into shoes!! YEA!! At least I can dump the crutches just as soon as I feel that my balance with the boot is fine. And no pain when I first put weight on the leg!!!

Got copies of today's x-rays for interest and I am posting them for interest if any others out there have a similar problem. The gap between the two pieces is filled with a polyethylene insert anchored to the top section as a bearing surface.

Found out today that there have been just over 100 of these replacements inserted since the FDA approved them, and my surgeon has done more than 50! So I guess I found the right guy. Back to Duke in 6 weeks and that should be a final visit! Then I can start sailing again.

I'm a believer in this procedure and would be happy to answer questions if anyone wants to PM me.




Brian

[auld argonian]

“Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man. Beedee will be that man. Better than he was before. Better…stronger…faster.”

Best

AA

[Panache]

Glad to hear you are on the mend! You will tackling enemies and friends again before you know it!

Cheers

Jamie

[ccga3359]

Ensign BEEDEE is not bionic, he's a cyborg. Congratulations Brian polyethylene wears like iron so this hopefully this should be the last of the pain and surgury for a long, long time. At one point it was suggested that were I not so young (early 30's) I would have had a knee replacment. they were only good for 25 years and the second surgury would not be near as sucessful. Fortunately we've come a long way in the past decade, knowledge, technique and materials have made so much advancement. A few years ago a fella at work had both knees replaced and I swear after he was 2" taller and a whole lot happier. I raise a drink to you tonight (actually I'd already started) because soon you too will stand tall. Happy sailing

[James MacMillan]

Just keep replacing parts, pretty soon, you'll be a new man.

My wife has had both knees done and one hip, cateracts (sp?) and shoulder bone treatments. I tell friends that I getting a new wife - like you - one piece at a time.

[adam]

Good to hear! I'll have a drink for you too tonight. Good health!