Ankle joint preservation using distraction arthroplasty
Discussion
Has anyone got any experience of having distraction arthroplasty on an arthritic ankle? Basically it involves fitting an external fixator across the ankle joint for 3 months, which pulls apart the joint by around 5mm and allows the damaged ankle to heal.
Or has anyone had an external fixator fitted to an ankle for a similar length of time? Would be grateful to hear of any experiences.
Or has anyone had an external fixator fitted to an ankle for a similar length of time? Would be grateful to hear of any experiences.
Judging by the pictures it doesn't look much fun, and from reading up, the success rate isn't that high.
I have end stage arthritis in both ankles, I've had arthroscopic surgery on them both, and live an ever decreasing life when it comes to activity.
I have had to pretty much give up golf, and walking anything more than a mile is painful.
I am hoping that the progress in stem cell technology may bring a time when I will be able to have cartilage added back into the joints.
I have end stage arthritis in both ankles, I've had arthroscopic surgery on them both, and live an ever decreasing life when it comes to activity.
I have had to pretty much give up golf, and walking anything more than a mile is painful.
I am hoping that the progress in stem cell technology may bring a time when I will be able to have cartilage added back into the joints.
My surgeon has said there's a 70% success rate (i.e., you see some sort of improvement in pain/movement) and a couple of studies I've found online have had similar results.
My only concern is that it involves 3 months wearing the external frame, which isn't going to be much fun at all. Worth it if there is a benefit, but it's a bit of a gamble. On the plus side, if it doesn't work, it doesn't rule out having a fusion or replacement at a later date.
Like you I'm also hoping for some sort of breakthrough where they can get cartilage to regrow, but it does't seem to be likely in the near future.
My only concern is that it involves 3 months wearing the external frame, which isn't going to be much fun at all. Worth it if there is a benefit, but it's a bit of a gamble. On the plus side, if it doesn't work, it doesn't rule out having a fusion or replacement at a later date.
Like you I'm also hoping for some sort of breakthrough where they can get cartilage to regrow, but it does't seem to be likely in the near future.
ehasler said:
My surgeon has said there's a 70% success rate (i.e., you see some sort of improvement in pain/movement) and a couple of studies I've found online have had similar results.
My only concern is that it involves 3 months wearing the external frame, which isn't going to be much fun at all. Worth it if there is a benefit, but it's a bit of a gamble. On the plus side, if it doesn't work, it doesn't rule out having a fusion or replacement at a later date.
Like you I'm also hoping for some sort of breakthrough where they can get cartilage to regrow, but it does't seem to be likely in the near future.
The external frame would be very intrusive for sure. If you're in a similar place to me, no cartilage whatsoever in the joint/s, then I can't see any miracles apart from synthetic cartilage.My only concern is that it involves 3 months wearing the external frame, which isn't going to be much fun at all. Worth it if there is a benefit, but it's a bit of a gamble. On the plus side, if it doesn't work, it doesn't rule out having a fusion or replacement at a later date.
Like you I'm also hoping for some sort of breakthrough where they can get cartilage to regrow, but it does't seem to be likely in the near future.
The fusion is an operation that I really don't want to have done yet, as I'm only 38.
Ankle injuries suck
DuncanM said:
The external frame would be very intrusive for sure. If you're in a similar place to me, no cartilage whatsoever in the joint/s, then I can't see any miracles apart from synthetic cartilage.
The fusion is an operation that I really don't want to have done yet, as I'm only 38.
Ankle injuries suck
Yep - they definitely do suck The fusion is an operation that I really don't want to have done yet, as I'm only 38.
Ankle injuries suck
I've got some cartilage left, although not entirely sure how much - the last MRI suggested very little, but that contradicts the photo taken during my last op at the end of last year. My surgeon has said he thinks I'm a good candidate for this procedure, and he wouldn't recommend either a fusion or replacement at my age (I'm 42), but I need to do something in the meantime and this seems to be the only thing that may help.
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