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Total Ankle Replacement
I am six weeks post surgery with a Total Ankle Replacement. I would like to hear about what to expect going forward, your type of prosthesis and how you are managing beginning to walk again.
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Wow. I am sorry to hear that. How long ago was this? I don't think they use nickel any more.
HSS uses the Infinity TAR. You can see images of it online.
I chose HSS for a couple of reasons. One was because my local doctor failed to discuss non-surgical ways to just help alleviate pain and discomfort that another orthopedist (not a surgeon) did. This would have been a way to help bridge the time until I was able to get the surgery done and I was in agony. This caused me to lose confidence in him and I felt he just wanted to cut me open.
My parents have a friend who had his surgery done at HSS and spoke very highly of them and after my initial consultation I was confident they were the best option for me.
Regarding recovery times, I feel like the research I did showed similar recovery times and processes. This includes the MAYO and HSS pages as well as other hospitals. (I may be wrong here but it all seemed similar.) People are often surprised and how long and difficult the recovery is when compared to knee and hip replacements that have quicker recovery times.
I spent a lot of time researching and debating a fusion or TAR and decided that for the long term the TAR was the better option.
You were not able to use Medicare or Medicade? Sorry, if you are enrolled at some point, could get good surgeon and do a Revision. Not fun, like first as to pain but maybe get ROM to 90 which is minimum for walking, etc.