trudove

Fleafly,
I was referred to Dr Haddad by Dr Tom Clanton who was my Drs mentor for the STAR ankle replacement. He was also one of the Dr that helped get the approval for it in the US. I was trying to avoid a fusion as I did not want a stiff ankle, that was why I had the replacement done in the first place. My Dr told me that Dr Haddad was known for fixing very complicated ankle issues. I was also given a Dr in NC but IL is closer for me to travel from Omaha, NE. When I consulted with him he was very thorough with x rays pictures and video recording me walking barefoot and in my shoes. I had a CT done also, he doesn't do the surgery until he studies everything and has a very high success rate. He is one if the top 23 ankle surgeons in the US. There are people out there that go to Switzerland from the US to have theirs done by a Dr that does a different one. Dr Haddad does the InBone II ankle and doesn't like the STAR, it has a mobile bearing that moves and with all my surgeries and revision and subtalar fusion it was not aligned right so it was tilted back and I had no plantar flexion and couldn't walk any distance because it was affecting all my other joints. Also with all the surgeries and overcompensating on the other ankle it has flared up and it needs surgery but I told him I need to get thus one taken care if first. I am going tI wear an AZ brace on that ankle to help with having to be non weight bearing again since this last surgery. I guess amputation was never talked about in my case, my Drs just knew I didn't want a fusion. So I am hoping this surgery has a good outcome. I have to travel to see Dr Haddad for my 6,12 and 16 week checkups. I fly in and get a hotel and take taxi from airport to hotel to hospital and Dr. I figure it will be worth it if it works since my life has pretty much been on hold since all the surgeries started two years ago May 24. I have been off work since 8/24/11 and I am on LTD until I can go back to work. Have they ever mentioned ankle replacement to you? I know some younger people on the other group I am on have been given the option of fusion as many Dr won't do the replacement on people under 55, but then they can do the replacement when they get older. I know when I was at rehab out there and went to wound care I would see people with the gray boot and ask if they were Dr Haddads patients and most were but one lady mentioned another Dr she had gone to there for a subtalar fusion. It might be worth consulting with Haddad to get his opinion on your ankle if you would be a candidate for the InBone II or ask the Dr you are seeing if he thinks you would be. I would think he could have him look at some of your x rays or he may want to see you himself. Best of luck to you, I know this is really getting old and sure takes a lot out of a person with each surgery.
Trudove