sevesteve

Hey,

I believe I did significant damage to my ankle (via bad sprain...lateral/anterior location...ultimately a stage IV injury) back in 1999, then to Podiatrist within 12 months (took that long for chronic pain to begin), who diagnosed as tendinitis (no x-ray, two cortizone shots, custom orthotics). Lived with it (pain really never diminished) for 2 1/2 more years, until went to local orthopedic surgeon in early 2003, who x-rayed/CT Scan and did arthro to remove loose fragment/remove spurs but didn't treat talar dome lesion which was clearly present. Little improvement until got much worse in early 2006, at which point went back to OS who referred me to foot/anke OS. Specialist diagnosed instantly by looking at old x-ray/CT Scan and new CT Scan (commenting "what did the OS do in '03?").

She gave me options of debridement/drilling or perhaps transfer (although she doesn't recommend for my age (46 but still very active) so I had arthroscopic debridment/drilling procedure 10/5/06. Was 8 weeks NWB, and 6 weeks WB since, with physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week for 6 weeks.

What I can tell you is that my pain post surgery and post weight bearing was worst than ever for first 2 to 3 weeks, but has improved gradually since. Pain currently is "different" than what experienced for most of 7 years with defect, but can't say it's lesser pain. I won't attempt any mid to high impact (basketball, tennis, light running) for at least another month and I'm somewhat doubtful but still hopeful that will be improved over pre-surgery.

Like eko said, there really are no guarantees with this injury and surgical results vary based on age, health, your individual body's healing and certainly the skill and experience of your surgeon.

If I were you (or had to do over again), I'd get the best doctor your insurance/time/money can afford (ankle/foot orthopedic specialist or a very specifically-experienced podiatrist, perhaps) and get his/her opinion and recommendation, then spend some more time researching (Google Osteochondral Defect (or Lesion, Injury in place of Defect) of Talus and you'll find a wealth of general information. Act as quickly as you can in order to get comfortable with a decision....hoping/believing that it will get better (without treatment) through PT (unless that's what your new-found qualified specialist tells you) or "over time" would in my opinion be something you'll likely regret.

I knew going in to my surgery that odds were slightly in my favor of gaining significant improvement but also a decent chance that wouldn't improve to level that would allow me to do the active things I love to do (as sounds like you are concerned about as well) but I was willing to take that chance because without something changing, I was definitely not going to continue those activities.

Hope that helps.

Steve