Hello everyone! I'm a newbie here & I just had surgery 5/21/09: Right Ankle Arthroscopy w/Debridement; Medial Malleolar Osteotomy Allograft OATS Repair of Osterchondral Fracture Fragment (Say that 3 x fast). My initial diagnosis was Non-Displaced Osteochondral Fracture, Posteror Medial of the Talus & my pre-op diagnosis was Ankle Synovitis w/Talar Osteochondral Defect. My surgeron used "Trucor" plugs (two 4.0 cannulated, partially threaded screws, I believe they're stainless steel?). I didn't have any grafts taken from my knee or elsewhere. My OCD was large (1 cm) & surgeon found a dime-size bone fragment. I was in a bandage/splint for 2 wks, & have a fiberglass cast for 2 wks, then I get a new fiberglass cast this Tues. when stitches come out for another 2 wks. I'm non-weightbearing for 6 wks. & it will be at least another month before PT. My surgeon was highly rated & actually has an interest in OCD of Talus. He said there's a 2-3mo. recovery, but that he'll know at 6mo. if surgery was successful. He said there's no guarantee & that success rate ranges from 40-85% depending on severity of injury, age, physical health, etc. Said it may be up to a year before I feel 100%. Said if surgery doesn't work, he'd do graft (which he already did), so not sure what next step is? He mentioned Ankle fusion or remaking ankle bone.
I've been reading all your posts & appreciate all the info. on insurance, your procedures, recovery, etc. I too have had more pain at 3 wks vs. 3 days from surgery. I fell 1wk out of surgery & my right foot hit the floor twice! Luckily I didn't do any damage. I still prop/ice leg & can't stand for more than a minute w/out my left leg hurting. Has anyone had the same procedure as me? I have researched my injury & the surgery options, but can't find any info. on "Trucor" plugs. Has anyone heard of these? I see my surgeon this Tues., so hopefully I have a new report for this thread.
I feel everyone's pain & hope I haven't rambled too long or confused anyone w/all my medical terms? My advice: Follow doc's orders & rest, ice, elevate, exercise. Take care & hopefully we'll all heal soon.
Last edited by Administrator; 07-11-2009 at 07:46 PM.
Hi: I'm 33 days post surgery, 7 days into my 2nd cast (comes off 6/30) & then I'll have an aircast. I can start light weight-bearing & PT soon after. My foot's very swollen & I've had ankle/heel pain. My left leg is taking a beating & I need to get a knee brace. Doc said my ankle is healing well. And yes, I've fallen 2x in one day last wk. - not good :0 That's great you're off crutches. PT will be painful, but if you have a good doc, you'll be feeling less pain in no time. The saying, "No pain, no gain" is true, but when you're at PT tell your doc if you have severe pain - don't just work thru it. And keep ICING!! My PT recommends an 'ICE BATH' (fill a bucket w/ice & water, stick foot in it for a total of 7 min. Start out in 30 sec . increments & work your way up to a min. at a time). It's very painful, but you get used to it & he says it's very effective. I did this before surgery & it WORKS! Do it at least 2xday every day if you can. Good luck.
