Ankle replacement ...

[Guest guest]

hello nancy. glad to see you. why the ankle replacement.

Over 20 years ago, she was involved in an automobile accident that just trashed her foot. As a matter of fact, she fought hard to keep them from amputating then. Bottom line is she has always had problems with that foot, and has had several fusions done to the ankle. About two years ago she was actually told by the doctor that one of the biggest problems she has going on now is that they never thought she would live long enough for this to be a problem. She has, basically, outlived her foot. Where things are now is that the super-fused ankle has basically collapsed, plus she has severe rheumatoid arthiritis going on there, plus she has RSD in the ball of her foot. The combination is very, very bad. Not only is she in severe pain all the time, but it's reaching the point where she can't walk.

Ankle replacement is a fairly new thing -- they have only been doing it in the last 5 to 8 years, and there are only a handful of people in the United States that do it. Get this: They actually have to cut the bone above and below the ankle to detach the ankle, then slide an artificial one in there, then put it all back together. Think about that AND RSD, and you can imagine how freaked out we are about all this.

Thanks for the question. Aren't you sorry you asked?? LOL

A very terrified Little Sis

[Guest guest]

I can imagine that you are terrified. Please be sure that her Drs. take the proper precautions during and after surgery to help avoid any further spreading.

My last knee surgery, they did an epidural, which they left in for four days after the surgery.

Here's a good one: About 8 or 9 months ago our Aunt went in for a knee replacement. And they gave her an epidural. Somehow, something went terribly wrong with the epidural, and the bottom line is that while the knee replacement might have been successful, my Aunt was paralyzed from the waist down. Perhaps it was a lot of other factors that got added in (depression, etc.), but my Aunt died three months ago. Still paralyzed. Resulting from the epidural that went wrong. Knowing that, you can imagine how terrifying this entire situation is for us. There is a reality there!

Also, Barbara, thanks for your concern and question, as well. Surgery is scheduled for next week. One big comfort for us is that the surgeon is very familiar with RSD, and instead of having a nurse in attendance, there will be an anesthesiologist. They have the blocks and everything else covered.

Still and all, terrified. Really and truly terrified. I have no idea what I'm going to do if she doesn't make it through the surgery. Really, really terrified. Again, thanks in advance for your good thoughts and prayers.

The Little Sis

[Guest guest]

I can imagine that you are terrified. Please be sure that her Drs. take the proper precautions during and after surgery to help avoid any further spreading.

My last knee surgery, they did an epidural, which they left in for four days after the surgery.

Here's a good one: About 8 or 9 months ago our Aunt went in for a knee replacement. And they gave her an epidural. Somehow, something went terribly wrong with the epidural, and the bottom line is that while the knee replacement might have been successful, my Aunt was paralyzed from the waist down. Perhaps it was a lot of other factors that got added in (depression, etc.), but my Aunt died three months ago. Still paralyzed. Resulting from the epidural that went wrong. Knowing that, you can imagine how terrifying this entire situation is for us. There is a reality there!

Also, Barbara, thanks for your concern and question, as well. Surgery is scheduled for next week. One big comfort for us is that the surgeon is very familiar with RSD, and instead of having a nurse in attendance, there will be an anesthesiologist. They have the blocks and everything else covered.

Still and all, terrified. Really and truly terrified. I have no idea what I'm going to do if she doesn't make it through the surgery. Really, really terrified. Again, thanks in advance for your good thoughts and prayers.

The Little Sis

[Guest guest]

I can imagine that you are terrified. Please be sure that her Drs. take the proper precautions during and after surgery to help avoid any further spreading.

My last knee surgery, they did an epidural, which they left in for four days after the surgery.

Here's a good one: About 8 or 9 months ago our Aunt went in for a knee replacement. And they gave her an epidural. Somehow, something went terribly wrong with the epidural, and the bottom line is that while the knee replacement might have been successful, my Aunt was paralyzed from the waist down. Perhaps it was a lot of other factors that got added in (depression, etc.), but my Aunt died three months ago. Still paralyzed. Resulting from the epidural that went wrong. Knowing that, you can imagine how terrifying this entire situation is for us. There is a reality there!

Also, Barbara, thanks for your concern and question, as well. Surgery is scheduled for next week. One big comfort for us is that the surgeon is very familiar with RSD, and instead of having a nurse in attendance, there will be an anesthesiologist. They have the blocks and everything else covered.

Still and all, terrified. Really and truly terrified. I have no idea what I'm going to do if she doesn't make it through the surgery. Really, really terrified. Again, thanks in advance for your good thoughts and prayers.

The Little Sis