Marilyn Utz has lived with arthritis for years which led to her needing both knees and a shoulder replaced. In 2014, Marilyn’s right ankle began to feel like her knee and shoulder joints pre-surgery, but she powered through the pain with an ankle brace and painkiller injections. Marilyn’s ankle degenerated to bone-on-bone and impacted her active lifestyle. She was unable to walk, garden or fish, and going to the beach was unbearable. She began to rely on pain medication just to get through the day, but she didn’t like the way medication made her feel.

Marilyn knew surgery was the next step. She went to Dr. Eugene Batelli of Metropolitan Ankle & Foot Care in Totowa, New Jersey. He suggested an INFINITY™ Total Ankle Replacement. Marilyn decided to get the ankle replacement surgery and in May of 2016 she was fitted with her INFINITY™ Total Ankle. She spent three days in the hospital and six weeks in a cast, then a boot. Physical therapy helped Marilyn achieve great range of motion. Walking helped get her strength back when she was allowed to put weight on her ankle.

Marilyn is now back to swimming and working at her part time job in the cafeteria of a local elementary school. She wants to use her story to educate others about the total ankle replacement surgery.

“I don’t even know I don’t have my own ankle,” said Marilyn. “I’ve had both knees replaced and they’re good, but in the back of your mind, you know they’re not your knees. With this ankle, I don’t even think about it.”

The opinions of Marilyn Utz and Dr. Batelli are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Dr. Steven Steinlauf of Orthopaedic Associates of South Broward County strongly recommends ankle replacement as an option for patients with age and injury-related ankle issues. Vast improvements in implant technology have led to better ankle functionality. Dr. Steinlauf points out that many people know about knee or hip replacement but they should also know about the option of total ankle replacement.

Patient Bella Berler is now pain free after her March 2016 surgery, when she received a total ankle replacement with the INFINITY™ Total Ankle System implanted into her right ankle. “I feel good, I feel 98-99%.”

The opinions of Bella Berler and Dr. Steven Steinlauf are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

In 2010, Kay Patton was at home doing yard work in preparation for a large storm when she fell from a ladder and shattered her ankle. Kay went to see Dr. Sharrona Williams of Ortho Atlanta in Newnan, Georgia, who rebuilt her ankle using bone grafts and screws. Although Kay’s ankle healed with time, she began to experience severe post-trauma arthritis.

Kay had a second surgery one year later to remove the plates and screws, but she continued to experience so much pain that she had trouble walking. Dr. Williams recommended Kay consider receiving the INBONE™ Total Ankle System, explaining patients are likely to recover fully with a full range of motion in the joint, though the road to complete recovery can be difficult. Wanting her life back, Kay decided to have the procedure done.

Dr. Williams explained that the ideal candidate for joint replacement is someone 65 or older who does not smoke, is not overweight, has no deformities and does not perform a laborious job. She notes that the surgery also can and has been performed on much younger patients. By sharing her story, Kay hopes to help someone suffering from ankle pain who does not know total ankle replacement could be an option for them. Thanks to the surgery, she can once again participate in all of the activities she loves, including walking, swimming, gardening and cooking.

The opinions of Kay Patton and Dr. Sharrona Williams are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Marilyn Utz was in pain 24/7 from her arthritic ankle and it was getting worse. She became nervous when the weather produced snow and ice, and she dreaded using the stairs. The 69 year-old Ramsey, NJ resident finally determined that living in pain was no life at all and she went to Totowa based physician, Dr. Eugene Batelli.

Dr. Batelli discovered that more than 80% of Marilyn’s ankle was arthritic and recommended she replace her ankle. Batelli explained that, “the advent of these newer implants is allowing people to do what they want to do and return to their active lifestyle.” After three years of suffering, Marilyn scheduled her surgery at the Hackensack Medical Center.

Marilyn is now back to her favorite activities including fishing, gardening and swimming. She said, “A lot of people when they get older, they give up. Not me. I ain’t giving up yet, you have to keep going.” Marilyn frequently recommends the ankle-replacement surgery to her friends who are suffering and “feel like their wings are clipped.”

The opinions of Marilyn Utz and Dr. Batelli are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Mrs. Claus suffered from pain and discomfort in her right ankle due to arthritis that began to interfere with her Christmas duties. This past fall Mrs. Claus contacted Dr. Matthew A. Hopson, a foot and ankle surgeon at TPMG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Newport News.

Dr. Hopson found that Mrs. Claus had almost worn out her ankle. He recommended that she receive a total ankle replacement “TAR.” A 3 dimensional CT scan of Mrs. Claus’s ankle was done with the Wright Medical Prophecy Imaging system to design the patient specific INFINITY™ pre-operative navigation alignment guides.

In late September Mrs. Claus underwent her ankle replacement surgery. Three months later she is walking unassisted, “doing stairs” and helping Santa prepare for Christmas. She attends bi-weekly therapy sessions and credits her fast recovery to Dr. Hopson’s skill and great staff.

The opinions of Mrs. Claus are hers alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Kay Patton lived an active lifestyle until she fell from a ladder while doing yard work at her home and shattered her ankle. After the injury, she started seeing Dr. Sharrona Williams of Ortho Atlanta in Stockbridge, and the doctor rebuilt her ankle using bone grafts and screws.

Despite having a rebuilt ankle, Kay was still in pain, and Dr. Williams recommended Kay consider receiving the INBONE™ Total Ankle System. She explained that the goal of an ankle replacement is to preserve the functional motion in the patient’s ankle while ridding the patient of pain, and the implant is size-matched to the patient’s existing ankle according to their CT scan,

Kay decided to have the procedure done. She wanted to continue to live the active lifestyle she loved and not worry about her ankle anymore, and new technology such as the INBONE Total Ankle System have vastly improved outcomes for patients.

Kay was a candidate for a total ankle replacement, however, not all patients are. If a person is obese, has vascular issues or does hard labor, they might not be a candidate. By sharing her story, Kay hopes to help someone who is suffering from ankle pain and does not know total ankle replacement could be an option for them.

The opinions of Kay Patton and Dr. Sharrona Williams are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Dr. Jason DeVries recommends a total ankle replacement for patients who are suffering from debilitating, end-stage arthritis in their ankle and can no longer tolerate the pain.

A patient typically spends the day of the surgery and one night afterward in the hospital.

As Dr. DeVries explains, the patient will not be able to put any pressure on their ankle for two to four weeks after the procedure. After that time, they will begin physical therapy and walking with a supportive boot ankle.

Following an ankle replacement and the appropriate recovery time, a patient should experience pain relief and the ability to walk around freely as well as return to participating in the activities they enjoy.

The opinions of Dr. Jason DeVries are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Dr. Steven Neufeld of Falls Church, Virginia, has helped bring total ankle replacements to the forefront of medical procedures, pioneering the program in the INOVA Health System. The surgery provides his patients with a pain-free ankle and full range of motion, allowing them to get back to the activities they love.

To see the benefits of total ankle replacement you have to look no further than Dr. Neufeld’s patient Karen Navarro, who spent years playing softball and had suffered from ankle pain ever since she sprained it at the age of 25. Now 54, Karen reached her breaking point when she could no longer perform everyday tasks. Upon meeting with Dr. Neufeld and learning total ankle replacement was an option, she immediately scheduled an appointment to have her ankle replaced with the INFINITY® Total Ankle System. The procedure was a success and returned her ankle to its pain-free state. She now goes to the gym regularly and is back to enjoying the outdoors and trips with her fiancé.

The opinions of Dr. Neufeld and Karen Navarro are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Karen Navarro of La Plata, Maryland, suffered from increasing pain in her right ankle for more than 20 years, which eventually kept her from her favorite outdoor activities such as softball, attending car shows and working in her yard. Exhausted from the pain, she went to see her primary care doctor, who referred her to Dr. Steven Neufeld of The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center in Falls Church, Virginia.

Dr. Neufeld recommended a total ankle replacement and replaced Karen’s right ankle on Oct. 14, 2015, with the INFINITY® Total Ankle System. The procedure has allowed Karen to get back to enjoying the outdoors and going to the gym regularly. She is also looking forward to an active retirement at the end of 2016. From Dr. Neufeld’s experience with Karen and other patients, he believes the surgery is life-changing and gives patients the opportunity to live without foot and ankle pain.

The opinions of Dr. Neufeld and Karen Navarro are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Chris Dodder, a father who loves to stay active with his three kids and coaches their sports teams, suffered decades of ankle pain after playing soccer at the University of Tulsa. The university’s turf technology wasn’t advanced at the time and caused him to begin experiencing ankle pain. He suffered from ankle problems throughout college and had surgery at the end of his career, which doctors told him would provide relief for about 20 years. About 20 years later, Chris went to Disney World with his children and was in so much pain that he couldn’t keep up with them at the park and decided it was time to see a doctor about fixing his left ankle.

Chris met with Dr. Stotler of Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates, and he received the INBONE® Total Ankle System in early 2015. After conducting 30-40 ankle replacements per year, Dr. Stotler was able to determine that Chris was the perfect candidate for the INBONE® Total Ankle. Since receiving the ankle replacement, Chris lives virtually pain-free after a short amount of recovery time.

The opinions of Dr. Stotler and Chris Dodder are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Taking his three children to Disney World for the very first time should have been a dream come true for Tulsa-resident Chris Dodder. Unfortunately, the lasting effects of an injury he sustained to his left ankle while playing soccer in college threatened to ruin that dream. The constant, nagging ankle pain and numbness made it challenging for me to keep up with my seven, nine and eleven year old children during my recent vacation.

After meeting with Dr. Westley Stotler of Tulsa Bone and Joint Chris learned he was an ideal candidate for a total ankle replacement. On March 11, 2015 Dr. Stotler implanted an INBONE® Total Ankle System in Chris’ left ankle. Since receiving his implant Chris has been able to get back to what he loves—being active and coaching his children’s many sports teams—pain free.

The opinions of Dr. Stotler and Chris Dodder are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Real estate agent Lynette Parsons has suffered from ankle pain and arthritis since age 14. After being in pain for decades, walking with a cane and dreading stormy weather that made her ankle hurt even more, she wanted to find a solution. Lynette began interviewing a span of doctors in as far as Europe to explore her options until she met Dr. Jason Piraino of UF Health in Jacksonville, Fla. and learned that ankle replacement was her best option.

As a real estate agent, Lynette didn’t want her job to suffer, and with a total ankle replacement, her work didn’t skip a beat. Dr. Piraino explained that doctors take a CT or CAT scan, send the results to the manufacturer and the patient specific guides are created. He said the technology has greatly improved in the last 10 years. In fact, Lynette hardly missed work after the procedure and has been living pain-free ever since.

The opinions of Dr. Jason Piraino and Lynette Parsons are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Scott Quillen joined his brother for a mini bike test drive in March 2010 and fell off the bike, resulting in a shattered fibula and a compound dislocation of his right ankle. Although the rest of Scott’s leg healed after the accident, his ankle began causing him severe pain shortly after the accident. Scott’s pain became unbearable to the point that his quality of life was at zero, and he discussed the option of amputation with a fellow veteran who underwent the procedure to determine if it would be the best option for him.

A couple of years after the accident, Scott met another ankle pain sufferer at a tag sale, and she told Scott to meet Dr. Collin Ball in London to discuss a total ankle replacement, which she had just underwent. Scott immediately scheduled an appointment with Dr. Ball, and the doctor decided that Scott met the requirements for candidacy to receive a new total ankle replacement for his right foot. Dr. Ball explained that not everyone is a candidate for total ankle replacement, but three years later Scott is still living a full life and is able to enjoy the outdoor activities that he enjoys and missed those years that he suffered from the severe ankle pain.

The opinions of Dr. Ball and Scott Quillen are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Janet Kinser broke her right leg and ankle more than 20 years ago in a roller skating accident, and although her leg healed, her right ankle deteriorated over the years to the point of severe constant pain from bone-on-bone rubbing. Eventually, Janet couldn’t enjoy the outdoor activities she enjoyed most because of the pain, and she decided to seek help.

Dr. Corey Rosenbaum of Florida Hospital Flagler in Palm Coast performed the hospital’s first total ankle replacement on Janet’s right ankle last fall. After the procedure, Janet had no pain in her ankle and now walks and exercises outside free of pain. Dr. Rosenbaum explained that with better implant technology, he is now able to conduct the procedure more easily and that the main goal of the replacement is to reduce the patient’s pain, improve mobility and improve stability in the ankle joint.

The opinions of Dr. Rosenbaum and Janet Kinser are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.

Dr. Jesse Doty of UT Erlanger Foot and Ankle Institute answers a reader’s question about when to consider ankle replacement. Dr. Doty suggests that patients who have completed at least six months of therapy with bracing, anti-inflammatory medications and a cane or crutches, with little success, may be good candidates for an ankle replacement. He explains that if a patient is deemed a good candidate their physician will remove the worn-out joint surface and resurface with a metal alloy and a plastic spacer, replacing the damaged cartilage surfaces.

The opinions of Dr. Doty are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Any results are specific to this particular individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight and prior activity level. There are risks and recovery times associated with surgery and there are certain individuals who should not undergo surgery.