Dr. L. Nathan Gause and his total ankle replacement patient Michelle Batley were featured in a segment discussing ankle replacement options. The story focused on the advancement in technology for joint replacement and how ankle replacements are now an option for patients with severe arthritic or problematic ankles.

Dr. Gause explains how there are a variety of procedures that can be taken to alleviate ankle pain before replacement surgery, but that ankle replacement surgery is now a viable alternative to ankle fusion that allows for great post-surgical mobility. Patient Michelle Batley explained the success she’s had with her ankle replacement including the impact the procedure has had on her quality of life and her comfort since the procedure.

The opinions of Dr. Gause and his patient 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.

San Diego, Calif. Dr. Ryan Meineke is featured in a news story on the ways in which 3D printing is impacting joint replacement. The story highlights ankle replacements, which Dr. Meineke covers in-depth, as well as knee replacements and shoulder replacements. The physicians interviewed report overall confidence in 3D printing technology as it relates to orthopedics. The guides are patient-specific and ensure that the template fits precisely in place, even if the bone contains a challenging deformation.

Dr. Meineke performs total ankle replacements using implants such as Wright’s INFINITY® Total Ankle System and reports that 3D printing with technology such as PROPHECY® has increased his confidence in performing ankle replacement procedures. He notes that the accuracy of the 3D model allows for a reduction of operating time as it cuts down on the number of complexities involved in joint replacement.

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

These results are specific to this 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.

Chicago, Ill. Dr. Anand Vora and his Grayslake resident patient, Dan Chesman, who was implanted with INBONE® Total Ankle System, are featured in this profile story. Dan Chesman shares his story of struggling for over 40 years with ankle pain, after shattering his right ankle in 1972 in a toboggan accident. Over the years, he underwent a variety of treatments, some which were a quick fix, but ended up being unsuccessful and the pain returned. The pain grew increasingly worse over the years and began to take a major toll in his mobility and quality of life. In October 2013, Dan was referred to Dr. Vora at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, who told him about all the latest advancements in ankle replacement technology and that he was a candidate for the INBONE® Total Ankle System.

Dan received the INBONE® Total Ankle System in January 2014, and a year and a half later, he is living an active and pain-free life. He has been able to exercise again, enjoys riding the stationary bicycle, and taking long walks with his wife around downtown Chicago.

The opinions of Dr. Vora and Dan Chesman 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.

Chicago, Ill. resident Gregg Rappe is profiled as part of the newspaper’s Community Contributors series. Rappe shares his story of shattering his left ankle when a motorcycle he was riding was broadsided on his way to high school football practice in 1973. After suffering in severe pain for three decades he visited Dr. Steven Haddad at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute with less than 25 percent range of motion. Resolved with the belief that amputation was his only option, Dr. Haddad said, “Give me a chance to try to help you,” and told him about the INBONE® Total Ankle System.

Now two years since undergoing his surgery Gregg’s range of motion has greatly improved and he recently hiked through the foothills of the Himalayas with his new ankle.

The opinions of Gregg Rappe and Dr. Steven Haddad are their 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.

Lee, Mass. resident Bill Roche is profiled as part of the newspaper’s weekly “Everyday People” series. Roche, a retired state police trooper, shares his story of suffering a severe ankle injury while chasing a suspect in the mid-1980s and the misery he incurred for nearly three decades before receiving an INBONE® Total Ankle System in 2012. Today, Bill is living an active and pain-free life – walking, golfing and traveling extensively. Armed with a pedometer, Bill has taken more than 4.3 million steps since receiving his new ankle.

The opinions of Bill Roche are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Many factors contribute to the length of hospital stay and rehabilitation. These factors include, but are not limited to, your age and health at the time of surgery as well as your surgeon’s determination of the appropriate hospital stay and rehabilitation. Additionally, there are risks associated with ankle replacement surgery such as pain and bruising, damage to blood vessels or nerves, infection, or blood clots that can travel to your heart or lungs. If you experience these complications, your hospital stay may be extended.

These results are specific to this 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.

Replacement – were featured in a story on the rising number of total ankle replacements performed in the United States. The story includes animation depicting how the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement procedure is done and includes commentary from Dr. Silverman, who explains that surgeons attempt to recreate the new joint as close to the original anatomy as is possible. Charles discusses how he has excellent mobility since receiving his new ankle and is now pain-free.

The opinions of Dr. Silverman and Charles Soto are theirs alone and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

These results are specific to this 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. Selene Parekh and his patient Nancy Bryson were featured in a story on total ankle replacements. Dr. Parekh noted that ankle replacements are performed for the same reasons as knee and hip replacements: to help restore motion in those suffering from end-stage arthritis or a severe trauma. Prior to her procedure, Bryson was unable to walk moderate distances, however after receiving the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement, she is now participating in activities that she loves.

The opinions of Dr. Parekh and Nancy Bryson are theirs alone and does 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.

This article, posted by a local healthcare system in Lincoln, Neb., explains the benefits of total ankle replacement compared to ankle fusions and notes that 16,000 ankle replacements were performed in 2014, a number that is expected to increase. Dr. Joshua Vest discusses the improvement in technology, including how the PROPHECY® INBONE® Preoperative Navigation Guides have enabled surgeons to create a patient specific plan based on a patient’s anatomy through a CT scan conducted before surgery. Dwight Johnsen, who was implanted with the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement by Dr. Vest, notes that he is pain-free for the first time in many years and is “110 percent satisfied.”

The opinions of Dr. Vest and Dwight Johnsen 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.

Firefighter and Northampton, Pa. resident Deven Knoll provides a firsthand account of the many years he suffered with ankle pain, the effect it had on his life and career, and his experience undergoing a total ankle replacement. Deven’s passion in life was his job as a firefighter, however after nearly 30 years of dealing with increasingly severe ankle pain, it became too difficult to continue and he was almost forced into early retirement.

A few months before doing so, Deven met with Dr. Jason Piraino, who was then at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia and learned that he was an ideal candidate for the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement. Having the surgery in 2011 not only allowed Deven to live his life pain-free, but also to continue the job he loves. He is currently a Lieutenant in the Bethlehem, Pa. fire department.

The opinion of Deven Knoll is his alone and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical. These results are specific to this 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. Gary Schmidt from Schimdt Foot and Ankle was a guest on the A.M. Show to discuss total ankle replacements. He touches on the struggles of first-generation implants and notes the improvement in technology in newer systems. He also provides clarity on expected life expectancy of the implants. Components of the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement were visible during the interview and Dr. Schmidt described how PROPHECY® Preoperative Navigation Guides have enabled surgeons to create a customized plan based on a patient’s unique anatomy through a CT scan conducted before surgery.

The opinions of Dr. Schmidt 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.

This story on total ankle replacements features local resident Bill Walter, who was moments away from being implanted with the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement, and his surgeon, Dr. Adam Budny from Blair Orthopedics in Altoona, Pa. Bill is a construction worker and elected to have his ankle replaced rather than fused. Dr. Budny described how the PROPHECY® Preoperative Navigation Guides provide a 3-D picture of what he’ll need to do in the operating room through a CT scan conducted before surgery. The story includes video of the surgery and components of the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement.

The opinions of Bill Walter and Dr. Budny are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

These results are specific to this 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.

Mary Blake, a Louisville-area resident, is interviewed for a video feature by the Courier-Journal about her total ankle replacement. Her ankle problems began as a result of a bicycle accident and the resulting damage robbed her of mobility and function in a matter of just a few years. When her orthopedic surgeon gave her three treatment options, two of them – shots to inject fluid into the ankle joint and ankle fusion – were immediately rejected. Mary chose the third option and was implanted with the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement. Today, Mary lives a normal life without pain or disability.

These results are specific to this 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. Donald Dewey of the Medical Center Clinic in Pensacola Fla. and his patient Heather Freeman were featured in a story on the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement. Dr. Dewey discussed the potential benefits of ankle replacements and their potential advantages over ankle fusion while Heather shed light on her recovery process, noting that her new ankle has been a “life changer.”

These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight, and prior activity level. The opinions of this doctor are his/hers alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.

Summary: Editor Dr. Robin Wulffson published a feature on the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement that includes commentary from Dr. Justin Franson of University Foot & Ankle Institute in Valencia, Calif. Dr. Wulffson touches on the advantages of ankle replacements versus ankle fusion, which limits a patient’s mobility and flexibility. Dr. Franson’s patient Marylynn shared her story of how she endured years of debilitating pain until she could barely walk. In September 2013, Marylynn received her new ankle and today, is enjoying her favorite activities without pain.

Dr. Peter Mangone at Blue Ridge Bone & Joint and his patient Tom Hunt are interviewed for a story on the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement. Dr. Mangone offered insight as to how the INBONE® Total Ankle Replacement functions and the expected recovery time. Tom discussed how his new ankle has afforded him the opportunity to return to work pain-free and resume some of his favorite activities, such as hiking and golf.

These results are specific to this individual only. Individual results and activity levels after surgery vary and depend on many factors including age, weight, and prior activity level. The opinions of Dr. Mangone are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wright Medical.