Ankle replacement surgery helps relieve ankle pain of 72-year-old woman

If arthritis of the ankle bothers you, you may be interested in the story of Mabel and the help she received from a pioneering orthopaedic surgeon for her ankle joint. Ankle replacement surgery was the answer to the arthritis pain Mabel was looking for.

At age 72, Mabel is far more active and energetic today than when she was younger. And she needs all that mobility to keep up with 12 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and some “foster grandchildren” whom she helps at the nearby high school. Combine that with frequent travels to visit family and hobbies, including dancing, knitting, cooking and surfing the Web. Add a frisky mouse-chasing companion named Bonnie the Cat, and it makes for an active lifestyle.

A few years back, Mabel’s story was quite different. Her ankle joint caused her so much pain that there were times when the idea of getting up to get a cup of coffee was just too painful – it wasn’t worth the ordeal. “When you have ankle pain, you don’t want to do things,” she says now.

How Mabel developed arthritis of the ankle

“It all started in 1950 when I fell while on a sleigh ride and broke my ankle,” said Mabel. She was in a cast for six weeks. Then in 1955 she fell again and broke her right leg. This time she was in a cast from hip to toe for nine months.

During those nine months, she developed arthritis of the ankle in her right ankle joint. Because the ankle joint is a weight-bearing joint that absorbs the body’s full impact, pain from arthritis of the ankle can be especially severe and debilitating. And because the ankle is so integral to an active lifestyle, it is an injury-prone part of the body for young and older people alike.

While ankle fractures and ankle sprains may heal, they can lead to problems much later in life. Injuries to the ankle joint, such as a bad sprain or fracture, can cause long-term damage to the cartilage that cushions the ankle joint. Damage many times doesn’t show up until months later. Sometimes the cartilage surface is damaged even more severely, and pieces of the cartilage are ripped from the bone. These pieces do not heal and usually must be removed from the joint surgically.

Arthritis of the ankle resulting from an injury is one of several ways that an ankle joint can become damaged. It can also occur naturally without any serious injury. Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the patient’s immune system, can also create problems. Regardless of the cause of the arthritis, the result is the same – pain.

How Mabel’s pain affected her life

“I took all the different pain pills for my ankle, but they didn’t help much. My ankle pain was so bad it would wake me up in the middle of the night,” Mabel said.

“My ankle hurt most of the time, and I could not move it very well. The stairs in my house were a problem,” said Mabel. She found that going down the stairs backwards was easier, even if it seemed odd to others.

Her pain curtailed her lifestyle so much that she didn’t do the fun things she used to do. Simple activities like walking were just too painful.

Mabel had worked as a nurse's aide in a nursing home, but because of the pain in her ankle, she could not do her job. Mabel soon realized that she needed to do something soon to help relieve her ankle pain.

Mabel’s visit to the orthopaedist: “Anything to get rid of the pain”

Mabel suffered with pain until her family doctor suggested that she see an orthopaedic specialist. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am for my family doctor,” Mabel said. “He’s wonderful. He was recently named Family Practice Physician 2000 for the state of Minnesota,” she said. Her doctor referred her to a group of orthopaedic surgeons in South Dakota.

When Mabel went to the orthopaedist, they first discussed using ankle fusion.

“The doctor explained that I would not be able to move my ankle after the fusion,” Mabel said.

Then the doctor said there might be another option. Another physician in his practice, Frank Alvine, MD, was developing a new ankle replacement treatment, and he suggested Mabel talk to the doctor. The new treatment would actually replace her arthritic ankle joint with an implant made from titanium and cobalt chrome with a plastic (polyethylene) bearing. The implant is known as the DePuy Agility™ Total Ankle Implant (shown below). The surgery is called ankle replacement surgery.

The new artificial joint had a unique design. It offered the potential to both reduce ankle pain and restore mobility by providing a “replacement part.”

If the implant worked, Mabel would be able to enjoy a more natural, active motion in her ankle and leg. She would be able to do more of the things she’d always enjoyed.

After talking over the pros and cons with Dr. Alvine, she made a decision. “I decided to try the new ankle replacement because I wanted to be able to move my ankle, and I would do anything to get rid of the pain.”

What the ankle replacement surgery was like

Mabel’s family took her to Sioux Falls Hospital to prepare for her ankle replacement surgery to be performed by Dr. Alvine.

“Even though the surgery hurt, I have been completely satisfied with my new ankle,” said Mabel. “Dr. Alvine is a fantastic doctor, and I have lots of faith in him. He is gentle, kind and concerned about his patients.”

After her surgery, Mabel was in a great deal of pain. She took three months off from work, which she says was “mainly for my own benefit.” Mabel says she did not have to do physical therapy. “I did some simple exercises at home (circles, moving her ankle up and down) to help my ankle heal.”

Now, more than 14 years after surgery, “I walk about 15 to 18 blocks with no pain,” said Mabel. “I can stand for long periods and do dishes and play with my grandkids.” Mabel’s 11-year-old granddaughter Nikki helps Mabel a lot. “Nikki holds my hand when it is nasty outside to make sure I don’t fall,” said Mabel.

Dr. Alvine continues to tell people to give Mabel a call to talk to her about her experience with ankle replacement. Mabel said she has talked to people “from Alaska to New York and everywhere in between.”

“I tell them to have the surgery,” said Mabel. “I would do it all again if I had to.”

Note: Results from ankle replacement surgery may vary due to patient weight, activity and physiology. Please consult an orthopaedic surgeon. The Agility Ankle is indicated for cemented use only.

Last Updated: 10/16/2007