Broke My Prosthetic Ankle Joint-I Messed Up

[Shiner]

Ron I don't have to tell you to HANG IN THERE

Having had my share of non-OEM parts installed most recently a hip, A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS THE IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR RECOVERY

Curious, what age did your parts need replacing?

 

[BIGNASTY]

Curious, what age did your parts need replacing?

1st was my left leg below the knee that was taken in Cambodia at 20 Y O, the Left knee should have by all counts been removed and left with a stump above the knee, at that time a Navy Doctor thought that I'd been through enough put in a prosthetic knee.

Favoring the left side made the right knee go to hell and its 1st replacement I was in my mid to late 30's the 2ond replacement of the right knee I was late 50's. The left knee was worn out (technology wasn't as good as today) and taken to leave a stump above the the knee just 3 or 4 years ago. My right hip was replaced a week or so ago the left will be done ASAP after I get rehabbed on the right.

The quality of parts has dramaticaly improved over the years its not to say that in most cases the parts wouldn't have lasted a lifetime but I Made myself a vow when I was learning to walk when I lost the left leg that I wasn't going to live selling pencils on the corner with a sign saying I needed help Im a Vet, and Id either do what I wanted or find a way to do it. I flat wore out the parts. I sometimes sit in the Doctors office hearing other people talk about limitations with their prosthetics and think their limit is in their mind the human body & spirit is a remarkably adaptable thing & IT PAYS TO HAVE THE BEST WIFE IN EXISTENCE!!

 

[Shiner]

1st was my left leg below the knee that was taken in Cambodia at 20 Y O, the Left knee should have by all counts been removed and left with a stump above the knee, at that time a Navy Doctor thought that I'd been through enough put in a prosthetic knee.

Favoring the left side made the right knee go to hell and its 1st replacement I was in my mid to late 30's the 2ond replacement of the right knee I was late 50's. The left knee was worn out (technology wasn't as good as today) and taken to leave a stump above the the knee just 3 or 4 years ago. My right hip was replaced a week or so ago the left will be done ASAP after I get rehabbed on the right.

The quality of parts has dramaticaly improved over the years its not to say that in most cases the parts wouldn't have lasted a lifetime but I Made myself a vow when I was learning to walk when I lost the left leg that I wasn't going to live selling pencils on the corner with a sign saying I needed help Im a Vet, and Id either do what I wanted or find a way to do it. I flat wore out the parts. I sometimes sit in the Doctors office hearing other people talk about limitations with their prosthetics and think their limit is in their mind the human body & spirit is a remarkably adaptable thing & IT PAYS TO HAVE THE BEST WIFE IN EXISTENCE!!

Agreed, mind is a terrible thing to waste.
1st, let me thank you for your service and sacrifice.
2nd, you are a testament to the human spirit and also what makes America so great.
3rd, wishing you a speedy recovery on all fronts.
4th, you got me beat in the replacement parts category.....I have merely had back fusion surg., shoulder roto-rootered, heel fusion, bone spurs removed, and the normal throw away parts removed like gall bladder....interestingly, I still have my appendix. I will never complain about my "stock knees" again.
Big, you do inspire me. Thank you!

 

[Wiredawg]

Curious, what age did your parts need replacing?

shiner, I'm 61 now and was 55 when I had my ankle replaced. Don't tell anyone, but I climbed a ladder with my air cast Friday. An air cast is an amazing invention. I changed my fuel filters on my 5500 with it too. Just have to be careful and rest often.

1st was my left leg below the knee that was taken in Cambodia at 20 Y O, the Left knee should have by all counts been removed and left with a stump above the knee, at that time a Navy Doctor thought that I'd been through enough put in a prosthetic knee.

Favoring the left side made the right knee go to hell and its 1st replacement I was in my mid to late 30's the 2ond replacement of the right knee I was late 50's. The left knee was worn out (technology wasn't as good as today) and taken to leave a stump above the the knee just 3 or 4 years ago. My right hip was replaced a week or so ago the left will be done ASAP after I get rehabbed on the right.

The quality of parts has dramaticaly improved over the years its not to say that in most cases the parts wouldn't have lasted a lifetime but I Made myself a vow when I was learning to walk when I lost the left leg that I wasn't going to live selling pencils on the corner with a sign saying I needed help Im a Vet, and Id either do what I wanted or find a way to do it. I flat wore out the parts. I sometimes sit in the Doctors office hearing other people talk about limitations with their prosthetics and think their limit is in their mind the human body & spirit is a remarkably adaptable thing & IT PAYS TO HAVE THE BEST WIFE IN EXISTENCE!!

Big, Thanks for your service and sacrifice. It is always about making the best of it. If my prosthetic ankle can be saved, I will still do everything that needs to be done, just take a few more precautions, like wearing a custom brace the VA made for me to stabilize my ankle while waiting for my new ankle back in 2013. I can operate my zero turn mower and haven't tried to operate my compact tractor yet. It has a pretty strong clutch. Have been looking at smaller hydrostatic ones, but will see what happens

Hang in there and so will I.

Thanks for the encouragement, Ron

 

[jhenderson]

My brother-in-law had a leg amputated several years ago at the age of 66 and was having an all around bad time of it. The advice Gail gave me to give to him was just what he needed. He did pretty well until A.L.S. got the best of him. I’ll be forever grateful to Gail for his concern and inspiration to our family.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Thanks for the Words Brothers, I was a VERY small part of the 3.5 million that went to Vietnam the 58,000 + that didn't come home deserve the thoughts, not many days go by that I don't think how lucky I am for just loosing a little bit of me.

 

[Simplysmn]

I Guess I'm Lucky dealing with Just No Knee Joint for last 11 month's Hope to get my new knee as soon as Ankle Heal's up .Been dealing with bad knee's sense 1986 at the Early age of 26 I had a Car accident and Lost all Cartilage in both knee's they did Arthroscopic surgery 10 on left before getting it replaced in 97 I have had a total of 26 surgeries on left and so far just 10 on right but as soon as left is up and going Right will have to be Replaced . Biggest thing that stink's is the Joint it's self is 45K plus hospital and what not .I have my good Day's and my Bad day's I have got it up to 4 step's to bathroom and 4 step's back and Doc is OK with that but say's No More . The Killer is Height being 7 ft the Joint is all custom made . As doc Put it the Biggest on shelf is 88 mm my Joint is 103 MM so It takes them a few Month's to design it . Life is Fun at Times . I Hope to hake it too May Madness this yr . so we will see how that goes .

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
I see the Army ortho surgeon tomorrow and will find out if I my ankle can be repaired or if it gets removed and fused. Need to get shot in right knee as extra strain on it is agrevatating torn meniscus. Thank goodness it just hurts and doesn't need replacement.

While this has been going on, I've been in PT for my right shoulder. PT doc says MRI looks like arthritis and damage looks like candidate for replacement. Military sending me out into civilian surgeon to work this, but referral seems to be lost. I'm thinking about letting it stay lost and going to the VA. I'll figure it out this week.

Been wanting badly to go to Indiana for the meet up there, have to see when my ankle surgery is scheduled AND Vivian approved it. So far answer is no. Just not happy to not do things.

I'll share the news, good or bad about the ankle tomorrow.

I Guess I'm Lucky dealing with Just No Knee Joint for last 11 month's Hope to get my new knee as soon as Ankle Heal's up .Been dealing with bad knee's sense 1986 at the Early age of 26 I had a Car accident and Lost all Cartilage in both knee's they did Arthroscopic surgery 10 on left before getting it replaced in 97 I have had a total of 26 surgeries on left and so far just 10 on right but as soon as left is up and going Right will have to be Replaced . Biggest thing that stink's is the Joint it's self is 45K plus hospital and what not .I have my good Day's and my Bad day's I have got it up to 4 step's to bathroom and 4 step's back and Doc is OK with that but say's No More . The Killer is Height being 7 ft the Joint is all custom made . As doc Put it the Biggest on shelf is 88 mm my Joint is 103 MM so It takes them a few Month's to design it . Life is Fun at Times . I Hope to hake it too May Madness this yr . so we will see how that goes .

You have my thoughts and prayers. Pain, mobility issues, uncertainty all create stress. Hang in there and hope they get you big knee implanted successfully.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TFucili]

Awaiting favorable news, Ron!

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
Got the bad news today: bone in my leg and foot messed up...going to remove the prosthetic and fuse the joint with 12 full weeks completely off it. They're going to mix some type of bone material fill the joint void and bolt it to a metal plate on my leg. Waiting for the call for to schedule the surgery. Happily, though, I have a solution and will still be able to walk.

I hope everyone else who posted issues have them turn out well.

Cheers, Ron

 

[BIGNASTY]

Was hoping for a better outcome for you, but it is what it is, and you have to play the hand you were delt and make the best of it.

At least thats the way I've looked at it.

 

[BIGNASTY]

That stuff they mix up and patch it together is some NARLEY XXXX buddy I broke my wrist and a bone called the Navicular Scapula. It only gets blood from one side they had me in a thumb spika cast for almost a year after surgery. This isn't my wrist but gives you a look at the bone thats said to be the painful break in the body. Lots of bicycle racers break it, I had to better that and went head & xxx over the handlebars of a Appaloosa Stud that had been eating grain all winter and was ready to burn off some pent up energy.

 

[Wayne M.]

Sorry to hear this.

 

[DavidC]

Bummer, hopefully after your done walking will not be a big hassle. Guess you will learn of any limitations.

 

[TFucili]

Not the path you had hoped for, but you will power through it, just the same.

 

[Bill Lins]

Wishing you good luck with the procedure & hoping it fixes what ails you.

 

[JR]

Sorry to hear that Ron. From the time frame given it looks like we won't be able to meet you at the rally in Indiana....unless you can get the Mrs to pilot the space ship! Would of liked to meet you but making the rally is the least of your concerns, I truly hope you get well soon.

 

[Wiredawg]

Sorry to hear that Ron. From the time frame given it looks like we won't be able to meet you at the rally in Indiana....unless you can get the Mrs to pilot the space ship! Would of liked to meet you but making the rally is the least of your concerns, I truly hope you get well soon.

JR, I haven't given up on the trip yet... the unfortunate truth is this Army hospital sometimes carries a backlog because so many veterans are still injuring and losing limbs... it took from August to November for me to have the original implant scheduled for surgery. If there's that much time, we may make it with me driving. Just have to keep it to 6 hours a day and stop every couple of hours. There won't be another event at CMEP like this in my lifetime, and last time we attended one was in 2002. Plus, there is a bunch of new and old friends I'd love to see.

Anyway, we'll see how the schedule turns out.

Thanks again for the support and encouragement.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

I guess the Dr doesn't want to risk more injury... hospital called today and scheduled April 19th for the surgery. I guess that pretty much kills going to CMEP. But, it'll be good to get this done.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Jim W]

Will we will miss you at the CMEP event but it is better to have this issue fixed before any more damage is done. Keep us all posted on your results and how you are doing! Good luck and stay positive about your surgery.