Today I learned all about my upcoming surgery to replace my talus bone with a 3D printed bone. Having Avascular Necrosis in my talus means that this bone is dead and fractured. The surgery is scheduled for February 13.
I'm relieved that this will finally happen, even though it's a new technology and it's not without risk. My new diagnosis of small airway disease could make anesthesia a problem (or more of a risk). The doctor said that I would be talking to the anesthesiologist and deciding what is best.
My doctor mentioned that if he needed to change from typical anesthesia, he could possibly paralyze me. He said that my concern about my foot involuntarily jerking would probably be solved by sedation. This uncertainty makes me a little nervous.
The surgery is not outpatient and I was told to bring my own wheelchair so that I could learn how to transfer at home. I also have an order to attend physical therapy for a few visits to learn how to keep all the weight of my foot.
I will have a splint (cast) for six weeks, have to use the wheelchair, and rest with my foot propped up. I hope that the surgery will be successful. 3D printed talus is a fairly new technology. There aren't too many studies to follow patients to see long-term results.
If this surgery would fail, the surgeon would need to perform an ankle fusion. I'm not sure about other treatments. I do know that I have a ton of tough days ahead. I made sure to discuss pain medication plans, because without a short-term use of strong pain medicine I would just cancel the surgery today.
I finally finished all my test orders from the rheumatology nurse practitioner. I had a series of x-rays, because the NP wanted to get a base-line set of images of my joints. Having Sjogren's and Lupus overlap can easily lead to RA.
The x-rays didn't show inflammatory arthritis, but did show way too many awful things. Many things I did know about, but it seems like every time I have a test there is something new diagnosed.
Some bones contained benign tumors, a slipped disk, much degenerative disk disease, and more. The tibia appeared to have a fracture and it touches the talus. Having a fracture there is terrifying.
I've been very afraid that after having 3 bones with avascular necrosis, I would have more. Though I haven't talked to the doctor about this, this makes me think that the tibia (with a fracture) could be in the beginning stages of another bone with AVN.
There are more new scary things on the x-rays. I have Spondylosis in many areas and new areas of osteoporosis. It seems that every doctor's appointment brings a new problem.
I'm spending much time learning about these conditions. Once I learn all that my little brain can understand, I go to God in prayer. I ask for healing and grace to endure whatever comes my way.
@2025, copyright Lisa Ehrman
Disclaimer: I'm not a medical expert. This post contains my experiences and opinions and is not meant to be taken as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please see your personal physician.
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