Patient Stories
James S.
In February 2021, I had just gotten back from a golf outing with friends in Florida, and I told my wife that I must have sprained my ankle. It was swollen and warm to the touch. I saw multiple different doctors who diagnosed me with a Charcot deformity in my left foot, and I was placed into a walking boot. I had developed a wound on the left foot that did not close up over a couple months’ time, and I was at risk of losing my foot. My foot deformity progressed over several months, and bone was about to come out of my skin, so my orthopedic foot and ankle specialist referred me to Dr. Jeffrey Loveland in Sparta, Tennessee.
Fast forward to March 1, 2022—my first visit lasted 3½ hours. The surgeon explained to us in detail about Charcot foot, which is what I had. I was dealing with a sore on the bottom of my foot that would not heal for six months. During our first visit, he introduced us to another one of his patients that had the same deformity and was recovering from surgery. They too answered every question we asked and spoke very highly of the surgical process. When the surgeon told me that a reconstructive surgery could fix my foot, I looked at my wife and said let’s do it ASAP. Stryker’s Salvation® 2 system including the midfoot nail, beams, and external fixator was used to complete the reconstruction of my foot.
When I came out of surgery and was looking at the cage I was in, I was scared and worried, but the surgeon explained everything to us very thoroughly. Over the course of recovery, everything went just as the surgeon said it would, and my wife and I did what we were told to do: cleaning my leg and foot every two days and no weight bearing for four months. The external fixator was removed after four months following a CT scan that showed healing of the bone in my feet. At that point, I received my CROW boot and wore it for 8 ½ months. This gave time for my foot to heal. One year after my surgery, I played golf again in my own shoes! The surgery literally saved my foot and gave me back my life.
Important Information
For important risk information on Salvation 2 External
Fixation click here.
For important risk information on Salvation 2 Midfoot
Nail click here.
For important risk information on Salvation 2 Fusion Bolts and
Beams click here.
For important risk information on Salvation 2 3Di
Plating click here.
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. Only a physician can tell you if this product and associated procedure are right for you and your unique circumstances. Please consult with a physician for complete information regarding benefits, risks, anticipated implant duration and possible outcomes.
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