Boca Raton Surgeon Successfully Performs Ankle Replacement for Patient Previously Deemed Ineligible

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Kyle Kinmon, board-certified podiatric foot and ankle surgeon and founder of Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists, recently performed a procedure to revise a previous ankle replacement with a custom implant component, a first of its kind to restore function.

"This is an exciting and rewarding time to be a foot and ankle surgeon! Due to the melding of advancements in medical imaging, 3-D printing, and surgical implant technology, we can accomplish complex reconstructive procedures that were unthinkable just a short time ago," said Dr. Kinmon. "This allows these previously crippled patients better success rates when returning to activity."

The patient, in his early fifties, had severely painful post-traumatic arthritis, resulting in limited motion of his ankle and altered gait, causing pain with every step. As it is with most cases, his condition was due to a previous injury. After evaluation and becoming familiar with the patient's history, Dr. Kinmon determined he was an excellent candidate for this new procedure.

In some patients with previous ankle injuries, loss of portions of the ankle's talus bone traditionally led to an inability to perform replacement surgery. However, with this new procedure, that is no longer the case. Using 3-D CAT scan and 3-D printing technology to simulate the patient's exact anatomy, Dr. Kinmon constructed a custom talus component for an ankle replacement built on top of a titanium cage, accommodating for the loss of bone. This allowed Dr. Kinmon and his team to proceed with ankle replacement surgery in this patient and avoid fusing the ankle.

Ankle joint replacement is now more successful and widely used than ever to treat painful ankle joint arthritis. The condition normally occurs due to injury, but it can also result from rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or deformities of the foot and leg. By replacing the ankle joint, surgeons can effectively remove the diseased joint and replace it with artificial components, reducing pain and restoring function.

The patient is one-year post op and is recovering extremely well with no reported pain remaining.

SOURCE Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists