January 25th, 2025

Last Friday, I had another appointment at the hospital. This time, an orthopaedic technician was also there, invited by my surgeon. He explained my entire foot journey in detail. As I mentioned in my last blog, the operation originally planned for February will no longer take place. Instead, the new plan is to create a carbon prosthesis that will wrap around my ankle, allowing me to walk freely without crutches and wear regular shoes.

After reviewing my X-rays and CT scans, the technician reassured me that cases like mine aren’t uncommon, and the results with this type of prosthesis are usually very good. He then took a mould of my foot to design a custom-made brace.

On 6th February, I have an appointment at the workshop where the prosthesis will be made. The adjustments will be done on site, and I should be able to go home without a cast, fitted with this new device. To avoid any nasty surprises with my health insurance, I’ll receive a detailed quote for the prosthesis, which costs several thousand francs. Fortunately, these devices are usually covered by insurance, so reimbursement shouldn’t be an issue.

My surgeon also took the time to explain why he favoured this solution over fitting a rod through the heel and into the leg. The main reason is the staphylococcus infection that affected the joint between my tibia and ankle. Part of the bone had to be removed because it was dead, leaving a gap now filled with connective tissue. To insert a rod, they would have had to remove this tissue, which could have caused complications like bleeding or a new infection. Plus, it would have meant a long rehab with a cast and limited mobility for three to four months.

This consultation really put me at ease. I think this brace is a promising option. However, if it doesn’t deliver the expected results, the rod insertion remains a fallback.

After more than two hours of discussion, I went to see the plaster technician who put on a new cast, hopefully the last one.

I went home feeling relieved and optimistic, even though I’ve often hoped for a good outcome before without seeing the results. Just not having to undergo another surgery is already a huge relief.

To finish, my surgeon showed me the very first X-ray taken when I was admitted in May 2023. My ankle has come a long way since then!