Non-Metal Ankle Replacement Available at UCSD

This "minimally invasive ankle replacement" is neither.

Patients and practitioners should beware of the high potential for adverse outcome with this procedure.

The author failed to disclose that this is an off lablel use of an limited FDA approved skin graft material that is being placed into the ankle joint like a piece of chewing gum.

It is not minimally invasive as the procedure requires a sizable incision and complete destruction of the remaining joint surface. In addition, a minimum of 4 large metal pins and a bulky external bone clamp fixation device must be applied through the skin into the upper leg bone and heel bone and ankle bone of the recipient. There is high risk of pin tract and joint infections which would effectively prevent a patient from ever being considered for a true prosthetic ankle joint replacement. It also creates stiffness and muscle weakness due to long term immobilization.

This is not a joint replacement, but rather a weak attempt at joint resurfacing with a piece of dead skin tissue. It is not biologic cartilage, but rather promotes scar tissue and foriegn body reaction. The procedure is experimental, unproven, and risky. There are no short, medium or long term follow-ups reported in the literature. The author claims to be preparing for publication in a non-peer reviewed, non-medical podiatry journal, in which there is likely no randomization, no controls, extreme selection bias, low numbers, and short follow-up.

This "minimally invasive ankle replacement" is neither.

Patients and practitioners should beware of the high potential for adverse outcome with this procedure.

The author failed to disclose that this is an off lablel use of an limited FDA approved skin graft material that is being placed into the ankle joint like a piece of chewing gum.

It is not minimally invasive as the procedure requires a sizable incision and complete destruction of the remaining joint surface. In addition, a minimum of 4 large metal pins and a bulky external bone clamp fixation device must be applied through the skin into the upper leg bone and heel bone and ankle bone of the recipient. There is high risk of pin tract and joint infections which would effectively prevent a patient from ever being considered for a true prosthetic ankle joint replacement. It also creates stiffness and muscle weakness due to long term immobilization.

This is not a joint replacement, but rather a weak attempt at joint resurfacing with a piece of dead skin tissue. It is not biologic cartilage, but rather promotes scar tissue and foriegn body reaction. The procedure is experimental, unproven, and risky. There are no short, medium or long term follow-ups reported in the literature. The author claims to be preparing for publication in a non-peer reviewed, non-medical podiatry journal, in which there is likely no randomization, no controls, extreme selection bias, low numbers, and short follow-up.

huesero

have you had this procedure done to you or know someone who has? how is this any more destructive on the ankle than fusion or ankle replacement?

Huesero,What makes you an expert on this type of ankle replacement?
I think from what you wrote that you are a disgrundled surgeon who is jealous of Dr Lee's accomplishments.
Of course this is just a guess.

Carol, what makes you so defensive of Lee. His "accomplishments" were recently ridaculed at a scientific meeting. His research is trash, and anybody who believes it is....the same. You must be his secretary?

Has anyone had this procedure? If so please email me at wendyparry@yahoo.com. I am very interested in finding out how the ankle is feeling now.