Articular cartilage damage???

Hi PhoenixOmen thank you for your reply. I went to see the guy who did my operation last year for the first time since he did it the debridement 11 yrs ago. He felt my ankle and moved it around and said it was very smooth and in good condition. He is supposed to be the top guy here in Ireland , he is old enough too so im sure he has good experience. I had suggested ACI to him where they take the cartilage from your knee and culture it then put it back into the ankle .He said he would not go near that ankle the way it is at present . Im thinking i should get a second opinion?? . He also said that i would have arthritis in that ankle probably when im 50. Seems theres little good news about these injuries.

Hi Retroloose, so sorry to hear about your ankle, iam at mo recovering from a broken ankle blah blah, I don't know enough about your situation, but I really hope you get it sorted and the pain isn't too bad. This website is great you'll find lots of help and support in here if you need it.

take care 🌞🌺

Alright. I do understand your situation. 

It is weird that a specialist (no matter how good he/she is) tells you that he/she will not go near that ankle the way it is. You must understand that most old specialists are experienced with old treatments but are not that familiar with the new "times", there for they will not "play" with new treatments if they can avoid it.

I do belive (by what you told me) that he performed a stressing test on the affected area. That is all good, by what you explained me, looks like you don't have any issues with your ligaments. That said, the fact that the area does get sore is a red flag that should be clear.

When you exposed the debridement, I was afraid on the arthritis factor, but I did not want to add to the already depressing moments.

If you were feeling confident with your doctors diagnosis (and let's face it) you wouldn't be here, so follow your feelings and do get a second opinion. I will tell you what I keep explaining others: Many times, X-rays do not see nor unfold the issue, and you would need a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

As I told you on my first reply, "destroyed" cartilage is the start of many other issues, if not caught on time. I am sure, that by now, you know what and how a cartilage works and do.

Under proper hands, you could get some cartilage "fixes" (if conditions are adequate), just like the example you gave us (ACI).

I am sure everything will go well. On the mean time, If I were you I would try to immobilize the affected area (as much I could and till I get a second opinion), even when sleeping. You could get a walker (air cast boot). Try to not overuse the area, since you expressed concern about it when used for long periods.

Relax and don't stress out, everything will be fine you just need to have patience.

I can only tell you what I would do if I were in your shoes. 

Good luck.

My injury was straight down on the foot the ankle did not twist or turn , imagine jumping off an eight foot wall and landing on one foot on concrete with a straight knee , my leg was purple up to my knee. My specialist surgeon told me that Aci is not proven yet and i could end up with a sore knee also.

I will get a second opinion and see what they say . I agree with what you say about older surgeons. Aci is not performed yet in ireland so i would have to go to the Uk ,i doubt my health insurance would pay . I think it could be 20,000 sterling for Aci . I dont know if Aci can be done if you have arthritis setting in. Its a bloody nightmare. There is very poor information available on such injurys .

Now that you reconstructed for us the type of incident that caused your injury, is easier to picture the problem.

On the arthritis sector, sadly (as today) there is no cure for it (if is already well developed). That said, there are ways to slow down its progression, and your specialist should help you find the best method for it. You could start on your own with a diet specialized on such task.

The ACI could be done (with adequate circumstances), but Arthritis would end up "destroying" it again.

Regardless of everything, I am sure you'll be fine at the end of the road. I think you are in your last storm (on the matter) before reaching the calm.