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First of its Kind Ankle Replacement is New Option for Patients with Arthritis and Deformities
August 25, 2009
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Georgetown First Center in the United States to Perform STAR Ankle Surgeries
Soccer Coach Hopes to Get back on the Field Soon
(Washington, D.C.) – Forty-six-year-old youth soccer coach and father of two boys Don O’mara knows that years of playing soccer, the ankle injuries he suffered as a college soccer player and his refusal to walk away from the sport are the reasons why he has suffered with painful arthritis in his right ankle for decades. Now, as the coach of his son’s soccer team, he says most days he can’t even walk right.
“I know that I have beaten my ankle into the ground and I’m suffering for it now. I have been exploring surgery for the past few years, but I didn’t like any of the options presented to me, until now,” said Don.
Up until recently, his options were ankle fusion, meaning cementing the shin bone to the talus bone in the ankle. Fusion stabilizes the ankle but significantly decreases the ability to move the foot up and down.
“Fusion was not even something I would consider,” said Don. “That would mean essentially giving up on soccer and my other activities like long distance running.”
His other alternative would have been ankle replacement devices currently on the market. But doctors told him he was too young and too active to be a viable candidate for those.
(Left to Right): Dr. Paul Cooper and patient Don O'mara after receiving the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) at Georgetown University Hospital
But over the summer a new device became an option for Don. On July 20, 2009, he became the first patient in the United States to receive the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) at Georgetown University Hospital. The one-hour long surgery was performed by orthopedic surgeon Paul Cooper, MD, Director of the Foot and Ankle Center at Georgetown.
“I’m really excited about the STAR ankle replacement,” said Dr. Cooper. The ankle replacement devices I have been using until now have come in two-pieces and the surgery was pretty complicated. Those devices are fixed-bearing and do somewhat limit ankle motion and are used with bone cement. The STAR ankle replacement is a step forward in that it’s a three-piece mobile bearing device, which means it relies on bearings to move across a surface of flexible plastic and really is very close to the action of a natural ankle. This means there is less stress on the implant, so it lasts longer for the patient. The surgery time is also cut in half.”
STAR has been used in Europe for almost 20 years and has been implanted in more than 15,000 patients across the world. STAR is the only FDA-approved ankle system for uncemented use, which allows for better growth into the bone, preservation of the bone and better stabilization of the ankle.
Georgetown University Hospital is one of only a few centers in the United States conducting a post-FDA approval study looking at its outcomes compared with fusion.
“I think the most popular age group for this device is going to be fairly active people in their 40’s and 50’s who are slowed down or limited by arthritis in their ankle that’s getting worse,” said Dr. Cooper. “People are rejecting fusion more and more because they feel it’s too permanent. With STAR we can always convert to a fusion if we need to.”
A month after his surgery Don said,” My ankle hasn’t looked this good, less swollen, in 20 years. Now I know I need to work on my range of motion and my flexibility. I’m doing everything my doctor tells me to. Soccer season is coming up and I want to be on that field even if it’s in a limited capacity for now.”
Media Contact: Marianne Worley
202-444-4659
mw32@georgetown.edu
Patient Contact:
202-342-2400 |
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