In 2012 I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right ankle.
An arthroscopy relieved much of my discomfort for a period, but in 2015 the situation reached a tipping point. Walking to the station was becoming a challenge, and mountain hiking, my preferred leisure activity, was now out of the question. I was offered an ankle fusion by the NHS, but before agreeing to this rather drastic sounding procedure I looked for another opinion.
The London Foot and Ankle Centre is near my place of work, and their web-site talked a good game, so I made an appointment to see Mr Klinke.
He explained the possibilities and said that I was a good candidate for a total ankle replacement.
He also recommended related procedures including the lengthening of my Achilles tendon. After due consideration, I agreed and underwent surgery in January 2016.
The period immediately after surgery was less difficult than I anticipated. There was pain, but I could cope without needing the opioids I was given for great pain. Once home my recovery progressed well, helped by the support of my family. However, it was about 4 months after surgery before I felt able to walk unaided.
My life now started to return to normal, including a family holiday in August.
For the rest of that year, my life became routine, except for continued physiotherapy and exercises. My mobility was incomparably better than before, however, there remained more discomfort in my ankle than I had hoped for. In fact, it was about 15 months after surgery before I felt I had fully recovered.
Now over four years later I remain positive
Most of the time I do not realise that I ever had a problem. Although I feel occasional soreness, I feel few restrictions on what I can or cannot do. As an illustration, this summer my wife and I walked the Hadrian’s Wall trail, 10-12 miles each day, following previous years’ walking holidays in Austria, Majorca and Slovenia.
Seeing Mr Klinke was one of the best decisions of my life.
Although clearly a gifted surgeon, what impresses me more is his ability to explain all possibilities with an appropriate level of detail. I would thoroughly recommend that anyone with a foot or ankle problem should seek his advice.
If this should result in a total ankle replacement you will be in good hands.
D.C
