WGN 9 News
Friday, October 31, 2008
New Ankle Repair
In tonight's Medical Watch - taking a stand against ankle injuries. A new procedure cuts healing time in half.
John Edwards, III, Lim Procedure Patient: "My ankles were a big problem."
Four years on the football field and John Edwards' ankles were shot.
John Edwards: "Started from a simple twist of an ankle, sprain in the ankle, stretching, slight tear and then completely ripped apart, no ligaments left in either ankle."
It's the same for soccer players, runners and other athletes. Once the ankle turns, it gets weak and turns into a vicious cycle of injury.
Dr. Robert Lim, Podiatric Surgeon: "Once a ligament is sprained, where it gets stretched, then the joint is a lot looser, and you are more prone to re-injuring it."
And there is no easy fix...at least not one that promises a full recovery.
Dr. Lim: "The traditional surgical procedure is to take the ligament, especially if it's torn, and just find the ends and sew them back together. And you are hoping you are sewing it tight enough."
John Edwards: "They weren't real confident on keeping me walking. I wanted to walk and then be able to get more active."
It was the goal when Dr. Robert Lim developed The Lim Procedure he's used on soccer players, NFL linemen, and elderly patients, all with the same success.
Dr. Lim: "My procedure involves putting a specific soft tissue anchor into this bone here. Then I use a non-absorbable suture material to re-create a new ligament in the exact same position."
But it's better because the new ligament is wider, more stable.
Dr. Lim: "I've had 100% success on every patient I've done them on. They've been able to go back to what I consider their pre-injury status."
John Edwards: "You'll be able to walk, and be able to exercise and run, and I'm doing all three."
The Lim Procedure has not been tested in formal clinical trials, nor has Dr. Lim compared the results to more traditional methods of treatment. And since he developed this, he doesn't want other doctors to know how to do it. He says trust him and his patient results.
