my doctor is recommending the oats procedure for my badly damaged ankle joint. i've started my research and early on i have found no literature on oats and the ankle. everything deals with the knee. is the oats procedure highly recommended for the ankle?

-- FRANK HABA (BAGSLEAF99@CS.COM), September 22, 2004

Answers

Hi, I'm in the same position, my Doctor is recommending the OATS procedure for my ankle. This thread has some info, and maybe some people to contact who have had the procedure.

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/cgi-bin/KNEEtalk/YaBB.pl?board=chondral;action=display;num=1096789406;start=0

It seems to be a much more common procedure on the knee, but what I've found so far seems like it's not exactly rare for the ankle.

I was told I would need 6 weeks of no weight bearing, which I think means being in a wheel-chair (I'm still compiling a list of questions to ask my doctor). Followed by 6 months of no high-impact activity, with the first part of that being on crutches.

good luck, Phillip

-- Phillip (hjones1380@hotmail.com), October 25, 2004.

I have also been recommended for the OATS. It is suppose to buy me more time before I have my ankle replaced or fused solid. Personally perfer the ankle replacement but they say I am to young (42) and would likely damage the replacement or my leg some how. Here is a website that I found very informative on OATS. Again, it is for the knee but at least you know where the donor site is and how they retrieve the donor cartilge.

-- Ray Cunningham (chiefraydee@aol.com), November 15, 2004.

Thanks for all your responses. I too was told today that a cadaver donation was needed and being an RN, it scares the heck out of me! I am learning alot from all of you (my field is Oncology). Thanks again and best wished to us all.

Carol

-- Carol (nursecarol1961@msn.com), March 15, 2005.