Wilbur Donley

Ankle pain was something that at age 82, Wilbur Donley had just assumed would always be part of his life. Wilbur was very active in his youth and through adulthood until about age 55 when the chronic pain in his ankle began to prevent him from the types of sports and activities that he had always done. “I just put up with the pain”, explains Wilbur. Other body parts seemed to take precedence such as getting both knees replaced, one of which had to be replaced twice!

Over the years, the ankle pain worsened. Wilbur’s daughter in law began seeing Dr. Scott Van Aman, of the Ohio Foot and Ankle Institute at the Ohio Orthopedic Center of Excellence for a variety of foot related issues. Upon seeing her satisfaction with her treatment, Wilbur decided to join her at a visit and get an examination once and for all for his ankle. The news was grim: basically no cartilage left in his ankle plus significant arthritis.

“Ankle Fusion” is a surgical option for patients if motion in the ankle joint is restricted. Additionally Total Ankle Replacement, similar to total knee and hip replacement has now also proven as an alternative surgical option that provides added motion to ankle arthritis sufferers. “I felt very comfortable with Dr. Van Aman….he was not only very nice but he took the time to fully explain everything to me including the options of ankle fusion and total ankle replacement,” comments Wilbur. In the end, ankle fusion was recommended and Dr. Van Aman proceeded to fuse Wilbur’s ankle along with removing the arthritis. Merely two days after his ankle fusion, Wilbur was “pain free”. Wilbur was prescribed physical therapy and an exercise protocol that he followed which he believes enabled him to move quickly to full recovery. Within two months, Wilbur was full weight bearing and still reports no pain to this day.

Now, Wilbur feels lucky to be back on the golf course and enjoys life at home with his wife. Wilbur’s advice to anyone in a similar situation is “Why wait.” “If you don’t get the procedure done and are living with pain every day, what kind of life is that?”