There is now one less procedure that Chatham-Kent residents need to worry about travelling to an out-of-town hospital for.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance recently marked a milestone by performing its first total ankle replacement.
The procedure was done on February 25, 2022. Rick Houston, a retired police officer, was the recipient of the first total ankle replacement at the CKHA, a title he said he's proud to hold.
"I've tried to enjoy my retirement, I keep fit by talking nine to 10 kilometres a day and aqua fitness," Houston explained. "About three years ago my ankle really started bothering me and it got progressively worse...I was getting shots, seeing various doctors and nobody was giving me a solution."
It was eventually suggested to Houston that he see an orthopedic surgeon, which lead him to Dr. Hans Hundt, an orthopedic surgeon at the CKHA.
Hundt performed the hospital's first ankle replacement on Houston.
The procedure is generally for individuals who suffer from chronic pain and have tried other forms of treatment. According to Hundt, patients will spend between one to two hours in the operating room and stay overnight at the hospital before being released. He added that they'll also have to wear a cast for approximately two weeks.
"Often at that point, they'll be converted either directly into a walking boot that they can place all their weight through or even start physiotherapy without any walking aide at that point," Hundt explained.
With many of the other foot and ankle procedures that Hundt performs, patients are generally sent home the same day. He said as he gets more total ankle replacements under his belt and continues to get familiar with the procedure, he is confident that those patients will eventually also be able to go home the same day as well.
First Total Ankle Replacement at the CKHA (Screengrab via CKHA Media YouTube)
Houston described the surgery as going smoothly, adding that he was thoroughly impressed with the staff every step of the way.
According to those involved in Houston's procedure, teamwork was one of the most important aspects.
Registered Practical Nurse Laura Martin was in the operating room on the day of Houston's total ankle replacement and was in charge of preparing and organizing the necessary instruments for the surgery and ensuring they were in the correct order for Hundt.
In addition to Hundt, she said there were many of professionals in the room to make sure it was a success including sales representatives and another surgeon who came in to assist the team.
"The teamwork was huge during the first total ankle at CKHA," Martin said. "Without everyone there, we would have not been able to do it. Everyone had their specific role. With everyone coming together so well it just made the day flow so smoothly."
First Total Ankle Replacement at the CKHA (Screengrab via CKHA Media YouTube)
According to CKHA CEO and President Lori Marshall, one additional patient has had a total ankle replacement at the hospital since Houston.
Marshall said they are both recovering well.
"We're so pleased that we're now able to offer this service closer to home," said Marshall. "Numerous professionals in [numerous] departments...So many different individuals are involved when we try to introduce a new service."
Hundt also highlighted how utterly important it is for patients to have the option to be able to receive care locally and in their own community.
"It's important for the patient-family care model," he said. "To go out of town for surgery, especially if you're talking about the Great Toronto Area, three hours drive, that's a big burden on patients and often their family members who have to take time off work to drive them there if they're not able to make it on their own. These procedures, it's not one appointment and you're done. There's a lot of follow-ups involved for several months."
While Houston is still on the mend after the life-changing surgery, he already has his sights set on being fully recovered.
"When my ankle's fully recovered, I'm going back to a lot of walking, a lot of trail walking," he exclaimed. "I'll be out there putting a lot of kilometres on."