My left foot --the thorn in my side-- after numerous arthroscopic procedures, a total ankle joint implant, the ruptureof my tibialis posterior tendon, and the subsequent failure of a sub-talar fusion. It didn't look (or feel) pretty. If I was outside of my house, I used a wheelchair. At home, I either used crutches or crawled.

The ERTL Procedure: A Pictoral View of the Road I Have Traveled

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www.ertlreconstruction.com is a website that is dedicated to giving information about the Ertl procedure, Ertl amputees (such as myself), and current Ertl news. Check it out for even more information.

These two pictures were taken 6 days out of surgery. The staples came out on day 12. The red mark down my leg was from the drain that was inserted during surgery and removed after 2 days. The skin from the back of my leg was brought forward and attached to make a nice, smooth posterior end. My leg was fairly large to begin with, but there is still noticeable swelling.

This x-ray was taken in mid-November--about 5 months post-op. The bone bridge at the bottom is what gives Ertl amputees a more stable weight-bearing stump.

MY VERY FIRST STEP July 25th 7 weeks post-op I was at the Ohio Willow Wood company. They made my first 2 sockets and I still use some of their products. You can imagine that I was a bit unstable. I walked with crutches or a cane for a few weeks before I was able to walk unassisted.

This is what is referred to as an IPOP (immediate post operative prosthesis). It's a "stump cast" that is hip-high. It has straps that attach to a belt *oh the horror!* that must be worn at all times to keep the cast from slipping off your leg. The foot is a regular prosthetic foot with limited range of motion. I was walking on my IPOP (using crutches) within 12 hours of surgery.

Here I am at approx. 5 weeks out of surgery during a cast change. The swelling is going down and the incision is fully closed.

Labor Day, 2003 Showing off how I learned to walk down stairs.

May, 2004 AHHH, back in the saddle. Check out the grace...the power. Now 51 pounds lighter and able to run the bases like anyone else!

March 6, 2004 Gatlinburg, TN 40lbs lighter and trying to snowboard for the very first time. WHAT FUN!

It has been a year and a half since my amputation. Hands down, it's been the best time of my life.

October, 2004. AllSports Camp in Warm Springs, GA. What a blast! I kayaked, played basketball, threw discus (a very cool sport), played hockey, and did some other fun stuff.