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YOU COULD SAY
joint replacement
surgery has made Spiro Chumas a newman.
“It’s remarkable, life-changing surgery,”
says Spiro, a 64-year-old contractor who
has lived a very active outdoor life. “It has
dramatically improved my quality of life.
Prior to the surgery, I had chronic ankle
pain 24/7 that was only relieved by massive
amounts of anti-inflammatory medications.
I knew I needed to do something.”
Spiro had his right ankle replaced in
January of 2010.
“The surgery enabled me to continue
to be active—enjoying such things as bike
riding, hunting, fishing and working out-
doors” says Spiro.
Joints can be damaged by a variety of
things, including injuries and diseases such
as arthritis. For example, Spiro attributes
his need for joint replacement surgery
to wear and tear from years of running
and football injuries (sprains) that tore
ligaments, which, over time, led to the
development of arthritis in his ankle.
Looking for relief
Joint replacement surgery involves remov-
ing all or part of a damaged joint and
replacing it with an artificial one. Hips
and knees are by far the most common
joints to be replaced. But other joints that
can be replaced include shoulders, fingers,
ankles, wrists and elbows.
“Once the discomfort and limitations
reach the point where you have lost interest in
social activities and other things you enjoy—
and nothing else seems to help—total joint
replacement can greatly improve your quality
of life,” says Michael Coughlin, MD, a Saint
AlphonsusMedical GroupOrthopaedic Sur-
geon and founder of the Coughlin Foot &
Ankle Clinic in Boise.
Surgery 101
A joint is formed at the point where two or
more bones come together. For example, the
knee joint is formed by the knee cap, lower
leg bones and thighbone. The hip is a ball-
and-socket joint formed by the upper end
of the thighbone (the ball) and a part of the
pelvis called the acetabulum (the socket).
The surfaces where these bones touch
are covered with a smooth layer called
JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY
RESTORING THE
QUALITY
OF LIFE
Health & Healing
www.saintalphonsus.org
8
Spiro Chumas checks
in with Michael
Coughlin, MD, to
get an update on the
healing process after
his new ankle joint
replacement surgery.