Philip Kunhardt

All my life I have been active as a swimmer, hiker, tennis player, and walker. With loose ankle joints and inward pronation, I was also prone to sprained ankles, which happened to me repeatedly over the years and eventually gave rise to painful arthritis. In 2021 I began to have worsening pain in both ankles, especially during and after exercise. I took ibuprofen and strapped on braces in order to keep going but eventually had to give up sports. I had read about total ankle replacement surgery but numerous friends urged me not to undergo it — it often failed, they said, and could lead to a fused ankle, making an active outdoor life difficult or impossible. An online search revealed that the AMA officially recommended against total ankle replacement (a recommendation now reversed).

I sought out non-surgical alternatives but an HSS physiatrist told me that I was beyond this and that I had end-stage arthritis, which would require a surgeon. Still I struggled on for another year, taking strong anti-inflammatories, getting a cortisone shot, wrapping the ankles, and using braces. It became harder and harder to even walk outdoors and my level of exercise decreased to almost nothing. Inevitably I began to put on weight.

The surgeon I saw first was superb, but still I held back. Then my local orthopedist insisted I meet HSS’ Dr. Constantine Demetracopoulos, who had an outstanding record of successful surgeries and routinely returned patients to their favorite sports and activities. In the spring of 2023 I met with him and soon after made the decision to undergo total replacement of both ankles (with twelve months between surgeries). “Pick one to start with,” Dr. D. said with a smile. He chose an older, larger implant for me, the In-Bone Total Ankle with its upper stem to be lodged higher in the tibia than with other systems. After a wait of many months, given Dr. D.’s busy schedule, I finally got my surgery date— January 24, 2024.

The surgery itself went perfectly, and everyone at HSS was simply the best. I won’t minimize the difficulties of the recovery process, especially those first weeks, though having a devoted partner and a support team of family and friends helped incredibly. Months of physical therapy was an absolute must. And six months later I was walking again without pain in my left ankle. I even felt well enough that fall to play some tennis, with the other ankle tightly wrapped. One year after the first, Dr. Demetracopoulos replaced my right ankle and once again all went smoothly. Recovery was easier the second time since I knew what to expect and was more confident, and by summer I was going on long walks with my wife and hitting balls again. There have been hours when I forget that I had these surgeries - I just have my legs and feet back again!

And with the help of the excellent HSS Lifestyle Medicine Program, I have successfully lost thirty-five pounds and taken unnecessary strain off my ankles. There have been minor setbacks as I get back to sports, but these have involved other muscles and my ankles have remained strong and pain-free. At 74, I will soon be hiking trails again, playing tennis, bicycling, carrying loads, working out, and generally doing everything I want - except for jumping or running or heavy weightlifting while standing. Thank you, Dr. Demetracopoulos and your amazing team, including your wonderful physician assistant Daniela and all the others who work with you in Manhattan and Westchester. I am so glad I discovered you and the amazing HSS.