EXPERT
Randall Alan Espinosa
Orthopedist
Dr. Randall Espinosa is an orthopaedic surgeon practicing in Spokane, Washington. Dr. Espinosa specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries, diseases and disorders of the bodys musculoskeletal system. As an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Espinosa tends to bones, ligaments, muscles, joints, nerves and tendons. Orthopaedic surgeons can specialize in certain areas like the hand, spine, hip, foot and ankle, shoulder and elbow or the knee.
Randall Alan Espinosa
- Spokane, Washington
- University of Colorado School of Medicine
- Accepting new patients
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My 80 year old mother recently fell and fractured her ankle. How long should it take for her to recover?
If your grandmother’s ankle was not displaced or if it was well reduced, it should heal in 6-8 weeks in a cast or protective boot. If it required surgical fixation, it may heal READ MORE
If your grandmother’s ankle was not displaced or if it was well reduced, it should heal in 6-8 weeks in a cast or protective boot. If it required surgical fixation, it may heal a bit slower. The duration generally depends on the severity and the pattern of the fracture, as well as other health issues.
I have chronic knee pain
Given your age, multiple surgeries and history, you probably need the total knee now. I can only generalize my response without seeing recent X-Rays. It sounds as though you have READ MORE
Given your age, multiple surgeries and history, you probably need the total knee now. I can only generalize my response without seeing recent X-Rays.
It sounds as though you have exhausted all of the available "other" options.
In my opinion, the determining factors for proceeding with knee replacement are yours.
if the pain, loss of motion, weakness, and lack of mobility are compromising your quality of life, interfering with your work responsibilities, or are just too much to bear; you should seriously consider knee replacement.
I have had a right knee replacement and don't regret doing so.
Of course the replacement is not without risk and potential for complications, which you should discuss with your surgeon.
I put off having it done for almost 5 years due to the responsibilities of my position in the Army. In fact I did a nighttime combat equipment parachute jump the night before my fifth and final right knee scope. Yet, I still put it off for another 3 years.
I wouldn't advise waiting as long as I did. I returned to full time work as an Orthopedic Surgeon in about four weeks. Two years after the knee replacement, I was able to complete The National Ski Patrol training and have been doing that in addition to Hand Surgery since. The TKA takes about 2-3 years to get as good as it will optimally become.
For further information I would recommend that you purchase an excellent book called "The Knee Owner's Manual". It is written by a very good friend of mine, Jeff Falkel PT PhD. He wrote the book after having both of his knees replaced. It is very comprehensive, illustrated and a very enjoyable read.
You can purchase it on Amazon for about $20.
I hope that this has been helpful.
It sounds as though you have exhausted all of the available "other" options.
In my opinion, the determining factors for proceeding with knee replacement are yours.
if the pain, loss of motion, weakness, and lack of mobility are compromising your quality of life, interfering with your work responsibilities, or are just too much to bear; you should seriously consider knee replacement.
I have had a right knee replacement and don't regret doing so.
Of course the replacement is not without risk and potential for complications, which you should discuss with your surgeon.
I put off having it done for almost 5 years due to the responsibilities of my position in the Army. In fact I did a nighttime combat equipment parachute jump the night before my fifth and final right knee scope. Yet, I still put it off for another 3 years.
I wouldn't advise waiting as long as I did. I returned to full time work as an Orthopedic Surgeon in about four weeks. Two years after the knee replacement, I was able to complete The National Ski Patrol training and have been doing that in addition to Hand Surgery since. The TKA takes about 2-3 years to get as good as it will optimally become.
For further information I would recommend that you purchase an excellent book called "The Knee Owner's Manual". It is written by a very good friend of mine, Jeff Falkel PT PhD. He wrote the book after having both of his knees replaced. It is very comprehensive, illustrated and a very enjoyable read.
You can purchase it on Amazon for about $20.
I hope that this has been helpful.
Recurring hip pain
Recurring hip pain at your age can be caused or related to several things; usually relatively benign. The pain can be related to things going on inside the joint, or within surrounding READ MORE
Recurring hip pain at your age can be caused or related to several things; usually relatively benign.
The pain can be related to things going on inside the joint, or within surrounding tissues like muscle, tendon, bone or bursas.
Overuse activities are the most common benign cause at younger ages, as well as after effects of prior injury. Acetabular impingement, a fairly recently recognized diagnosis is related to variations in anatomy and often presents with intermittent symptoms in your age range. I have had both hips replaced recently in my early 60's, as a sequel to long term impingement with began in my late 40's amidst a 30 year career as a special operations surgeon in the Army..
The best initial course of action would be to see your primary care provider and have him or her obtain X-rays. Based on examination and X-ray findings, a referral to an Orthopedic Surgeon, or a trial of physical therapy may be warranted based on findings. Surgery is always a last resort. Recent advances in arthroscopic surgery may eventually prove to change the natural progression of hip related common problems.
The pain can be related to things going on inside the joint, or within surrounding tissues like muscle, tendon, bone or bursas.
Overuse activities are the most common benign cause at younger ages, as well as after effects of prior injury. Acetabular impingement, a fairly recently recognized diagnosis is related to variations in anatomy and often presents with intermittent symptoms in your age range. I have had both hips replaced recently in my early 60's, as a sequel to long term impingement with began in my late 40's amidst a 30 year career as a special operations surgeon in the Army..
The best initial course of action would be to see your primary care provider and have him or her obtain X-rays. Based on examination and X-ray findings, a referral to an Orthopedic Surgeon, or a trial of physical therapy may be warranted based on findings. Surgery is always a last resort. Recent advances in arthroscopic surgery may eventually prove to change the natural progression of hip related common problems.
Broken tibia, fibula and hole in ankle, surgeon suggesting amputation
While an amputation is obviously a serious life changing event, it is not a life ending event. The recovery following a below knee amputation is relatively short given the duration READ MORE
While an amputation is obviously a serious life changing event, it is not a life ending event. The recovery following a below knee amputation is relatively short given the duration of your symptoms and prior surgeries. Most surgical wounds, if you are healthy and don't have chronic complicating medical conditions, heal in a matter of weeks. The "stump" is treated following surgery by swelling reduction and shaping with various compressive dressings are shaping socks. Usually by 6-8 weeks, prosthesis fitting can be initiated.
Prosthetics for below knee amputations have evolved extraordinarily and many amputates are able to resume various pre-injury activities with appropriate prosthetic styles and designs.
Light weight materials and specialized designs have permitted many athletes to resume or even begin all types of sporting activities with modifications or specialty prosthetics.
I am not sure what the hole in your heel is, but if it is an open non-healing wound or your have an infection in the bone; an amputation may be life saving depending on your health and age.
I wish you the best.
Prosthetics for below knee amputations have evolved extraordinarily and many amputates are able to resume various pre-injury activities with appropriate prosthetic styles and designs.
Light weight materials and specialized designs have permitted many athletes to resume or even begin all types of sporting activities with modifications or specialty prosthetics.
I am not sure what the hole in your heel is, but if it is an open non-healing wound or your have an infection in the bone; an amputation may be life saving depending on your health and age.
I wish you the best.
