Doctor's Note: Please understand that I am happy to read your e-mail, however, I am not able to answer any questions until I see your recent x-rays, (should be less than 8 months old). Please make certain that your phone number is inside them and I will contact you after I have reviewed them. If you need or want us
to fax an rx to a hospital for you to get new x-rays please call my office and tell us the fax number to the hospital/clinic x-ray department and we will fax a prescription for you to get them. The rx will be for weight bearing foot and ankle x-rays. If you have had CT scans or MRI, I need only the report, not the scans or MRI. I will not review x-rays sent via e-mail. There is too much margin for error.

You may send x-rays of your ankle that are less than 8 months old, to Dr. Feldman at the following address, and he will call you. YOU MUST ENCLOSE your phone #, and a pre-paid return envelope.

I review the many x-rays I receive at the following address:

Dr. Mark H. Feldman, DPM
Podiatric Surgeon
555 NE 15st
Suite 19k
Miami, FL 33132

*When sending x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, etc. please use ONLY UPS OR FED EX

IF YOUR ANKLE IS CURRENTLY FUSED YOU MUST SEND X-RAYS THAT ARE LESS THAN 1 MONTH OLD. If you do not have current x-rays, you may go to the nearest hospital, get the fax number to the x-ray department and Dr. Feldman will fax a prescription directly to the hospital, or of course, your doctor may take them. The office fax is (305) 932-9536 and the office phone is (305) 655-1200 …the night number to call
Dr. Feldman after 9PM EST, is (786) 853-8001.

Make certain that phone number is enclosed with x-rays. Dr. Feldman will call you after he views them. PLEASE MAKE NOTE THAT IF YOUR DOCTOR OR A HOSPITAL SENDS OUT YOUR X-RAYS THEY ALMOST ALWAYS FORGET TO ENCLOSE YOUR PHONE NUMBER. REMIND THEM TO DO SO BECAUSE I HAVE NO WAY OF CALLING YOU ABOUT THE FILMS UNLESS YOUR PHONE NUMBER IS INSIDE THE ENVELOPE.

If you want the x-rays returned, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Enclose a check in the amount of $10.00 made out to Ankle Joint Replacement Foundation.
NOTE: 100% of monies is used to pay hospital expenses for patients who need the Total Ankle Joint Replacement and are medically destitute. IT IS 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE. See Open Letter for more information about Foundation.

For patients who have fused ankles, you must send weight bearing foot and ankle x-rays that are less than 2 months old.

If you have any insurance questions you may call Evyonne at (305) 655-1200. YOU MAY TELL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE CODE NUMBER OF THE OPERATION IS 27702. THEY MUST TELL YOU IF IT IS COVERED AND HOW MUCH THEY WILL PAY ANY SURGEON TO PERFORM THIS PROCEDURE.

In general these are some guidelines which govern implant ability:
a. Most patients who broke their ankle, no matter how long ago, may be implantable. E.g., my oldest patient, 83, broke his 35 years ago and now plays golf almost daily. He is almost 2 years after surgery.
b. Patients with AVN ( Avascular Necrosis of the Talus), may be implantable because the BP ankle has a specific talus portion of the prosthesis, for patients with this condition. If you have never heard of AVN, “you ain’t got it”, as your doc would have told you long before your eyes are seeing these words.
c. IF YOUR ANKLE IS FUSED: In general, if the lower end of the fibula was used as a bone graft for the fusion, you cannot be implanted. HOWEVER, if bone was used from the upper or middle portion of the fibula, you may be implantable. Eg. I have a 55 year old patient whose ankle was fused 25 years ago who is almost a year
after surgery and is happy with the fusion removal.
d. Patients with arthritis of the subtalar joint may need the joint fused at the same time as the ankle implant. Other procedures that may need to be done to realign the foot and ankle are an Achilles Tendon lengthening, or realignment of the heel bone. Like dropping an egg from a height, no two eggshells will break in exactly
the same way. Repair of each person is as an individual. e. In general, you are in Miami 5 days and I arrange for the after surgery and rehab care done where you live, as my 50 patients came from 12 States. You may talk to other patients who have had the procedure done, if you are implantable.