Jennifer Matthews: With 28 bones in the foot, there are lots of spots where things can go wrong.
Melvina Francese: I noticed my foot was going off to the right and I said that is not too good.
Jennifer Matthews: Over the years, the bones in her right arch have collapsed. Dr. Tim Syperek is using the Taylor Spatial Frame to fix it.
Dr. Timothy Syperek: No longer do we have to actually cut through bone and forcefully shove it or push it one way and try to put a bolt or a rod through it and say, 'There, stay'.
Jennifer Matthews: Instead, the frame allows the body's natural healing ability to do the work. Dr. Syperek cut through Melvina's bones to make a surgical fracture. Then, he attached the frame. Wires run through the bones to hold it in place.
Dr. Timothy Syperek: If you stretch that bone out very slowly over time the body will fill that space in with bone.
Jennifer Matthews: Six different struts adjusted by one millimeter a day pull the bones into the right position as the foot heals. A computer program tells doctors how to dial in each strut. Every day, new bone forms to fill in the gap.
Dr. Timothy Syperek: This is a high speed erector set for doctors.
Jennifer Matthews: Here is a deform foot before; here it is after.
Melvina Francese: I said, I don't want that wheelchair.
Jennifer Matthews: Melvina is tired after four weeks in a wheelchair, but says it's worth it.
Melvina Francese: When I saw that straight foot, I was just like 'Oh, a miracle has happened already'.
Jennifer Matthews: Two more weeks and the frame will be off.
Melvina Francese: I am ready. I mean I feel like almost like a kid waiting for Christmas to get rid open my presents and it's right there yet.
Jennifer Matthews: This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
Jennifer Matthews: With 28 bones in the foot, there are lots of spots where things can go wrong.
Melvina Francese: I noticed my foot was going off to the right and I said that is not too good.
Jennifer Matthews: Over the years, the bones in her right arch have collapsed. Dr. Tim Syperek is using the Taylor Spatial Frame to fix it.
Dr. Timothy Syperek: No longer do we have to actually cut through bone and forcefully shove it or push it one way and try to put a bolt or a rod through it and say, 'There, stay'.
Jennifer Matthews: Instead, the frame allows the body's natural healing ability to do the work. Dr. Syperek cut through Melvina's bones to make a surgical fracture. Then, he attached the frame. Wires run through the bones to hold it in place.
Dr. Timothy Syperek: If you stretch that bone out very slowly over time the body will fill that space in with bone.
Jennifer Matthews: Six different struts adjusted by one millimeter a day pull the bones into the right position as the foot heals. A computer program tells doctors how to dial in each strut. Every day, new bone forms to fill in the gap.
Dr. Timothy Syperek: This is a high speed erector set for doctors.
Jennifer Matthews: Here is a deform foot before; here it is after.
Melvina Francese: I said, I don't want that wheelchair.
Jennifer Matthews: Melvina is tired after four weeks in a wheelchair, but says it's worth it.
Melvina Francese: When I saw that straight foot, I was just like 'Oh, a miracle has happened already'.
Jennifer Matthews: Two more weeks and the frame will be off.
Melvina Francese: I am ready. I mean I feel like almost like a kid waiting for Christmas to get rid open my presents and it's right there yet.
Jennifer Matthews: This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services