Mending Bad Bones

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.