Testimonials from Doctors on the HyProCure® StentScroll down to view testimonials by top doctors using HyProCure®. Want more? |
June Spotlight: Hans Blaakman,DPM, FACFAS and HyProCure® Specialist
Spartanburg, South Carolina “I am very happy to recommend without hesitation the HyProCure® implant to appropriate surgical candidates. It has been very effective in relieving pain and restoring foot alignment in my patients. The patients have been pleased by the ease of the procedure, the post op course and mostly returning to a more active pain free lifestyle. HyProCure® is an important part of my treatment plan for specific patients and I plan to continue to use it in the future.” |
Additional Testimonials: |
Claude M. Schutz, DPM and Master HyProCure® Specialist
“I have used HyProCure® implants on over 35 different patients ranging in age from 9 years old to over 65. I have used it to align the subtalar joint on patients with pronatory changes and to address posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. I have one runner age 62 who is preparing for her 1st marathon, having finished up to 18 miles less than one year since her surgery. I have done this procedure on our military people as well. I have been very satisfied with the procedure and recommend it highly for those patients who need proper realignment of the talonavicular joint.” |
Fresno, CA
Vincent J. Staschiak, DPM and Master HyProCure® Specialist
Washington, MO “It has been my experience with the HyProCure® implant that not only does the implant seem to resolve the diffuse ankle pain the patients are experiencing, but a wide range of complaints experienced by the patients seem to be resolved without a debilitating surgery (e.g. fusions) that may require extended periods of time off from work leading to psychological and financial dilemmas for the patient. When I first began using the HyProCure® implant, I looked for a couple of things including distal displacement of the talus and medial arch pain usually associated with posterior tibial tendonitis. But I soon realized I was constantly detecting other painful areas upon palpation. These additional painful areas all make sense when you think about the constant dislocation of the talus and the surrounding structures associated with this area. Namely I found that most patients will have pain upon palpation to the os trigonum area and over the anterior talo-fibular ligaments. There might also be tarsal tunnel symptoms from the constant collapse of the arch along with pain to the posterior tibial tendon insertion site at the level of the navicular. And let’s not forget about plantar fasciitis from the elongation of the foot secondary to the collapse of the foot with the break in the cyma line. When analyzing the radiographs if there is a difference in the amount of talo-tarsal dislocation between the two feet my next question to the patient is “are you experiencing any knee, hip or lower back pain?” In my experience, the response is usually a resounding “Yes.” The good news is the majority of my patients have experienced resolution of all symptoms within a couple of months. Time and time again I have heard how they (the patients) are no longer having any foot or ankle pain and “surprisingly” their knee, hip and/or back pain is gone. The patients say they feel more energetic and are no longer having as much muscle fatigue when exercising as before the implant. A couple of tips to remember would include making sure to have a complete release of the interosseous talo-calcaneal ligament and to use fluoroscopy to verify adequate placement. Post-operatively I find some of the patients will experience a feeling of walking on the outside of their feet. I explain to them once the talus is blocked from dislocating off the shelf the muscles will want to contract back to their normal anatomical length. And since the posterior tibial muscle appears to contract faster than the peroneal brevis muscle the foot will invert giving a sense of walking on the lateral side of the foot. I usually wait until week 4 and then show the patient a couple of eversion stretches to be done daily and this is usually resolved within a week. Also at times the incision site will fibrose to the underlying peroneal nerve and cause radiation of pain or a distal tingling sensation upon palpation. For this I perform 10 minutes of US therapy followed by manual manipulation of the scar tissue for a few minutes to release the adhesions. I find 2-4 sessions over a couple of weeks to be sufficient. Lastly it is my opinion that the benefits from the HyProCure® implant largely out-weigh the physical, mental and financial hardships that come with performing sub talar joint fusions. An STJ fusion can always be performed at a later date should the patient not achieve optimal results from the HyProCure® implant but not vice versa.” |
St. Louis, MO
Joseph M. DiFranco, DPM, AACFAS and HyProCure® Specialist
“I have now been performing the HyProCure® procedure for a year. My patients have been able to return to a normal lifestyle with improvement in daily life function, limiting the previous constant pain with walking. I was using a different device prior to this, but the design and ease of use of HyProCure® made me switch. I first heard about HyProCure® in Podiatry Today and was given information by my local GraMedica representative. Training included visuals and hands-on interaction with the device. If you are interested in using HyProCure® for your patients, I recommend calling your local rep for hands-on training to feel the difference of this product. Our practice has improved pain relief for our patients with talotarsal pain. This translates into raving fans that are thankful they can function so much better in their daily life.” |
Erie, PA
Scott Fishman, DPM, FACFAS and Master HyProCure® Specialist
“I have performed over 120 EOTTS with HyProCure® procedures, including on my own wife. I am still just as enthused about HyProCure® as I was when I was first introduced to it. It is an excellent stand-alone procedure for the treatment of PTTDS (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction), posterior calcaneal spurs, Achilles tendinopathies, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis cases without having to perform a ligament/tendon release or lengthening or spur or exostosis excision. I had 5 patients with EMG confirmed tarsal tunnel and neuropathy whose symptoms improved with only the EOTTS procedure. I have seen the reversal of shin splints, knee pain and hip and back pathology. I have done a vertical talus correction in a 7 year old. I had a grade 4 bunion that screamed for corrective realignment that responded astoundingly. It did not need correction after the HyProCure® procedure. I have had several patients that did not want bunion or Achilles tendon surgeries. All were treated with HyProCure® and are thrilled. I am astounded and see my whole approach to practice (biomechanically and surgically) has changed dramatically. My patients are thrilled.” |
Bridgeton, NJ
Michael Horwitz, DPM and HyProCure® Master SpecialistSt. Louis, MO Chesterfield Dr. Horwitz provides a video demonstration of the Extra-Osseous TaloTarsal Stabilization procedure with HyProCure®. The purpose of the video is the explain first-hand how simple the minimally invasive procedure is, and to help educate his patients and what occurs during the HyProCure® procedure. |
Richard Jay, DPM, FACFAS and HyProCure® Specialist
Vineland, New Jersey Philadelphia, Pennsylvania “I have been performing flatfoot surgery for over 30 years and have employed every surgical procedure to address the flatfoot. Most commonly used in my pediatric and adult population suffering from flatfoot complaints, I attempt to lengthen the Gastrocnemius muscle and insert an extra-articular arthroereisis plug into the sinus tarsi. I had always been impressed with the results of those procedures used with the appropriate indications. Over the past few years I have gradually shifted from the standard designed plugs to the HyProCure® stent to address my flexible flatfoot deformities. My outcomes have been most impressive. I have documented that I am getting my patients ambulating more rapidly with less complaints in the area of the inserted stent.” |
Joel Chariton, DPM and Master HyProCure® Specialist
“I have been in practice for over 22 years in Randolph, Massachusetts. I was trained over 3 years ago to perform the HyProCure® surgery. During that time I have performed over 280 stent procedures. The ages of my patients have been from 12 years old up to as old as 83. Their profiles include: semi pro athletes (basketball, football, hockey, runners, an MMA fighter), diabetics, different weight categories, patients with neuropathy and others who just wanted to walk in the grocery store again.
If you are a surgeon interested in HyProCure®, please, if it was me, I would take the training course. The pearls of wisdom were well worth the time. In my 22 years in practice this is the most significant positive change to take hold of my practice. Dr. Graham has integrity, and I encourage anyone serious about this to read the significant published papers in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. Graham and HyProCure® have really changed my practice and how I view podiatry. It is also being received very well in Europe, China and worldwide. This is the Gold Standard for treating the etiology of the majority of biomechanical pathologies we face in podiatry as well as the knee, hip and lower back. My patients and the primary care physicians have truly appreciated the positive outcomes and the cost effectiveness. Insurance companies appreciate the many significant published articles in the Gold Standard for Podiatric publications, the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. I am thankful to GraMedica for introducing and teaching this significant surgical procedure to my office. I encourage anyone serious about making a difference in podiatry to take a look at HyProCure®.” |
Randolph, MA
The procedure is very quick (if done in hospital where I do all of my cases, the patient is there for 3 hours and out). Then they can begin partial weight bearing for the first 2 days. The majority are walking in sneakers 2-3 days post operation; others may take a week or two week to gradually walk. The overwhelming majority of patients are shocked at how quickly they recover and the significant success of the surgical procedure.
Anthony Weinert, DPM, FACFAS, FACCWS and Master HyProCure® SpecialistTroy, MI Warren, MI Dr. Weinert shares a patient success story. He then provides insight into why HyProCure® is making a difference for his practice and his patients. “I thank HyProCure® for giving me the opportunity to give my patients the best permanent solution to their problem,” said Weinert. “I feel it is a miracle that we can truly effect the lives of patients and make them be able to live a pain free, happy life.”
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Seth Steber, DPM, FACFAS, CWS and Master HyProCure® SpecialistHazleton, PA Plains, PA Palmerton, PA |
Nicholas Pagano, DPM and Master HyProCure® Specialist
“I have been in practice for 6 years now. I first learned about HyProCure® when I went to a lecture and cadaver course for the product in Philadelphia back in 2008. I had learned about subtalar devices and performed other procedures, but this was the first I had learned about a company offering training. The training made me feel comfortable with the procedure. I started using HyProCure® in my practice because I liked the design. It goes into the sinus and canalis, which is more of an anatomical fit. I like the ease of use and how you only have one incision. I also enjoy the quick recovery for my patients. As a surgical procedure, it is a great valid option over other procedures that could be performed for a failure of the talotarsal mechanism. I now lecture for GraMedica® on the HyProCure® procedure. If you are thinking about using HyProCure®, I recommend going to a lecture. This gives you the opportunity to really understand the difference and that it is not just another subtalar device. Going to the training is what convinced me. That is why I now speak for the product; because I like it and believe in it. My advice to those who are performing extra-osseous talotarsal stabilization with HyProCure® for the first time:
My patients have had great results with the procedure. Obviously it is not always 100%; nothing is. However, most of my patients get bilaterals performed because of the success of their 1st surgery. Patients like how they feel and like that they are no longer in pain. It is nice because they can achieve this without a full blown reconstruction procedure. They also no longer have to wear orthotics. The HyProCure® patient website is a great tool for my patients. I have displays in my office so patients can see the information available on the device and then they can go to the website and learn more. It functions as a teaching tool and educates them on their condition. I even have new patients come to me because they found my listing on the website. Overall, I am very satisfied with the product. I am happy to see more research is being done to back it and I think it is only going to get better.” |
Plymouth Meeting, PA
Jess Drezner, DPM – Master HyProCure® Specialist Shares a Patient Success Story
“Austin is a major soccer player in high school. He had so much pain in his feet before the surgery that the coach moved him from first team to second team because he could not play up to the abilities of the rest of the first squad. While Austin and his parents were debating whether or not to have the surgery, I put him in a pair of OTC orthotics. That was August 2011. Using HyProCure ®, I operated on his right foot on December 14, 2011 and I operated on his left foot on March 21, 2012. He was allowed to do all of his activities on May 2, 2012. Austin is now back on the first squad of his soccer team, thanks to HyProCure ®. This procedure is amazing,” shared Drezner. The young patient’s mother expresses her gratitude. “He has been in soccer tournaments the past 2 weekends and his team has made it to the championships each time. He is doing incredible. His running is completely back and as you can tell by the picture from this weekend that the jumping is back also. He very rarely ever loses a battle to get up for the ball. I’ve had several parents comment to me how great he is doing. We really owe it to you. I know he would not be doing this well had it not been for the surgeries. He has gained his starting position back and has recently had several college coaches starting to correspond with him. It’s truly an exciting time that he is entering in his life and we are so grateful that we went to [Dr. Drenzer] and found out about this surgery. [Dr. Drezner] truly changed his life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” |
Mark Jones, DPM – HyProCure® Patient & Master HyProCure® Specialist
Highland, IN In a recent article written for HealthWise, the magazine of Methodist Hospitals, Mark Jones, DPM explains his reasons for choosing HyProCure® for himself and his patients. “My procedure was done six years ago, and after three months, I was able to return to distance running, playing tennis and basketball, and playing with my kids. When I recommend the procedure to patients, I think it’s valuable to them that I know what it feels like to go through. Not to mention, I’m a success story – if it worked for the doctor, maybe it’s right for you,” shared Jones. The full article can be found on Page 9 of the Spring 2012 Edition of HealthWise Magazine. Read more on Dr. Jones’ experience here. |
Howard D. Green, DPM, DABPS, FACFAS – Master HyProCure® Specialist
Surrey, BC, Canada “I have been in practice for 17 years and have been performing extra-osseous talotarsal stabilization with HyProCure® for the past 4+ years. I had always been interested in finding a permanent treatment option for partial talotarsal dislocation. In 2008, when I heard about the HyProCure® solution, I decided to go to a hands-on cadaver training session. I felt the training prepared me to perform the procedure because it was comprehensive, didactic and hands-on. I had a chance to see and ‘play with’ the HyProCure® device. I recommend that surgeons interested in performing the procedure take the course. My patients have had very good results; they are pleased to finally have a solution to this problematic and sometimes limiting condition. Implementing HyProCure® in my practice has given me a way to offer my patients suffering with symptoms associated with hyperpronation an easy, permanent, minimally invasive solution.” |
Paul Jones, DPM – Master HyProCure® SpecialistSpokane, WA Kellogg, ID
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Raymond Stolarski, DPM – Master HyProCure® Surgeon
Cincinnati, OH Mason, OH “I have been using the HyProCure® implant for years. I have found it to be a superior product in regard to use, placement and patient acceptance. This product has had the fewest problems in its use in comparison to other competitors’ products for similar medical treatments.” |
Andrew Levy, DPM – Master HyProCure® Specialist, and his patient JazminJupiter, FL
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Elie Daniel, DPM – Master HyProCure® Specialist and HyProCure® Instructor
Princeton, IL Peru, IL Hirsh Tabet, Beirut, Lebanon “Implementing HyProCure® in my practice has been a tremendous benefit. It has become a big part of my practice, around 60-70%. Prior to HyProCure®, I had not used any products (for the treatment of talotarsal dislocation) because I did not like any of the products out there. I was leery of using them on my patients. However, I liked what it seemed this device could do, so I went in to it with both hands and feet. I have now been performing the procedure for the past 6 years or so. The results have been good; 80 – 90% of the results are an 8 or 9 in my patients. Less than 10% of my patients have any problems. HyProCure® IS the key to correcting almost all foot problems, if not also back problems, hip problems, etc. It’s amazing how much talotarsal dislocation causes, such as plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial dysfunction, corns, calluses, neuropathy – almost everything. And I’ve cured all of these with just using HyProCure®. I’m a believer. I like this so much I want to give it to everybody. The product is so superior in design. Its ergonomic, it’s very much compatible with the anatomy. With the other products there is lifting of the talus, so pressure forms medial and lateral on the ankle. This design is superior because of the compatibility with the configuration of the bones. It is also high quality. I would definitely recommend HyProCure® to other physicians. I even teach the procedure here and overseas (Kuwait, Dubai, Lebanon and Jordon). Since I loved it in my practice here, and I go to these other countries to do surgery (I was born in Lebanon), I wanted to use it there. I was the first doctor ever in Saudi Arabia to do any foot surgery. In Saudi Arabia I used to be the medical advisor for a Prince, since 1991 on. I started training other doctors in Lebanon in 2009. While there, I had a chance meeting with a doctor visiting from Kuwait. He was the chief of surgery at a hospital in Kuwait and was very interested. I told him to take the online course and call me if he was interested. He took the online course and that’s how everything started. So I went over there. When I went to Kuwait, on the plane, I met a doctor from Dubai and started discussing HyProCure® and he was very interested. So I told him to take the online training and call me if he was still interested. He did, and he was so interested he put in an order right away. The doctor in Kuwait, he’s an ortho guy, and he loves it. Now when people come in with pain, he says, “Stand up, and let me look at your feet.” He tells them if he corrects the other pain, their feet will just undo it. It can be difficult to gain acceptance in other countries. You have to show the benefits of what you have, but HyProCure® is the ultimate in design. The hardest part is getting to the right people to show them this. In Lebanon it took a while to get government approval. They had used another device and it did not work. I trust the product and my ability to teach others so much that I let a doctor who I recently trained perform EOTTS on my nephew. Their insurance (HMO) would not cover out of area where my nephew lives, and my practice is not in their area. I found a local doctor in my nephew’s area and asked him if he would perform the HyProCure® procedure. That doctor had heard of HyProCure® but never tried it. I assisted in the surgery with him, and now he is a HyProCure® user.” |
Michael Kelley, DPM – Master HyProCure® Specialist and HyProCure® PatientRockford, MI Sheridan, MI
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Frederick George, DPMChristchurch, Canterbury “Having an 8 year old win Player of the Day in soccer five weeks post-op, when he previously had quit playing because of pain, is just incredible. I saw another boy skiing, one year post-op because he fractured his fibula. Before surgery, he couldn’t balance on one foot. It is a great feeling to correct a serious deformity that formerly suffered orthotic neglect. The elation when the patient gets off the table and sees his foot standing straight for the first time is goose pimpling!” |
James Bender, DPMGrand Rapids, MI “I initially started using HyProCure® as a confirmed skeptic about a year and a half ago. My skepticism was based upon failures with predecessors, and ‘supposed’ similar products, to HyProCure®. After attending a live training seminar, I returned to my practice with a new concept that made complete sense to me. Our practice was a rather typical sports med/reconstructive surgical practice and on an average offered approximately 50 orthotic prescriptions per month. We ran four separate trials of utilizing the HyProCure® internal fixation device in patients mostly suffering from more chronic problems such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. The outcomes were absolutely amazing… Word of mouth brought in a fourfold increase in patient referrals leading me to 10 – 15 cases per week. To this date I have not had to remove any, and have experienced overwhelming patient satisfaction. The sheer joy of seeing these patients a week post-op has more than rejuvenated our 25-year practice. This modality of care is truly the most revolutionary positive change in the practice of medicine that I have seen in my tenure!” |
Ujjwal Datta, DPMBound Brook, NJ “I have used HyProCure® quite a few times and I feel that it is a very effective and anatomically correct device to treat talotarsal dislocation syndrome and other pathologies associated with TTDS. It is very simple to perform and I have found that, from my experience, children tolerate and respond well to the device… Overall, I think it is a great versatile product and I constantly recommend it to my patients who are candidates for its usage.” |
Joseph Borreggine, DPMCharleston,IL “I have been a user of the HyProCure® system for treatment of hyperpronation for the past three years. I have performed a large number of cases during this time and have seen results in my patients that are truly life-changing. Most of these patients had suffered greatly with painful flat feet, back, hip, and sometimes even neck and shoulder problems because of their abnormal gait pattern. They had tried many over-the-counter and/or prescription orthoses which had not solved their condition, until HyProCure® truly resolved their problems. Patients are satisified with the results and the short-term recovery process. They are able to return to normal activities quickly and truly enjoy participating again in many things that they were not doing prior to the procedure. There is not any other surgical implant device like HyProCure® because it is the only device that anatomically fits the foot (sinus tarsi and canalis). This is what makes the real difference. The device is easily removable if there are complications, which is very rare. I highly recommend the HyProCure® implant to all patients with a flexible flat foot.” |
John M. Dailey, DPM, MBA FACFAOMMedical Director “I have been using HyProCure® for approximately two years now and am quite pleased with the results. Up until this point, the use of subtalar joint implants has been poor because of the quality of the implant itself. The theory behind the procedure is excellent and the results are phenomenal. The invention of HyProCure® and its design have changed the subtalar joint arthroeresis procedure dramatically. I am truly amazed at the ease and quickness of the procedure, as well as the response from the patient, and the overall response, not just to the foot, but to the entire lower extremities. We have a number of patients whom we see because of hip and back pain and once the HyProCure® is put in place, all the lower extremity discomforts go away. Not only does this make a true difference in patients’ lives, but it is also a financial advantage for us as physicians. We have been performing the procedure mostly in the office under local anesthesia with some oral sedation. The procedure is very quick and easy. The patients are up and walking the same day and we have a very high success ratio. To date, I have done over 315 cases and only removed two. Some of our patients not only have responded quite nicely, but they have gone back to full duties at work as early as one to two days after the procedure. We have also performed this procedure on a number of early-teenage children who have responded quite nicely, to the point where they were not only pain free relatively quickly, but their long-term knee pain had dissipated, as well.” |
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