My Comeback Story: Jimmy S.

I had a stainless steel rod inserted in my tibia 30 years ago when I was in a serious accident. In the last 10 years I started to experience extreme discomfort at the location of the original break. I could only walk about a block before the pain would set in. For 3 years I tried to find a surgeon willing to removed it. I consulted 3 other doctors who refused to touch it. One surgeon even said "we put them in, not take them out". I finally stumbled onto Dr. Roger Fontes, who said he had performed this surgery many times. Although he couldn't promise me that the rod was causing the pain problem, he thought that there was a good chance that it could be. He left the decision to remove the rod completely up to me, but it was his expertise and manor that helped me make the decision. I consented to the procedure and had the rod removed. The surgery was flawless and within 2 weeks I felt relief. I can now walk miles without any pain or discomfort. The removal of the rod has given me the ability to travel once again, and as a retired person, to once more enjoy my life. I am planning to walk the Camino Santiago next year. I am in deep gratitude to Dr. Fontes for being knowledgeable about this and willing to perform such a needed procedure.