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Dr. Togher performs Seaside's first total ankle joint replacement
Seaside Surgery Center, Southwest Florida’s first ambulatory surgical center designed and built for outpatient joint replacement surgeries, recently marked a milestone, with the first outpatient total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), or total ankle joint replacement, conducted at the facility on Veterans Park Drive in Naples.

Performing the procedure was fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon Cody J. Togher, DPM, AACFAS. “I am excited to bring the practice of outpatient total ankle replacement surgery to Southwest Florida; while incidence of the procedure has been increasing over the last 50+ years, it has really only started being done on an outpatient basis over the last 10 years. There is no denying that outpatient surgery is commonly the least expensive option for patients and insurance companies alike, and early research has demonstrated no increased risks in performing the procedure on an outpatient basis when compared to an inpatient setting,” remarked Dr. Togher.

Trained on eight different implants, Dr. Togher has completed over 100 ankle replacement surgeries using six of them. For this procedure he used the Wright Medical Infinity Implant. “Not only am I the most familiar with this implant, but their new Adaptis technology on the implant bone interface promotes the best environment for bone ongrowth to the implant. Additionally, the Vitamin E crosslinking helps decrease oxidation and, theoretically, the chance the patient will need revision surgery down the road,” noted Dr. Togher. 

Dr. Togher cites the patient experience as the major difference between outpatient surgery and inpatient, saying, “The benefit with outpatient surgery is that we are creating an efficient environment for patients to be cared for, from the second they arrive to the moment they are discharged. This not only enhances the patient experience but decreases the potential for risks by decreasing the time they can potentially occur.”

While outpatient hip and knee replacement patients are up walking mere hours after their surgeries, the recovery process for ankle joint replacement surgery is much different, and Dr. Togher cautions that patients take longer to recover with artificial joints of the ankle when compared to knee and hip replacements. “Patients do not begin walking until at least a week after surgery. This means they will have to call upon gait assistive devices like knee scooters, walkers, crutches, or wheelchairs during this time. If no other procedures are done at the time of replacement, the patient then advances into partial weightbearing in a cast for the next three weeks. After these first four weeks, the stitches are removed and walking activities in a boot are commenced. At this time physical therapy begins but focuses mostly on range of motion and stability about the ankle,” explained Dr. Togher.

For more information on Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA) visit the JRI website.
Seaside turns 7 at "Holibirthday" celebration
Our patients often comment on Seaside's fabulous staff, noting how much like a family we are. Our "family" got together recently to ring in the holidays and to celebrate Seaside's 7th business anniversary. Here are a few photos of the friendly faces you know and love, from our "Holibirthday Celebration." (Yes, we made that word up!)
The driving forces behind Seaside's inception and its success: Administrator Cindy Schuetz, RN, and Co-Founder Robert J. Zehr, MD. (Not pictured: Co-Founder H. Kurtis Biggs, DO)
Chris Chase, RN
Cindy Schuetz, RN
Scrub Tech Heather DeStefano
You may see these ladies before OR after your surgery — they are Pre-op and PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit) nurses, L-to-R: Cindy Schuetz, Vicki Sullivan, Bonita Husted, Renee Redfern, Helen Einer, Liz Somalia, Vivian Spivey, Bonnie Nabozny, Laura Clancey, and Mel Terwilliger.
These smiling faces may very be the last you see before you slip into the dreamy nirvana of anesthesia! Kathy Horn, Dave Baxendale, and Cris Perdzock.
The OR Team: Mark Cannedy, Tom Dondero, and RNs Shawna Langford, Amanda Willingham, Patti Querusio, Brandy Whaley, Chris Chase, and Marilyn Carter.
You may not see them, but we certainly couldn't operate without them (see what we did there? LOL): The Business Office Team: Audrey Booher, Susan Booker, Emma Keeton, Joan Singletary, and Administrator Cindy Schuetz, RN.
TLC from SSC!
Dearest Audrey, Liza, Renee, Cris, Shawna, and Dr. Biggs,

"Just wanted to take a moment and send you a big THANK YOU!! for the most stress-free surgical experience I have ever encountered. All the tender reassuring care before I went into the operating room, then all the phone calls as I made my way home and back to “normal” life.

"I can honestly say that as soon as I get the permission from Dr. Biggs, I will have the left knee done as well!

"You are TOPS on my recommendation list!"

Sincerely, in thanksgiving for a job well done,
Betty Joyce Dietzel


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The best news in the joint...
We strive to bring you helpful news about overall joint health, and about specific conditions that may need to be resolved in order to relieve your joint pain. We want to keep you up to date on the happenings at Seaside Surgery Center and in the world of orthopedics. Have a question for one of our surgeons? Ask it here


1879 Veterans Park Drive, Suite 1101,
Naples, FL 34109
239.592.4955