Yorgason Michael R Orthopedic Surgery

In 2009 I ruptured my left Achilles Tendon. I had surgery at Billings Clinic. About 6 weeks later I ended up in the ER in Hamilton with an ankle that looked and smelled like a bad eggplant. Back to Billings for a second surgery and several days in the hospital attached to a wound vac. Several months later I had a third surgery because the wound never closed. After doing a lot of research I was convinced that I was having a reaction to the braided non-​dissolving suture material (Fibrewire) that had been used. I found many instances of people having bad reactions to the stuff on the internet. My surgeon said that couldn’t be the problem because he had never seen it. I was basically kicked out of the Billings Clinic system and had the third surgery by a plastic surgeon. It seemed to work and the wound appeared to heal although the surgery site was always very tender. A few months later an enormous hematoma formed over the site and burst one night. The plastic surgeon wanted to do a fourth surgery and he also didn’t believe me about the Fibrewire. My vet had checked my ankle with their ultrasound and it definitely showed something deep inside, but the plastic surgeon wasn’t interested. I made an appointment with Dr. Yorgason and when we met I explained everything. He immediately ordered an MRI (they have their own machine at Ortho Montana). When it appeared on his computer monitor, the same black spot as was on the ultrasound image showed up. His comment was, «that’s fibrewire and it needs to come out.» He did the surgery a few days later, removed the sutures 3 weeks later and I have had no problems since. I’m back to skiing and skiing better than I ever have. Cycling, hiking, backpacking are not a problem. If I ever have any ankle problems I would see him again without hesitation. I will not go to Billings Clinic for any orthopedic issues ever again.