I’m Rob Read. I had an accident in Oct ‘14 where I broke my fibula near my right ankle. A metal plate and 5 screws were surgically placed. Since then 3 of the screws have fragmented/broken. Besides that, the cartridge in the main ankle joint has worn down to almost nothing. Arthritis is setting in and making it harder to walk, stand and especially climb stairs. Normal activity is becoming difficult. I am now using a cane for support and stability.

New update, as of 11/26/25. I had a follow up visit with the orthopedic specialist. A surgery date has been set for around 1/14/26. The will remove some of the old hardware, add a cushion in the joint and fuse a couple of bones together. This will cause some decreased mobility of the joint but will also reduce the arthritic pain I’ve been experiencing.

The only downside to getting this operation is the recovery time. I will be off my feet for at least 2-3 weeks. Which means I can not work or drive, shop, etc. I am a self employed Massage Therapist who works from home. I can not receive any disability pay. So I’m asking for help to get me through the downtime while I recover from this necessary surgery. Thanks for your support!