My buddy has had this done...and before that the insert...and before that something else. He just had his knee replaced a few weeks back.
We were in an unnamed wilderness area about 6 years ago when he had the plastic insert and took a short cut across a big long rock slide. He didn't have the balance he once did and fell a few times- once breaking the plastic insert in there. They told him the insert wouldn't work again and they had to fuse. I know for a fact he likes it better- no pain- though he doesn't have the flexibility. Tough sumbitch tho.
Before this last knee thing, he got around Ok, limped a little though. He didn't want to do pack trips as he wasn't supposed to carry a lot of weight, but still can carry a light 25# pack, just not heavy meat loads.
I'm sure he would be happy to fill you in on all of his ankle and knee surgeries, pm me if you want his number.
