What you need to know about Ankle Surgery Procedure
Contents
- 1 What you need to know about Ankle Surgery Procedure
- 2 What does the Procedure Involve?
- 3 How Long Should You Stay in the Country?
- 4 What’s the Recovery Time Like?
- 5 What Aftercare Should You Consider?
- 6 What is the Success Rate for Ankle Surgery Procedure?
- 7 Are there Alternatives to Ankle Surgery Procedure?
- 8 What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?
When you suffer from pain in your ankle caused by severe arthritis and the more-conservative treatments cannot relieve your symptoms, ankle surgery may be the best option for you. There are several types of ankle surgery, which are determined by your level of activity, age, and the severity of your joint deformity or damage.
What does the Procedure Involve?
There are two main types of ankle surgery: ankle fusion (arthrodesis) and ankle replacement, both can be performed under regional or general anesthetic. With ankle fusion, your surgeon fuses the bones of your ankle into one combined bone using metal plates and screws. With ankle replacement, your surgeon removes the ends of the damaged bones and replace them with a plastic-and-metal joint.
How Long Should You Stay in the Country?
You may need to stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days, depending on your condition. However, you need to stay n the area for about 7 to 14 days for initial recovery and follow up appointments with your surgeon. The removal of stitches usually will take place within 14 days, but you can have it done by your local doctor if you do not want to stay in the area for too long.
What’s the Recovery Time Like?
You will need to take things easy and take time off from work for around four to six weeks. If your job is physically demanding, you will need more time. It may take a full year until you can get back to most of your activities, including swimming, hiking, and cycling, but remember to avoid high-impact activities to prevent damage to your new ankle.
What Aftercare Should You Consider?
It is very important to start moving as soon as you can and to undergo physical therapy. Your physical therapist will show you exercises to increase your range of motion and strengthen your ankle. You will need to use crutches for 6 weeks because you should not put weight onto your ankle.
What is the Success Rate for Ankle Surgery Procedure?
Ankle surgery is highly successful and effective to treat problems with your ankle; it is reported that the surgery has approximately 90% to 95% success rate. Although the success rate is high, there are some side effects and risks that come with this procedure, including increased pain, swelling, stiffness, infections, and wound hematoma (bleeding).
Are there Alternatives to Ankle Surgery Procedure?
If you are not an ideal candidate for surgery, your surgeon may recommend you to undergo nonsurgical treatments instead. You may be advised to wear inserts that support your ankle (orthotics), use canes or braces to support the joints, undergo Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and physical therapy, or get steroid injection into the joints.
What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?
Before an ankle surgery, you feel uncomfortable and have painful symptoms. After ankle surgery, your pain will be relieved, the function of your ankle is much improved, your mobility is increased, and you can enjoy walking and swimming again.
For an in-depth analysis of an Ankle Fusion Surgery Procedure, watch this short video.
To check prices or to book an Ankle Surgery Procedure in Thailand or anywhere else in the world, head on over to MyMediTravel now!