Ankle pain surgery is an option for people with severe ankle arthritis who aren’t getting relief from other treatments. Arthritis in the ankle joint involves the talus bone (the shinbone) and the calcaneus bone (the heel bone). Over time, the smooth cartilage that covers these bones wears away and causes pain and inflammation. The cartilage may be worn down so much that there is painful grinding or contact between the tibia and talus. This is known as end stage arthritis and can cause significant pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Learn more about the podiatry practice and its benefits here. Debridement is a surgical procedure that can help reduce pain and improve the function of your ankle joint by removing bone spurs or other tissue that may be interfering with your movement. This type of surgery is often done arthroscopically, which means it uses a thin, flexible arthroscope--an instrument with a camera and light source--to access the arthritic joint. During a debridement procedure, the surgeon uses small surgical instruments to remove bone spurs or other tissue from your arthritic joint. This can be done arthroscopically, or the doctor will make an incision to access your ankle directly. If the debridement does not relieve your symptoms, your healthcare provider might recommend an ankle fusion or another surgery. These surgeries join the talus bone and tibia bone into one solid piece of bone, eliminating the painful grinding or contact between these bones that caused your problem. Ankle fusion is often the best treatment for severe talus arthritis. It can help prevent your ankle from becoming more swollen and stiff, making it harder to walk. It can also prevent the talus from shifting or rolling on its own as you walk, which can cause further pain and complications. To perform an ankle fusion, the Ankle & Foot Centers of America doctors will make an incision near your shinbone or tibia. He or she will then place a metal plate or screws around the talus bone to hold it in place, which can take between 12 and 14 weeks for it to fuse together completely. You will probably be given pain medicines after the surgery to help ease your symptoms and prevent further inflammation. Your doctor will provide you with a prescription for these medicine at the time of your surgery or during your pre-operative evaluation. During your recovery, you will likely wear a splint at home and receive instructions on how to care for the wound and the cast or boot. You will also need to go for regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon and a physical therapist to see how you are progressing. After your surgery, you will need to take special care of your wound and wear a brace or boot for several months. Your doctor will give you specific exercises and other instructions to help your ankle recover. The recovery process after ankle fusion is similar to that of other surgeries for chronic ankle problems. Your doctor will likely prescribe pain medication, a splint or cast, and physical therapy to help your ankle heal properly. You can get more enlightened on this topic by reading here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankle_replacement.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |