Why is this procedure done?
The ankle joint connects the bones between your foot and leg. The bones are covered with cartilage. This smooth tissue makes it easy for the bones to move up and down and rotate. Cartilage in the ankle joint can wear out with age. It can become damaged if the ankle is injured. The bones in the ankle no longer move smoothly. They rub together when the cartilage is damaged or worn away. It may cause pain and loss of movement. You may find it hard to walk and stand. ‚
Sometimes, drugs and exercises may help you with the pain. Other times, you may need an ankle joint replacement surgery. ‚
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What will the results be?
- Less pain
- More movement in your ankle
- Easier to walk and do other daily activities
What happens before the procedure?
- A few weeks or days before the surgery, your doctor may have you:
- Get some tests to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery.
- Meet with a physical therapist. You may learn exercises for after surgery. You may also learn how to use crutches or a walker.
- Get some exercises from your doctor so you can start before the surgery.
- Donate blood in case you need a blood transfusion.
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker.
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) at least 48 hours before the surgery.
- Stop taking some drugs. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the drugs you are taking including herbals and supplements.
- The night before your surgery, you will need to stop eating and drinking at midnight.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs.
- Sometimes, the doctor will give you a special drug to make you numb for the surgery. Other times, you are completely asleep.
- Your doctor will make a cut in the front of your ankle. Your doctor will then push aside nerves, tendons, and blood vessels to get to the joint.
- Your doctor will next remove all the damaged parts of the joints and replace them with man-made parts. These are the implants or prostheses.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages.
- You may have a cast or splint on your lower leg.
- The procedure will take 2 to 3 hours.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.
- Within a day or two, you will get out of bed to a chair. The staff will help you start to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear. You will get drugs to help with your pain.
- The staff will look at your wound and may need to clean the site.
- You will have long, tight socks to put on or a cuff put on your leg that is hooked up to a machine. Either of these will keep the blood flowing to avoid blood clots.
- Most of the time, you will start physical therapy (PT) the same day. Sometimes, you start the day after surgery.
- You may have a cast or splint on your lower leg. Your doctor will let you know how much weight you can put on your operated leg. You will need to use a walker or crutches to help you walk.
- Most people stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent blood clots
- Prevent infection
- Help with other problems you may have like trouble sleeping or hard stools
What problems could happen?
- Dislocation or the bones moving out of the right position
- Blood clot or DVT (deep vein thrombosis) ¢ ˆ ’ To avoid these, your doctor may ask you to do ankle pumping exercises. Your doctor also may order blood thinning drugs or compression stockings.
- Lung infection ¢ ˆ ’ Taking deep breaths can help keep you from getting a lung infection. Take at least 10 deep breaths each hour while you are awake.
- Infection ¢ ˆ ’ Be sure to take all drugs as ordered.
- Other problems during or after surgery may include broken bones, nerve or blood vessel damage, bleeding, ankle feels unstable, or loosening of the prosthesis.
Where can I learn more?
American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons ‚
http://www.foothealthfacts.org/Content.aspx?id=2969&terms=total%20ankle ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚