Ankle replacement (total ankle arthroplasty) is major surgery to reduce ankle pain. A surgeon removes the lower part of the shinbone (tibia) and top of the highest bone on the foot (talus). The ankle is replaced with plastic or metal pieces. Sometimes part of only one bone is replaced.
You may have general anesthesia. This means you'll be asleep during the surgery. But sometimes doctors use regional anesthesia. This means you can't feel the area of the surgery. You will feel sleepy, but you'll be awake. Which type of anesthesia you get depends on your doctor and on your overall health. Your doctor might also ask what you prefer. Your doctor will also let you know if you will stay in the hospital or if you can go home the day of surgery.
Then the doctor makes a cut (incision) in your leg, where the ankle is. The doctor will remove some of the bones of your ankle and replace them with an artificial joint. The incision leaves a scar that usually fades with time.
Your doctor will also let you know if you will stay in the hospital or if you can go home the day of surgery. Your rehabilitation program (rehab) may start when you are in the hospital. You will do this rehab for several weeks.
It takes at least 4 months to return to full activity. But if you can keep your weight off the leg, you may be able to go back to work sooner.
After surgery and rehab, you probably will have much less pain than before. And you should be able to return to your usual activities. But your doctor may advise you not to do activities that put stress on that ankle, such as standing for too long or running.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Ankle replacement (total ankle arthroplasty) is major surgery to reduce ankle pain. A surgeon removes the lower part of the shinbone (tibia) and the top of the highest bone on the foot (talus). The ankle is replaced with plastic or metal pieces. Sometimes part of only one bone is replaced.
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Your doctor will let you know if you will stay in the hospital or if you can go home the day of surgery. You will have a cast or supportive boot on your leg when you go home from the hospital. You'll learn to move around with crutches, a walker, or a scooter.
At first, you won't be able to put any weight on your ankle. You'll need someone to help you at home for the next few weeks until your energy level returns and you can get around more easily. If there's no one to help you at home, you may go to a rehabilitation center.
It's important to keep your leg elevated as much as you can. This will help with healing and pain. If you are able, try to keep it up above your heart.
It takes at least 4 months to return to full activity. As you recover from the surgery, you will likely have much less ankle pain than before.
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy while you are healing. It will help strengthen your ankle and help with range of motion.
In the future, make sure to let all health professionals know about your artificial ankle so they will know how to care for you.
Your new joint will last about 10 years. You may need another surgery if your artificial ankle joint wears out.
Ankle replacement (total ankle arthroplasty) is major surgery to reduce ankle pain. A surgeon removes the lower part of the shinbone (tibia) and top of the highest bone on the foot (talus). The ankle is replaced with plastic or metal pieces.
You may have a cast, boot, or splint on your leg for about a month after surgery. You won't be able to put weight on the leg at first. You may use crutches, a walker, or a knee scooter while the cast or boot is on. Your doctor will tell you when you can start putting weight on the leg.
Get extra help at home. It will be helpful if there is someone to help you at home for the next few weeks or until you have more energy and can move around better.
You will go home with a bandage and stitches or staples. You can remove the bandage when your doctor tells you to. If the stitches aren't the type that dissolve, your doctor will remove them in 10 to 14 days.
You may still have some mild pain, and the area may be swollen for several months after surgery. Your doctor may prescribe pain medicine for a few weeks. Or the doctor may suggest over-the-counter medicine.
For several weeks you will continue the rehabilitation program (rehab) you may have started in the hospital. The better you do with your rehab exercises, the sooner you will get your strength and movement back. Depending on your job, you may be able to go back to work in a few weeks. Some people need more time to recover. You may need to avoid certain leg movements or putting too much weight on your ankle.
In the future, make sure to let all health professionals know about your artificial ankle so they will know how to care for you.
Your doctor may use general anesthesia. This means you'll be asleep during the surgery. But sometimes doctors use regional anesthesia. This means you can't feel the area of the surgery. You will feel sleepy, but you'll be awake. Which type of anesthesia you get depends on your doctor and on your overall health. Your doctor might also ask what you prefer.
Then the doctor makes a cut (incision) in your lower leg, where the ankle is. The doctor will remove some of the bones of your ankle and replace them with an artificial joint. The incision leaves a scar that usually fades with time.
Ankle replacement is done for some people who have lots of pain or can barely move their ankle. The pain is usually caused by arthritis.
Your doctor will talk to you about whether ankle replacement is a good option for you. You may have tried medicine, exercise, or other treatments that don't involve surgery.
Your doctor might also talk to you about ankle fusion. It's another type of ankle surgery.
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