Ankle Arthrodesis

What is an Ankle Arthrodesis?

An Ankle Arthrodesis (fusion) is a specialist orthopaedic procedure used to treat a painful ankle disorder or injury that fails to respond to physiotherapy, medication or other non-surgical treatment. Typically, this procedure is viewed as a 'last resort' to relieve pain and preserve some mobility in a longstanding problematic ankle joint.

Why is an Ankle Arthrodesis performed?

An Ankle Arthrodesis is a traditional surgical technique used to relieve persistent ankle pain, swelling, clicking, catching or instability of a joint. The most common reason this operation is performed is to relieve the chronic symptoms of arthritic pain, particularly in the elderly.

How is an Ankle Arthrodesis carried out? 

An Ankle Arthrodesis can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep), Epidural, Regional or Local Anaesthetic (you will be awake). This procedure usually takes around an hour to perform and is typically provided on a Day-Case or one night stay basis.

During a procedure a patient is positioned on their back on the operating table. Two small incisions just a few millimetres in length are then made either side of the problematic joint. These two incisions (cuts) allow a narrow tube (an endoscope) with a camera within it to be inserted into one and a slim tube that will regularly inject fluid and rinse the inside of the ankle out into the other. The injected fluid allows the surgeon to get a good view of the problem area via the camera lens as he moves it around inside the joint. Once the problematic part of the joint area is properly identified, another small incision can then be made elsewhere on the ankle surface in order to insert exceptionally fine instruments to correct any obvious deformity or remove any loose debris. With the aid of clear vision via the camera the surgeon can then progress to strip the lining of the problematic bone surface away and fuse/fix the ankle joint together with surgical screws.  

At the end of the procedure the small wounds on the ankle are closed with absorbable stitches and covered with an absorbable dressing. Finally the newly fixed ankle joint is firmly supported in its new position (usually at 45 degrees) in a plaster cast or a special lightweight thermoplastic cast.

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid complications such as joint stiffness and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to undertake lower limb physiotherapy exercises and cover gentle walking distance just a few hours after surgery. Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control, patients are normally discharged home the day of or day after surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally eating and drinking normally, walking unaided and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers) to control any pain.

Over the next 6 weeks patients are be expected to work on improving their own mobility through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily walking distances. Your Consultant Surgeon will assess the condition after 1 week and then again after three months to evaluate how successful the Arthrodesis procedure has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work. Patients should expect a continuous and full recovery to take up to 6 months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Ankle Arthrodesis surgery?  

Although Ankle Arthrodesis surgery is very regularly performed without any major complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking such specialist orthopaedic surgery. All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation to discuss your condition with an expert in Ankle Arthrodesis surgery in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Ankle Arthrodesis surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert orthopaedic surgeon in Ankle Arthrodesis surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating surgery and because of their specialist expertise in Ankle Arthrodesis. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert surgeon in Ankle Arthrodesis surgery: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com