What is ankle replacement surgery?
Overview
Ankle replacement surgery in Iran is the replacement of a damaged ankle joint with an artificial implant.
The ankle joint (tibiotalar joint) is where your shinbone (tibia) rests on top of a bone of your foot, the talus.
Arthritis can affect this joint as well as other joints in the foot. Over time, the smooth cartilage on the surface of the bones wears away. This can result in pain, inflammation, and swelling of your joint.
Ankle replacement surgery in Iran is a procedure to replace this damaged joint to eliminate this pain and swelling. Typically, the procedure takes place under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will make an incision in your ankle to access the affected joint. Next, your surgeon will remove the damaged parts of your tibia and talus bones. Your surgeon will attach artificial metal joints to the remaining bone surfaces, with a piece of plastic inserted between them.
Why might I need ankle replacement surgery?
Ankle replacement surgery may make sense for you if you have severe arthritis in your ankle. This can cause symptoms like severe pain, inflammation, and stiffness, which can lead to difficulty walking. The main types of ankle arthritis are:
. Osteoarthritis. This is “wear and tear” arthritis that develops in older adults.
. Rheumatoid arthritis. This is a system-wide autoimmune disease that affects the joints.
. Arthritis. This can happen because of a past injury of your joint.
If you have mild or moderate arthritis, your healthcare provider will probably recommend other treatments, like pain medicines, special shoe and foot inserts, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections. If you still have severe symptoms that interfere with your daily activities, your healthcare provider may recommend ankle replacement or another surgical procedure.
If your arthritis is not yet severe, arthroscopic debridement might be a better choice. Ankle fusion is another choice for people with severe arthritis of their ankle. Each of these choices has its own risks and benefits. Talk to your healthcare provider about all of your treatment and surgical choices.
Benefits
Pain relief is the most reliable potential benefit and often the major reason for surgery. For many people, ankle replacement surgery also offers better movement and coordination of the foot and leg. Another benefit is an improvement in the appearance of a deformed joint. Ankle replacement surgery may mean the difference between walking with a crutch (or being confined to a wheel chair) and regaining true mobility.
Risks of ankle replacement surgery
Ankle replacement surgery is very successful in most cases, but it does have some risks. These include:
. Infection
. Damage to nearby nerves
. Bleeding
. Blood clot
. The bones not joining together properly
. Misalignment of the bones
. New arthritis in neighboring joints
. Loosening of the artificial components, which might eventually need a follow-up surgery.
. Wearing out of the components
Your own risk of complications may vary according to your age and your other medical conditions. For example, if you are a smoker or if you have low bone density, you may have an increased risk of certain complications. People with poorly controlled diabetes may also have an increased risk. Talk with your healthcare provider about all your concerns, including the risks most relevant to you.
Before ankle replacement surgery
How do I get ready for ankle replacement procedure?
Talk with your healthcare provider about what to do to prepare for your ankle replacement surgery. Ask whether you should stop taking any medicines, like blood thinners, ahead of time. If you smoke, try to stop smoking before your procedure. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines like aspirin. Also, tell your healthcare provider about any changes in your overall health, such as a recent fever.
Before your procedure, you may need additional imaging tests, like X-rays, CT scan, or MRI.
You may need to rearrange your living arrangements as you recover because you’ll need to use crutches for several weeks. Have someone available to drive you home from the hospital.
You’ll need to avoid food and drink after midnight the night before your procedure.
During ankle replacement surgery
Your healthcare provider can help explain the details of your particular surgery. An orthopedic surgeon will perform your ankle replacement aided by a team of specialized healthcare professionals. The whole operation may take a few hours. In general, you can expect the following:
. You will probably have general anesthesia, which will make you sleep so that you feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure.
. A healthcare professional will carefully monitor your vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure, during the operation.
. After cleaning the affected area, your surgeon will make an incision through the skin and muscle of your ankle, and possibly another one on your foot.
. Your surgeon will remove the damaged portions of your shinbone and talus.
. Next, your surgeon will attach the new metal joint surfaces into the pieces of your remaining bones. Your surgeon might use a special type of cement to hold them in place.
. Your surgeon will also probably insert a piece of plastic between the new metal joint spaces, so they can glide easily against each other.
. Your healthcare provider may make other necessary repairs.
. Your surgeon will surgically close the layers of skin and muscle around your ankle and foot.
After ankle replacement surgery
Talk with your healthcare provider about what you can expect after your surgery. Your medical team will continue to monitor you carefully as you recover. When you wake up, your leg will probably be immobilized and elevated. You can resume a normal diet as soon as you are able. You may need follow-up X-rays to see how your surgery went. You will probably need to stay a few days at the hospital.
You may have significant pain right after your surgery, but pain medicines may help ease the pain. The pain should begin to diminish over a few days, and you should have less pain than before your surgery.
After your surgery, you will probably need to wear a splint for a couple of weeks. You might also need to use crutches for several weeks. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions about how to move your foot while you recover. It may be helpful to rest and elevate your leg for the first week or so after your surgery. You won’t be able to put your full weight on your foot for a few months.
You won’t be able to see your incision initially, but let your healthcare provider know right away if the pain increases or if you have a high fever or chills.
Make sure to keep all your follow-up appointments, so that your healthcare provider can monitor your progress. You may have your splint removed and replaced with a boot or a cast a couple of weeks after your surgery. This cast may come off several weeks after your surgery. You might need physical therapy for a few months to help you maintain your strength and range of motion. It may be several months before you can return to all your previous activities.
Carefully following your healthcare provider’s instructions about rehabilitation, medicines, and wound care should increase your chances of a positive outcome.