That depends, Dr. Each ankle surgery has pros and cons, and not every procedure is suitable for every person. Your orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon will evaluate your overall health, age, and your activity level to help you decide whether ankle replacement or ankle fusion is best for you. Surgeons tend to do the surgeries in which they have the most experience. Duke foot and ankle surgeons routinely perform high volumes of both ankle surgeries, as well as revisions from ankle fusion to ankle replacement.
They are also able to recommend total ankle replacements to people who would otherwise not be considered candidates for ankle replacement because they have extensive experience with all of the latest artificial ankle joints. This results in positive patient outcomes. We can pick the most appropriate one for each patient. Duke Header Image Link. Stories and news about treatment advances that improve your health and quality of life. When to Consider Ankle Replacement Surgery.
When to Consider Ankle Fusion. Which Ankle Surgery is Right for You? Sometimes a small regrowth of the nerve may lead to a painful nodule in the scar neuroma , this may need to be surgically excised.
One of the blood vessels that supply the foot runs in front of the ankle and is at risk of injury. Blood clots in the calf Deep vein Thrombosis can occur after lower limb surgery. These can break off and go to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism PE. We assess individual risks of thrombosis and balance against the side effects of blood thinning injections.
You are likely to be offered these injections for the time you are in plaster. Usually for around six weeks. This is a rare complication that can result in post operative pain and skin colour changes in the whole of the foot and sometimes the entire lower leg. It occurs in less than 0.
This is when the fusion fails to happen and the ankle joint will have motion which can remain painful and may result in the screws breaking. If this happens then you may need the procedure repeated to ensure a solid fusion occurs. You may find that bone graft is used or an open approach adopted in the repeat of the operation. Occasionally the foot is placed in a sub-optimal position.
The aim is to fuse the ankle in a position that results in the foot being square to the ground. In most mild deformity a shoe insert is likely to solve the problem. More severe cases may need repeat surgery. In the long-term, stress placed on the surrounding joints may lead to wear and tear and arthritis in those joints as they will be working harder to compensate for a stiff ankle. This may lead to pain in those joints. This occurs after 10 or 15 years and if severe may need further surgical treatment.
How stiff will my ankle be? What can I do? This is the question most people will ask. By the time the ankle needs fusing a significant amount of up and down motion has been lost from your ankle.
Any remaining motion is painful. There are many other joints in your foot that can compensate and take on the up and down motion. In fact, most day to day activity can be performed with a fused ankle, including higher impact exercises such as jumping or running although sprinting may be difficult. Health news headlines can be deceiving.
Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent? Tips for enjoying holiday meals. A conversation about reducing the harms of social media. Menopause and memory: Know the facts. How to get your child to put away toys. Is a common pain reliever safe during pregnancy?
By the way, doctor: Is ankle fusion my only option? December 1, Research health conditions Check your symptoms Prepare for a doctor's visit or test Find the best treatments and procedures for you Explore options for better nutrition and exercise Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online ». Sign Me Up.
0コメント