Ankle Replacement
During your healing process:
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Maintain a positive attitude.
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Establish relaxation and distraction techniques to calm anxiety.
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Participate in daily exercises if able to do so.
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Establish a routine to avoid frustration as normal activities may take more time.
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Move surrounding joints multiple times daily to avoid stiffness and discomfort.
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Elevate the injured extremity to decrease swelling and discomfort.
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If you have an external fixator, keep the pin sites clean to decrease irritation.
The Selection Process for Ankle Arthroplasty:
Ankle arthritis
Inadequate relief with conservative therapy such as bracing
Limitations in normal activities due to ankle pain
Uncontrolled diabetes
Peripheral neuropathy
Vascular disease compromising the ability to heal wounds
Uncorrectable malalignment of the ankle or foot
High impact activities such as running or jumping
Surgical Intervention
Ankle replacement is performed in an operative suite with an anesthesia team and an orthopedic surgery team. Many patients prefer to have a nerve block placed in the leg to help with postoperative pain control. Sometimes additional procedures are performed simultaneously with total ankle replacement, such as removing previously placed hardware, lengthening a tight Achilles' tendon, or balancing the foot. Depending upon your age, medical conditions, how far you have traveled, and other factors, you will likely stay in the hospital one or two nights.
Contraindictations
Indications
49-year-old male who was able to resume refereeing basketball after ankle replacement for bone-on-bone arthritis.
49-year-old male who was able to resume refereeing basketball after ankle replacement for bone-on-bone arthritis.
49-year-old male who was able to resume refereeing basketball after ankle replacement for bone-on-bone arthritis.
49-year-old male who was able to resume refereeing basketball after ankle replacement for bone-on-bone arthritis.
57-year-old with an ankle fracture causing arthritis and over 20 years of painful walking who underwent ankle replacement to relieve her pain.
57-year-old with an ankle fracture causing arthritis and over 20 years of painful walking who underwent ankle replacement to relieve her pain.
57-year-old with an ankle fracture causing arthritis and over 20 years of painful walking who underwent ankle replacement to relieve her pain.
57-year-old with an ankle fracture causing arthritis and over 20 years of painful walking who underwent ankle replacement to relieve her pain.
74 YO US Marine veteran who underwent an ankle fusion in 2006 and had it converted to an ankle replacement 10 years.
74 YO US Marine veteran who underwent an ankle fusion in 2006 and had it converted to an ankle replacement 10 years.
74 YO US Marine veteran who underwent an ankle fusion in 2006 and had it converted to an ankle replacement 10 years.
74 YO US Marine veteran who underwent an ankle fusion in 2006 and had it converted to an ankle replacement 10 years.