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If you experience pain in your right ankle because of arthritis in the joint or from damage caused by an injury, fusion surgery could bring you relief. Your doctor will discuss your recovery and let you know what to expect.
If you have severe ankle problems, your doctor may suggest ankle replacement surgery to replace the damaged parts of your ankle joint with artificial parts. Many ankle replacement surgery patients are older patients who have not seen improvement in ankle function with therapy and medications. Recovering from ankle replacement surgery can be a long process that will require rest, medication and physical therapy.
Several types of common ankle surgery are provided based on the type of injury or condition. The type of surgery often will depend on the severity of the condition, age and activity level of the patient.
Immediately after surgery for an injured ankle, it's important to rest the ankle to allow it to heal. But after the initial resting period, the ankle must be exercised gradually to help regain a full range of motion. Rehabilitative exercises also increase flexibility, restore balance and strengthen the weakened ankle to foster healing and protect against future injury.
Ankle surgery can be very beneficial to the person undergoing the injury. However, the person should be aware that there are complications that can go along with the surgery. These complications include nerve damage, infection, swelling, scarring and blood clots.
President Abraham Lincoln once said, "I cannot think clearly when my feet hurt." This is a sentiment many Americans probably share. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, an estimated 70 percent of the population have painful foot problems at least once. A podiatric surgeon treats those in need of foot and ankle surgery. People need surgical procedures on their ankle for any number of problems such as birth defects, muscle and joint disorders, injuries or arthritis. Georgetown University indicates that ankle fusions and ankle replacement are among the top reasons people have foot surgery.
Ankle injuries are one of the most common, especially for athletes. Almost everyone has sprained an ankle at one time. This tearing of the ligaments can lead to future conditions such as arthritis. Ankle surgeries run the gamut from non-invasive procedures to full reconstructions. Recovering from ankle surgery is a slow process, but with work a person can regain full mobility.
Doctors recommend ankle surgery for people who sustain injuries beyond simple strains. Some of these injuries are sports-related or occur because of incorrectly landing on the ankle. Recovering from ankle surgery takes approximately eight weeks. Patients should follow their doctors' directions so they won't be immobilized longer. The steps leading to recovery include rest, medication, infection prevention and physical therapy.
