This articular degeneration can cause a lot of pain and can significantly limit your daily function.
This article will explain the purpose of this procedure and what to expect.
Knowing what to expect can help keep you calm before your procedure.
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Avoid using any lotions over the ankle being operated on.
You’ll also likely be instructed to abstain from eating and drinking at least eight hours prior to surgery.
If your doctor instructed you to continue with any medications, take these as directed.
Prior to arriving, your medical team will give you specific instructions for checking in.
Be sure to bring a bag of your clothes and toiletries along for your stay at the hospital.
Once your surgeon is ready, your medical team will take you to the operating area.
Here they will clean and prepare your ankle for surgery and administer anesthesia.
Recovery
The recovery process after a total ankle replacement can be rather extended.
The surgery is often a same-day procedure.
This means you’ll be sent home after you wake up from the anesthesia.
Some patients may be admitted to the hospital for several days for observation.
During the first few days of recovery, you will receive pain medication.
You will also be advised to elevate your ankle above your heart as much as possible.
Potential Risks
Total ankle arthroplasty surgeries are typically very successful.
Like all procedures, however, they are not without risks.
Should this hardware failure occur, a revision arthroplasty oran ankle fusionsurgery may need to be performed.
Over time, this can cause pain and impair mobility.
Ankle replacement surgery is a procedure that is done to replace the damaged parts with plastic and metal pieces.
This is a serious procedure, and it can take four to six months of rehabilitation to recover.
Most surgeries are successful and can significantly reduce pain and improve the mobility of patients.
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