If your doctor has recommended that you have ankle Arthrodesis as a way to treat your pain, you might be wondering what exactly it is. After all, how can you choose if a procedure is right for you if you don’t know anything about it? This explanation should help you to understand the procedure so you can make a choice that’s right for you.
What it is
The first thing you should know is that ankle Arthrodesis is a surgery, or procedure that helps the ankle bones to actually fuse together. It is used in those that have severe pain in the ankle due to arthritis, but it isn’t for everyone.
In this surgery, the cartilage is removed and the ankle and foot are properly positioned to allow the joint to fuse together correctly. Once the bones have been positioned properly, they are locked into place by screws or small metal bars. Ideally, the bones will begin to grow together and the pain is greatly reduced.
Benefits
For many people, the benefits of this surgery can outweigh the downfalls for many years. Arthritic joints tend to be much less painful and allow people to enjoy a more active lifestyle again.
Negatives
Some of the negative side effects of ankle Arthrodesis include a reduced mobility to the ankle joint. Since the bones are fused together, many who have had this procedure find that they have trouble going up stairs, hills or slopes and enjoying other kinds of walking that requires the ankle joint to bend.
In addition, there are some cases where the ankle bones do not fuse together. This happens an estimated 10% of the time and those who are smokers, those who don’t stay off their foot during the healing period, those that have diabetes and people with nerve problems.
There are some findings that suggest that people who have this surgery will experience pain in the foot due to the other joints that wear out after about 10 to 20 years.
Only you can decide if ankle Arthrodesis is right for your needs, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about all of your questions and concerns before you decide to commit to this kind of treatment. Remember that a surgery of this kind is not reversible, so you should carefully consider your choices, as there may be other options for you to choose from. For instance, you may find that there are certain types of medication that you could take that could help you. You might also find that physical therapy can be helpful in relieving your pain and keeping you active.
Your doctor will likely tell you that this isn’t a choice to be taken lightly and you must consider how important a very active lifestyle is to you before you make up your mind about this procedure. Keep in mind that what is the right decision for you regarding ankle Arthrodesis may not be the same as another person’s choice.
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