Arthrodesis of Foot and Ankle – open surgery

Description arthrodesis of the foot and ankle

Spinal fusion – mix together the two bones, forming joint. After the operation, the joint loses mobility. Arthrodesis may be performed for multiple joints at the same time.

The reasons for performing arthrodesis of the foot and ankle

Ankle arthrodesis is done to relieve pain in the ankle, cause abnormal overgrowth ankle fracture, arthritis, infection or developmental defects.

Satisfactory results, including good pain relief, is achieved in most patients. Most of them can wear ordinary shoes, but some need special shoes.

Complications of arthrodesis of the foot and ankle

Complications are rare, but no operation ensures no risk. Before, how to perform arthrodesis, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• The inability of the joint compound;
• Poor alignment of the joint, onset of pain and / or gait izmeneneniya;
• The need for reoperation;
• Infection;
• Bleeding;
• Nerve Damage.

Factors, that may increase the risk of complications:

• Smoking;
• Infection;
• Chronic diseases;
• Steroids.

How is the open surgery arthrodesis of the foot and ankle?

Preparing for Surgery

Some non-surgical procedures can correct the problem, so the operation may not be necessary. These may include medication, injection, wearing special shoes or physiotherapy. The patient is carefully examined, to determine the general health and any risk factors.

• A week before the surgery may need to stop taking some medicines:
  • Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • Blood thinners, eg, clopidogrel (Plaviks) or warfarin;
• The day before the operation can take only a light meal. On the day of surgery can not eat anything;
• It is necessary to prepare for the return home from the hospital after surgery.

Anesthesia

The doctor may use the following types of anesthesia:

• General anesthesia – the patient will sleep;
• Spinalynaya anesthesia – anesthesia is injected directly into the spine; the lower part of the body does not perceive pain.

Description arthrodesis surgery of the foot and ankle

The doctor makes a long incision, so that the visible joint. Then he holds joint. There are many ways to connect the two bones together, so that they are no longer moved relative to each other. They can be used long screws, screws together with steel plates, long steel rods, bone grafts.

Around the thigh is wrapped zhget, to cut off the blood supply, that the operation has been performed in a bloodless field. From the negative effects zhgutovaniya feet do not hurt.

Immediately after surgery

Shin rigidly fixed and suspended. The patient is administered pain medication.

How long does the surgery?

The operation takes 2-3 o'clock.

Will it hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. After the procedure may feel some discomfort.

The time spent in hospital

In the absence of complications during hospitalization is 2-4 day.

Care after surgery arthrodesis of the foot and ankle

Recovery time can take up to four months. Throughout the recovery time leg should be in a cast. After the operation to be performed by medical personnel. We need to ask him, where you can swim, take a shower or to expose the surgical site to water.

It is necessary to go to the hospital in the following cases

• There was bleeding or discharge from the incision (s). This can manifest itself as painting or plaster bandages fiksiruschey;
• There are signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Inability to relieve pain using painkillers;
• Cough, breathlessness, chest pain, or severe nausea and vomiting;
• Numbness, tingling, or discoloration of the legs.