Total Ankle / Ankle Replacement Surgery for Arthritis
Edited By: Sigvard T. Hansen, Jr., M.D.
Last updated Monday, August 20, 2007
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Recovering from surgeryHow much pain do patients usually have after total ankle / ankle replacement surgery for arthritis of the ankle and what medications are used to manage it? Patients are given a combination of intravenous and oral narcotics to
control the pain postoperatively. If a patient has the surgery under a
block, the leg may remain numb for six to 18 hours after surgery.After total ankle / ankle replacement surgery for arthritis of the ankle, what happens in the hospital and when is the patient usually discharged? You will be admitted to the hospital the morning of surgery and stay in
the hospital for approximately two to three days, until you have
adequate control of your pain and can walk safely on crutches or a
walker.After total ankle / ankle replacement surgery for arthritis of the ankle, what happens at hospital discharge and what are the patient's limitations at that time? Patients are discharged home from the hospital when they can walk
safely using crutches and when their pain is controlled without
intravenous medication.Follow-up You will return to the clinic in two weeks for suture removal but
continue to have the leg protected and maintain crutch usage. At six
weeks after surgery, X-rays will be performed and a decision will be
made whether to advance weight bearing or continue the crutch usage.
You will put about 50 percent of your weight on the operated leg for
about four weeks.
The rapidity of the progress in weight bearing will depend on what
other procedures need to be done to correct your individual deformity. When to see a doctor Please call a physician if the patient has:
- New onset of swelling, tingling, pain, or numbness in your toes
that is not relieved by elevating your foot above your heart for one
hour.
- Drainage that is foul smelling, green or yellow, or drainage where there was none before.
- You have chills or a temperature above 38.5° C (101.3° F).
Surgery for arthritis of the ankle at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure in Seattle, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-731-4830 to make an appointment. Our clinical center is located in Seattle Washington, USADisclaimer
This resource has been provided by the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine as general information only. This information may not apply to a specific patient. Additional information may be found at http://www.orthop.washington.edu or by contacting the UW Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.
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