What is ankle arthrodesis?
Ankle arthrodesis is a surgery in which two or more bones of the ankle are fixed to anchor the joint. This surgical technique is performed under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis.
Why is ankle arthrodesis performed?
Ankle arthrodesis is performed to treat a painful deformity of the foot, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or congenital deformities, among others.
What does ankle arthrodesis consist of?
It consists of correcting the malformation by fusing two bones to form the joint. It is performed on an outpatient basis, that is, it does not require hospitalization, and, once the intervention is performed, the patient can normally walk with post-surgical footwear.
Preparation for ankle arthrodesis
Preparation before surgery involves a thorough cleaning of the head of the first metatarsal (bone anterior to the big toe) and the base of the first phalanx (first toe bone) up to the appearance of the subchondral bone (located below the articular cartilage).
Post-operative care
Postoperative pain can be perfectly controlled with oral medication. During this time, postoperative dressings, necessary control X-rays and rehabilitation exercises are performed. Postoperative footwear should be worn for six to eight weeks, until the bone fuses. Subsequently, the patient should wear sports shoes for a similar period of time. In general, ankle arthrodesis has a high percentage of satisfactory results.