Ankle Pain Surgery Options

If you're experiencing pain and stiffness in your ankle, it's time to discuss surgical options. There are several ways to treat ankle pain, including arthroscopic surgery, ligament reconstruction and joint replacement.

Arthroscopic surgery: Arthroscopy uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light source to view the inside of the ankle and guide small instruments to the arthritic joint. This procedure can help to reduce the pain and swelling caused by arthritis, and restore mobility in some cases.

Lateral ankle ligament reconstruction: This surgery tightens weakened ligaments in the ankle. It's minimally invasive and involves using small incisions to remove the damaged ligament, and replacing it with a tendon from another part of the body (tendon transfer) or cadaver.

Ankle sprain: Sprains of the ankle often result in a tear in one or both of the ankle ligaments. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including severe pain and instability in the foot and ankle. Fortunately, most ankle sprains respond to nonsurgical treatment.

Physical therapy: Exercises that strengthen your muscles and improve the flexibility of your joints will speed recovery. A physical therapist can develop a podiatry practice plan for you to address your specific symptoms.

Over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs can also ease the pain. It's important to take these medications regularly and follow your doctor's directions for doses and times of use.

Avoid weightbearing activities during recovery from a sprain to prevent re-tears or strain on the injured ligaments. It takes weeks or months for a ligament to heal after a sprain.

The first step in treatment is to ice and rest your ankle, which will help to minimize Ankle Pain. Apply ice to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake. You can also soak your ankle in a ice bath.

You can also wrap the injured ankle in a compression bandage to decrease swelling. This will help to drain fluid from the area and speed up healing.

In the meantime, you may need to wear a cast or boot to protect your ankle and reduce the risk of re-tears. You'll probably need to wear this cast or boot for several weeks.

Ankle fusion: If you have arthritis in your ankle and a broken bone, your surgeon can combine the bones to form one strong joint through a surgical fusion. This is a much less invasive alternative to joint replacement, which replaces the whole ankle with artificial parts.

A fusion is usually done for people with ankle osteoarthritis or a deformity that can't be corrected by physical therapy or bracing alone. However, a fusion is not a good option for people with certain neuromuscular disorders or Charcot arthropathy (loss of sensation in the ankle and feet).

In addition to surgery, you'll need physical therapy and other treatment options. If you have ankle arthritis, a physical therapist can help you to improve your strength and flexibility. The length of time you'll need to do this will depend on your specific condition, but in general, patients can expect to spend about six weeks to 12 months in rehabilitation. You can get more enlightened on this topic by reading here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podiatric_medical_school.