Ankle fusion

Performed at SWLEOC by leading UK surgeons
treatment-consultation

Introduction

An ankle fusion is performed when the patient has severe pain from ankle arthritis.

How to get referred
Referral form

Why would I need an ankle fusion?

1.
Ankle fusions are usually performed for ankle arthritis that has failed non-operative treatments.

 

2.
Ankle fusion are the current gold standard although some patients may benefit from a replacement instead – please discuss this with your surgeon

3.
Between 80-90% of patients are satisfied with the surgery.

What happens during the procedure?

1. The procedure is either done with a cut around the ankle or by some incision and the use of key hole surgery.

The surgery joins the two bones that make up the ankle joint together (the tibia and the talus) and prevents movement at the joint which stops the pain.

What happens during the procedure?

2. The arthritis is removed.

The surgery joins the two bones that make up the ankle joint together (the tibia and the talus) and prevents movement at the joint which stops the pain.

What happens during the procedure?

3. The two bones are then placed together and held with either screws or a plate.

The surgery joins the two bones that make up the ankle joint together (the tibia and the talus) and prevents movement at the joint which stops the pain.

What happens during the procedure?

4. The wound is then closed and a plaster is applied.

The surgery joins the two bones that make up the ankle joint together (the tibia and the talus) and prevents movement at the joint which stops the pain.

Risks

Although success rate for this surgery is high, some common complications are listed below.

  • Failure of the bone to fuse may occur on up to 10% of cases and may require further
    operations
  • The bones may heal in the wrong position
  • Infection or nerve injury
  • Blood clots such as a deep vein thrombosis

Recovery time

2 weeks
2 weeks of elevation (please keep the foot elevated to the level of the waist or above for approximately 45 minutes out of each hour)

3 months
3 months in total in a cast. You should be able to weightbear in the cast for some of this period

6 months
If the ankle has fused then you can come out of the cast at 3 months although it may take 6 months or even a year to feel the full benefit of the surgery.

Meet the team

Miss Andrea Sott

Mr Dominic Nielsen

Mr Paul Hamilton