The main purpose of legs is to create a support for the whole body when standing and walking. Due to various injuries, the most frequent among which are ankle injury, lower limbs may stop performing their functions. In such cases, surgical interventions are performed, allowing them to be restored, for example, arthrodesis of the ankle joint. This manipulation provides leg sustainability, but it does not return mobility to it.
What is the essence of such an operation as ankle arthrodesis?
Presented surgical intervention is a method of complete immobilization in the articulation of the bones of the lower leg and foot. During surgery, the doctor removes all cartilaginous tissues in the joint. After that, the talus and tibia are compared and fixed by means of various medical devices:
- screws;
- screws;
- metal plates;
- shunts;
- bone grafts;
- steel rods.
Manipulation takes no more than 2 hours, depending on its complexity. The period of stay in the hospital of the clinic is 4-5 days, then the patient can return home.
Similarly, surgical interventions are performed on other parts of the limb - an operation on arthrodesis of the knee or hip joint. Only in these cases will it take more time for bone splicing and rehabilitation.
Indications for ankle arthrodesis surgery
This manipulation is usually performed to restore the support function of the foot, which was lost due to improper fracture fusion, severe dislocations and subluxations, infectious diseases, arthritis or congenital joint development defects. Direct indications for arthrodesis:
- stable pain syndrome in the ankle with simultaneous inefficiency of analgesics ;
- restriction of the motor activity of the foot;
- impossibility of full support on the damaged limb.
Effects of arthrodesis of the ankle
A correctly performed operation is not accompanied by any complications and negative consequences. The only unpleasant moment is a marked decrease in the motor activity of the ankle and the need for a long rehabilitation. After the fusion of the tibial and talus bones, it is necessary to develop a leg, and this is accompanied by discomfort and a rather pronounced pain syndrome.