When is ankle surgery needed

In fact, most people put 75, miles on their feet by the time they reach age Many of my patients experience foot and ankle pain but do not require surgery. As a highly experienced foot and ankle specialist, I will examine you and give you my professional opinion as to whether I think surgery of the foot or ankle is necessary—whether your condition stems from an injury, arthritis, osteoporosis, an ongoing problem or simply general wear-and-tear.

If together, we determine that surgery is the best option for you, I will thoroughly explain the surgical procedure so that you fully understand what to expect. The feet and ankles are complicated musculoskeletal structures. Because they support the weight and bear the impact of the entire weight of the body, they are easily injured.

Twisting, spraining, fracturing and even breaking the foot or ankle are common injuries, caused by strenuous athletic activities, a trip or misstep, or even ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes. In addition, once any of the many ligaments and tendons in the area are damaged, they become looser and more prone to injury in the future. Although foot and ankle injuries are common for everyone, athletes are especially prone to damage in these areas.

It can cause chronic pain, repeated ankle sprains, and an ankle that often gives way when you walk or perform activities. At first, an ankle sprain may stretch and partially tear your ankle ligaments. This first sprain makes it more likely that you will sprain your ankle again. This is more likely if you did not have the first sprain treated properly. More sprains may loosen your ligaments even more.

Certain mechanical problems with your foot can make you more likely to develop an unstable ankle, such as:. You may have already been treated with physical therapy and special foot inserts.

Your own risk for complications depends on your age, the anatomy of your foot, and your general health. Talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns you might have. You can discuss the risks that most apply to you. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to prepare for your surgery.

Ask if you should stop taking any medicines ahead of time, like blood thinners. If you smoke, try to stop smoking before your procedure.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. This included over-the-counter medicines like aspirin. Also, tell him or her about any changes in your overall health, like a recent fever.

Before your procedure, you may need imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI. You should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure. You may need to plan some changes to your home and activities before surgery. There are a number of methods used for lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. Ask your healthcare provider about the details of your surgery. An orthopedic foot surgeon will perform your surgery.

The surgery may take 2 or more hours. You can expect the following:. Grade 1 : A grade 1 is a minor sprain in which no ligaments have torn. A grade 1 sprain will typically heal quickly on its own with minimal intervention. You may have some discomfort when running or jumping, but overall, the pain will be relatively minor as will any inconvenience.

Grade 2 : This most common grade of sprain is one that sends most people to the doctor. Ina grade 2 sprain, the ligament is partially torn. It is difficult to walk. A grade 2 sprained ankle will result in significant swelling and bruising. It is possible, though not as likely, to need surgery for a grade 2 sprain, depending on the severity of the sprain.

It can take well over a month to fully heal from a grade 2 sprain. Grade 3 : In a grade 3 sprain, the pain is severe as a result of a fully torn ligament. You may hear or experience a popping sound when the injury occurs.