Pronounced: AR-throw-DEE-sis of foot and an-kuhl
Arthrodesis fuses (welds) together the two bones that form a joint. There is no longer movement in the joint after the procedure. One or more related joints may be done at the same time.
Ankle arthrodesis is used to relieve disabling ankle pain or deformity caused by poorly healed fractures, arthritis, infections, or developmental defects.
Satisfactory results, including good pain relief, are achieved in most patients. Most can wear ordinary shoes. Some will benefit from specially fitted footwear.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have arthrodesis, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Several nonsurgical methods will be tried to correct the problem before choosing surgery. These may include medicines, injections, special shoes, or types of physical therapy. You will have a thorough evaluation to determine your overall health and any risk factors.
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery, unless told otherwise by your doctor.
Arrange for help at home after returning from the hospital.
Your doctor may choose:
The doctor will make a long incision so that he can see the joint. He will then secure the joint. There are many ways to secure the two bones together so that they no longer move in relation to one another. Long screws, screws and steel plates, long steel rods, and bone grafts have all been used.
You will have a tourniquet strapped around your thigh to shut off circulation so that the surgery can be performed in a bloodless field. Your leg will not suffer ill effects from the tourniquet.
Your lower leg will be in a rigid cast and be elevated after surgery. You will be offered pain medicine.
About 2-5 hours
There will be no pain during the procedure. Afterwards, there will be some discomfort. Talk to your doctor about medicine to help manage discomfort.
Barring complications, you may be able to go home in 2-4 days.
It will take up to four months to heal and solidly fuse the joint(s). During that time, you will be in a cast. After the procedure, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/
University of Washington School of Medicine
http://www.orthop.washington.edu/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org/
The University of British Columbia Department of Orthopaedics
http://www.orthosurgery.ubc.ca/
References:
Ankle arthrodesis. Journal of the Southern Orthopaedic Association. Orthopaedic Care.net website. Available at: http://orthopaediccare.net/view/templates/Reference_List.asp?chapterid=Foo2903660. Accessed September 8, 2005.
Daniels TR. Ankle arthrodesis. Canadian Orthopaedic Association website. Available at: http://www.coa-aco.org/_COFAS/Library/Ankle_Arthodesis.html. Accessed September 8, 2005.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Robert E. Leach, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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