At Potomac Podiatry Group, you can get total ankle replacement in Sterling, Chantilly, Woodbridge, VA, White Plains, Crofton, and Annapolis, MD, to manage serious mobility problems. But what exactly is this procedure? It’s a process that helps to replace your ankle joint with an artificial one and is suitable for people with damage related to arthritis and other concerns. Understanding what to expect during this procedure can help you stay healthy.
Preparing for Surgery
Surgery prep includes talking with your surgeon to see what kind of medications you can’t take, such as blood thinners, aspirin, or nutritional supplements. You should stop smoking cigarettes or tobacco products for 24 hours before surgery and avoid eating or drinking during this period. Make sure that you set up help from friends or family members during recovery, such as assistance carrying items or buying food while you’re off your feet.
What Happens During Treatment?
A total ankle replacement is done under general anesthesia to minimize your pain. During the surgery, our doctor will clean the skin and make a small incision to get access to the joint. They’ll carefully remove the damaged joint, cartilage, and bone and replace them with metal materials and plastic inserts. They’ll also treat swollen or damaged tissues before sealing the cut.
How Is Recovery?
Typically, you’ll stay in the hospital for at least a day or two and avoid showering for 24-48 hours to avoid infections. At this point, you might notice a little pain and will have to wear a cast for a few weeks until the joint is fully healed. Your surgeon may also schedule follow-up appointments to track your progress and make adjustments to ensure that you stay healthy.
Potential Risks
Ankle replacement surgery is a major procedure that comes with some potential risks. Our team at Potomac Podiatry Group will work to minimize risks and protect you. We work to avoid these issues by constantly checking you during surgery, keeping our doctors heavily trained, and working with skilled nurses. In this way, you can stay healthy, and avoid serious complications.
Take Your Surgery Seriously
Call us at Potomac Podiatry Group to learn about total ankle replacement surgery in Sterling, Chantilly, Woodbridge, VA, White Plains, Crofton, and Annapolis, MD. You can call our Woodbridge Office (703) 583-5959, Chantilly Office (703) 490-5599, Crofton Office (410) 721-4505, Sterling Office (703) 444-9555, White Plains Office (301) 645-1406 or Annapolis Office (410) 263-3100 to set up an appointment.