Ankle Surgery

Are You Experiencing Ankle Pain as a Result of a Sudden Slip, Twist or Previous Injury? Ankle Surgery May Be the Solution to Regaining Your Mobility and Comfort.

The orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine experts at Westchester Sport and Spine are here to help you. From the time leading up to your ankle surgery through your recovery period, WSS puts patients first. With 40 years of combined experience diagnosing orthopedic pain and injuries, the fellowship-trained specialists at Westchester Sport and Spine provide you with the highest level of care for surgical ankle procedures.

Ankle surgery is commonly used as a last resort treatment if a patient is living with persistent pain, has damaged joints, or has experienced a fracture. After being seen by a Westchester Sport and Spine surgeon, a treatment plan will be created for your ankle surgery to get you on the path to recovery.

About Ankle Surgery

Surgery is never the first option at Westchester Sport and Spine, but some conditions and injuries necessitate surgical intervention in order to help you get back to the activities you love without pain.

If you have experienced persistent ankle pain, stiffness, swelling, or a sudden injury, it is important to be seen by a professional orthopedic team to diagnose your problem and create a treatment plan.

Though knee and hip replacements are discussed more commonly, ankle surgeries or ankle joint replacements are an option available to patients who are suffering from pain due to bone deterioration or another injury. Ankle surgeries, including replacements, are successful procedures aimed at restoring function and comfort.

Some ankle surgeries are able to be done arthroscopically. This is a minimally invasive surgery that is performed with fiber-optic viewing camera and small surgical tools to operate in and around the ankle through small incisions. Ankle arthroscopy procedures give patients a faster and more comfortable recovery period with minimal scarring as opposed to open surgery.

Common Types of Ankle Surgery

Injuries to the foot and ankle are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries. A fractured or arthritic ankle interferes with daily operations and causes pain that cannot be controlled with medication. The type of ankle surgery that you may need differs depending on your specific situation. However, some of the most common procedures we perform are:

  • Ankle Fusion: surgery to fuse the bones of the ankle into one piece, known as ankle arthrodesis. This is typically performed to treat arthritis in the ankle.
  • Ankle Replacement: the damaged articular surfaces of the ankle joint are replaced with prosthetic components. 
  • Triple Fusion: fusion of the three joints of the hindfoot; the calcaneocuboid, subtalar, and talonavicular, which corrects deformity.
  • Fracture Repair: open reduction and internal fixation may be required to stabilize a fractured ankle.

Common Ankle Conditions that may Require Surgery

The human foot is composed of 26 bones and more than 33 joints, which are arranged into complex columns and arches that vary both in flexibility and firmness. The foot is separated into three different parts: the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot. There are many problems that can occur in these complex structures, causing pain and inflammation, which may limit mobility and stability. These include:

  • Advanced Ankle Arthritis: degenerative wearing of the articular cartilage cushion lining the joint, resulting in bone-on-bone grinding of the joint surface.
  • Achilles Tendon Disorder:  a common disorder of the heel cord where inflammation may progress to degeneration of the tendon, causing it to lose structure and develop tears.
  • Ankle Fractures: a partial or complete break of the bone, ranging from less serious avulsions to severe ruptures.
  • Severe Sprains or Strains: sprained or torn ligaments in the ankle may necessitate surgery. This occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle stretch beyond their natural limits.
  • Damaged Cartilage: damage to the connective tissue in the ankle, which acts as a cushion between the joints.

Recovering from Ankle Surgery

Recovery from ankle surgery can take anywhere from 4 to 9 months, with recovery time depending heavily on how extensive the injury was prior to surgery, the complexity of the procedure, and how well the patient is able to limit their movement post-op.

Immediately after your procedure, you will be given pain killers to minimize any discomfort that you may feel. Following your release from the hospital, your Westchester Sport and Spine team will work with you to manage your pain and provide you with post-op care instructions.

After surgery, patients should be keeping their ankle elevated above the level of their heart and refrain from putting weight on your ankle, exercising, or moving your ankle prior to medical clearance.

Once a patient has completely recovered from their surgery, they will be able to once again enjoy everyday activities with no or reduced discomfort.

Call Us Immediately

If you experience the following symptoms following ankle surgery please call the orthopedic doctors and specialists at Westchester Sport and Spine immediately and then ask someone to drive you to our clinic if:

  • Your ankle appears deformed
  • Inability to use your ankle, walk or apply weight to your foot
  • Intense pain
  • Sudden swelling