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It is common to feel nervous, excited or scared before your total ankle surgery. It is important to be mentally prepared for the following day, because it will change your life forever.
Physicians at WeTreatFeet will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. It is important to follow the instructions to a tee; that means you cannot drink coffee or tea in the morning when you wake up! If you take a daily medication, be sure to ask if you should still take it the morning of the surgery. Be sure to inform us if you are taking any blood thinning medications, such as Coumadin, Asprin, Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications, as these may cause greater blood loss in surgery.
When you arrive at the hospital, you will be taken to the pre-operative wing, where you will meet the anesthesiologist who will manage the case. They will review your medical history and ask a number of questions to determine the appropriate type of anesthesia for the case. Nurses will take your temperature, pulse, breathing and blood pressure. An IV (intravenous) line may be started to provide fluids and medications needed during surgery.
When the surgical team is ready, you'll be taken to the operating room, where you will be given anesthesia to help you sleep through surgery, or make you numb from the waist down. Then an incision is made through the front of your ankle. Physicians at WeTreatFeet will cut out the diseased parts of the tibia and talus and replace them with the prosthesis components. After the fit and alignment of the prosthesis is confirmed, the incision is closed with stitches to prevent wound problems. A cast is then applied. You will be given antibiotics both during and after surgery to prevent infection.
You should plan on spending at least one night in the hospital, with further time depending upon your condition. In order to prevent infection, your doctor will prescribe oral antibiotics to be taken while the wound heals. One to two weeks after surgery, Physicians at WeTreatFeet will inspect the wound and check your progress. Your cast can be removed anywhere from 4-6 weeks post-op, depending on your recovery. At that time, you will begin physical therapy to regain normal joint movement. The Physicians at WeTreatFeet will determine when you can return to other daily living activities. |